Don't Touch My Straw !
By PLETHOS
@Plethos (13718)
United States
October 2, 2016 6:11pm CST
Why do some people place the straw in my beverage with about an inch or two of wrapper still on it? Why not just give me the straw with the whole wrapper still enclosing the straw safely away from hands that aren't mine. I'm not a germaphobe of sorts, it's just that I don't want anyone touching my wrapper less straw.
There's a Starbucks in my area that does this practice of only leaving a cap of sorts on the tip of the straws. This past Saturday when I received my "condomed" straw, I asked for a new straw, he advised me that the straw was new and tried to assure me that it was safe. I just cut to the chase and told him that I'm weird about it and i'd feel comfortable if I was the one who removed the straw from its wrapper. So then it was my turn to assure him that he did nothing wrong, it's just me being "picky" about my straw.
Am I the only one who does this? Ask for a new straw if the one for your drink has
already been skinned and placed in your drink ? Is it paranoia? strangeness? Pickiness? Phobia?
-Photo taken by me, Plethos-
7 people like this
7 responses
@cindiowens (5120)
• North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
3 Oct 16
It is common sense. People do NOT wash their hands as well or as often as they should.
3 people like this
@cindiowens (5120)
• North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
3 Oct 16
@Plethos You know they did on their hands, eww.
3 people like this
@Plethos (13718)
• United States
3 Oct 16
@cindiowens - 
that is disgusting. maybe im just getting into that older paranoid stage of life.
that is disgusting. maybe im just getting into that older paranoid stage of life.2 people like this
@Plethos (13718)
• United States
5 Oct 16
@pgntwo - crown caps and glass bottles ! the crown cap and glass soda bottle combo is making a come back over here. despite the fact that i dont drink soda, im sure people who have never had that combo will notice a taste difference from aluminum and plastic containers.
2 people like this
@tammys85 (31394)
• Baltimore, Maryland
8 Oct 16
I don't do that, but I usually grab my own straw at Starbucks before they can give me one anyways, and these days with fast food, you wind up filling your own cup. There's nothing wrong with asking for a new one if that's what makes you comfortable.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
3 Oct 16
It doesn't bug me too much if someone rips half of it because I don't put my lip/mouth on the entire straw to touch their germs. But I think they do it so you can have your drink faster. And so when they give you your cup, your straw doesn't fall.
BUT I have seen some who use their mouth to rip the straw and that is a no no. I will ask for a new one.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
3 Oct 16
@Plethos
I just updated my response with another line as I just spoke to my boyfriend about this topic:
BUT I have seen some who use their mouth to rip the straw and that is a no no. I will ask for a new one.
1 person likes this
@Plethos (13718)
• United States
3 Oct 16
@infatuatedbby - i am now seriously considering carrying my own straws 
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (174208)
• United States
6 Dec 16
Well, in my opinion, you are being strange, yes... but not because you ask for only a new straw that has not been opened, but because you didn't ask for a new glass of whatever beverage, as well.
You KNOW that if the person peeled your straw, that means they touched the part without the covering on the straw... and then placed that contaminated straw into your drink... where you can then suck up the germs, dirt, skin fragments...etc from the contaminated straw. 
How can any business tell their employees it is perfectly alright to remove any part of the wrapper from a straw that will be going into their customer's mouth? Eww! Nasty! Gross!
If I order a drink and my straw is not still sealed in the protective wrapper, I will be having a conversation with the store manager! That is an unsanitary practice and should be stopped, however you can stop it! (shudder in revulsion!)
But yeah, you are still weirder than me! 
How can any business tell their employees it is perfectly alright to remove any part of the wrapper from a straw that will be going into their customer's mouth? Eww! Nasty! Gross!
If I order a drink and my straw is not still sealed in the protective wrapper, I will be having a conversation with the store manager! That is an unsanitary practice and should be stopped, however you can stop it! (shudder in revulsion!)
But yeah, you are still weirder than me! 2 people like this
@Clairelouiser (683)
• United Kingdom
13 Jan 17
Quite right, that's going in your mouth, you don't want someone's gross hands all over it, eee
1 person likes this
