Poll: Five-second rule?

It sometimes applies or doesn't apply based on who's watching. :)

First time one of my polls gets picked :)

I voted for "a rule to live by", but I can't quite shake the image of a certain past roommate of mine dropping a lollipop onto a carpeted floor and then popping it back into his mouth.

*retch*

I could see someone doing that, but I've had cats too long to see myself doing it.

Yeah. I'm all for it, unless the item is sticky.

Then again, I'm also more likely to use it indoor than outdoors. At least I know what's on the floor in here ;-)

Funny, that's why I *won't* eat stuff off my floor ;)

My rule is the "if I can remember dropping it" rule.

I think it applies to everything..eating stuff that has been on the ground is not tasty or anything at all.Its just plain GROSS!!

i think that there are several important factors in assessing whether you should eat something thats been dropped.
-where its being dropped.
like yea if its outside in a sandbox or something... no-no
-texture.
if its gummy.. or something else adhesive, who knows what its gonna pick up?
-movement.
if you drop it and it keeps moving.. well i suppose it could go both ways: it could pick up more gunk or it could prevent it from picking up as much... .. judgment call.
-how much you wanna eat it even tho its been on the ground.
if i dropped my last gummy bear..i dont know that id care much about assessing its edibility. i mean common, ive been waiting the whole bag for this little guy.

What about, I heard of it but don't believe it?

exactly. the options are incomplete.
i dont believe in it because i believe, depending on the food, it's either do not pick it up, or it doesnt matter how long it takes for you to pick it up, within reason.

thats where i stand too.

yup.

what about the 10-minute rule? and the 5-day rule? i have an immune system and i intend to use it. :D

the, "until the ants get it" rule.

the "until it learns to recite poetry" rule.