excuse me, but I have another toothpick question.....
By Cutie18f
@Cutie18f (9551)
Philippines
April 4, 2013 7:00pm CST
I hope you do not wonder why I have already started a number of discussions on toothpick and here I am again with another one. I am just curious.
You go to a restaurant, use a toothpick discreetly covering your mouth while doing it, then what? Do you leave it on the plate, as is, after using it? Or do you bring it with you, the thing stuck in the corner of your mouth? Or do you go directly to the trash to throw it? Or do you break it into two before leaving it on the plate?
After learning from my friend about what her mother did with the used toothpicks in the house, I have made it a habit to break the toothpick into two so no fool will think of recycling or reusing it. But I just don't leave the used toothpick as is. I'd get a napkin which I use to wrap the toothpick before leaving it on the plate.
I have seen people leaving their used toothpicks on the plate and I almost puked. It looked gross. I also think of the waiters and dishwashers who have to clean up everything. They'd most likely tough used toothpicks. It is better to break the used toothpick and wrap it with tissue afterwards.
What is your usual practice?
2 people like this
10 responses
@jaiho2009 (39142)
• Philippines
5 Apr 13
I seldom use toothpick and in case I need to use one after eating in a restaurant- I do break the toothpick in two.
Even with disposable spoon, fork, glasses and styro's I crushed and break those things after using and before leaving the place.
@jaiho2009 (39142)
• Philippines
5 Apr 13
Since disposable plastic wares are collected by some people (I can see it from malls) this got me thinking- what if those things are washed and sold to smaller restaurants/eatery and reused (ewkkkss)
So it is better to break those disposable things- besides those things should not be re-used and better we should break it.
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
26 Apr 13
This probably sounds strange but I wait until after I have left the restaurant then I will do it outside, then when I have finished will put it in the rubbish bin, I wouldn't want to sit at my table no matter how unconspicous I was using a toothpick, because I wouldn't want to see someone do it when I was eating. I certainly wouldn't leave it on the plate or on the table for the poor waiter/waitress to see. That would be unkind.
@bellis716 (4799)
• United States
6 Apr 13
Since it is no longer to use the food left on plates to feed to the hogs, I would just leave the toothpick on my plate. I'm sure the bus boys have developed strong stomaches.
@prashu228 (37526)
• India
5 Apr 13
ahhh i dont know that people do this. On my i never break my toothpicks i just throw them but not after reading this i decided that i will break them and also the plastic spoons. Thanks ya.
@srisahara (4508)
• Indonesia
5 Apr 13
Hi friend, I think your idea is good. Usually I wrap it in paper towel and put it on the my plate. I will apply your way by break it to make sure that the toothpick does not reuse. Thank you friend.
@emily7339 (1337)
• Malaysia
5 Apr 13
It is a good practice to break it and wrap it up with a napkin / facial tissue. I seldom use toothpick as we have our eating out in the food court most of the time and they do not provide toothpicks. Unless occsionally we eat in the restaurant, we may have access to use the toothpicks. Some times I will break and wrap it with tissue paper and put beside my plate. At other times, I may forget to break it. I would want to make an effort to break it every time when I use the toothpicks for hygiene purpose.
@jonastabuena (2307)
• Philippines
5 Apr 13
When i go restaurants and using toothpicks, after using it, i broke it wrap in tissue paper and put it in my pocket, and when i go outside i will throw it in a trash can, i agree with you its so gross for me seeing those used to toothpick in the place, even in our house, we don,t allow toothpicks on the plates after using it. I don't understand on some people why do put it in plate?
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
5 Apr 13
When it comes to using a toothpick I usually wait till I get to the car or home. I don't like using a toothpick in public. I had a boss who would treat me to lunch from time to time and he would use the toothpick discreetly by covering him mouth but I don't remember what he would do with the toothpick afterwards. I still am laughing over your friends mom boiling the toothpick after they had been used. Hysterical! 
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
5 Apr 13
I do exactly what you do--break it and place it in a folded napkin. I mean that is how it should be done.
You know what? I think it would be great if you start a book of Etiquette! But really, that would surely be a great book.
But really, that would surely be a great book.
@inopiratum_a_medio12 (877)
•
5 Apr 13
same here I usually placed the toothpick I used inside the napkin but I don't break it or anything just crumple the napkin and place it beside the plate
