Help end medical misogyny. Sign our petition.

Help end medical misogyny.
Sign our petition.

Sign the petition

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Should I dump my boyfriend because he won't stop eating crisps?

533 replies

Spicyseniorita7 · 29/06/2026 23:26

I'm in a relatively new relationship (7 months) after over 2 years of being single with some dating disasters along the way. Everything seems great on paper, he is kind, has a good job that pays well, not bad looking, treats me well and never allows me to pay for anything. For context, I am 28F and he is 32M- we both live separately at present. I would like to settle down soon.

I'm unsure if I am self-sabotaging, but some of his eating/snacking habits disgust me, to the point that I think I've developed the ick. This came to light properly on our recent 2 week holiday-prior to this, the longest we had spent together was about 3 days. He eats at least 3 packets of crisps per day and not the sophisticated type i.e kettle chips, think more Skips/monster munch/Nik naks/cheesy wotsits/space raiders. He doesn't wash his hands after eating the crisps and requires prompting to do so. This often results in him having disgusting synthetic crisp dust all over his fingers and fingernails.

Even more disgustingly, after he's finished with a packet, he arches back his head and empties the remnants of the crisp crumbs into his mouth. It's almost as though he cannot bear for a single scrap to be wasted. But the most disgusting is sometimes, after finishing a packet, he will blow up the packet like a balloon and pop it. This has resulted in me being sprayed with crumbs. I've also found scrunched up crisp packets wedged behind his bed, almost as though he can't be bothered to walk to the bin.

We recently went on holiday to Spain and it was mortifying-he didn't try any local food and just wanted to eat British food, McDonald's and crisps. We went to the supermarket and he loaded up the trolley with crisps. I haven't said anything yet, he is keen to start looking for a flat to rent together, but I just can't help but thinking I would prefer a man who doesn't eat over 3 packets of crisps a day and doesn't smell like pickled onion Monster Munch or cheesy wotsits. Is eating all of those crisps a dumpable offence?

OP posts:
EvieBB · 02/07/2026 23:12

MickyMoonshine · 02/07/2026 15:02

I really appreciate your response. Thank you.

This thread has actually been relatively tame but on other threads relating to ‘fussy’ eaters people have made some really crazy assumptions about me!
It can be a difficult disorder to live with but if I’m honest the issue is mainly other people and their insistence that everyone should eat like them! My life would be a lot easier if people didn’t make a big deal
out of what I eat ( or don’t eat!) I don’t draw attention to it and it infuriates me when others do!

I love travelling and I’m really adventurous- so what if I order Uber eats to my hotel room or live off pizza and fruit for a few days 🤷‍♀️

I have zero issue with foreign food. In fact, I’m a really good cook ( another quirk of ARFID) and do most of the cooking at home. I cook a really wide range of food and I really enjoy it- I just don’t want to eat it!!

One assumption (which has been mentioned on this thread) is that children of fussy eaters will be the same. That’s not always the case. I’ve worked really hard to ensure that my DS eats a variety of food and one of my proudest achievements is that he’s one of the most adventurous eaters I know.

Well I'm glad you've posted on here...and educated me on this disorder as I'd never heard of it before, so thank you :)

What I like about MN is that you can share things anonymously that you might not dream of saying IRL but it's all educational and interesting to hear others' take on things..... understanding where other people are coming can only be a good thing :)

I'm glad you've had success with DS 👏🏻

Bangolads · 03/07/2026 08:03

I think it’s fair to say you’re not cut out for long term relationships right now. Kindness, laughing together, curiosity all these things matter. If you focus on small things like crisps 🙄 you have some growing up to do.

Ejvd · 03/07/2026 09:58

Your dilemma and description made me laugh. On the face of it you are being over the top. However someone just carrying on with life with dirty hands is a bit eww. And yeah certain things are a sign of dirtiness and slobbiness. On the other hand, nobody is perfect. Ugh, these decisions are so hard. But these flaws will manifest themselves in even more ways if you had kids. You'd be eating crap food alomg with them, youd be struggling to live in a dirty pigsty with a pig plus kids and you the only one who sees the disgusting conditions.

