Pulutan - Seinfeld Double Dipping On Steroids

[earthdome]

Last night I went to the birthday party for my girlfriends father who was born on Christmas. They hosted quite a party with 40-50 guests over the course of the evening. As hosts my girlfriends family spent more time providing food and drink to the guests than partying.

The tables were full of pulutan and emperador with ice tea, water and coke as chasers. And the mandatory karaoke machine.

Pulutan is the equivalent of finger foods at a party. There were clams, fish and many other dishes I could not identify. Many dishes had a single spoon with people eating directly from the dish sharing the spoon.

Some may have seen the Jerry Seinfeld episode about double dipping the chip in the dip.

Which plays on the aversion of many westerners to sharing food directly due to bacteria.

Then there was this episode from Myth Busters which tested the double dip theory and came to the conclusion that there isn't much of a risk of spreading bacteria from double dipping.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8wmb_K5uGY

They didn't test the Filipino pulutan sharing methods though.

I restricted myself to a stick with bbq pork. Partly because I am not used to the idea of sharing spoons but also because I am allergic to all fish and seafood and don't want to risk ingesting some seafood or fish sauce by mistake.

So, do you share pulutan and spoons the filipino way?

[OnMyWay]

This is a sticking point with my girlfriend and her daughter. I am "fussy" (their term!) and I don't want people touching my food or touching food on the table that myself or others will eventually eat.

I think we are starting to find a middle ground as we both learn about the cultural differences!

[i am bob]

I figure if I am going to kiss her, eating off of her fork or spoon isn't going to kill me.... Unless it's shellfish. I'm allergic too!

:mocking:

[earthdome]

I figure if I am going to kiss her, eating off of her fork or spoon isn't going to kill me.... Unless it's shellfish. I'm allergic too!

:mocking:

I agree, it is the other 40-50 people doing the same I would be concerned about!

[Jack Peterson]

:no: Without going into the obvious. Posts have been written before, about Sanitary conditions and personal Hygiene, in some quarters or lack of them, sometimes. I always keep a spoon Fork for my personal use (This was My wife's Idea from 5/6 years ago, until I got used to things. The habit stays. :unsure: