For the umpteenth time I've seen a character in a TV drama open the fridge, take out a four-litre canister of milk and drink straight from it. So far it has been in a U.S. show, but the most recent was on BBC's (very creepy, but so far very good) The Fall.

I have never and will never drink straight from a bottle like that, one whose contents will be shared by others in the house. Has anyone here ever done that or, at least, thinks it is acceptable (which, obviously, I don't think it is)?

I do it at home all the time. It was better when it was proper glass milk bottles.

Wouldn't think of doing it anywhere else.


In these series was the person drinking from the carton living alone? Living with a partner?
If they're happy kissing and putting their mouths in other certain places then I can't see them having a problem sharing a drink.

4 litres? I'd end up with it all over me if I tried to do that.

I used to drink out of glass milk bottles all the time but it's been about 20 years since I've seen them.

Can you even get four litre canisters of milk here?

The biggest I've seen is six pints (2.8 litres).

Ugh I hate drinking out of the bottle if I'm not the only one who's drinking out of it.

i do it, but then I live by myself and it is not from a plastic container but from a glass milk bottle.

Only if im the only one drinking from it.

Er, I think I've got that wrong - four pints.

Well, in The Fall the guy has a wife and two children. In U.S. series it just seems one of those things they do to make the character a regular guy (can't remember seeing a woman do it, though that doesn't mean they don't). I always thought it was one of those silly TV/films things, like having a young 'professional' type wear glasses when they're reading 'official papers' when they are obviously far too young to need reading glasses. It is done just to make them look more serious and intelligent.

Um I've worn glasses since I was months old. And I've noticed lots of 20 somethings getting glasses out when I'm with them on a course or at work. People don't only wear glasses for age related reasons.

I have drank milk straight from a cow, never done me any harm

What is a canister of milk?

It comes in bottles (plastic or glass) or in a tetrapak carton.

Mine comes from a 3 gallon aluminium canister or churn

That's usually the way I drink it, unless I've got a cold, then I use a glass.

My oh does it when I go to stay with him - it is one of the many reasons why I am reluctant to move in with him!

I used to do this all the time but I swear since I've stopped doing it, the milk lasts longer. Could be in my head, but honestly, think about how many bacteria there are in your mouth.

If there's not much left, I just drink what's left straight from the bottle to save on washing up!

I do this every day. And the orange juice too! Yummy!

I suspect you are right. That quite so many people like to backwash their oral bacteria into their milk is a bit of a surprise...

I do but I'm the only one who drinks milk in my house. I could easily drink 2 litres a day.

I remember seeing Joey from Friends drinking a whole 8 pint carton of milk in under 10 seconds and Phoebe thought he couldn't do it.

If there's about 200-300ml left in the container - then I'll do it - as it saves on a glass - especially if the Brita filter is busy with another load of water and the kettle's dry. Or I'm chilling water down...

When the cellulitis was worse, I used to buy in the Starbucks Doubleshot cans, and one quite nifty way of getting a large latte was with the last 300ml of Cravendale skimmed in a 4pt container - pour in a couple of Doubleshot cans (UK version is made with milk), cap on, give it a good shake...

When it's hot and I have a report to write - hits the spot.

We do about 8 pints of milk each day in our home. My three daughters can be caught at random times glugging the milk from the carton. We do have a milk man and get 7 one 2l cartons delivered in a week but I have to go buy another 2l carton almost every day from the shop. I cringe everytime the milkman comes for his money as he comes every 2 weeks and 9 times out of ten I've forgot it was his week and have no money. We now fling money at him and he knocks the door when the stupid amount has ran out.

My girls were all encouraged to try and participate in sport from an early age and all swear that milk is better than an energy drink to help rehydrate and help their muscles recover.

I've got a thing about drinking from any type of bottle or container and I must have a cup or a new straw.