How do you deal with a noisy eater?

Question

I've worked for the same company for almost six years, and during most of that time the guy in the cube next to mine eats at his desk. Lunches, snacks, you name it. He's a very nice guy but he eats everything like it's a jar of peanut butter with no milk in sight. In other words, with his mouth open and with loud and disgusting smacking noises. At first it was mildly amusing but as the years wore on I started looking into legal precedent for insanity pleas involving premeditated murder. That was a joke but it's no joke I'm going out of my mind. I can put on headphones or make a convenient bathroom run when it happens, and am on high alert when somebody's brought in donuts or worse, but that gets old and tiring. Any creative ideas out there on how I can put a stop to this? Thanks for any help.

Answer 1

just tell the person you are not liking the way the eats and you are offended

Answer 2

There is no polite way to deal with this problem. My best suggestion is get someone in management to deal with it by asking your co-worker to eat in the lunch room, not at their desk, or ask them if it is possible for you to relocate somewhere in the office. Let them know that you like the person, but their terrible eating etiquette is starting to interrupt your ability to focus on your work. Oh ~ if you do take this approach, make sure the management person you talk to is not the kind of person who would repeat the reason for your request, the last thing you want is to create an uncomfortable work environment.

BTW - my boyfriend chews his gum like a cow and I still haven't had the guts to make fun of him about it. So what do I know?

Answer 3

You've asked a tough question...I know of only 2 people that I see often enough to watch them eat and it becomes annoying. One is my sister-in-law of 8 years....haven't got the nerve to say anything 'cause she is a toughie....it doesn't matter what she eats, she is extremely noisy...my bro doesn't respond to it at all...the second is my son-in-law, I could mention it to my daughter and get her feed back (I would be diplomatic!), but his problem is a different one, his noise comes from the fork hitting the plate with every pick up....your situation is dire, just call the person on it, see what happens then can you give it over to your boss to handle?

Answer 4

An indirect approach would be to play music loud enough when
he eats and only when he eats. He'll soon catch on. He might not change his ways but at least you won't have to listen to him.
If he gets insulted and says something then you can broach
the subject by explaining that you do not wish to hurt his feelings,
however; his eating habits are bothering you. Since you don't feel
it is your place to correct the way he eats this is the best you
can come up with. Maybe he'll get the hint and eat somewhere
else. If I may suggest.....bagpipe music. ( big grin on face).

Answer 5

Agree with all of the others, there could be a medical condition. You could jokingly say something. You could go to management & say it is disturbing. But, to be nice, approach him, and say I don't mean to offend you & hope there is no medical problem, but did you know others can actually here you when you eat. I just thought you may want to know this. Or, leave an anonymous note on his desk when nobody is around, not from your computer though, so they can't trace it. Good Luck

Answer 6

oh i had the same deal at my work but i kinda lost it after so long(i know i shouldnt have) and basically told my work mate that the proper eating etiquette is to eat with your mouth closed and that its not pleasant to watch someone eat open mouthed.
It sort of helped .. now and again it still happens and I have to kinda 'GLANCE' at the person with sign language 'mouth closed'

it must be really hard for you .. (how about sending an anonymous letter) if you cant approach them directly?

or you can suggest to someone above ie: your boss, to bring in an etiquette course? you know the one day ones that last 2 hours on how to dress, eat, speak etc ... (if your work allows those things)
something to hint hint to this guy?

Answer 7

Mike, got a similar problem but not quite to the same extent. But I have someone who sits next to me who makes those foul smacking noises after he has finished eating. I feel like killing him, but alas, that is really not possible without a jail sentence.

I just block my ears and he seems to stop. Although he doesn't sit facing me, the action of moving my arm to block my ears when he makes the first smacking noise has seemed to reduce the amount of times he does it. It might be a telepathic thing, or he sees me do that in the corner of his eye.

Either way, he is a foul pig and should go eat lunch somewhere else.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

What an ignorant pig your next door neighbour seems! If he wont take the hint, then I suggest that you have a word with your Supervisor. There is nothing worse than having this kind of irritant, especially as you work in a call centre! Good luck.

Answer 10

Bad situation this for sure. All you really can do is tell management. An anonymous note to him may help, he probably is unaware of it. It is possible he has a dental or medical problem that causes this so tread lightly at first.

Answer 11

Poor you!
I work with many people who have worst habits than what you are experiencing.

From what I pick up in your letter, the problem unfortunately lies with you. What is happening in your brain is that you have given yourself permission to acknowledge ("he's doing it again"), predicting ("I know he is gonna do it again at lunchtime"),

When you keep focusing on the behaviour it then starts to appear worse and becomes amplified. you have admitted a fascination from the start.

As a diversional therapist, I say to you. Tell your brain to ignore it. Plan to eat your lunch/tea break elsewhere. Always politely excuse yourself. Tell the critical voice in your head to shut up and focus on other more pleasant/important things. Take a good hard look at yourself and wonder if you are ignorantly/ innocently pissing others off on a daily basis. I find this helpful for me.