Licking fingers after a meal

[KimchiLaLa]

My SIL does this and it drives me mental. I realise I can't change it, according to my husband it's a habit of a lifetime for her, but wondered if anyone else was annoyed by this sort of thing?

My DH's family all wipe their plates by dragging a finger across them and lick their finger and continue repeating until their plates are clean. They then move on to any communal dishes in the middle of the table like the dish the roast chicken is in. And wipe and lick fingers. I jump up like there's a spring under my bum after every meal to clear the plates away. Then we have dessert

I eat with my hand, I also give my fingers a quick lick before clearing my bowl away, it’s cultural and I’m not going to change it.

Cultural norms are an interesting point.
I think it's important to adhere to them so if eating communally in a culture where it's traditional to lick fingers, obvs don't complain. Likewise if you SimonJT are eating communally in a culture that doesn't encourage finger licking perhaps think about not doing for those occasions?
Being mindful of the comfort of others is what manners are really all about after all?

From nowhere - and who dictates whats polite ? - a bunch of buttoned up germ phobic pearl clutchers on mumsnet? Give over

I think the essence of being polite is not to make others feel uncomfortable?
People need reminding that life is not a bloody free for all, where you can do what you like, we function better with a little civility and consideration.

No that's rank.
Just as bad as licking the plate 🤢

vulpine it's normally dictated by cultural norms as per my previous post. So in the UK for example I would be a little surprised to see people licking all their fingers after eating because generally it isn't deemed polite. This isn't up for debate really, despite a what a few enthusiastic finger lickers on this thread may wish to be the case

In somewhere like southern India where eating with hands is the norm, I imagine it may be more common to finger lick after eating, it may even be encouraged, and thats fine too. Manners are dictated by each society or group you belong to. You can disagree but you may find yourself without many dinner invites if you chose to go against the grain.

From nowhere - thanks for the advice! But dont worry yourself, I think we mix in very different circles

@Monkeynuts18 I was about to post the same. He doesn't do it in public though. I actually find it a compliment though as he loves my cooking and wants to get every last bit off the plate

Urgh @JuneSpoon did you know this before you married into the family. I bet eating out is a joy.

Licking the plate or dragging your finger around the plate and licking it is revolting.

Sparkling I know!! It's awful !!!

I feel we need an etiquette expert to advise.

That’s minging

That's gross. And unhygienic. And gross. And common.

Manners are a social construct

Sometimes I lick the plate too...especially if the food was chocolates. Nothing wrong with any of it in my opinion. I do go wash my hands after though - because they’d be sticky.

Never in public though 😉

I mean I’d probably be a bit grossed out if someone started licking my fingers after they’d finished eating.

But licking food off your own hand doesn’t bother me.

Lol funny how some people find finger licking revolting but I bet most of you don’t mind having your arse licked

Lol funny how some people find finger licking revolting but I bet most of you don’t mind having your arse licked

Nah, I'll leave you to that. Each to their own

I can’t believe people don’t lick their fingers after KFC!!

Sometimes I lick the plate too...especially if the food was chocolates.

You eat "chocolates" on a plate?

Wow you're all a bunch of sensitive souls

Yes, it is bad manners, but you'd really be so rude as to direct them to wash their hands or give them a napkin? The MN golden rule is you can't tell another adult what to do. Ever.

Not a finger licker but I was brought up proper like and that includes not telling grown adults how to eat

My bugbear is a friend who sneezes into her hands (and makes a really big deal out of that sneeze too!!) and continues to help herself to food using her hands if we are having food you help yourself to.

Gross and clear breach of etiquette.
I hate it with a passion.

My DM has the nasty habit to pick food out of her teeth, either with a finger or a toothpick without covering the view of her mouth whilst she is doing it at the table. She also will loudly blow her nose (albeit thankfully not in a napkin) at the table without even so much as turning around in her chair for a moment to at least appear polite.

Similar revolting behavior, its rude and disgusting and it gives me the rage.