This is not an uncommon practice from what I understand in Guatemala (and perhaps other central American countries - I dont' know). I have a friend who was traveling through Central America with some friends and happened into a ice cream shop. Everyone else just got ice cream but he ordered - you guessed it - a milk shake. The woman explained it would be a few minutes till it was done and he said that would be fine. After about 10 minutes, he went to the counter and asked about it, and another employee said they'd check. Opening the door to the back, he could see the woman milking herself to make the shake. Mortified, but not wanting to insult the people, he drank it as they watched him, smiling the whole time. He inquired of some locals after they left and was assured that it wasn't unusual, but were amused at his obvious discomfort.
We often ask him if he's been to a Guatemalan Shake Shop recently.
Shudder.
Not me. Couldn't have done it.
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