Is it proper etiquette for someone to blow their nose at the table, during a meal? I have a friend who has severe allergies, so her nose is always draining. She never hesitates to blow her nose while we are having a meal. She will say "excuse me", before she blows. I am hesitant to say something because I know she has this chronic problem. Growing up, I was taught to exuse myself from the table and go blow privately. What do you think?
2006-10-03 16:13:45 · 16 answers · asked by candace b 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
It is probably considered improper to blow one's nose at the table; however, it doesn't usually offend me if it's relatively quiet and not so ... ummm... obviously chunky-sounding. Yuk.
If it's just to clear a little sniffle, that's one thing, and can be done relatively unobtrusively. If it's more extended blowing -- or repeated throughout the meal -- one should definitely excuse oneself.
2006-10-03 16:19:16 · answer #1 · answered by ReniHana 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've never understood why some people think it's so gross when someone blows their nose. It's a normal thing and everyone needs to do it sometimes. It can certainly be annoying if it's done in a very loud manner or something, but I feel like some people are oversensitive on this subject.
Your friend has allergies and her nose is always draining. You know that means she's going to have to blow her nose very often. When you're eating together, do you want her to spend the whole time in the bathroom and not get the chance to eat her food or to eat it cold because of her allergies??? I think you should try to be considerate of her problem. If it really grosses you out when she blows her nose at the table, maybe you two shouldn't be eating together then, you'd be better off doing something else instead when you're together to avoid this problem.
I personally would be more annoyed with someone constantly leaving the table during the meal than having them discretely blow their nose at the table. I also find it more rude when people are inconsiderate of other people's problems (such as allergies) than when the people with the problems do necessary, yet unpleasant things to take care of their problem. It's bad enough to have a problem without having to put your whole life on hold and taking on even more discomfort in order to not bother anyone else with your problem.
2006-10-04 07:44:19 · answer #2 · answered by undir 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
She's kind of between a rock and a hard place. She is being rude, yet if she excused herself from the table everytime she needed to blow, then she might as well just stay in the bathroom (or wherever she goes to blow). It's better than her not blowing and seeing her mucus or listening to her snort it back into her head. This time of year is pretty severe on allergy sufferers, so maybe you could let her slide with it for now.
2006-10-03 23:27:00 · answer #3 · answered by dlobryan1 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i dont tihnk its rude as long as the person crouches their head or turns away or something, it seems fine to me.. what if they had to sneeze, its hard to hold those in and alot of the time blowing the nose is incorperated w/ sneezing.. so if someone where to sneeze and couldnt make it to the restroom, and was taught not to blow their nose at the table, theyd have to sneeze their snot all over the place.. and to say that situation is ok, but blowing the nose isnt, would be pretty rediculous and not worth the "proper etiquette" it would acheive.. im gonna go ahead and say yes, blowing the nose at the dining table is ok
2006-10-03 23:26:48 · answer #4 · answered by itschris 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I guess it's better than "draining" all over your food.
She should turn around, at least. Just take her aside and tell her, "Ya know, it kinda grosses me out when you blow your nose at the table. I understand why, but next time could you maybe step into the bathroom or something?"
2006-10-04 00:06:01 · answer #5 · answered by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think even if you're friend does have a problem she should still excuse herself from the table and do that privately because that's just manners and it could ruin someone's meal. I know it would ruin mine.
2006-10-04 00:48:44 · answer #6 · answered by Smicky1 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that if it is not every second that she is blowing here nose then she shuld leave the table.
2006-10-03 23:17:34 · answer #7 · answered by John K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I personally think it's kind of nasty especially if you're at a resturant or out with a crowd of people. I would excuse myself and go to the ladies room.
2006-10-03 23:18:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it's not ok - it is gross - I can't finish eating when someone around me blows while I'm eating-- old men do this alot and they are sooo loud at it like they want everyone to know
2006-10-03 23:19:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm with you. We to were taught to get up from the table and leave the room.
2006-10-04 00:05:38 · answer #10 · answered by Classy Granny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