How do you tell someone nicely to chew with their mouth closed when eating, especially around other people?

Question

More specifically, someone that is close to you... like a best friend or a roomate, not just some stranger.

Answer 1

In a nice, caring way (while tapping your own mouth with your fingertips) you could easily suggest, "please close your mouth...you don't want food to spit out at me, do you?"

That might tell them that you are concerned about your cleanliness and their manners without insulting them. An insult to a rude person will only bring on a defensive attitude. Then, you will never get them to listen to you for anything.

Answer 2

Why do it nicely? Chewing with your mouth open is a disgusting habit and needs to be stopped. If you're close with this person, you shouldn't have any qualms about telling them bluntly, "Please chew with your mouth closed. Chewing with it open is a disgusting habit."

I have to constantly remind my husband of this. He has sinus issues and quite often has a stuffy nose. It's almost impossible for him to chew with his mouth closed sometimes because he can't breathe. We've moved to a different state fairly recently where pollen isn't so bad, and his sinus/allergy issues have mostly disappeared. I think now it's just habit, and the fact that his mother taught him no manners.

Just last night as we were eating dinner, I said to him, "Would you PLEASE chew with your f*cking mouth shut? It's disgusting!" I then proceeded to chew with my mouth open (much like a cow chewing its cud), while smacking my food and making disgusting noises. I know it wasn't nice, but I'm tired of this!

Answer 3

Seriously--- this is my BIGGEST pet peeve. I would bring it up in conversation some other time or comment about someone else who may be doing it while out somewhere. Like how rude and unbecoming it is to see people eat like that. Maybe they'll think about it more in the future. GOOD LUCK! I know it makes me want to rip my hair out.

Answer 4

Does it have to be done NICELY?? Or can you make a smart remark about it?? I would either ask them to chew with their mouths closed, it is disrespectful and GROSS. Or ask them if they were brought up with the cows. :-)

Answer 5

When I was young and stupid, I would get so upset at my mother-in-law chewing her cud, I would yell at my kids to chew with their mouth closed. Didn't work. Not only did I upset my kids, it went right over my mother-in-law's head. Now I just say, "Could you please chew with your mouth closed?"

Answer 6

You could say "I don't know if your aware that you chew with your mouth open, I just wanted you to know".

Answer 7

Try telling them a detailed story about a friend at lunch who does that and how disgusting you think it is.......then mention it again a few days later...and again....and again....eventaully they get the hint. This method has worked for me often!

Answer 8

in hushed tones so no one can hear say 'babe chew your food with your mouth closed, this guy is spitting whilst he talks' this question is more difficult than i thought...

Answer 9

i tell them to close their mouth.

Answer 10

Say, 'Could you please chew with your mouth closed?'
That isn't too hard, is it?