That's not to say dump him though, especially if he is otherwise great.

EvieBB · 03/07/2026 10:50

Anarchy99 · 02/07/2026 15:07

Not wanting to eat unfamiliar foods isn’t arsehole behaviour.

I am ND and don’t find it remotely embarrassing that my list of foods is limited. If people want to judge me for it, then it shows (ironically) that they are narrow minded.

Please re-read my post properly

I can't believe your response. It IS arse hole behaviour when you are teaching your child to be racist!! and referral to beautiful foods as "foreign muck". If you don't want to be adventurous that's absolutely fine. I don't really care what you eat or don't eat - what I care about is you looking down on other cultures. THAT is narrow minded!

DannyDeever · 03/07/2026 10:51

If you focus on small things like crisps 🙄 you have some growing up to do.

It's the small things that make cohabiting unbearable.

Iceplanet · 03/07/2026 11:09

Yanbu. That is the behaviour of a 12 year old boy. Not a man. Imagine having to tell an adult to wash their dirty hands. The laziness is not a good sign either. I would have told him how disgusting I found it there and then though.

I did have a little laugh at the sophisicated crisps though 😁

Simonjt · 03/07/2026 11:31

I would happily eat a multipack of nice n spicy niknaks each day if I could.

We’re abroad, our trip included buying lots of new snacks from the supermarket.

DallazMajor · 03/07/2026 15:24

Im imagining being in a solicitors office filing for divorce. Reason : Eating chavvy crisps.

Anarchy99 · Yesterday 01:49

DallazMajor · 03/07/2026 15:24

Im imagining being in a solicitors office filing for divorce. Reason : Eating chavvy crisps.

We don’t ’file’ for divorce in the UK and reasons for divorce are no longer needed.

EvieBB · Yesterday 10:38

DallazMajor · 03/07/2026 15:24

Im imagining being in a solicitors office filing for divorce. Reason : Eating chavvy crisps.

😂

cheekybtch · Yesterday 18:04

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 29/06/2026 23:41

I couldn't be with someone who didn't eat Torres

Now you really are a crisps snob - I had never even heard of Torres. I thought Kettle were fancy enough!

cheekybtch · Yesterday 18:06

VimesandhisCardboardBoots · 29/06/2026 23:45

I'm not going to lie, the crisp snobbery made me laugh, like Kettle chips are any less crap for you than a pack of skips or monster munch.

But if something this minor is giving you the ick, then you're obviously not that into him.

DP has a good few gross habits, pretty much every human being does. They don't bother me much because I love her.

"Her"? But...but...but....women are perfect. I thought this was a woman writing. Are you a lesbian?

Jumpingoffthefence · Yesterday 18:10

It wouldn’t be the crisps for me if it was in isolation but from experience wildly different palates does drive a wedge. Don’t settle if this is important to you. Your ick is valid.

linc100 · Yesterday 18:13

Spicyseniorita7 · 29/06/2026 23:26

I'm in a relatively new relationship (7 months) after over 2 years of being single with some dating disasters along the way. Everything seems great on paper, he is kind, has a good job that pays well, not bad looking, treats me well and never allows me to pay for anything. For context, I am 28F and he is 32M- we both live separately at present. I would like to settle down soon.

I'm unsure if I am self-sabotaging, but some of his eating/snacking habits disgust me, to the point that I think I've developed the ick. This came to light properly on our recent 2 week holiday-prior to this, the longest we had spent together was about 3 days. He eats at least 3 packets of crisps per day and not the sophisticated type i.e kettle chips, think more Skips/monster munch/Nik naks/cheesy wotsits/space raiders. He doesn't wash his hands after eating the crisps and requires prompting to do so. This often results in him having disgusting synthetic crisp dust all over his fingers and fingernails.

Even more disgustingly, after he's finished with a packet, he arches back his head and empties the remnants of the crisp crumbs into his mouth. It's almost as though he cannot bear for a single scrap to be wasted. But the most disgusting is sometimes, after finishing a packet, he will blow up the packet like a balloon and pop it. This has resulted in me being sprayed with crumbs. I've also found scrunched up crisp packets wedged behind his bed, almost as though he can't be bothered to walk to the bin.

