To hate that my husband does this

[Hevviie]

My husband has a mad food habit (imo) that drives me crazy, but he thinks is absolutely fine. Basically whatever he eats he mashes all together with a fork until it's just a pile of mush. He insists that it's no different to eating the foods individually but to me it's just mad. Like I'll cook a whole roast with lovely crispy roast potatoes and he'll mash them to smithereens with everything else and it honestly makes my heart hurt. He thinks it's none of my business how he eats, maybe he's right. What do you think?

That would be a pretty big ick for me. Like, is he a 2 year old? So weirdly and specifically infantile.

Some strategic places cereal packets around the mushing zone and everyone can be happy

"Same. It’s like the first act of seven brides for seven brothers before they become civilised. That men live like this and women actually allow them in their lives, honestly I despair. Women need to majorly raise their standards and reject these animals. Men just actually disgust me after reading this."

Thankfully @Eyerollcentral it took just one awkward conversation and he stopped it. I asked where on Earth he ate like that and apparently shovelling food was normal for the blokes in his factory. To eat their food as quickly as possible. I'd never seen him eat like that because our dates had been cinema and finger food like KFC, Burger King or at his house and we were munching on a toastie his mum had brought up (he lived with his DPs til his mid 20's)

He eats like a civilised human now but it still bugs me he'll rarely touch a knife. I honestly don't know if I could have continued with the relationship if he carried on like that. Can happily say we're coming up for 2 decades and he's perfect everywhere else.

Well done (not sarcastic!!), should give the OP hope change is possible!

He thinks it's none of my business how he eats, maybe he's right.

What in the name of all that's holy makes you imagine it's any of your business how another adult enjoys eating?

BEYONCE DOES IT

That would annoy me

"I don't think he got a lot of attention or love growing up and has not progressed from about the age of 3 in table manners"

@Eyerollcentral Even if that were true he is an adult capable of learning???? I bet he doesn’t do it in public

yeah ,that thought has crossed my mind ....

OK I'm starting to like the cut of your jib now OP.
Something tells me your sense of humour is going to carry you through MashGate.

You obviously don't ever eat out. I'd tell him to stop eating like a bloody baby, but to say your "heart hurts is ridiculous"

Not until you've printed it out, cut it up into tiny strips, & mashed all the strips together.

Seeing this behaviour just as a friend or guest at the meal would make me want to vomit - does man baby wear a nappy too?

This is the way!
It’s unattractive because it’s childish behaviour and bad table manners. He can eat normally in a restaurant, so he knows it isn’t socially normal.

Just to be clear - he never did this when we were dating or even the first few years of marriage. He's 45 and I'd say it's been the past couple of years. We have a 1 year old daughter so there are obviously bigger things for me to be concerned about, but it's interesting to read all your responses, thank you. I can't be the only one who's partner creeped in some unpalatable habits once the relationship was maybe too 'comfortable'?

Are!!

Like very!!

What happens when you go for a maccy d? He sounds like an immature idiot who’s worked out how to annoy you if he only does it to your cooking, put a bib on him and give him an aeroplane fork and spoon next meal

Quite right

It would drive me round the bend. It’s rude and incredibly unsexy.

Well he is right, it is none of your business. But I absolutely would not have married this man! How gross. The first time I saw him do this I would have been out of there!!

Has he only recently started doing it? Because it seems odd to only be bothered by it now

OK, I see its recent. I think I'd just stop cooking him anything and present him with a bowl of soup. Although, to be fair, it's only really noticeable with meat and 2 veg type dinners. Curries, pasta, chilli etc are all one bowl type dishes. Maybe stick to them?

@Hevviie my dad does this exact thing! He honestly eats like 6 month old. Rams every single morsel on his plate and then smashes it to bits.

I'd tell him I'm not eating with him any more and stick to it. Never have to see it done again.
Might even tell him to cook his own food from now on.

My husband does this but only with his potatoes & gravy and I don't like it either. As you said, it's not a divorcing matter but still I would prefer for him to just cut of a piece and put that in his mouth. Oh well, I guess there's worse than that 😊

I think it’s unacceptable. LTB.