Table manners | Mumsnet

Same1977 · 2022-08-23T10:51:58+00:00

People who eat with their mouths open or smacking their lips...Do you know you are doing it?If so why not stop?Can't you hear yourself? Went out with a friends of mine to a dinner.The table was smaller than usual and there I was listening to her speak whilst chewing etc.Just put me off the conversation till the meal was finished.

laalaaleelee · 23/08/2022 12:09

Oh god! I hate this so much, it actually makes my skin crawl. I used to work with someone who would insist on eating his breakfast and lunch at his desk and slurp it up so loudly. I had to put headphones. 🤢

BogOffTraceyBeaker · 23/08/2022 13:50

I can a woman at work eating from another room she’s that loud. It’s grim

Sparklfairy · 23/08/2022 13:53

I briefly dated a guy once who would probably describe himself as having impeccable table manners. Yet every time we went to a restaurant he would insert the full length of his knife into his mouth, close his lips over it and draw it out slowly. Multiple times.

It was so grim.

Cautiouselectric · 23/08/2022 13:56

I actually visited a house of a friend once (years ago as a teen so I had not seen much in the way of human odd behaviour at that point) and the WHOLE FAMILY proceeded to lick their plates at the end of the meal.

They all did the knife thing too @Sparklfairy

I think I just heaved.

Sparklfairy · 23/08/2022 13:59

Cautiouselectric · 23/08/2022 13:56

I actually visited a house of a friend once (years ago as a teen so I had not seen much in the way of human odd behaviour at that point) and the WHOLE FAMILY proceeded to lick their plates at the end of the meal.

They all did the knife thing too @Sparklfairy

I think I just heaved.

Sorry, I generally am not judgy because I am far from perfect* but they sound positively feral

I live alone and have some questionable table manners when no one is watching

FangsForTheMemory · 23/08/2022 14:01

I was staying in a B&B recently and saw the 20 y-o son of the house pick up his plate and lick it. I could not believe my eyes.

Izzy24 · 23/08/2022 14:06

You’re very out of touch OP.

Apparently it is also currently perfectly acceptable to

lean all over the table

stretch expansively at the table

pick your nails at the table

lean across everyone else to grab what you want without asking anyone to pass it to you first

serve yourself before anyone else

take far more than your share of anything you fancy and even finish it up

get up and leave the table as soon as you’ve finished even tho others are still eating

start clearing the table any time you like

and please don’t forget to bring your phone to the table and use it throughout the meal.

(can you tell I’ve just had a weekend away ……….) 😂😂

WhenISnappedAndFarted · 23/08/2022 14:06

My Mum does this and she's always talking whilst chewing and you can see what's inside her mouth and it's revolting.

Snugglemonkey · 23/08/2022 14:15

I do not eat with people who do this. I have misophonia and mouth noises are intolerable to me. Years ago I noticed that I subconsciously nip the inside of my arm, or dig my nails into my skin to cope with the noise. After a dinner when 2 people ate with their mouths open, I had actually drawn blood. That is when I decided that I will never again be in a situation where I am self harming to cope with the trauma of people behaving like pigs. I have lost friendships over it, but I just cannot do it to myself.

Luredbyapomegranate · 23/08/2022 14:16

A very lovely older relative of mine does this when she’s eating. Otherwise has perfectly good manners. It’s mystifying. She’s in her late 70s.

Luredbyapomegranate · 23/08/2022 14:17

Snugglemonkey · 23/08/2022 14:15

I do not eat with people who do this. I have misophonia and mouth noises are intolerable to me. Years ago I noticed that I subconsciously nip the inside of my arm, or dig my nails into my skin to cope with the noise. After a dinner when 2 people ate with their mouths open, I had actually drawn blood. That is when I decided that I will never again be in a situation where I am self harming to cope with the trauma of people behaving like pigs. I have lost friendships over it, but I just cannot do it to myself.

Handy you don’t have to have work lunches and dinners then!

BasiliskStare · 23/08/2022 14:23

So having been brought up not to do do a "pen knife" I think manners are not the same as etiquette . I can forgive any use of cutlery whatever , but chewing with mouth open , no I don't like it & what really I can't bear is people who have food hanging from their lip , moustache etc. In my world , if you can get your food into your mouth and eating it without me seeing it. again - that's good enough for me. But just me.

PILs always did the clearing up before everyone has finished and putting pudding down whilst others are finishing main course. Not dreadful of course but would prefer not.

iklboo · 23/08/2022 14:23

BIL3 sounds like Mr Snufflupagus emptying a sump tank through his trunk when he eats. It's a mad scramble not to sit next to or opposite him when we go for family meals.

Purpleforthewin · 23/08/2022 14:33

I once had to listen to someone eating a sandwich so enthusiastically that if you weren't in the room you would have probably thought she was having sex with the noises she was making.

shebathequeenof · 23/08/2022 15:42

I wont go out to eat with a friend and her dd as they both eat with their mouths wide open. It's absolutely revolting and puts me off my food. I don't want to see a mouthful of vomit whilst I'm eating thanks I have low standards but they obviously have none.

Cautiouselectric · 23/08/2022 15:45

My DD (child, 10) absolutely cannot learn to eat with her mouth closed. I used to think that by the time she was eating in school, non-family members talking to her about it would shame her into change, but no, no change. It drives me nuts!!!