Thoughts on Napkin Waving

[jer_l]

We were on the 14-day Veendam cruise that sailed Code Red. There were so many changes to help stop the spread of Noro. (no salt/pepper shakers, rolls, butter, etc.) What surprised me was that we were encouraged to wave napkins during the baked Alaska parade and at the farewell dinner when the crew sang. Surely waving dirty napkins around just before dessert on a Code Red sailing is not the best idea, or am I just being paranoid? (Actually I would like to see this eliminated on all sailed, not just when sailing Code Red.) What are your thoughts?

[lorekauf]

We were on the 14-day Veendam cruise that sailed Code Red. There were so many changes to help stop the spread of Noro. (no salt/pepper shakers, rolls, butter, etc.) What surprised me was that we were encouraged to wave napkins during the baked Alaska parade and at the farewell dinner when the crew sang. Surely waving dirty napkins around just before dessert on a Code Red sailing is not the best idea, or am I just being paranoid? (Actually I would like to see this eliminated on all sailed, not just when sailing Code Red.) What are your thoughts?
I'm with you on that one. I do not like that tradition one bit. I am embarrased by it and would like to see the end of it.

[kakalina]

They started this tradition to move around the smoke generated by the sparklers on the desserts. Is it still necessary? I don't know.

[vbmom87]

I am with you on that one. My guess is that the ones making decisions, just are not aware that this could be a hygiene issue. If it is brought to the attention of the right people, I am pretty sure it would stop.

[esther e]

Agree, I don't care for it and would be very happy to see it go.

[pipedreams62]

Never really thought about it one way or the other? I guess I'm too busy.

For some of us it's old hat, but I'm sure for the first time cruiser they might really enjoy experiencing it for the first time.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We never waved our napkins when others did -- hey - don't do this in our restaurants -- why would we do it on a ship??

Just not our style.

[Host Michell]

I've posted about this a couple of places here, as well as taking the time to go get another comment card after the Master Chef's dinner onboard the Volendam last month (since I'd already turned in the first one (with excellent comments and ratings of everything prior to that napkin waving).

I think this practice is just plain gross. People wipe their mouths throughout dinner with their linen napkins, accumulating spittle, crumbs, liquids -- not to be excessively nasty here, but come on, that's what a napkin is FOR -- to wipe used food, etc. from one's lips. Then the music starts and people start waving that used napkin around like they're waving the green flag at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Where do they think those crumbs, etc. go? Obviously, onto the table, others' plates, others' glasses, other's hair and clothing.... <shudder>.

I've hated this practice since the first time I encountered it (at a land-based restaurant in Disneyworld) and my opinion hasn't changed as I've aged. It needs to stop, for sanitary reasons.

[Zyzygy]

my understanding is that one acquires norovirus from direct physical contact, particularly "hand to mouth". I doubt noro is going to go sailing through the air.

If I thought that spittle was going to be flung from one person to another, I, too, would disapprove. As it is, the napkin waving is sort of colorful and festive.

Part of the fun of a cruise is to do things you don't do at home. We don't wave cloth napkins at home (we only use our linen napkins on "state" occasions), so I sort of like doing something different.

If I thought the waving napkins were going to infect me, I'd cover my face with mine and let it go at that.

[Sailorgirlseattle]

I'm not worried about the hygiene of it, but I find it really silly and not something I'm prone to want to do. I always wonder if the waiters really enjoy the parade, or if they're hating it behind their smiles. I could see it either way .. shakes things up a bit.

[qe2]

I'd love to see it done away with. I could also do without the "baked alaska
parade". Service always suffers on these nights and who could blame the wait staff? They have enough to do without parading around with desserts on their shoulders.

[lorekauf]

I'd love to see it done away with. I could also do without the "baked alaska
parade". Service always suffers on these nights and who could blame the wait staff? They have enough to do without parading around with desserts on their shoulders.
I'd like to wave bye bye to both the baked Alaska parade and the Master Chef dinner:mad: . Give those poor waiters a break. They have enough to do.

[Sea Island Lady]

We were on the 14-day Veendam cruise that sailed Code Red. There were so many changes to help stop the spread of Noro. (no salt/pepper shakers, rolls, butter, etc.) What surprised me was that we were encouraged to wave napkins during the baked Alaska parade and at the farewell dinner when the crew sang. Surely waving dirty napkins around just before dessert on a Code Red sailing is not the best idea, or am I just being paranoid? (Actually I would like to see this eliminated on all sailed, not just when sailing Code Red.) What are your thoughts?
Kind of like my church, and their tradition during services, of shaking hands "with your neighbors" during greeting time. I don't like this practice, especially in the winter time.

