I dragged the coxsackie virus-addled 4-year-old to the pediatrian this morning and wondered why -- in an office that sternly asks patients to don a mask if they have a fever over 100 degrees AND has signs warning of the coming H1N1 flu apocolypse -- is it OK for the receptionist to lick her finger while rifling through paperwork, and return my co-pay receipt with a saliva spot on the corner?

Ick. I see this all the time, in business offices, in convenience stores where the clerk needs a plastic bag or is counting out cash.

I am not saying those of us living with miniature germ machines (a.k.a children) should throw stones at the rest of humanity.

But these finger-licking folks are adults in a professional setting. I always chicken out of confronting them, however, and just pick up my bag, receipt or dollar bill in grossed-out silence.

I figure it is probably an unconsious habit that -- no matter how rude I am --will not stop easily. Plus, I don't want to be the troll customer that wrecks their day.

But with the coming fear-of-flu, is it finally time to start calling out strangers on this appalling habit?

How do you handle this issue in stores and offices? Leave a comment or email us at enoonan@globe.com

(Dennis, in case you are wondering, is no longer contagious. So you can stop backing away from the keyboard.)