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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Horrified watching my aunt prepare today's lunch...

351 replies

user1477282676 · 02/01/2017 09:35

Just checking that I'm not being super sensitive! Was at MIL's today for lunch...Aunt was in charge of potatoes which were to be boiled and covered in garlic, butter and herbs.

Lovely.

Except...not.

I had to watch her as she put the butter etc in and using a selection of utensils, repeatedly lick them after she'd stirred the potatoes...and then plunge them into the potatoes again....good stir....back into the butter dish...more licking...back into the potatoes...then back into the butter...another good lick.

Boak.

She then, coughed into the pot for good measure.

Shock

This is a bit lighthearted by the way....she's not in her dotage or anything...60 years old and perfectly together...she knew I was sititng there watching.

I had been looking forward to a nice spud! I had to refuse them and eat meat and salad!

What gets INTO some people?

OP posts:
miwelaisjacydo · 02/01/2017 10:17

Don't come to lunch at my house 😂I always taste then retaste using sane spoon or finger

ScarletForYa · 02/01/2017 10:18

Gross.

miwelaisjacydo · 02/01/2017 10:18

Same

1horatio · 02/01/2017 10:18

Kate

That's normal. And never trust a chef that wears plastic gloves. And restaurant staff often come to work sick. It's an industry where taking sick days is often not possible...

miwelaisjacydo · 02/01/2017 10:18

I don't cough over food though that is gross.

user1477282676 · 02/01/2017 10:18

It's just rank and unecassary! Place the bloody spoon on the side...then use again. If you want to taste it, then use a clean spoon! And DON'T DOUBLE DIP!

OP posts:
Temporaryname137 · 02/01/2017 10:19

Oh god this has made me retch. I can't bear double dipping/sharing forks/eating someone's leftovers etc. no way could I have eaten those potatoes.

I once watched a colleague eat crisps, licking her fingers after every single crisp, and then stirring around the bag - and then offering the ones she didn't want to a colleague. I had to find an excuse to work somewhere else for a bit!

YANNNNNNNNNNNNNBU.

Whensmyturn · 02/01/2017 10:20

If the spoon goes back in the pot despite it being a bit yucky you won't catch anything as the heat will kill any bugs.

YoScienceBitch · 02/01/2017 10:22

I am the owner of the bin thread Grin

See this wouldn't bother me. I've had way worse things in my mouth.

Tallycally · 02/01/2017 10:22

Yuck! Puts me right off eating something if it's been handled by a "licky" person! Once watched a customer in a tearoom divide up cakes for a group of family and friends; fingers licked after handling every piece .... No one said a word! Even worse when someone plays with a dog or cat then prepares food without washing hands!

lalaloopyhead · 02/01/2017 10:23

I can't get too bothered by this to be honest. I am probably guilty of using a spoon to taste and then stir when I am cooking for the family, but we all leave germs all over the place anyway as we go don't we?

I've got a friend that doesn't allow candle blowing out on Birthday cakes, I suppose if we think about it do we want a slice of cake covered in child spittle? Probably not but it never did anyone any harm.

I was just thinking to myself about everyone at work who is ill the most are the ones that are most particular about cleaning and germs.

limitedperiodonly · 02/01/2017 10:28

I was once making pastry and as I rolled it out, noticed something red. It was a broken nail. If I hadn't worn nail varnish it would have ended up in someone's tart, a bit like why they use blue plasters in professional kitchens.

blitheringbuzzards1234 · 02/01/2017 10:29

Oh dear. My MIL is not as clean as she used to be which is why no-one will eat/drink at her house anymore. She can't understand why - but she has great age on her side (90 plus) whereas yours is around 30 years younger.

It's pointless to say anything as she won't believe you - she'll think that you're in the wrong for being fussy, "oh that user 1477, she's barmy about hygiene! It's never made me ill!" But it will one day and she'll still be mystified. I feel for you.

Wallabyone · 02/01/2017 10:29

The extent of that particular licking episode sounds a bit much Confused

On Christmas Day, my inlaws had some new friends over and the man said he would carve in the kitchen. He slices with an electric knife and transferred every piece with his hairy fingers to the serving dish. I don't think he licked in between, but the thought of a stranger and his hairy hands handling every piece of turkey made me feel a bit queasy.

No one licked any bin lids though Wink

Cherrysoup · 02/01/2017 10:30

I'd puke, I have a very sensitive gag reflex.

SemiNormal · 02/01/2017 10:31

That's disgusting, I can't believe so many people actually do this! What the hell is the point of washing up then? Why not just lick the plates clean and put them back in the cupboard? Grim!

Temporaryname137 · 02/01/2017 10:32

I will never ever eat birthday cake if someone has blown out the candles. You just see way too much spit fly over it! Good way not to cram it all into my fat gob, however.

PinguForPresident · 02/01/2017 10:32

People are seriously bothered by things like this. This is how we build out immune systems up. living in an aspetic bubble isn;t good for you.

I think it's really sad when people rarel eat out and don; eat homemade cakes becasue they're worried about germs. Why make your life so small? I've never known or heard of anyone who picked up soemthing dreadful from a homemade cake. Chances are 20-30 minutes in the oven at 180 will kill the oddd bit of lurking germ!

Sparklingbrook · 02/01/2017 10:33

I wouldn't like it. There's just no need. Why all the butter licking? Confused Plus no more heat would be added at that point. Yuk.

Double dipping should be illegal.

FurryLittleTwerp · 02/01/2017 10:33

Revolting. I get a teaspoon for tasting which I then dabble in the sink & leave on the draining-board, in case I need another taste, so as not to use up all the teaspoons. Smile

I always have a sinkful of hot soapy water ready while I'm cooking.

If I use my fingers to dip & taste, I use a different finger every time, if I can't wash my hands afterwards.

Carollocking · 02/01/2017 10:35

You saw this time,just think of all the yummy food you ate in the past with her

MerryMarigold · 02/01/2017 10:36

What's a double dip?

I'm just scummy, I think. was surprised at the responses on the laundry cart thread too. Wouldn't bother me in the slightest. There's germs everywhere, all the time. How do you guys cope when your kids are ill? How do you get public transport? Sit at a table in McDonalds? Use a public toilet? Use anyone else's toilet? (What if they don't wash their hands and then you touch the door knob they touched). Chill out, man.

Sparklingbrook · 02/01/2017 10:39

Double dipping is putting the spoon/food into your mouth then going straight back in and putting it in the food again. Ok if you are eating alone but otherwise no.

MrsMcMoo · 02/01/2017 10:42

Gross!

user1477282676 · 02/01/2017 10:43

Merry you wouldn't care if your child was dumped amid the sheets of many strangers? They could have spunk on them!!

OP posts:
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