We recently went on holiday to Spain and it was mortifying-he didn't try any local food and just wanted to eat British food, McDonald's and crisps. We went to the supermarket and he loaded up the trolley with crisps. I haven't said anything yet, he is keen to start looking for a flat to rent together, but I just can't help but thinking I would prefer a man who doesn't eat over 3 packets of crisps a day and doesn't smell like pickled onion Monster Munch or cheesy wotsits. Is eating all of those crisps a dumpable offence?

Think a bit harsh,none of us in life are perfect,its about compromise in any relationship.talk to him.open up.settling down with someone,is about give and take,and there maybe things you do that he dont like.
Life is to short tend someth8ng good because he OD on crisps.there I've gave my advice for what its worth.

FloozyMcGee · Yesterday 18:14

I think if you are thinking about ending the relationship over this, there's not enough holding it together overall. Though as a person who can't stand hearing a person chewing crisps, it's more than enough reason.

Cherrytree86 · Yesterday 18:15

@Spicyseniorita7

what is his physique like, Op? Can’t be too great what with eating so many packs of crisps a day I wouldn’t have thought

Kim00000 · Yesterday 18:18

Is this an actual serious post? Seems like a complete joke. If it is serious get a grip OP

boringperson123 · Yesterday 18:21

Sounds like you’re just not that into him

Neilszz · Yesterday 18:25

Simples, if you go into a relationship wanting to change the person. You are with the wrong person. A long term relationship means accepting the person for who they are. Not what you want them to be.

Anarchy99 · Yesterday 18:27

Jumpingoffthefence · Yesterday 18:10

It wouldn’t be the crisps for me if it was in isolation but from experience wildly different palates does drive a wedge. Don’t settle if this is important to you. Your ick is valid.

i do agree with that - if someone is such a food snob that other people’s diet matters to them, they are best avoided.

TheRhodesian · Yesterday 18:33

misogynyisbigotry · 29/06/2026 23:43

I would leave him for the bit about not allowing you to pay for anything; that could easily spiral into economic abuse/coercive control if it isn't already.

He's refusing to let her pay for anything. That's a true gent! He's not using her money at all! That's the exact opposite of coercive control.

Kelticgold · Yesterday 18:33

“We recently went on holiday to Spain and it was mortifying-he didn't try any local food“

Not even Ruffles Jamón Jamón??? 😱

CharlieBT · Yesterday 18:35

Only if he’s eating them loudly. That’s not a relationship issue — that’s a human rights violation.

Anarchy99 · Yesterday 18:37

TheRhodesian · Yesterday 18:33

He's refusing to let her pay for anything. That's a true gent! He's not using her money at all! That's the exact opposite of coercive control.

She expects him to pay for
everything and do all the domestic stuff if they go long term.

It’s interesting they have been together a while and OP doesn’t particularly like him but he’s quite well off, and the OP had made it clear on here that she expects to be financially supported.

Fivebyfive2 · Yesterday 18:37

Spicyseniorita7 · 30/06/2026 22:23

In my opinion, there's nothing wrong with preferring a man to pay for me and having traditional values. I want the man I marry to be able to provide for me and our future family- I don't want to be penny pinching when I'm on maternity leave or begging him for pennies.

So many of my dates have consisted of men expecting that I pay for my own dinner and glass of wine or worse, wanting to go for a walk like I'm some sort of border collie. I don't make loads in my job in the public sector and it is nice to have someone look after me and treat me from time to time. His family are very well off too. But he has been incredibly mollycoddled his entire life, has never really cooked a meal for himself and I had to show him how to use the washing machine. His mum does it for him usually (I didn't realise this until recently).

He sounds a bit immature, but on the other hand you sound incredibly entitled and a bit shallow.

Imagine expecting someone to provide everything for you, but begrudging them a few packets of skips 🤯

Swipe left for the next trending thread