What is the proper way to eat raw oysters? Do you just pop them into your mouth and let them slide down or do you chew them?

Sssssssssssssssssssssssslide them down. They are pretty hard to chew and anyway, I would prefer to not know it is even in my mouth. Ever had a prairie oyster ? Want the recipe ?

The proper way to eat an oyster (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/food/108522_oysterhow14.shtml)

Demystifying Oyster Eating in New York City (http://www.littleviews.com/home/newyork/oysters.cfm)

Put a couple a squirts lemon juice, tobasco and just swallow, their the best liquid and all!

What is the use of eating them when you're just going to swallow? I love oysters. Chewing them is the best way.

As a Son of the South and an Oyster lover as well, I've seen people top a saltine with an oyster and eat it bite-by-bite. Some like a mix of Seafood Sauce (catsup with horseradish and lemon juice and maybe some Tabasco as well) to dip their fork-speared oysters into before chugging the oyster on down. Some just like some lemon juice over them (I'm getting more partial to using lime juice instead of lemon juice these days) and either chewing them up or just swallering them on down.
My way? Spear 'em, chew'em and wash them down with ice-cold vodka or a Martini or two. Yummmm!

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Coming from the largest seafood country, I think I can answer it one;)
Oysters do need to be caressed with your molars a few times, before you shallow it.
Def. add some flavor as squeeze of lemon, half teaspoon of cocktail sauce or a drop or two of rice vinegar.:)

Eat 'em any way you like, as many as you like!
I like them raw first, while the grill warms, steam a few under a wet burlap sack (the one they come in), and while they're steaming, a few more raw.
Munch just a few times, if you like, or slurp 'em down.

It's all good...
(Now, I'm craving oysters!)

Eat 'em any way you like, as many as you like!
I like them raw first, while the grill warms, steam a few under a wet burlap sack (the one they come in), and while they're steaming, a few more raw.
Munch just a few times, if you like, or slurp 'em down.

It's all good...
(Now, I'm craving oysters!)

I bet you have kept tons of Oysters on your ship, Pirate Rich:D

It hard to keep enough aboard. On the verge of mutiny every day.
Crew upset due to A/C being out of order & rum barrels near empty!