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Original poster

Licking dinner plates

189 replies

Endlessblueskieswhatsnottolove · 10/09/2026 14:03

Recently my 8 year old has started licking her dinner plate when she's finished. Whilst I appreciate it when she says it's because it was delicious, I've told her not to do it as it's yucky and bad manners.
Dh thinks I'm being harsh on her for getting cross with her

Aibu to not want my child to think it's ok to lick plates after finishing their food?!

OP posts:
Millytante · 10/09/2026 14:27

Krevlornswath · 10/09/2026 14:15

Put a basket of bread on the table so she can mop up with it?

Exactly. The only civilised way to handle it.
But the child urgently needs to learn that plate-licking is emphatically not done, and must cease. Like public nose-picking. If she licked a plate at school dinner or at tea with a friend, reactions would be very awkward indeed.
Protect her, it’s her parents’ job.

CaptainMyCaptain · 10/09/2026 14:22

Bez72 · 10/09/2026 14:06

Can't see any problem with it myself!
Why shouldn't she?
If you really have a problem with it, give her a bit of bread to wipe her plate with, or is that wrong too?

I was going to say this. Be more French.

mopandsmiff · 10/09/2026 14:21

LOL. YANBU and are right to teach her basic manners and not to lick her plate.

However I would totally support her if, as an adult, she decides to ignore this rule in her own home!

LadyHexham · 10/09/2026 14:18

YANBU
Table manners are a life skill

Minasama · 10/09/2026 14:17

Bringing up children means teaching them
manners and how to behave appropriately. Licking your plate is what dogs do, it wouldn’t even be acceptable in a 3 year old outside the home. Don’t listen to your husband.

Bez72 · 10/09/2026 14:16

Endlessblueskieswhatsnottolove · 10/09/2026 14:14

Are you serious?

Show quote history

Yes, what exactly is the issue with doing this in your own home?

allthiscarryon · 10/09/2026 14:16

Basic fucking manners! Wait til she does it at school or at a friends or at a restaurant and then tell her?

Krevlornswath · 10/09/2026 14:15

Put a basket of bread on the table so she can mop up with it?

Original poster
Endlessblueskieswhatsnottolove · 10/09/2026 14:14

Bez72 · 10/09/2026 14:06

Can't see any problem with it myself!
Why shouldn't she?
If you really have a problem with it, give her a bit of bread to wipe her plate with, or is that wrong too?

Are you serious?

OP posts:
Jc2001 · 10/09/2026 14:13

Endlessblueskieswhatsnottolove · 10/09/2026 14:03

Recently my 8 year old has started licking her dinner plate when she's finished. Whilst I appreciate it when she says it's because it was delicious, I've told her not to do it as it's yucky and bad manners.
Dh thinks I'm being harsh on her for getting cross with her

Aibu to not want my child to think it's ok to lick plates after finishing their food?!

It not a pleasant thing to watch at the dinner table. Give her a slice of bread to mop it all up with

bananaapplepears · 10/09/2026 14:11

Licking plates is disgusting. Reminds me of an animal.

MyDuvetDay · 10/09/2026 14:07

It’s not OK to lick a plate and you’re right to correct her

i say that as someone who is very relaxed about table manners

shhblackbag · 10/09/2026 14:07

Of course you're not unreasonable, you must know that. Your husband either has incredibly bad manners, or he's winding you up for the fun of it. None of which is attractive.

Bez72 · 10/09/2026 14:06

Can't see any problem with it myself!
Why shouldn't she?
If you really have a problem with it, give her a bit of bread to wipe her plate with, or is that wrong too?

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