What do I do?

Question

My mom is always criticizing me for my eating habits, i.e. the way I use my fork and knife, my tendency of putting my weight onto my left arm, my tendency to use only my forearms when eating, etc. But the sound of her chewing is disgusting. A cow sounds better than her. And she chews with her mouth open about 40% of the time, too. What do I do?

I'm not saying that her chewing is an excuse for my bad manners. And I do try to improve them. I'm really just asking if I should say anything or not.

Answer 1

Give everyone a mirror.

Answer 2

Be glad you have a mother. Tomorrow is mother's day and some people would be glad to see their mother, chewing like a cow and all of that. My mother is still living and I'm quite sure that you are a little younger than I am. I am an etiquette instructor and had some of the same experience with my mother chewing a little bit with her mouth open but she never criticized me for my eating habits. I learned etiquette from my father. That being said, be glad that you have a mother that loves you so much to take the time out to tell you about proper eating skills. I know it looks a little embarrassing for mom to chew like that especially when you are out at a restaurant with family and friends, but try to tell her in a nice and sweet tone that "Mom your mouth stays open when your chewing and I read in an etiquette book that it's better to chew with your mouth closed." Remember the tone you speak in makes a bigger difference than what you say sometimes, and tell her HAPPY MOTHERS DAY.

Answer 3

Every parent has a vision of a better life for their children. If they are good parents, they want their children to grow up to be better people than they were. Every generation should try to rise above the previous generation. That is how we honor our parents. Don't look down on her for not having had the upbringing and habit formation that you are fortunate enough to be getting. She aspires for you. That is love. To call her a cow is a terrible lack of grace and character. Perhaps, you will do a better job raising your own children than your mother did raising you in that regard.

Answer 4

Complaining about her loud eating is no excuse for your bad eating habits. True she shouldn't really criticize you about it, but it's good to have good eating habits in general when you go out with other people. They may not be as straightforward as your mother, but I am sure they will notice it.

Answer 5

Yes, tell her that she eats with her mouth open and it is disgusting. If she expects you to take criticisms, she should take them too.

Answer 6

Eeech, she sounds like my brother.

My personal strategy is just to overexaggerate things that he hates me doing (Mostly staring at him) every time he decides to chew like that. Eventually, he remembers that I hate that, and stops.

Or you could just avoid dinner and go to Wendys every night.

Answer 7

Separate rooms or different eating times say that you both seem to irritate each other (which is true)

Answer 8

Shadow every move she makes at dinner.

Answer 9

Nothing. Correcting your mother's manners was her mother's job. (You do have my sympathy.)

Answer 10

I would not say anything. I don't think she would appreciate it.