The clam thingy is of no consequence to me. (Cept maybe bearded) I would eat them if one of you Yankees caught them and we had a fire on the beach and I was drinking. It's polite and Id comply, maybe like em. But those things on the Chinese buffet are hideous, orange and ... yuck. No tanks.
Now some Gulf Coast oysters....
I have before and will again eat ten to twelve dozen. Even in an hour. I prefer to space them out but if I have an hour and the damn things are great and some other smoe is shucking, and they are free or cheap then I go to the zone. Love to eat them.
If a clam or oyster smells BAD (bearded or otherwise) then do not put them in your face... period, that's a dam rule. Some of my ship riding warrior friends have revealed a Subic bay nightmare that was ugly to say the least. Stick to the rules guys.
And you gals, don't eat a hot dog if it smells bad.
Course you gals are keenly aware of the rules.