Help settle an etiquete debate between my wife and I? HELP!!?

Question

Last week we had some great ribs that I cooked on the grill. Dripping with some Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce, Tonight we had some excellent fried chicken. During both of these feasts I licked my fingers. My wife said it is bad manners. I say (and I swear I read this someplace) that although it normally is bad manners to l**k your fingers - it is perfectly acceptable for fried chicken and ribs. Who is right?

Answer 1

Good etiquette dictates that you not l**k your fingers at any time, but rather use a napkin.

Answer 2

at home, even with close friends over i think its fine. if your out at a restaurant, i think its OK with the ribs, its kind of expected, but you may not want to l**k your fingers w/ the chicken.

Answer 3

You are so now please send me $50 which is half the amount you won from the bet with your wife.

Answer 4

i think if your at home it doesn't matter if you l**k your fingers, but if your in a nice restaurant you should use your napkin

Answer 5

at one time nobody licked their fingers,now we have so many different cultures in our country whatever they do seems like we follow,look at the dances also the hairdo and l*****g fingres also the cussing It's ok now to cuss.Where is America I once knew

Answer 6

Good etiquette means never l*****g your fingers, though it is not as bad if you l**k your fingers in your home. It is better to use a napkin or wash your hands afterwords.

Answer 7

Well first of all you should know that your wife is always right....even if she is wrong she is right. ok now onto your question.. l*****g your fingers is not bad manners it has carried over from other cultures which in many means to the host that you are finished eating, done, finshised, kaput. and some host see this as a compliment. Now the answer to your question Here in the states it is considered rude, but our rule is if your outside your good, inside keep it civil. It is kinda gross hope you wash your hands before you eat.

Answer 8

I think it depends on how the fingerlicking is done and when.

You obviously need to avoid l*****g your fingers before getting more ribs off of a communal plate. Double dipping your fingers is just as gross as with a chip.

You shouldn't be spending more time l*****g than eating.

l*****g should be discreet and not go past the second knuckle of any given finger. Any food that gets past that line is no longer fair game and has to be wiped or washed off.

As long as you're eating with friends who don't mind and you aren't being a complete slob, l*****g isn't the best of manners, but its not a huge deal. So don't l**k if you go to dinner with the President unless he does so first.

If all else fails, get a napkin in favor of discretion.

Answer 9

I love Sweet Baby Ray's sauce too!! I think for eating ribs and fried chicken there's no better way to do it than with your hands-its practical albeit messy but it gets the job done-Imagine struggling with fried chicken and a fork and knife, not only will you look ridiculous, you'll make a bigger mess! As for l*****g your fingers, depends on who your company is.. unless you're eating at some chi chi restaurant, go ahead and l**k your fingers(just not too loud!)

(: