"Sucking Fingers"

Only time I have ever seen anyone do this is if they have ordered ribs and got sauce on their fingers.

Oh and Buffalo wings!!!!!  I finally got my DH to stop grabbing the corner of a napkin to eat ribs and wings. . . I was like you know you can wash off your fingers!

Definitely not something I've seen Sean, or anyone else do there.  In fact, from my own experiences.. they have far better table manners than Americans do.  I also agree with Wish and Lisa though, it's easy to see ONE brit do something, and assume that's the way ALL brits do it.  I think I'm a messier eater than most brits I've seen.  They tend to use a fork and knife for EVERYTHING and a napkin to pick up food I'd just use my fingers with.  (Maybe it's me with bad etiquette? )

Okay, does any one know why the British suck their fingers between and after meals?  
I find that absolutely disgusting! Is it just me or am I being intolerable?

bwaahahahahahaaaaaaaa....!    my husband does this, and i can't stand it!  he is not the only one, either.  i have seen tons of British people do this.  i have also seen the wiping of the bowl/plate with the fingers to be sucked off.  it helps when i do dishes *lol* but i find it extremely horrific to watch.  my mother would be appauled!    (we got/get yelled at for that sort of table manners...)

only explanation I could give you would be that brits don't use napkins as much as americans do.  I put napkins on the table for dinner and my husband often puts his back in the drawer after we eat because he hasn't used it. That's okay with me as long as I have me napkin to use.  That was one thing another american that visited an English friend of mine complained about. sorry but we americans are used to napkins. To each his own I guess. lol

i am a total napkin freak.  i am used to going to a fast food place and getting a huge stack of them automatically thrown into the bag.  i used to bring them home and use them later.  it was actually rare that i ever had to buy any!   here...  you get maybe 1 or 2, (maybe) with your meal, but i've found that you usually have to ask...

its weird, when we eat a fancy meal at a friend's house in England, i have yet to see anyone set their table with napkins.  :-/   i remember having a  dinner with my MIL (just take-away fish and chips)... i refuse to eat my chips with a fork and knife, so i asked if she had any napkins.  she rolled her eyes, laughed, and gave me a "oooh... la tee da!  aren't we posh!" remark.  i was so embarrassed!

its true, that Brits normally seem to eat more politely, looking so cool with their knife/fork combo.  they probably don't need napkins most of the time.   i eat one-handed, but like to wipe my hands/face on a napkin during a meal instead of my clothing...  (i've got that "paranoia-of-mustard-on-my-chin" syndrome, and i'd rather wipe it than lick it off.)  that's just me...  

that's funny what you are all saying about the napkins ... before Stu moved here I never bought paper napkins unless it was for a party - and now we get through a pack of 100 in a week! If I sit down to eat without one he gives me one! I sometimes worry about the number of trees we are killing! I am used to it now plus asking for extra napkins every time we eat out but some of our English friends do think it a bit "lah di dah" like your MIL Angel. Not that we all sit around licking our fingers either!

I'm from the land of crawfish & when called for I can live with a quick lick, but are we talking about full on SUCKing?
My DH has impeccable table manners & I just haven't seen this!  
And on the Eastenders comment,  the cast just made Juicy Couture sweat suits go out of style because they're wearing them! I can't even listen to them speak, it's disgraceful!