[jtl513]

I think napkin waving is silly, but pretty harmless. I only give a half-hearted wave if a waiter is looking at me and prompting it! :D

[innlady1]

Kind of like my church, and their tradition during services, of shaking hands "with your neighbors" during greeting time. I don't like this practice, especially in the winter time.

LOL, I agree...the same kind of "uncomfortable."

[lawyerrose]

Well, I think it's all good fun and I don't worry about germs (though I do take reasonable precautions to stay healthy). There's way too much worrying and fear-mongering in the world today. I'd just as soon not contribute to it.:)

[bermuda triangle]

Even with code red, the air conditioning is still on, which recirculates air around the ship and people are still allowed to breathe.

Is waving a napkin around that much different?:confused:

Just my two thoughts...

Laura

[Toad]

Just think how much more fun we could have throwing confetti and streamers!

[cands]

I think its a charming anachronism.

Cruiselines are already changing so many of the traditional aspects of cruising.

We all do many things on cruises that we don't do at home. Its all part of the fun.

As for the napkins themselves; people you are supposed to delicately wipe the corner of your mouth, not spit and vomit into them:eek: .

[Sea Island Lady]

I think napkin waving is silly, but pretty harmless. I only give a half-hearted wave if a waiter is looking at me and prompting it! :D
LOL That's what I do! :D

[jrzebird]

As for the napkins themselves; people you are supposed to delicately wipe the corner of your mouth, not spit and vomit into them:eek: .


OK, I'm laughing out loud. Very funny.

I agree that it's not really a health threat, and I see no harm in it. It sort of livens up anotherwise fairly sedate dinner.

[babyher]

I think its a charming anachronism.

Cruiselines are already changing so many of the traditional aspects of cruising.

We all do many things on cruises that we don't do at home. Its all part of the fun.

As for the napkins themselves; people you are supposed to delicately wipe the corner of your mouth, not spit and vomit into them:eek: .



*LMAO*

That was a good one :)

[Cruisin' Ron VA]

If Noro can be caught by waving your napkin in the air then might I suggest you stop breathing too? If your napkin can "catch" it by being waved in the air, it can catch it by sitting on your table and you could get it by breathing. If your waiter walks by and moves the air around its going to blow your way and you will catch it that way too.

No.

Napkin waving may be fun but its no more a danger for catching the bug than letting it just sit on your table or lap.

[usha]

I suppose it's possible that napkin waving might spread a few extra germs, but why not live dangerously?:p

[babyher]

Always be safe folks:


Make sure you put a condom on your napkin before waving it around :)

[tpwolfe]

I talked to several of the wait staff on our last cruise and they hate the parades and Master Chef's dinner. HAL should show some class and eliminate both. The waiters work hard enough without humiliating them. I don't like the napkin waving either.

[Host Michell]

I think its a charming anachronism.

Cruiselines are already changing so many of the traditional aspects of cruising.

We all do many things on cruises that we don't do at home. Its all part of the fun.

As for the napkins themselves; people you are supposed to delicately wipe the corner of your mouth, not spit and vomit into them:eek: .

Who said anything about spitting and vomiting? When you "delicately wipe the corner of your mouth," though, you are removing food particles and liquids (including saliva) that have clung to your lips. I don't think it's a noro risk per se, or maybe even a disease risk at all, to toss that stuff around the dining room, but I still don't want a stranger's in my hair or on my plate. To me THAT's worth saying :eek: over, but from this thread it appears about half the folks don't mind. That's one reason why cruising's great, there's something for everybody! :)

[lorekauf]

Who said anything about spitting and vomiting? When you "delicately wipe the corner of your mouth," though, you are removing food particles and liquids (including saliva) that have clung to your lips. I don't think it's a noro risk per se, or maybe even a disease risk at all, to toss that stuff around the dining room, but I still don't want a stranger's in my hair or on my plate. To me THAT's worth saying :eek: over, but from this thread it appears about half the folks don't mind. That's one reason why cruising's great, there's something for everybody! :)
I think a lot of people don't worry one bit about spreading their germs around.....then they wonder why they are sick:mad: .

[NHBob]

I talked to several of the wait staff on our last cruise and they hate the parades and Master Chef's dinner. HAL should show some class and eliminate both. The waiters work hard enough without humiliating them. I don't like the napkin waving either.

