Yes, you did, and I saw you.
I was driving along East Girard Avenue in Fishtown with the kid and two friends when I stopped at a red light. To my right was an outdoor restaurant, which is now a common sight in the Philadelphia area – not my thang, but more power to the people who don’t mind outdoor eating while public transportation (trolleys & buses) and regular traffic seasons their meals with dust and fumes.
As I’m waiting, I see a woman sitting at a table with a gentleman and a dog. I then see the woman feed the dog with the fork that the restaurant loaned her for her meal. After feeding the dog, she poked the food in her plate and proceeded to eat – off the same fork she just fed the dog with! Now, I love animals just as much as the next human being, but I’ll be doggone if I knowingly eat with the same utensil I just fed my dog with!
“Oh my god! Did y’all see that?” I asked my passengers.
“Yup, I saw it,” says my gal pal, Jules.
Now, there were two things that crossed my mind as I watched the woman continue to eat as if it were a normal thing: 1) “Eew, that’s nasty” and 2) Even though the dog-fed-utensil will be washed and cleaned, some unsuspecting patron will use that same fork.
As a result, that particular restaurant lost a car full of potential customers because of what two had witnessed.
Why do folks do certain things – and in public? Did the woman not care who would use that fork after her and the dog? Suppose the dog just licked his butt? Or sniffed a cigarette butt with nasty saliva on it thrown away by some degenerate (gonna end up “butt” anyway). Did it not faze her on how others viewed her actions? I doubt she gave a damn for real. Isn’t feeding your animal with human utensils something you do in the privacy of your home? Is that similar to breast feeding in public – folks look at you like you’re crazy? Did the thought cross her mind that the restaurant could (and did) lose potential customers and revenue? Aren’t we a selfish society? I don’t care what anyone thinks, it’s my dog and I’ll feed him when and where I please! Eff y’all!
So, listen here, lady – do not feed your pet in public with utensils intended for human usage! Whether you did (I highly doubt it) or did not take your own fork to the restaurant, do not assume that everybody else did the same. I saw you feed your dog with that fork! I don’t know if you took it from your home, but I know what I saw, and it turned me off from ever visiting that establishment. Everyone is not as comfortable as you are with your style of dog feeding, which brings something else to mind – it doesn’t matter if you dine in fine high end establishments, air polluted sidewalk cafes, or even the reasonably priced buffets, we’re all susceptible to the dangers and bad habits of others. We take chances on the food we consume if we didn’t prepare it ourselves, the dishes our food are placed on and the utensils we put in our mouths.
I enjoy eating out and look forward to doing so. I try to take the kid to a different restaurant every time I get paid, so with that in mind, I should feel at ease with the service I’m paying for. My thoughts shouldn’t be consumed with wondering if the family pet ate off my plate or licked my fork.
That’s my food for thought – what’s yours?
Take your own plastic ware when dining out….
writing is my thang 
Heyyyy Tillie!!!
Ewww…yup thanks I will be putting some plastic utensils in that lovely pocketbook you gave to me asap! Nothing left to say. Speechless
Hi Sophia, yes, I think that’s something we all should do! I see you are still enjoying the pocketbook – I’m glad. Thanks for following and continue to comment. 🙂
I think that is absolutely disgusting! We frequently eat out and don’t mind spending a few dollars for a good meal. The thought of eating off of a fork that was previously used by FIDO makes me sick! People, if you want to feed your dog with a fork, do it at home & let me know that’s what you do so I never have a meal there. We have become such a ridiculous society; dogs in carriers at the mall and now eating off forks in restaurants….WHAT IS NEXT??
I second your thoughts, Monica, and I’m afraid of “what is next?”
Gross!
Ditto, Mr. Stith!
In a world where people kiss their dogs, have the dogs lick their faces and mouths, I would that I could say that I am surprised. Some people say the dogs are their babies
that’s very true, Yvonne, but they should be treated as animals and not as human babies that you feed in public.
It is lack of consideration for the next person. It is your dog and you are comfortable with sharing stuffs, but how about those who don’t care for dogs? Don’t they have a right not to like dogs? The other day I mentioned that and someone asked, “who does not like dogs?!” Must we all like the same things?
This world would be a much better place if we care just a little bit what the next person feels or thinks. Maybe then you wouldn’t occupy the fast lane even when traveling 45 on 65; or not flushing the public toilet after use. The list goes on.
Hey Doxology! Well put; it seems that consideration is almost as lost as chivalry. Thanks for responding! 🙂
Don’t get me started on chivalry, or we’ll be here all day. 🙂
Please forgive me if I do not see the disgust in this customer’s behavior or that the fork was no longer useable. As a former food establishment owner, ALL utensils, plates, preparing dishes, food area etc. is rinsed, washed, and rinsed again using industrial cleaning solvents, hot water at a temperature that kills germs as well as sanitizing tablets. This is a requirement for all food establishments so it’s very unlikely that the fork used for the dog and it’s owner will cause germs for the next patron.
Thanks for responding, Doreen. No need for forgiveness; I welcome all responses even when they differ from mine. And while I appreciate your input and understand where you’re coming from, it’s still a no go for me – keep following, girl! 🙂
SOME PEOPLE ARE JUST PLAIN NASTY!!!!
For those pet lovers who allow animals to kiss and lick their faces, they would disagree with your comment. I’ve had animals my entire life and love them to death, but I draw the line at kissy face and eating from the same bowl – it’s not my thang.
Hmmm…..Its makes me wonder about other things that goes on in nd outside some eateries.Im really disgusted by this because i also luv dining out with my sweetie who i read this to him nd he was like oh hellll naw!I personally dont think animals should be allowed at restaurants unless theyre seeing eye dogs nd even then should not be fed with utensils we as patrons may use.Ima start using the hand sanitizer i carry to disenfect the fork i use or just bring my own.
It does give you food for thought and is a controversial subject as well. I’m concerned with pet hair and dander flying around and landing in the food! It’s a complete turn off for me.
Although, I find it to be disgusting It is said that the hygiene if a dog iscleanier than humans. You just made me think of all those who have eatten off of the silverware prior to me with horrible hygiene. Drug addicts, diseases cold sores , should I go on. I think I will have to carry my own eating utensils from now on.
Yes, Hipps, I have heard that same thing years ago about the hygiene of a dog. Only it’s natural & acceptable for humans to exchange mouth to mouth – yuk mouths and all, but I’d rather kiss a human than a dog – I’m just saying. And I’ve said that I would take my own plastic utensils, but always forget – gotta start leaving some in the car.