On 25 Nov 2005, -L. wrote:

>
> Elaine Parrish wrote:
> >
> > One that makes me nuts is birthday cake. Set the cake down, light the 400
> > candles, have the birthday boy or girl blow on it 3 or 4 times and when
> > he/she can't do the job, 2 or 3 other people step forward to help. Oh,
> > yeah, baby, give me a really big piece of that cake! This is always the
> > most fun when it is at the office. And, please, oh please, buy those
> > candles that won't blow out so everybody gets a chance to prove that they
> > *can* get the candles to stay out.
>
> Just nasty. When I worked, I never ate communal food at work. People
> would stand over the food trays and eat, despite the fact that plates,
> silverware and napkins were provided. We even had double-dippers.
> These were highly educated scientists, all world-travellers. You'd
> think they'd be a bit more in-tune with hygiene., not to mention
> etiquette.
>

I know what you mean. I always "pick and choose" at any communal
gathering. I watch people getting their dishes ready. It's not hard to
tell the ones that take care and follow the basic rules.

I see people having bake sales in front of the grocery store and places
and there is *no way* I'd buy any thing today. When I was a kid, we always
had bake sales, but we were dumber then.

> >
> > A number of years ago, my SIL came for some holiday and brought her two
> > little lap dogs. I left her in the den, sitting on the floor playing with
> > the fur babies and went to the kitchen to check whatever I was cooking. I
> > washed my hands and then stirred the pot. About that time, she came around
> > the corner with an empty glass in her hand and headed straight for my ice
> > maker bin ( in the days before ice-from-the-door). Without even realizing
> > it, I called out, very urgently and loudly, I'm afraid, "NO!" She stopped,
> > I crossed the kitchen quickly, took her glass, and said, in a more polite
> > voice, "I'll get it for you, dear. You've been playing with the dogs." It
> > seemed to take her a minute to understand what I was saying. boo, hiss.
> >
> > Elaine, too
>
> Thank you. And I took major shit in another thread for saying I use
> antibacterial wipes and a cart cover on the shopping cart before I
> place my baby in it.
>
> -L.

I think that is a great idea. I carry those wipes individually wrapped in
my purse all the time. They are so handy and I use a lot of them.

In the grocery store, I always pull a few plastic bags in the produce
section to put the meat that I buy in - especially chicken. I have never
yet bought any chicken product that wasn't "leaking" or been leaked on. I
drop my chicken down in the bags and I don't have to worry about them
dripping all over everything. Then I wash my hands with my little
wipe. Makes me feel better.

But the very dirtiest thing is money. boo, hiss. We all love money and
think of it as such a good thing that we don't think about where it has
been. Every time a vendor starts to hand me change, I have the vision of
pulling out a can of disinfectant and spraying her and the money before I
take it. I guess that comes from all those years in business when I saw
where that money was coming from. boowaaaah

I think I'll go wash my hands now... <g>

Elaine, too