this post was submitted on 07 Feb 2025
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Unpopular Opinion

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I havent used any type of straw in quite some time. Plastic or paper.

They do nothing for me and I think they are one of the most pointless disposal food packaging items to exist.

top 24 comments
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[–] RebekahWSD 1 points 36 minutes ago

I like straws because my husband is disabled and drinking with a straw is much safer than straight from the glass.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 hours ago

Straws are for people with tiny hands and full diapers

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 hours ago

I don't mind them in my water bottle with a flip up cap, but yeah, if I'm using a cup a straw seems pretty pointless.

[–] reddig33 7 points 3 hours ago (1 children)

🤷‍♂️ No one is making you use them. I’m more concerned about all the single use non biodegradable plastic. At least straws are available in materials that biodegrade.

[–] Lifecoach5000 3 points 2 hours ago

That’s kinda what sparked this post. Def against single use plastic whenever possible. Not trying to get political but there’s some news stories about this today…

[–] [email protected] 11 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

But how do you breathe under water while waiting for the Tweety Bird to take the bait?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 hours ago

One of those hollow swamp reed things of course.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

I like my water bottle with a straw lid, because when I am in bed and can't sit up easily, it is still not too difficult for me to stay hydrated.

[–] Semi_Hemi_Demigod 7 points 4 hours ago (2 children)

There’s a spot between my frame and mattress where I can wedge one of those big stainless mugs with a straw.

I just need to roll over and sip at it like a hamster. Really great for hangovers.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 25 minutes ago

Living the dream!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 hours ago

That's pretty brilliant

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 hours ago (4 children)

I don't... like them. Does anybody actively like them? Quick poll, does anybody here pop a can of coke or a glass of water and deliberately go find a straw to put in there?

As far as I can tell straws exist either to drink something too thick to reliably pour out of a glass rim, like a smoothie or a milkshake, or to cirvumvent some limitation, be it accessibility or having to extract liquid from a sealed vessel.

By the same token, who here just brings a large, wobbly paper glass up to their face in a dark movie theatre and tries to repeatedly sip it?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 hour ago

I do. I almost never drink something without a straw. But for me, it's due to medical issues. Straws make my life easier.

[–] andrewta 2 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

Bottle of pop. No

Glass of water at a restaurant. Yes

My hands shake and it’s annoying as hell when people stare at me when I’m trying to drink. So I get a straw.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 hours ago

Sure, but then you're in the accessibility scenario. It's still a utility thing.

[–] Lifecoach5000 3 points 3 hours ago (1 children)

I guess I did forget about milkshakes or smoothies. Those do have a solid use case.

[–] PP_BOY_ 2 points 3 hours ago (1 children)

Boba? I don't even know what the "point" would be without a straw tbh

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 hours ago

That's just soup at that point. And to be fair, a boba straw is in the spork continuum anyway.

[–] Chromebby 1 points 2 hours ago

Yeah I guess for boba tea they're useful. Also if you whiten your teeth and are worried about staining them.

[–] over_clox 3 points 4 hours ago

Found the turtle that got one stuck in its nose.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 hours ago

Spitwad blasters. Hard to get a good distance without some sort of directional control and air focus.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 hours ago

They’re nice with blow

[–] [email protected] -1 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

The whole debate was the first time I saw Americans for who we really are. Whiney, entitled, and refuse to change for the tiniest, smallest of reasons. Changing literally one of the smallest things I encounter because it helps animals? Nope, gotta literally rage for weeks online about it

It's how I knew we were fucked when covid hit. What, wear a mask? I think piece of fabric over my face? To help other people who aren't even me?! Obviously this is the worst thing in the entire history of human kind!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 hours ago

To be fair Europeans have been whining about paper straws and bottle caps since forever too. It's not a purely American thing.