I am attempted to get a question answered.. but I dont believe I worded it right. I work in casual dining and often when I am serving a black family I am asked to bring them hot water to soak their silverware prior to their meal. I dont understand why hot water? Why not ask for another set, or a sanitizing wipe? I guess the only way I will find out if a person who does it answers me. I am not saying all black folks do it just the ones that do happen to do it happen to be black well. I am just intrigued by this and would like an explaination of the logic behind it.
2007-01-22 06:12:25 · 13 answers · asked by EmanuelU 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
yeah, this question is worded incorrectly..i have never asked my waiter, nor any one i know, for some hot water for my silverware, i just simply ask for new ones...that sounds like something that would take place down south, but dont quote me on this!
2007-01-22 06:20:03 · answer #1 · answered by wolvie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well it doesn't take a genius to figure it out. Just like in the old days when women had babies they used to have boiling water on the side at a child birth. This was used to sterilize the equipment and clean up the baby after it is born. No, don't be a bonehead!!! I don't mean scald the baby....but with some warm water it cleans everything up. Well, think about it...when we use hot water, thats generally a good method of killing germs or bacteria. There were alot of times I've been to a retaurant and have gotten silverware that was dirty. I'm not saying it anyones fault, although it's the restaurants job to make sure everything is clean, but sometimes dirty silverware slips through without anyone catching it. especially, when your restuarant has an automatic dishwasher. You feed the plates and things in there and some of them come out with food stuck on them still. Then they make it out by the food and people pick them up.
I had a problem once, also with a chinese restuarant. I went to pick up a plate and there was food stuck on it. I picked up another and there was more food. I actually went through 4 plates before I finally got a clean plate.
2007-01-23 04:38:44 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The only reason the hot water is needed is because through most peoples eyes, the restaurant may not feel as clean to them as it is to u. Everybody know that at a certain degree, hot water kills all germs. why would u want another set of silverware if the first pair was dirty? and sometimes a sanitizing wipe is just not enough for some people. Many people have had bad experiences at some restaurants you can't blame them for being a little cautious.
2007-01-22 06:27:16 · answer #3 · answered by nita23 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I understand your question perfectly, and I do it all the time. It's nothing personal. It's just that you don't want to end up with the dirty fork. If there is obvious food (like green beans in the tines) then we'll ask for another set. If not, then the hot water is just a precaution. I wasn't aware that only black people did it, though. I guess it's just one of those things. Like white people and sky diving! lol
2007-01-22 07:53:36 · answer #4 · answered by sassy2midnite 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's silly. I'm black and I've never heard of such a thing. Maybe you just work in a dirty place and only the black people have the guts to ask for something to wash off your silverware.
2007-01-25 08:57:07 · answer #5 · answered by Vix 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm from Philadelphia. I have been with people who have done this and I have done this myself. If the silverware were visibly dirty, one would ask for another set. The hot water is simply to wipe the silverware down before eating with them.
2007-01-22 06:58:16 · answer #6 · answered by truly 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm from NY and my friends as well as I, do this all the time. The reason why? Not all restaurants are as clean as you think. I have had utensils which were visibly dirty and I've asked for a new set; but it only takes that one mishap to my stomach and to turn me off. I straight out do not always trust that they are clean. They could be dropped on the way to my table, and other numerous things. It's just a precaution I guess
2007-01-24 19:25:09 · answer #7 · answered by Neicey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been in the food service for many yrs , both in the North and the South , and have never run across this.
2007-01-22 06:23:12 · answer #8 · answered by noway983 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they me be more aware of germs or it's just tradition. I work with a black guy that when I offer him some food, he always jokes about getting my germs.
2007-01-22 06:22:48 · answer #9 · answered by newbythecomic 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not only black people, I do it too!
2007-01-24 12:35:39 · answer #10 · answered by LadyL 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