Servers with Cold Sores

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by GGG

To me this is odd. Your waitresses hands covered in fecal matter and bacteria are of far more risk to you than her hands coverd in the herpes virus. The only real difference is that you see on and dont see the other.

But restaurants have hand-washing signs above all sinks and in the restaurants I've worked at (20 years ago), proper hand-washing techniques were taught. The problem of unwashed hands is already being mitigated to the extent it can be.

I doubt there is a similar education campaign for appropriate hygiene for servers with cold sores. The only thing between a customer and a cold sore is the server's judgement, but I'd prefer if further steps were taken to help protect diners from contracting a cold sore from restaurant staff, if it indeed is even an issue.

My friends and I have talked about how troubling we find being served by somebody with a cold sore, but I guess people on Calgary Puck don't worry about such trivialities like contracting herpes at restaurants and I'm just a paranoid basket case.

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Ah, you are fine with the dirt/filth you can't see.

Thats basically it. If he saw the cross-contamination and poor conditions in the back of most restaurants he'd never eat there.

That said, I'm excitedly waiting for the followup thread in a week: "My Server gave me a virus!"

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Sliver

But restaurants have hand-washing signs above all sinks and in the restaurants I've worked at (20 years ago), proper hand-washing techniques were taught. The problem of unwashed hands is already being mitigated to the extent it can be.

I doubt there is a similar education campaign for appropriate hygiene for servers with cold sores. The only thing between a customer and a cold sore is the server's judgement, but I'd prefer if further steps were taken to help protect diners from contracting a cold sore from restaurant staff, if it indeed is even an issue.

My friends and I have talked about how troubling we find being served by somebody with a cold sore, but I guess people on Calgary Puck don't worry about such trivialities like contracting herpes at restaurants and I'm just a paranoid basket case.

But they don't have someone there ensuring hands are washed.

[Shaggin Wagon]

Originally Posted by Sliver

So if she touched her cold sore, then touched the rim of my glass, then I drank from my glass, there is a 0% chance I'd get a cold sore?

Correct. This strain of virus can not live outside the human body. If she spit in the spoon then rubbed the spoon on her cold sore, the virus might live until the saliva dried up or the temperature dropped. In your case she touched your pop glass. If the pop was the 37' C, your f'd.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Sliver

But restaurants have hand-washing signs above all sinks and in the restaurants I've worked at (20 years ago), proper hand-washing techniques were taught. The problem of unwashed hands is already being mitigated to the extent it can be.

I doubt there is a similar education campaign for appropriate hygiene for servers with cold sores. The only thing between a customer and a cold sore is the server's judgement, but I'd prefer if further steps were taken to help protect diners from contracting a cold sore from restaurant staff, if it indeed is even an issue.

My friends and I have talked about how troubling we find being served by somebody with a cold sore, but I guess people on Calgary Puck don't worry about such trivialities like contracting herpes at restaurants and I'm just a paranoid basket case.

Its not that your paranoid, its that you are paranoid about the wrong things. How about the guy running the grill handling raw chicken and then cooked chicken with the same pair of tongs with just rinsing them in water between. Or that Salad bar food not being chilled enough allowing bacteria cultures to grow. Or the salad bar food not being rotated properly so that new food is just stuck on top allowing the food on the bottom to spoil.

And hand washing doesnt' happen consistantly amoungst minimum wage employees. It doesn't even happen consistantly in hospitals with highly paid doctors and nurses. So don't believe a fancy sign is protecting you there.

[calumniate]

Food inspectors will always check can openers believe it or not. Those things can be nasty and spread some pretty bad stuff around all the time. I'd take the cold sore

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Sliver

So if she touched her cold sore, then touched the rim of my glass, then I drank from my glass, there is a 0% chance I'd get a cold sore?

It's incredibly remote since it's very weak on hard surfaces. And the HSV-1 virus is substantially less transmittable upon a recurring outbreak, so unless it's her first cold sore, it's even less likely.

And according to MIT medical, while only 15-30% of people have visible issues (cold sores), and estimated 80% of people carry the HSV-1 virus, and it's technically transmittable if there's no visible outbreak. So by those numbers you should be worried about 80% of servers picking a piece of food out of their teeth and then touching your glass.

