Why do people pick their noses and then eat it?

Question

I'm sorry I don't mean to be disgusting but I saw two people do this yesterday.. a child in a shop and a guy sitting in a car..
Do they really not realise how utterly disgusting this is? Particularly the adults. Also i have noticed that guys tend to do this quite a lot whilst sitting in their cars.

Furthermore, if you really do need to pick your nose in public, why proceed to eat it afterwards??????

Answer 1

They have been told to eat their greens.

Answer 2

I actually read in the papers last year that some boffins have done research on nose picking and have come to the conclusion that those who do pick their noses are less likely to get colds and flu as much as those who never pick their noses, apparently all that bacteria up your nose going back into your system helps to build up your immune system thus stopping the amount of colds you get, I kid you not this is true, but the question is, would you do it, me no way I will put up with the colds and flu thank you very much.

Answer 3

It's called, "pica", a medical term for putting non-food items in ones own mouth.
Plus, it's because some parents allow their children to do this, haven't tried to break this habit, and the child doesn't know better, thus growing up not realizing this is an unacceptable habit socially and health-wise.
Hope this helps, Dave

Answer 4

Yes. I love watching people in car when the traffic is bad and I have noticed following:
Women are either checking their hair, make-up or texting. In addition to this I often clean my dashboard.
Men pick their noses!!! When they start eating it I must look away it's so disgusting...

Answer 5

i have an idea why dont we all try it in public :we can even start a movement :

pick it and eat it

to understand this phenomenon



my advanced analysis of the problem concludes :

people pick:
because its something to do ,
it is exciting like an adventurous mining expedition(you never know what you are going to find),
to clean their proboscis

they eat it because:
: they like the taste (of their snot only)
think it is high in proteins (as some have mentioned )
, to dispose of it after admiring it for some time(they cant find a bin near by).

Answer 6

According to that disgusting old git John McCrirrick who is proud of the fact that he does it on TV, "it's because it contains protein". Personally I can think of better ways of getting it than that!!!

Answer 7

For the guys they never have kleenex on them so they have no where else to put it. The same reason there's always at least one guy snorting snot back into his throat when I'm on the bus. It's gross. I want to offer them a tissue.

Answer 8

Oh I wish I knew too. Foul!
I am surrounded by people who do this though - mostly blokes, you're right. Partner & brother who take great pleasure in doing it.

Must be something primal about not leaving your scent on other people's patches.
Or they are just disgusting.
Probably the latter!

Answer 9

i use to do this, now i just pick my nose every once in a while, but i do not eat it. At first it just becomes a habit, your nose is like ''hey i have a bugger thats loose, help me out'' lol, but your question will not solve anything. It is just a habit.

Answer 10

If it's a child, it's probably because they like the salty taste, and aren't aware of social conventions?

Ugh, I don't want to think too hard about it, though.

Answer 11

Could possibly be a new diet plan !!

DO boogers have calories ?? This will be the next big study they do costing the taxpayers millions,,, Isn't life grand !!?

: )