Scared to touch meats?

Question

i have this friend, his parents are of two different religions...one preventing his father from eating beef, and his mom from pork...

my friend is allowed to eat both, but he feels compelled to sanitize when he touches it, or if someonelse touches him or an object after touching or consuming either meat...

he feels like people should not touch things with "pork or beef hands" as to might transfer "pork or beef substance (whether visible or not) to an object which his parents might use...

Is this normal, how can i help him get over this?

Answer 1

I use plastic gloves when handling ANY meat. It just keeps me from washing my hands all the time. I do wash the gloves while I have them on and I need to touch other things, like the salt and pepper shakers, etc...

If your friend's parents religions require that they do not come into contact with the meat products, then that needs to be respected. And yes it is normal for him to feel like that.

Answer 2

I think he's just being sensitive to his parents wishes and beliefs.    He IS being a little OVER-sensitive and mildly neurotic about it perhaps, but it's not a big deal.   It's perfectly okay.   He's just overreacting to stuff.

Don't worry about it, you're obviously overthinking this.

Answer 3

It sounds like he has OCD, obsessive compulsive disorder. He needs to talk to a Dr.

Answer 4

He's right in one area.......it would be nice if all of us washed our hands after touching meat and before serving others.....but the beliefs are damaged goods.....sorry, that's bologna......nite.