While not sharing drinks, utensils, towels with a person with a cold sore is certainly a precaution, it's method of transmission is direct contact.

Originally Posted by Sliver

I guess people on Calgary Puck don't worry about such trivialities like contracting herpes at restaurants

Yeah, either that or they understand how they can actually contract it.

[Table 5]

I get cold sores every once in a while (ie. once or twice a year). Ive known my wife for 6 years and we obviously share a lot of household items (glasses, plates, remotes etc etc), and she hasn't ever had one. Take that for what it's worth.

They are effin annoying though, and always seem to pop up at the worst possible time.

[octothorp]

This coming from a guy who touts the best feature of his community as one of the most poop-infected bodies of water in the city. The legend grows.

[Galakanokis]

My wife has had cold sores ever since I have known her, roughly 16 years and I have yet to have one. Of course, I don't believe in kissing or physical contact. You might catch something, can't be to careful.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I get cold sores every once in a while (ie. once or twice a year). Ive known my wife for 6 years and we obviously share a lot of household items (glasses, plates, remotes etc etc), and she hasn't ever had one. Take that for what it's worth.

They are effin annoying though, and always seem to pop up at the worst possible time.

I've always had them too however I started taking Lysine pills a couple of years ago and haven't had one since. My triggers seemed to be direct sun (Chapstick all the way) and stress.

Oh and my wife and I have been together for seven years and we have kept her free and clear.

[Table 5]

Huh, never heard of that. I'll have to try it out. It will definitely come in handy at my job at The Keg.

[NinePack]

I get cold sores, ive also been with my girl for 6 years, she doesnt have them, i take all precautions when i have one to insure she doesnt. I understand the concern with with the OP. Ive been to places that the server has a sore and im with my girl , I dont want her to get it. To me its different then some not washing their hands in the washroom , which is disgusting BTW. Cold sores stay with you for life and it can be transmitted to your genitals and to your eyes.

[Thor]

Slivers tombstone will read "This coffin is too small"

[RedMileDJ]

How do we factor in the tip percentage? Is it based on amount of cold sores or if they're inflamed and stuff?

[longsuffering]

Originally Posted by GGG

Its not that your paranoid, its that you are paranoid about the wrong things. How about the guy running the grill handling raw chicken and then cooked chicken with the same pair of tongs with just rinsing them in water between. Or that Salad bar food not being chilled enough allowing bacteria cultures to grow. Or the salad bar food not being rotated properly so that new food is just stuck on top allowing the food on the bottom to spoil.

And hand washing doesnt' happen consistantly amoungst minimum wage employees. It doesn't even happen consistantly in hospitals with highly paid doctors and nurses. So don't believe a fancy sign is protecting you there.

Careful. I could see Sliver turning into Howard Hughes.

[Zevo]

Slivers darkest day...a pitbull with a cold sore. Last seen wandering the shores of Lake Bonavista.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Thats basically it. If he saw the cross-contamination and poor conditions in the back of most restaurants he'd never eat there.

That said, I'm excitedly waiting for the followup thread in a week: "My Server gave me a virus!"

I recommend Malware Bytes, or SuperAntiSpyware.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Huh, never heard of that. I'll have to try it out. It will definitely come in handy at my job at The Keg.

Yup, also if I was a dinosaur in Jurassic Park the lysine pills would make sure I don't die due to the "lysine contingency".

So every morning when I take one I pretend I'm a dinosaur, keeps me young.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Sliver

But restaurants have hand-washing signs above all sinks and in the restaurants I've worked at (20 years ago), proper hand-washing techniques were taught. The problem of unwashed hands is already being mitigated to the extent it can be.

I doubt there is a similar education campaign for appropriate hygiene for servers with cold sores. The only thing between a customer and a cold sore is the server's judgement, but I'd prefer if further steps were taken to help protect diners from contracting a cold sore from restaurant staff, if it indeed is even an issue.

My friends and I have talked about how troubling we find being served by somebody with a cold sore, but I guess people on Calgary Puck don't worry about such trivialities like contracting herpes at restaurants and I'm just a paranoid basket case.

No, it's just that people on CP aren't generally as deranged as your friends.

Honestly I can see it being off putting, but it's not as big of a deal as you make it out to be, which is sort of the issue with all of your complaints.