Although I've never asked, I always suspected that parades, etc. were not something wait staff enjoyed. At least we passengers only have to endure it once per cruise - imagine having to repeat the process every 7 to 10 days and act like you're enjoying it. As for napkin waving: WHY?

Now, if we could just get rid of the hokey Baked Alaska parades, which effectively halt both dining room service and conversation!!!

[madelinerose]

They hate it. :rolleyes:


I always wonder if the waiters really enjoy the parade, or if they're hating it behind their smiles.

[Boytjie]

Always be safe folks:
Make sure you put a condom on your napkin before waving it around

Safer napkin waving.

[pipedreams62]

and turned them over tohttp://www.captainfreedom.net/img/quincy.jpg

[drtee]

I always assumed it meant, "I surrender! I surrender! I surrender...MY DIGNITY!":)

[sapper1]

I think a lot of people don't worry one bit about spreading their germs around.....then they wonder why they are sick:mad: .
Gee Lorene---I never considered it from a health point of view. It makes me think I will stop doing it in the future.

[lorekauf]

Gee Lorene---I never considered it from a health point of view. It makes me think I will stop doing it in the future.
I'm just bitter right now because I'm sick:D .

[ger_77]

I never thought of a "sanitary issue" with napking waving, but viewed it was more sophisticated than joining the Macarena conga-line behind the waiters. That was just nasty!

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

[vegasbill]

I think its a charming anachronism.

Cruiselines are already changing so many of the traditional aspects of cruising.

We all do many things on cruises that we don't do at home. Its all part of the fun.

As for the napkins themselves; people you are supposed to delicately wipe the corner of your mouth, not spit and vomit into them:eek: .
Huh? NOW you tell me!! ROTFLMAO!!! ;-)

[fireofficer5]

how come HAL is the only line I read about on CC about sick ships?

[fireofficer5]

I'm peeing in my pants now about the vomit and spit on the napkins.

[michmike]

we tend to wear them as hats to entertain any kids in the vicinity.. and don't confine it to baked alaska nite. But then you'd likely consider our rubber chickens dressed in formal wear a possible salmonella source as well.

I've lived to be 60 now and have indulged in much riskier behavior than waving napkins around or having them waved at me (read 3 yrs crawling around the back alleys of asia) so ease up and enjoy yourself. You're on vacation!!

And if you're worried about looking silly then lose the fanny packs and the walking shorts with black socks.. Lord!!!!

[fireofficer5]

I'm still laughing.

[hammybee]

I'm with you on that one. I do not like that tradition one bit. I am embarrased by it and would like to see the end of it.

Doo-Doo, Doo-Doo.:eek: :eek:

The planets have collided and for the second time in a day, all hell-o has frozen over and we have found something else we agree upon.

I am so with you, especially about the embarassment part.

[hammybee]

They started this tradition to move around the smoke generated by the sparklers on the desserts. Is it still necessary? I don't know.

I love how you know all these details.

[hammybee]

I'd like to wave bye bye to both the baked Alaska parade and the Master Chef dinner:mad: . Give those poor waiters a break. They have enough to do.

Yikes ! Three times a charm. :)

[hammybee]

OK, I'm laughing out loud. Very funny.

I agree that it's not really a health threat, and I see no harm in it. It sort of livens up anotherwise fairly sedate dinner.

I am also laughing and most certainly not a germ freak. Having said this, I have observed many who use turn their napkins in to, well, snot rags, if you catch my drift.:eek:

[brucory]

We were given glow sticks to wave around in May on the Oosterdam.... It may sound more hygenic, but it was really quite amazing to see just how many people stuck them in their ears or up their noses "for a laugh" before waving them around everywhere.... mmmm...

[CinWin]

I think the waiters enjoy the parading and the people at their tables cheering for them and taking their pictures. As for the napkin waving, it is part of the fun. During 30+ cruises, it never entered my mind that I could get sick because of this activity - and I never did. I'm more worried about germs if I touch stairway railings and press elevator buttons with my fingers.
Cindy

[kryos]

I think this practice is just plain gross. People wipe their mouths throughout dinner with their linen napkins, accumulating spittle, crumbs, liquids -- not to be excessively nasty here, but come on, that's what a napkin is FOR -- to wipe used food, etc. from one's lips.
Thank you very much ... you've just helped with my weight control efforts. So much for that slice of pizza I was just getting ready to reheat for lunch. :) Oh, how gross! :(

Blue skies ...

--rita