Only Slate Plus members can gift Slate stories. Become a member to share 10 free articles a month. Most cooks I know—including me—hate wearing gloves in the kitchen. That’s probably why you can find ...

You’re at a deli. You watch the cook take the trash out, or have a cigarette, or step away to heed nature’s call, and then come back to the kitchen just in time to make your sandwich. “Put some gloves ...