To tell friend why I don’t want to eat with her anymore

[Elision]

Best friend has a new partner who is great to her and for her in almost every way. He does however have a big untidy beard and moustache and when he’s eating he constantly has globs of food and sauce in it until someone gestures to him and he wipes it off. It makes me feel so nauseous that I am unable to eat my own food (yes I’m probably the arsehole here but I just can’t handle it).

Previous to them getting together our social lives centred around cooking, dinner parties, trying new restaurants, trips to food festivals, etcetera. I have tried to redirect things a bit by suggesting walks and games nights but there’s only so much of that you can do and she seems to be upset that I’ve fallen out with her or that I don’t like her partner.

Should I gently tell her the truth? What would you do?

well my bold try failed

Slightly off-topic but had to take someone out for lunch once. He chose the crab starter. I swear to God it ended up in his (bushy) eyebrows. I was mesmerised/horrified.

Would you naturally be chatting to him as much as your friend or partner? If not, then opt to sit next to him and opposite them. That's the only way I can handle grotty eaters, in whatever form. If they are next to me then I generally just glance sideways every so often but am not obviously ignoring them. Between courses, I make an effort to focus on them more. No-one gets offended or even notices but it means I can survive a situation that would be hideous (for me, I realise) otherwise.

I have a sort of family member that gets out dental floss at the table even in restaurants. It makes me nauseous as well so I try and avoid it.

Sorry dont know what the answer is

I don't understand this...my DH has a beard...he never puts food of any sort into it!

I similarly do not put food on my chin while eating.