Eating Etiquette in Islam

[FoodBaba]

Asalaam Alaikum All,

I have a question for everyone regarding food etiquette. It may sound a bit strange, but I was having a discussion about it over dinner a few nights ago.

Basically, what I want to know is, according to Islam, is it wrong/bad to "double-dip" your food when eating with others? Just to be clear, by double dipping I mean, take a bite out of something, dip the part that was just in your mouth in the shared sauce container, and then take another bite. Clearly its unhealthy, but I had dinner with a few friends who didn't mind doing it. I find it disgusting. I vaguely remember reading that Islamically there was something wrong with this. I mean..there must be right? It can't be proper to eat someone else's saliva! If anyone has come across a relevant hadith or story, please share it.

Thanks,
foodbaba

[Lonely Gal]

I dont belive there is anything wrong with that.. depending who it is. personally I would only eat like that if its my family or close friends...

[Snowflake]

That's a complete 'no go' zone for me but I've not heard it's forbidden or even makrooh for that matter. You'd be better off asking at: http://www.islam-qa.com/en

[IbnAbdulHakim]

i kinda get where the bros coming from

whenever i eat with people, i MAKE SURE they turn their food around so the part they bit isnt the part they dip!

for example if its a samosa or chicken wing i'd make em rotate it at least 90 degrees before dipping, and if theres nothing but bitten parts left then get your own private dip !


i dunno i never been big on having a bit of another persons saliva n stuff on my food :-[

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[Re.TiReD]

lol at your username.

At the question, I dont know. But general etiquette would dictate that if you're eating with somebody or in a group, you just dont do it I guess :|

Personally, if I'm at home with my siblings or parents, I really wouldnt mind. Not as though they're licking the food that I'll get their saliva on mine. They're just biting it. Same way you'd share a glass. (Or dont you do that either ;D)

[FoodBaba]

I actually don't like sharing glasses either.. :-[ Backwash!!

In any case, thanks for the replies everyone. I'm glad I'm not alone. I think in the future I'll just use the argument that it's disgusting and spreads bacteria. (Imagine if you had a cut in your mouth and the bacteria jumped in) Ugh. :enough!:

[Snowflake]

^we can't escape from bacteria though bro. It's even in the food we eat. But you are definitely not alone in how you feel. I don't share glasses, spoons with anyone - not even family. Towels? Never! But anyway when it comes to food you don't have to give ahuge lecture about germs. Just say, "Sorry, but i'm a bit iffy about sharing blah blah blah.." That's what I do and everyone's ok with it.

[xina6143]

Im not really sure about that from an Islamic standpoint but going with basic etiquette I would say that isnt something that should be done and I would be disgusted by it too.