Do you need a straw with your drink?
@lordwarwizard (35747)
Singapore
April 15, 2007 10:01am CST
I remember a girl who was in my clique during my university days. She was not any gorgeous babe or anything close, so you do not need to start drooling. Anyway, if we were in the same class, we will normally head for lunch together at the canteen.
Being the only girl in a group of boys, she liked to take advantage of us to get her drink for her. Sometimes she will want some hot coffee, but usually, she would ask for some cold drink. So normally, we will just get her what she wanted in those translucent plastic cups. There will be times when we forgot to get a straw for her. She will pout and insist that we go back to the drink stall and get one for her. If I was feeling obliging, I would. Otherwise, I will just ask her to get it herself. :P
I simply do not see the straw as a necessity. To me, why bother with a straw when you can just drink straight from the cup? After all, the cup is clean. And in case you are wondering, she wasn't even wearing any lipstick. So she will pout and try to make us return for her straw - failing which she would walk all the way across the canteen (we normally sit quite far from the drinks stall) herself to get the straw so that she can drink. I find it hilarious that she couldn't drink without a straw.
Might you be able to enlighten me regarding her strange behavior? Are you one like her who just needs to have a straw if it is available? Or are you like me who would drink straight from the container? Or... ? Do share your thoughts. ;-)
56 people like this
177 responses
@elizabethbathory (1132)
• United States
15 Apr 07
If you are drinking something sweet, like soda pop, and have sensitive gums/teeth, the straw helps to avoid that painful contact. When drinking something with high acidity, such as orange juice, it's also a good idea to use a straw as the acid damages the enamel on your teeth.
@massageeh (965)
• Taiwan
15 Apr 07
I agree. I heard somewhere that using straws to drink will reduce cavities because the drink won't come in contact with your teeth.
6 people like this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
15 Apr 07
i was going to say that also-i used a straw when i had a bad tooth and couldn't directly get to a dentist.bypassed the pain until i could get an appointment.
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
15 Apr 07
Ahh.. GOOD point! Thanks for sharing..
5 people like this
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
15 Apr 07
Actually, Lord, I do tend to use straws quite often. Problem being, I have very,very sensitive teeth. If I have a drink over room temperature, especially with ice, I must drink it through a straw. Same goes for hot drinks. I don't sip coffee through a straw though..lol. I actually put a few cubes of ice in coffee to make it cooler to drink. I don't know if this was your friends problem or not, but it is mine :( I will drink from the cup or can if the drink is "warm" enough though.
8 people like this
@trinidadvelasco (11401)
• Philippines
16 Apr 07
I have been using sensodyne toothpaste for years upon the dentist's recommendation. Yes, it did greatly help with the sensitive teeth condition. However, there was a time when I didn't notice that I ran out of the product one night. I had to use a regular toothpaste. To my surprise, it was an exruciating experience. Now I know that using that product, makes my teeth so sensitive, I stopped using it from then on.
5 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
15 Apr 07
I see, I see.. I learn new things everyday. ^^
6 people like this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
15 Apr 07
I remember always getting told off by my dad especially when I had a strawberry milkshake at the end of the glass the slurping noise of the straw used to really annoy him! I wanted to get the last bit out! It is actually better to drink out of a straw than a bottle for example because it has been known that bottles can be unhygienic. Some pubs who have bottle deliveries have had rats which urinate against the bottles, sorry may not sound nice but when I heard this I refuse to drink from bottles full stop. I used to have a twirly straw, where it curled and twisted and it was fun to use as a child. When I go in Macdonalds and have a strawberry milkshake you always get given straws, it's the only way to drink them!
6 people like this
@mariyamaka (931)
• India
15 Apr 07
hehehehe... dont be surprise coz we girls are like this... and you said she was the only girl in your group she must be little... you know i cant describ that feelin??? kind of wanting attension or something.... and now to the point!!! i dont even like to use glass much directly lol!!! this is what i am but when we are out or with people around even i do that like straw or tissue or anything silly;) as my dad says "Womens are unpredictable"
@natalie1981 (1995)
• Singapore
15 Apr 07
Not really. I don't use straws actually, I find it bothersome specially if I'm REALLY thirsty. My boyfriend is the one who uses straws. Though I think the reason why some people insist on straws specially on their sodas is because soda stains your teeth. I've read that somewhere before and straw helps to lessen the stains on your teeth.
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
15 Apr 07
If the soda doesn't come into contact with your tea, then it won't stain...
5 people like this
@kathy77 (7486)
• Australia
15 Apr 07
Yes well I do not understand this girl either wanting a straw to drink from when the drink is in a cup, if I having a drink from a cup I do not require a straw I only use a straw if it is in a bottle or for a milk shake as it is hard to drink it from straight from the big cup they supply.
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
16 Apr 07
I did not understand her too. When I asked her, she said she just wanted a straw. LOL :P
1 person likes this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
15 Apr 07
I rarely ever use a straw. If I go to a fast food restuarant for take-out and they give me one of the McDonalds type of cups, then I'll use a straw.
But other than that, drinking straight out of the cup is fine with me.
Lloyd
5 people like this
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
15 Apr 07
When i am drinking coffee i drink straight from the cup.When I am drinking tea,coke or any drink that has ice in it,I prefer a straw...(reason) it keeps the ice out of your mouth and also keeps the ice from constantly hitting your teeth,its the ice that causes me to use a straw.....
