Interested to know your thoughts ……..

I agree with others who've said they'd have asked to be moved to a different table. No one should have to put up with someone tooth picking in front of them! 😨

DaisyL

Toothpicks are common all over Europe and people frequently pick their teeth after a meal but usually do it behind their hand.

Yes I was about to mention that. You are a sensitive lot ! But how boring to be seated with same people for the duration …

Toothpicks are common all over Europe and people frequently pick their teeth after a meal but usually do it behind their hand.

I would have asked to be placed somewhere else. I am a stickler for cleaning my teeth (use those little 'inbetween' brushes every day but that is done in privacy of my shower room. If they asked why moving table I suspect I might have said.

inishowen

I was once in a restaurant when a man took out his denture and left it on the table while he ate!

My 75 year old brother once did this when we went out with him - he wrapped his dentures in a serviette

inishowen

I was once in a restaurant when a man took out his denture and left it on the table while he ate!

My mother does that because she says they hurt her. It drives me mad!

I was once in a restaurant when a man took out his denture and left it on the table while he ate!

I once went for an interview at a care agency - got there 10 minutes early - the man greeted me with a mouthful of sandwich, then spent the interview picking at his teeth. His dog was present throughout, and left hairs all over my smart skirt and jacket. I got the job but didn't take it.

I have a new manager, at our first face to face meeting, with 5 minutes to go to the end he took out a plastic bristle toothpick, hid it behind his hand and started to clean his teeth, I didn’t know where to look! He’s Dutch, maybe that’s ok there, but really, at a first business meeting? Maybe it was some sort of test? Now, I know how annoying feeling a bit of stuck food is, but wouldn’t dream of doing anything about it until I was alone.

I'm another who cannot stand nail files, too. I agree with the finger nails down the blackboard comment.

I would have found it very hard not to be physically sick at that. Totally revolting.

I’m glad you brought this up because I have an older friend who does this at the meal table and I can’t stand it. I wish she’d clear off to the washroom or just not do it whilst we are all eating. It’s horrible. Same lady likes to show her leg ulcers off ( yuk and double yuk) . Foul.

Definitely not acceptable, and totally un-ladylike, but wouldn’t want to be subjected to a man doing it at table either! Not how I would want to spend my Christmas - having to endure the appalling manners of others.

Many years ago in Cyprus I noticed several women using a toothpick after their meals but they did place their free hand in front of their mouths so nowhere near as bad.

Same as Washerwoman. Receding gums on one side and dentist cannot help. Always have to use toothpick to clean after every meal but certainly wouldn’t do it in front of anyone. Anyone filing their nails in front of me brings on instant nausea. I can’t stand it, a bit like fingernails down a blackboard!

Eurghh.... Definitely I would have asked to move tables and (if asked) I would have told the hotel staff the reason.

One thing that really does turn my stomach at the table is when someone gives their nose a good blowing. My mother in law used to do that all the time.

I have receeding gums and consequently get food stuck especially around my molars.
I've changed to a much better dentist and the hygienist has worked wonders.But I need to use dental picks after meals to keep gum disease at bay. However I keep them in a container in my handbag and go to the toilet and wait till there's no one else washing their hands if I really feel it can't wait when I'm out.I would never do it at the table with others when out.

Disgusting. Also, people who file nails on the train in full view.

That turns my stomach just reading it. I think I would have said something (after a couple of glasses of wine). DH would probably have said "don't look then", but once seen, you cannot unsee it. Yuk

I’d have been tempted to stick a toothpick in her eye !! Yuk!!

I would find it very distasteful, but it reminded me of when I was a young teenager me and a friend went into a cafe no seats available so we had to sit at the table opposite an elderly gentleman.I only had a Diet Coke but my friend ordered a full breakfast, the man had a hot drink. Just as my friend started to eat the man took out his false teeth and just laid them on the table, my friend screamed and we legged it out as fast as we could, both so shocked.

It used to be quite normal in Victorian middle and upper class society, I believe, but table manners change over time. Georgians used to eat fish with two forks, the Victorians invented the fish knife. Does anyone use them now?

I ABSOLUTELY hate seeing anyone pick their teeth - or bite their nails!!!! Certainly NOT at a dining table!!!!!

I told my ‘D’H this - more than 30 years ago and he still bloody does it!!!!!

And a very good (male) friend of ours does it too, plus awful belching!!!!!

Gross.

I would have asked to move tables too, completely unacceptable and very bad manners imo! We can all get something stuck in our teeth but what's wrong with nipping off to the toilet and sorting it out discretely?? That's what I would do.