Getting drinking straws from straw dispenser in fastfood chains??

Yes, I have seen people do this and it's disgusting. But I have also seen employees without rubber gloves on loading the dispenser so it's really no different since the employees are also handling money. I worked at a snack bar and observed one of my co-workers handling money and then handling hot dogs. That's just not sanitary. When I was employed, I made it a habit to use rubber gloves when handling the food and then tossed the gloves away to handle the money. Clean gloves on again when the next order came in. How many times have you seen employees in a restaurant putting silverware on the tables prior to the customers sitting and they handle the silverware with their bare hands by the fork or spoon that goes in the mouth? Ewwww! Can never be too save is my motto.

I agree with you in that observation about straw dispensers. I have observed that situation most of the times in our country but the most disgusting part I ever experienced to see was when I was in one food chain and saw a kid getting a straw in a dispenser, suddenly as he press the little handle, it slip of his hands and went to the floor, her mother while over the counter told her son not to get it for it is already dirty, and the kid pick up the straw from the floor and open the lid of the dispenser and return to the press area and get new straws again..This incident was caught by one of the food chain staffs and he did not even got attention to do something,even thinking what IF some people had seen it? they really do not care at all.. Just pretend did not seen anything. I guess, this must be mandatory included in the responsibility of the food chains management, to secure proper sanitation and avoid those incidences by sealing the lid of the dispenser or might have been included that all straws must be wrapped to avoid contamination. But, you know how market goes right now? it is much cheaper cost for them if they will use straws with no wrapped paper they do not care if it contaminated or for other worst food chains? they only wash and re-use it. Happy lotting..

Many of the fast food places I go to have straws wrapped in paper, so they stay uncontaminated. I do agree that the lid to a box of straws should possibly be fastened in a way to keep people from handling all of the straws in the box. It is gross, but many people will not drink in a restaurant unless they have a straw, because they do not know who has touched the top of the cup or glass. I guess you could bring your own straw and cup.

The "tap" dispenser is a good idea, but they need to use straw already wrapped up because the workers have to touch the outside of the straws to put them in the dispenser and align them right so most likely "tapping" them against the counter to align them before putting them in the dispenser. A lot of places have the straws wrapped in paper, more should do like that.

Most of the places I go to anymore, either the dispenser is broken and there is just a pile of straws laying in the tray or they don't bother to put the lid back on the dispenser when they're done filling it. Of course, that could just be my broken down hole in the world where no one really cares about making things nice anymore *shrug*

Some of the restaurants that I go to have straws wrapped in paper so there isn't a problem with them getting contaminated. However, you are right about the straw dispensers and how some people do not use them properly. It is gross and disgusting for people to do this, they should think about others too. That is why it would be nice if all restaurants had straw wrapped in papers

Some places the straws come wrapped in paper that you have to peel off I like that the best. That way no one elses germs touch my straws. With those dispenser ones that you push the button and one comes out someone has to touch the straws to put them in the dispenser to begin with and who knows if they have gloves on or how clean their hands are. I have never seen anyone open it and take out one straw instead of pushing the button though I dont understand why they would do that ugh.

Yeah, I have thought of that, but another thing that bothers me is when you get a fountain drink, there is no way of getting a lid without touching at least two of them. There's just no way, so I usually try to get one from the middle of the stack, cause you are so right there is just no idea of what could be on them. Ugh! Makes me sick to even think about it.

I also use the little handle to get a straw. However, some food chains (even the super famous) didn't take a proper maintenance over that thing and the little handle don't work. Once I told the cashier I couldn't get my straw, she told me to lift the cover and get one from inside.

Yeah that might be a problem. Of course, having unwrapped straws is just a health disaster waiting to happen. In my area, at McDonalds for example, they have the condiments area with cups, the soda dispenser, and all of the straws are just there on a section, all wrapped up. No dispenser, no muss, no fuss, if they won't get contaminated. I think that people don't understand how to use certain things. So some fast food places have accommodated that place. Its not a health hazard, its not a problem, its just people can get straws whenever. Of course, many places don't even offer straws anymore unless you request them, which is kind of weird and not to mention rather inconvenient.

I don't use straw. I find it dirty.