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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:
Dozycuntlaters · 30/06/2026 09:42

To be honest, if you really liked him (or loved him even) this would be a minor irritation, so I think you're not that into him and this is an excuse to dump him. Not that you need an excuse of course, if you're not feeling it then just end it.

It wouldn't bother me, but then I am partial to monster munches etc, and I particularly enjoy eating them in bed. I just put the crisp packet in my bedside drawer and then have a clear out when there's a few in there. If someone dumped me for that purpose, I would feel they were a bit of a prat and I'm well rid.

Also, the food thing. He's an adult and he likes what he likes. I can't stand people who try to tell someone what they should be eating. I eat pretty much anything but wouldn't bother me if I had a partner who was not that adventurous. Honestly, just dump him OP, you are clearly not into him at all but maybe convincing yourself that because he's a nice guy you should be into him as you don't want to be single again. Being single is an awful lot better than trying to make do.

GordanoServices · 30/06/2026 09:47

I wouldn’t want to be with someone who had no interest in trying different types of food. He does sound very immature. You don’t sound very compatible. The ‘qualities’ you list don’t really count for much.

BlueFahrenheit · 30/06/2026 09:47

I like a more refined man. We wouldn't have reached the dating stage.

tachetastic · 30/06/2026 09:48

Is your boyfriend 32 or 12?

dottiedodah · 30/06/2026 09:51

If he ticks all boxes otherwise, then I would overlook a crisp habit.Maybe you could have a chat and say you find it a little off putting? Maybe if he likes his snacks then you could compromise ?

5foot5 · 30/06/2026 10:00

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.

This would be the deciding factor against for me.

The crisp habit is a bit annoying and childish but potentially could be improved on. But eating out is important to me and I would be very frustrated with someone whose tastes in food were so limited. He sounds very immature.

mugglemother · 30/06/2026 10:03

Eating shit crisps, tipping up the pack to finish not washing your hands after eating crisps (does anyone? ) all sound very normal. Bag popping would piss me off and I wouldn't want to be with someone who wouldn't eat local food on holiday but all that aside, you've clearly got 'the ick' so time to move on.

Mangelwurzelfortea · 30/06/2026 10:09

This post has cracked me up.

I'd dump him too. I don't mind about the crisp-eating but being sprayed with them is a step too far.

Bjorkdidit · 30/06/2026 10:09

user67584329 · 29/06/2026 23:39

Hmmm. Does he like pre-prepared frozen gyoza?

What's wrong with those? A lot are very high quality and many restaurants probably serve them.

The eating of crisps would bother me a lot less than leaving rubbish all over the place and only eating British food/McDonalds abroad.

What's his house like? Clean and tidy or drowning in filth and crisp packets?

cakeisallyouneed · 30/06/2026 10:13

Are you dating my 15 year old son??
I do think that there is a teenage boy inside every grown man to a greater or lesser degree.

user67584329 · 30/06/2026 10:14

Bjorkdidit · 30/06/2026 10:09

What's wrong with those? A lot are very high quality and many restaurants probably serve them.

The eating of crisps would bother me a lot less than leaving rubbish all over the place and only eating British food/McDonalds abroad.

What's his house like? Clean and tidy or drowning in filth and crisp packets?

It's a joke about a previous thread with a very similar sounding premise...

Tabarnak · 30/06/2026 10:20

After a 2 week holiday you either love him so much that you laugh off his crisp habits and McD preferences with indulgence, or you have the ick, which will snowball.

I couldn’t tolerate being abroad and not visiting local restaurants and cafes, tbh unless it was a City break I wouldn’t even be on hol in a place that was like to have a McD. So for me it would signal an incompatibility.

Bookbears · 30/06/2026 10:24

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?

Firstly, his choice of crisps is much more superior to kettle chips which are arguably the most boring and greasy crisps you can purchase.

Secondly, yes the wrappers and crisp packet popping would do my head in. My 5 year old does that, I would not expect my husband to so I would ask him to stop doing those things.

But overall I think you would be better to end the relationship and allow him to find someone who actually wants to be with him. To consider breaking up with someone because they eat 3 packets of crisps a day is ridiculous in my opinion. Everyone has bad habits including yourself. I would much rather be with someone who eats 3 packets of crisps a day instead of someone that beats the shit of me or emotionally abuses me. Put it into perspective and you will see how silly you are being.

As far as trying other foods, I am a fussy eater myself, my husband isn’t and over the years he has encouraged me to try new things. I used to go abroad and all I would eat from the buffet was chips and salad. I try most things now down to my husbands positive and non judgemental influence. If he has grown up in a household that wast adventurous with food, it’s very hard to change that mindset as a adult, he needs time and someone who loves and cares for him to show him it’s okay to try new things.

That person clearly isn’t you, let him go and you go and find your greasy fingered kettle chip cruncher.

Oohanothername · 30/06/2026 10:29

cakeisallyouneed · 30/06/2026 10:13

Are you dating my 15 year old son??
I do think that there is a teenage boy inside every grown man to a greater or lesser degree.

There absolutely is.

Bookbears · 30/06/2026 10:30

2O26 · 30/06/2026 08:20

I feel like I have learned a lot about British culture reaching this thread. "Skips/monster munch/Nik naks/cheesy wotsits/space raiders"

Been to London a few times and have never heard of any of these snacks. Definitely have to look for them the next time I go.

They are god tier crisps! Add in Oinks, Frazzles and the roast beef Monster Munch into that as well. You won’t taste better. You need to head to the nearest corner shop when you are next here. Guaranteed to sell all of the above and in bigger grab bags as well.

daisybanks · 30/06/2026 10:32

user67584329 · 29/06/2026 23:39

Hmmm. Does he like pre-prepared frozen gyoza?

Probably a bit too posh for him ?

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 30/06/2026 10:33

It wouldn’t be the crisps for me, as I do love an onion ring. It’s the not washing hands/putting rubbish in the bin and not trying different foods that would give me the ick. I do also love monster munch FYI as well as a posh crisp. I do not discriminate 🫣

Givemeausernamepls · 30/06/2026 10:38

I mean if he was eating kettle chips and chomping on them noisly, i could understand murder!

Blondeshavemorefun · 30/06/2026 10:42

I love crisps and def no crumbs left after I’ve finished or dust on fingers as lick them 😊

Womanofcustard · 30/06/2026 10:51

The not washing hands and the hiding of empty packets set off my alarm bells.
He is showing you his lazy dirty habits while at the honeymoon stage. I unfortunately have personal experience of this.
GET OUT NOW!

SilverTotoro · 30/06/2026 14:05

I was all set to say YABU from your title but the lack of hand washing, the exploding crisp packets (why?!) and not trying any local foods would put me off to!

Saltysweetspicy · 30/06/2026 14:25

I couldn't be with someone like this because I love food and trying new foods when I am away, trying new recipes. DH is the same, we like cooking together, trying new restaurants etc. Our kids are not fussy eaters in the slightest.

It would turn me right off. It's on you to decide if it turns you right off.

SparklesWithSynergy · 30/06/2026 14:30

You can dump him for any reason you want

(I would)

QuintadosMalvados · 30/06/2026 14:42

I paid extra for a big bag of the co-op's fancy sea salt and chardonnay vinegar crisps the other day.
What a disappointment!!

Yabvvvvvvu.

QuintadosMalvados · 30/06/2026 14:44

What's great is a packet of ready salted (Walkers) eaten alongside a bar of Dairy Milk.

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