The Best Really Amazing Smart Do And Don't Double-Dipping Etiquette

The Best Really Amazing Smart Do And Don’t Double-Dipping Etiquette

Have you ever felt like Timmy in the hilarious double dipping scene from the Seinfeld episode when he says to George, “You dipped the chip… you took a bite… and you dipped again”?

Despite the fact that scientists agree that double dipping is the biggest way to spread diseases, dips are a staple at our holiday gatherings. As our family’s contribution to Thanksgiving dinner this year we’ve been asked to bring a festive dip. I cringe, imagining what disgustingly dirty places my nephews and nieces may have placed their fingers prior to dipping — after fondling the chips.

And I’m wondering what nasty diseases, including strains of the herpes virus and TB, are passed on through residual saliva lurking in dips!

Would you loudly out a double-dipper?

–JC, Baltimore, Maryland

Whether you’re double-dipping a chip, bread stick, cracker or carrot stick into salsa, guacamole, hummus or a creamy/ cheesy veggie dip, there are always those who double dip. By taking a bite, and then making a second stab at the dip with the offended chip that leaves behind others at risk.

You have two choices:

It’s your dip, so you can guard your dip. Suggest to approaching dippers that they turn their chip around for the return second dip to prevent their filthy germs from sending everyone at the gathering to the emergency room.
Or you can bring a nice big wedge of aged Vermont cheddar cheese and an assortment of crackers as your contribution instead of the dip. Ahead of time cut up half of the cheese into bite size squares. Arrange on a festive plate with a cheese knife. Decorate the platter with fresh radishes, baby tomatoes, or cranberries and add a bit of edible greenery.

You’re absolutely right. Despite the fact that chips ‘n’ dips are actually ‘salt and fat traps’ a holiday party without a dip practically practically never happens.

Why not skip the ‘salt and fat traps’ of chips ‘n’ dips and provide flatbread or pita instead of overly salty tortilla and chips.

Unless you’re into contributing to your family’s unhealthy cravings, don’t make a bacteria-spreading machine your dip.

Instead provide a thick creamy, dense guacamole, hummus or cheesy dip that is less likely to slip off the bitten chip or cracker when re-dipping. A thinly consistent dip – such as a salsa – spreads more germs than a thick dip because it is harder to keep the salsa on the chip.

Scientists agree that if you must double-dip you should at least turn your chip or cracker around.

A survey by the Philadelphia Flip and Dip Company discovered the following about chip ‘n’ dip devotees and critics:

One in five would ask someone to stop double dipping.
One in ten have licked their fingers before picking up another chip or cracker out of the basket.
One in five say it is totally acceptable to double-dip.
Six in ten adults see double-dipping as a huge no-no.
Sixty percent said double dipping was a big party faux pas.
Only one in five of those 60% would stop someone if they caught them in the act of double dipping.

63% said seeing double dipping “leaves them feeling angry, disappointed and embarrassed about their fellow party-goes.”

If the holidays wouldn’t be festive if you couldn’t double dip, the consensus is to at least turn your piece of pita bread around before making that second dip into the guacamole.
Scientists agree that double dipping in NOT okay, NOT healthy for anyone and NOT cool.