People Who Chew With Their Mouths Open
By DarlingGirl
@DarlingGirl (745)
United States
May 13, 2007 3:25am CST
I have a little trouble understanding why someone might chew with their mouth open, smack their lips, slurp their soup and coffee, even slurp upon every spoonful of ice cream!
Why do some people feel the need to make noise while they're eating?
Yes, I know that Japanese businessmen slurp their soup and noodles because it's best eaten as hot as possible. That I can forgive! It's tradition.
But sucking on a pretzel so loudly that an entire room can hear you - that's just inconsiderate.
Okay, let's err toward the side of medical problems.
Perhaps the person is so deaf that they can't hear the noises that they're making.
Nope.
Maybe they have a congenital defect of the jawbone.
Nope.
Perhaps they can't swallow or chew right due to throat injury, medication, or dental problems?
Well, in the case of the person I'm writing about - yes, she has dental problems, namely, bad teeth.
But is this an excuse to do things like smacking one's lips?
Or gulping her soda so loudly - and then signing in relief like it's an ice cold beer on a hot day?
I find it hard to concentrate when another person is making these kinds of noises around me. In fact, I go insane. I have to tap the desk top with a pen or turn on a fan or the radio to drown out the noise.
Politely asking about eating a little quieter get met with angry snaps about how I should mind my own business. Sometimes she says that she can't help it.
Did no one teach her how to eat? It's worse than the monkey cage in the zoo!
What do I do?
Help me..........!!!
2 people like this
13 responses
@KrazyKlingon (5005)
• United States
13 May 07
I'm thinking ... if it is that annoying, have a baseball bat or a frying pan with you. Confront the person, telling them that if you hear one sound from their eating, it'll hurt pretty badly. If she snaps back angrily when you tell her, get angry right back.
Seriously, I think your best bet is to confront the person in some form, maybe with a few friends. Power does come in numbers.
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
13 May 07
we used to have a kid when i went to school who not only ate with his mouth open,he made all kinds of "nummy" noises while doing so.
one day before he took his first bite of lunch,all the other kids at the table went "mmmMMMoMMmm" real loud.he got the picture.
it was hell mean,but i guess the other kids had had enough.
@shorva (923)
• Philippines
14 May 07
My parents taught us good table manners and this includes eating with your mouth shut. So I do understand how annoyed an disgusted you are. My ex eats like this, and I couldn't bring myself to eat with him, because once I hear that noise, it drives me nuts, so i just smile and let him finish all the food. I'm so glad that we're over so soon, I might have lost so much weight from not having an appetite listening to him chew.
@roniroxas (10559)
• Philippines
13 May 07
some people eat noisy or with a lot of sound to appreciate the food. for example japanese people eat their noodles with a lot of slurpy sounds because it is in their tradition that if the noodles taste good you have to eat it that way to appreciate it. i know italian people are also like that. it is not in the up bringing or not because their parents didnt teach them to eat properly it is because of the tradition. my mom is very strict about eating so we grew up eating quietly that even the fork and spoon should not be heard while eating...
then when i came to japan to work i really had a hard TIME ADJUSTING ON PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY NOISY WHEN IT COMES TO EATING. but then later i understand.
but i am not saying that all people are like that i am only speaking for people that follows a kind of tradition.
@monkeywriter (2004)
• United States
14 May 07
I HATE that too. Its like have some manners DONT chew with the mouth open. Also talking with food in mouth is bad. Most dont. Most just chew away including my parents and my grandma used to too. I dont however and neither does my sister.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
13 May 07
My goodness, who is this horror of a person?? I see that you have politely asked this woman to eat a little quieter and has done no good..is there any way just to plain avoid her? I feel for you, from the way you're describing this woman and the delightful experiences you're going through I'd be tearing my hair out with frazzled nerves...
1 person likes this
@djbtol (5493)
• United States
14 May 07
Noisy eating is in most cases just a bad habit, I suppose. Not likely you are going to change their habits. Try not to focus on it. The more you do, the louder it will seem and the more it will bother you.
Try a relocation - or increase the distance from them.
@mayenskie (1307)
• Philippines
14 May 07
Oh my goodness, please forgive me but i certainly feel disgusted when around people who chew or slurp with sounds. It reminds me of how pigs eat! I really don't understand too whether they are aware of it or not. It is rude and shows no breeding. people should learn good table manners and etiquette.
At home, when a family member is doing that, we immediately point it out, however i haven't asked a stranger - i just can't dare. I only try hard to concentrate on my eating or try to stay away as possible.
@shinjiao (1457)
• China
14 May 07
One of my male friend,he often does this horrible thing.But I don't think his rudeness is related to his lack of manner education.I know his parents well and they are polite and gentle,sometimes they are too fastidiously to trifile things.But their son is quite different from them,he chews with his mouth open widely especially when he eats biscuits.Arggghhh....For a short period,I don't want to eat biscuit because it will remind me his mouth.
The only way I can do is to get far away from his when he has meals...Well,maybe not effeicint to your problem.
@aniez0906 (263)
• Indonesia
14 May 07
i think you must to go to clinic and share with your doctor about your problem. may be your doctor will give you some pills or cream and on few days you will feel better
@yaxiaoyr007 (1)
• China
14 May 07
Maybe you're so sensitive that you can't bear it.Actually everyone make noise when eating.Sometimes people make loud sound only beacause they want to express emotion,either happy or angry,or just as a tradition.You can forgive the tradition,why can't you forgive others?Maybe try to adjust yourselves, or change a quiet place, you can feel better?
