Well, not really, but it's up there. Why do people have to lick their fingers when turning a page of a newspaper, changing the leaf of a book, counting folded money, or trying to open up an especially-stubborn Safeway plastic bag? C'mon people, does this really help? I know all it does for me is make me cringe and get away from the offender as far away and as fast as I could.

Unfortunately, even people close to me have this very unsanitary habit, and I can't find any tactful way to ask them to stop. I think I've seen my husband do it [probably the only person I can be totally straight with, maybe that's why I don't see him do so anymore]. My grandma did it before drawing the threesome flop while playing solitaire [I remember having a hard time thinking of an excuse not to play gin rummy with her after I've seen her do this]. I see my girlfriends do it, including those whom I thought would be revolted by witnessing the very act. In fact, I see so many people doing it that I start to wonder if maybe that's the most natural thing in the world and I'm just being too darn prissy. I don't consider myself antiseptically clean but it bugs me more than it probably should. I find this habit offensive and repulsive that I would rather buy a new magazine than come in contact with your bodily fluids, no matter how close we are.

By the way, if you reading this do the deed yourself, I apologize if I offended you. Just know that it's a huge turn-off for those around you when you do that. Or at least if I were within viewing distance.

Vangie Fuhrman got cold on 12.19.2004 4:41 PM. |