4 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
16 Apr 07
Yup. I once had ice all over me ACCIDENTALLY. :P
1 person likes this
@jazzafrazz (910)
• Canada
16 Apr 07
Wow, I'm not sure about you but, I think it's best to use a straw just to read your discussions. lmao! Anyhow I know what you mean,.. to some degree it ok to use a straw. Like when you have a toothaches.. sure that makes sense. Your teeth are feeling sensitive as it is. Nobody wants to have that sharp tingling feeling while drinking a cold one. Or even if your jaw is wired shut, yeah.. that make perfect sense to use one. Well I wouldn't know why your mouth is wired shut to begin with, for whatever the reason you prolly deserved it. lol. Personally I've very rarely used one, and I don't think I'll be using one at any given moment. Thanks for your discussion,.. no worries it wasn't very chilling!! (brrrr)
@rx4life (1930)
• United States
15 Apr 07
Interesting discussion as usual...I just happened to read an article about cosmetic surgery and straws..interesting combination...but they were saying that women particularly that drink from a straw on a regular basis, develop twice the fine lines around their upper and lower lips..and like smokers, have a decided "aged" look to their mouths..So with that bit of information passed on for what it is worth...I'll answer your question...No..I don't drink from a straw...I drink from the cup/glass/bottle..but I know many that say they drink their tea/coffee with a straw to avoid staining their teeth!!! I suppose if you have spent $$$$ whitening your teeth you would be cognizant of that investment and try to extend it's application...I believe that I don't like straws much because of a visual I still have from my early teenaged years....one of my friends was using an unusually stiff straw in her milkshake and fell forward and the straw pierced the soft palate at the back of her throat which not only bled profusely but caused her immense pain and upon trying to remove it , a portion broke off and she had to be taken to the hospital for removal surgically!!!! Yikes...no straws for me!!!
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
15 Apr 07
I personally do not care for the taste of a beverage through the straw. But, if she has sensitive teeth it may be more comfortable for her to use a straw than drinking straight from the cup. Or, perhaps she is a sloppy drinker spilling contents all over her face and shirt...so using a straw keeps things tidy. One thing is rather probable, she is lazy and likes the pampering attention the fellows lavish on her...be it for their seeing to her wants or consoling her pouting. If I were a guy I would not find that attractive at all - even if she was a knockout beauty queen.
4 people like this
@wachit14 (3595)
• United States
15 Apr 07
The only place I ever use a straw is either when I receive a drink from a fast food restaurant or, if I am eating out. I'm a bit of a germaphobe so I like to drink out of a sanitary straw to prevent me from picking up any unwanted germs. At home, I don't use them though as they just create more trash which the world does not need.
4 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
15 Apr 07
Quite wasteful if you use a straw for every drink. :P
3 people like this
@miamilady (4910)
• United States
16 Apr 07
I don't use a straw when I'm at home, but I use a straw when I'm in a restaurant. I think the reason is because in restaurants they put a lot of ice in the drinks. Like some of the other people said, sometimes it hurts my teeth. The other reason is that when you go to drink and there is too much ice, it is kind of awkard to drink like that. The ice slips up and sometimes spashes. I think a female would be more bothered by that than a male. Females tend to be more concerned about not getting messy.
@AmbiePam (91768)
• United States
16 Apr 07
In restaurants, I use a straw simply because I know despite the cups and glasses are washed, they have been used hundreds of times. I don't want to take the risk, especially since I cannot see back in the kitchen where the glass is coming from.
2 people like this
@dfinster (3528)
• United States
15 Apr 07
I used to use a straw if I was drinking something with ice in it because my teeth were extremely sensitive before I had a few root canals done. (I think I would've much rather put up with the sensitivity) But if we were out in public I never used a straw because I didn't think it'd look too savvy to drinking with a straw at a nice resteraunt. Now the only time I use a straw is if I get something like a shake or a soda from a fast food place.
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
15 Apr 07
I don't see anything wrong with drinking with straw at a nice restaurants.. in fact, straws are always provided if you get a drink at some fancy places... at least in Singapore.
3 people like this
@hezoid (2144)
•
27 Apr 07
I don't think anyone needs to drink through a straw, unless you really do have problems with your teeth that mean you don't want the liquid coming into contact with them, but in that case maybe you should stick with water - the ultimate teeth friendly drink! Anyway, sometimes though i dod like to drink certain drinks with a straw, like maybe if i have a can of coke. I think it changes the way you enjoy the drink, maybe even makes the drink taste a bit different. It's maybe a bit silly to go to such long length to get a straw though!
3 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
27 Apr 07
Yup, sensitive teeth be one serious problem. :/
2 people like this
@vensan882003 (180)
• India
27 Apr 07
i think you don't require a straw to drink .it's better to drink directly.
even it does not look good while drinking.
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
27 Apr 07
A straw does has some benefits too..
2 people like this
@bluebird1956 (404)
• Canada
16 Apr 07
Drinking certain liquids, such as coke, without a straw cannot only stain your enamel, they can also ruin it by wearing it away with its acidity. Did you know that you can clean a dirty toilet with a can of coke? That's what you are putting against your teeth every time you drink it without a straw.
Other reasons for using a straw include sensitivity, annoying others by blowing bubbles (and no, you don't have to be a kid to do this), and cleanliness.
BTW, I'm glad to hear that you were a gentleman most of the time and went to get her a straw.;)
3 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
16 Apr 07
Aw... you painted such a puking scene.. :P
2 people like this
@bluebird1956 (404)
• Canada
16 Apr 07
I am delighted that you appreciate the artistic way I have with words. ;)
1 person likes this
@merihluanne (254)
• Philippines
15 Apr 07
It would depend. If a straw is unavailable then I think that I would have to drink from the can or the bottle, provided that I wipe/cleanse off the dust just to make sure I don't eat the dirt that stayed there while in storage. You can never be too sure.
4 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
15 Apr 07
I am not even sure if you can easily wipe it off...
3 people like this
