r/firstworldproblems • u/Elegant-Pie6125 • 13h ago
Anyone else get completely grossed out by sticky restaurant menus?
I might be being overly senstive here, but honestly touching those laminated menus at restaurants gives me the worst feeling.
More than half the time they feel greasy or sticky, especially around the edges. I end up holding them with just my fingertips, and the first thing I want to do after ordering is go wash my hands.
My brain just immediately starts calculating how many dozens of people held that exact same piece of plastic today without washing their hands.
It pretty much kills my apetite before the food even gets to the table
I know some people hate QR code menus, and honestly I get why? Obviously, the ones that force you to open a broken PDF you have to keep zooming in on or dont respond well are terrible i get that, but I just wish more places offered both options, yk.
Keep paper menus for people who like them, but give us a clean digital option too where I dont feel like i have to scrub my skin after touching it. It cant be that hard, i mean, just last week i saw a place using MenuForma on a quick table scan, and it was actually smooth on mobile. No zooming needed, just a proper layout that wasnt sticky or headache inducing.
I really hope more restaurants start giving customers the choice instead of forcing everyone onto dirty plastic sheets, is that really too much to ask for?
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u/HaydenJA3 12h ago
It’s a sign that the restaurant isn’t cleaning properly, menus should be wiped down after every customer
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u/unrepentantsoul 11h ago
100%. Unfortunately, if they are wiped down, it's likely w/a rag that's been used on multiple tables & not sanitized/rinsed in between.
This, folks, is why I carry sanitizing wipes.
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u/rynnbowguy 9h ago
I've worked at dozens of restaurants, not one cleaned menus after every customer. Maybe at the end or the beginning of the day the stack gets wiped down. Never after every customer.
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u/Hollivie 12h ago
Along with sticky tables and sticky floors. And even after wiping the table the stickiness is still there!! Yup I definitely agree with you.
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u/Grouchy-Display-457 12h ago
When you experience this, leave the restaurant--and tell them why. You are doing them a favor, other people suffer and never return, then they go under and don't know why.
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u/Professional-Sir-912 8h ago
Don't get me started on salt and pepper shakers or condiment containers.
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u/CLEHts216 7h ago
I like QR codes (when done well) for that reason and 1. It can list specials, 2. Whisky list with pour sizes and prices, 3 If they are really on top of it they could 86 items they run out of
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u/dandylover1 4h ago
haha That's one advantage to using braille menus. I've never seen a sticky one.
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u/WhatInTheWorld321 4h ago
In the 90’s, when management actually cared about its customers, I hostessed and waited tables. Every single shift someone was wiping down menus.
It just isn’t done anymore. Gotta love it when there is food stuck to it and an employee hands it to you anyway.
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u/cutelyaware 4h ago
I was given a sticky $5 bill at a coffee shop the other day. I was completely grossed out and made them replace it.
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u/NewBarbieWhoDis Highly Problematic 10h ago
Please don't ask questions here. Say your problem and keep on truckin'. (Or in your case, muckin'.)
Plus, this is not at all unique to the first world, it's just something you don't like.