Communal stirring stick

[Ina]

So my Professor asked me this question while we were having a beer which he got from a poll he took. So imagine that you are at a cafe and you got your Soy Latte or Drip Coffee and you go to the condiment stand to mix in all the splendas and honeys etc.., and you notice there is a communal stirring stick. One stick. Would you use it?

[The Artful Lost]

Hm... well, I'd have to say that I would not use it. I mean, if it never gets washed, it'll have quite the buildup from all the cremes and whatever else have you. I ordered to get a latte/cappa/mocha frap, etc... I don't want to be drinking drying remnants of someone else's drink. Communal or not- I anti-socialize this stick.

[Ina]

haha. I said that if it was a wooden stick then I would not use it because it rots and bacteria gets trapped in the parallel splinters of the body of the stick or so I imagine (which tells you just how much I care about the trees), but if it was plastic I would most likely do it just because I would not want to waste my time and ask the barista why the hell there is only one stick. I am a busy girl. I go with the flow. But the caked up thing is totally true!

[Divya Jyoti]

would NEVER use it.. not because of the remnants and etc.. but just so many people would have touched it.. and that going into my sared coffee.. never.. i can't even touch door knobs of public washrooms for the same bacteria phobia.

[Jen]

I'd probably clean the stick first. Get a few napkin, damp them and clean it off. Then use it.
How many places do you know has a communal stirring stick? It's kind of tacky. Eco-Friendly, but tacky. I think the cafe would want to prioritize their client's health before anything else, or, if they don't, then we know their target market is Green Peace/Earth/WWF

[Ina]

I lick sticks after i use them to stir my coffee...


there is another reason against it.

[Jen]

So, are you saying that licking sticks is an involuntary action, and many people do it to the same stick?

[The Artful Lost]

Well, after using chopsticks I do the same thing, but I don't think everyone does it. For some, it may be an involuntary thing. But then again- if it is for some, the chance of someone licking the stick and putting it back is really appalling... backwash, anyone?

[Ina]

So, are you saying that licking sticks is an involuntary action, and many people do it to the same stick?

I do lick my sticks. Haha. It is gross but when I see that foam around the tip I ... this is sounding too dirty!

[Jen]

When I first started typing it, I realized how pseudo-sexual it sounded... but thought no one would catch on.
"It's not my fault I can interpret Freudian slips..."

[Ina]

When I first started typing it, I realized how pseudo-sexual it sounded... but thought no one would catch on.
"It's not my fault I can interpret Freudian slips..."

Haha. Glad you are hanging out in the gutter with me, jen.

[Jen]

Mmm... tasty.
Like seasalt on whipped cream.

[The Artful Lost]

*not far behind, Talos realizes he's been the only male on the forums*

.... no comment. Let's get back on topic, yes?

As much as the eco-friendly benefits are, there are too many drawbacks to having a communal stick at such a place. You also have to take into account the amount of people that would come in and use said stick will differienate within the year. Tourists, vacationers, family members visitors, cross country-ers, etc... not to mention their health status becomes a strong point as well. What will you do if you see someone sneeze in their unstirred drink from a powder, then use the stick? Depending on how far along one's condition is- it could be the start of an epidemic in a small town to a bustling city.

[Jen]

You know, I actually want to find a place that does this. In a way, it would be all right if they changed the stick regularly, like, let's say every 3 days or so. At most. But, if it's there for long periods of time, like whole years, or, even less, whole months, then there will be a crazy-pandemic.
I think most coffee houses and shops and the sort have thought about this and decide against it. But, I guess they are also finding alternatives to the plastic stick, or the wooden stick. Recycling, anyone?

[love it]

I would attack the stick with every ounce of my being, verbally rebuke the nearest member of staff and petition my MP about their establishments shoddy work practices; calling for a shut down untill all surfaces and utensils had been thoroughly un-germed.
or , more likely, I would just shrug and use my finger.

[Ina]

I would attack the stick with every ounce of my being, verbally rebuke the nearest member of staff and petition my MP about their establishments shoddy work practices; calling for a shut down untill all surfaces and utensils had been thoroughly un-germed.
or , more likely, I would just shrug and use my finger.

haha, this made this Easter Sunday quite amusing as Easter Sundays are never amusing for me.
You know, I havent actually been in a coffee shop in ages, money has been scarce and I cannot say no to pastry so I have been avoiding it and scratching it our of my reality.
So i think majority of us had voted that NO WE SHALL NOT USE A COMMUNAL STIRRING STICK if one is introduced in our local coffee shop...
but what if it IS, will you just not get your coffee? Should we carry our own like a sword? Would we really bitch to baristas that wont do anything except shrug?

[Jen]

Honestly, I think most of us would just opt to NOT put anything in the coffee/tea, if we see that there is one stick/no stick, than argue. Or, we might ask if they have more sticks, have them tell us no, and then walk out and their face scalded with coffee/tea burns.

[The Artful Lost]

Or, we might ask if they have more sticks, have them tell us no, and then walk out and their face scalded with coffee/tea burns.

You read my mind (and actions as well). Coffee clerks will end up wearing welding masks to avoid this injury.

Clerk:
"Welcome... to the DeathStarbucks... how may I... *scooohh* help you?"

[Jen]

Well, if all their clerks had burn marks, then the clients wouldn't be able to be served, since the clerks will have plenty of bandages on their faces.

[love it]

I cannot remember the last time i went to a coffee shop. I more often drink tea. I never drink hot beverages when im in public as im quite clumsy and a spilt hot beverage is more of a disaster than a spilt cold one so i stick to water or a smoothy. While we're on the subject of coffee shops i could mention my irrational dis-like of Starbucks. I actually feel myself start to seeth slightly everytime i pass it and never fail to shoot it a dirty look. Ive never really examined why Starbucks has this effect on me. I know nothing about Starbucks. Maybe its all those pictures of celebrities slinking out of Starbucks with their skinny latte's or what ever...the big brand American chain infiltrating our streets...and i imagine it to be over priced ...and it thinks its so god damn cool..but i bet it has evil little secrets...i bet little dark skinned kids are dying somewhere 'cause of starbucks...and arent we so damn lucky we have a Starbucks or twleve condescending to grace our streets...i dont have that emotion when i pass other american chain stores though Just something about Starbucks instinctively pisses me off!

[love it]

maybe its the name...

[Jeremy]

I think there are a few things to consider...is the stick in some sort of soapy/chemical bath in between uses? where is it stored? is it just sitting on a countertop? (that would be unappealing) is it in a cup of water?

I dont think the small amount of flavoring still on the stick would be enough to significantly change the flavor of my drink.

The only real concern I might have is with a sick person having used it...but, think about it, you get the coffee, and before you drink it you put your stuff in it and stir it up. maybe then you take a small sip to see if the mixture is correct, and possibly add a bit more stuff and stir it again. I dont think thats enough contact to really impart enough of a bacterial/viral load to infect someone else. besides the fact that coffee is hot, and would not be a very suitable environment for bacteria, and would straight away kill viruses.

I, would use the communal stir rod.

[love it]

I
I, would use the communal stir rod.

eeeeeerr Jeremy's a dirty skank.


"mmm disease" *lick lick lick* <--- is Jeremy that is.

[Jeremy]

I
I, would use the communal stir rod.

eeeeeerr Jeremy's a dirty skank.


"mmm disease" *lick lick lick* <--- is Jeremy that is.

yup, like a little mexican child growing up in tijuana. I gots mah 'munities!

[Jen]

Well, the build up would go into the water (where it is stored, if it is stored), and that would make the stick unclean.

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