Is Eating with Bare Hands Unhygienic?
UNHYGIENIC? – A woman faced criticism after a man observed her eating with her bare hands at an airport.
A video of a woman eating rice with her hands in an airport has sparked a heated discussion on social media. The short clip, shared on X (formerly Twitter) by user @jusbdonthate, a U.S. citizen, on January 7, 2024, has garnered over 23 million views.
In the tweet, @jusbdonthate expressed displeasure at the woman eating with her bare hands in what was described as a “nasty airport.” The user linked this behavior to concerns about hygiene, suggesting that hand-eating increases the risk of spreading saliva and may lead to a return of mask mandates.
While some X users agreed with the perceived unhygienic nature of eating with hands, others criticized @jusbdonthate for potential racism and invasion of privacy, as the video was taken without the woman’s consent.
Netizens pointed out the cultural aspect of eating habits, emphasizing that different cultures have distinct ways of consuming food. Some users defended the woman, arguing that her cultural practice should be respected, just like any other cultural eating habit.
Despite the criticisms, @jusbdonthate stood by their stance, asserting that eating rice with bare hands in public, especially at an airport, is appalling. The debate highlighted the clash of perspectives on cultural diversity and personal choices.
In a broader context, an article mentioned the health benefits associated with eating with bare hands, citing Ayurvedic origins and the belief that this practice aligns the body with the five elements of nature. Additionally, it mentioned that eating with hands allows people to gauge the temperature of the food, making it unnecessary to immediately put it in their mouth.
The ongoing argument prompted many to assert that people eating with their hands should not be a concern for others, reinforcing the idea that personal eating preferences are subjective and culturally diverse.
