Poll: How Do You Feel About Toothpicks in Restaurants?

How Do You Feel About Toothpicks in Restaurants?

April 24, 2009

Toothpicks may be the perfect utensil for bite-sized appetizers, but many restaurants still offer them for another purpose: to keep food out of one's teeth. In my experience, trays of toothpicks have always been ubiquitous at casual restaurants, yet I've always felt iffy about publicly picking something out of my teeth. How do you feel about toothpicks being offered at restaurants?

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22 Comments

4 years 4 days

The man I was with looked the other way while I used a toothpick and exaggerated his behavior until I said something. Now that I've read the proper etiquette about toothpick usage, I will never dislodge anything, even it is on my way to the brain. However, the same man who embarrassed me eats like a hog -- stuffing about 10 times the amount of food in his mouth that he can sufficiently chew without spewing it all over the place; he leans over the table with his nose about 1 inch from his food; he chews like a cow. I will NEVER again use a toothpick, no matter what, but if we are talking about manners, wouldn't eating manners be at least as important as a toothpick, which is provided by a restaurant? I use a toothpick about once every 10 years, but I eat with manners everyday. Just venting-- Oh, and I also have enough manners not to make an issue out of someone else's "gross" manners.

4 years 3 weeks

With braces i need a toothpick 'cause floss takes forever and my parents don't care as long as I don't walk around with it my mouth.(They think i might fall and die. I'm 13 i don't really care if i do die.)

The New Black 4 years 3 weeks

if they're used the way they do in Asia - with the other hand covering the mouth - then it's fine. what's worse, imo, is when the picks are not individually wrapped and god knows how many dirty hand have touched the toothpick before you.

tlsgirl 4 years 3 weeks

I think it's gross and impolite to use them at the table. Go into the restroom if you must pick your teeth.

kh61582 4 years 3 weeks

My dad always used them and so did my ex. I kinda hate them but not because it's unattractive to look at. I hate them because I just imagine the sharp end scrapping between teeth and the idea creeps me out. Isn't floss so much better? Why would you use a wooden toothpick when you could use floss?

Allytta 4 years 3 weeks

i do use them if i need to. not on a date of course. i make sure it's not obscene and i cover everything with my lips, so nobody can see what exactly i'm doing.

partysugar 4 years 3 weeks

I normally grab one on my way out if I need it.

simplystella 4 years 3 weeks

Oh, that's a little gross. I'd rather carry a toothbrush with myself and sneak into the bathroom to brush my teeth.

lavendera 4 years 3 weeks

They're fine if you don't go at your teeth in public. Take one, stick it in your mouth, walk out the door, and to the car. Do whatever the hell you have to do out of sight. Also---I never knew people sucked on the toothpick after picking their teeth. I think I'm going to go vomit now.

jhig 4 years 3 weeks

Tacky as best. The last time I saw a person pick up a tooth-pick ... I nearly got up and smacked him around, all the while yelling, "Where is you manner!" He picked his teeth, smacked his lips, and slurped the remaining food and saliva lodge between his gums. Talk about a nasy habit.

Tabloid 4 years 3 weeks

I don't like them because some don't hide their mouth when they're doing it and it is disturbing me. Urgh, I find it impolite and no class.

dit dah dit 4 years 3 weeks

I love them, but I chew on them and don't use them to pick things out of my teeth

Kimpossible 4 years 3 weeks

I think it's a nice service to offer but it can be done in more appropriate ways, like in the restrooms or like some already do on the way out wrapped in plastic. This way those who want or need to use them can do so w/out doing it while seated at the table.

ilanac13 4 years 3 weeks

i understand how they are helpful, but i think that it's horrible etiquette to have someone sit there and pick their teeth even at the entrance of the restaurant since that's what most people do as soon as they pick one up

leslievanhouten 4 years 3 weeks

I like them, but use them in the restroom or in your car, not in the dining area. I'd rather use a toothpick than have spinach in my teeth the remainder of the night

bluebellknoll 4 years 3 weeks

I don't mind them. But I think it would be bad manners (and gross) to pick you teeth at the table.

mamasitamalita 4 years 3 weeks

UGH so gross!!!!!!!!!

muse2323 4 years 3 weeks

I never even noticed them in restaurants before I met my husband, who's a bit of a toothpick addict, but I don't mind them in restaurants. Probably the best knickknack he's ever found was a pocket toothpick holder (which he picked up at a diner in Weed, California); he's never without it.

Spectra 4 years 3 weeks

OK, so I have this weird thing with wooden implements in people's mouths...toothpicks, popsicle sticks, those wooden coffee stirrers, etc. being chewed by people's teeth just makes my skin crawl. Whenever we go to a restaurant that has toothpicks, my husband takes them and just chews on them so he can watch me bristle at it...I can't stand 'em.