I see that with both my grandmothers, j66. They don’t chew with their mouths open, but one does belch quite loudly at inappropriate times (constantly, actually) because she supposedly has stomach problems. I’m quite an accomplished belcher myself, and I keep threatening my mother that the next time Grandma belches I’m going to let one rip too.
My other Grandma seems to think that old age gives her the right to be extremely rude, particularly to people in service-oriented professions such as waiters and store clerks. One time she was so rude to our waitress that I finally had enough and said, “Please Grandma, I’d like to receive my food spit-free.”
Sorry about the little hijack there.
My husband has learned that chewing with his mouth open is unacceptable behavior. He still does it every once in a while, but usually all it takes is the briefest of glances in his direction and he immediately knows what he’s doing.
To the OP, you can try doing what I did to my father-in-law, but be warned, it takes a strong stomach.
He has a habit of carrying on a conversation while eating with his mouth open. I took to staring directly at his mouth while he was talking to me. Eventually, he kept it closed. I don’t know whether he realized what he was doing on a conscious level, or if he was simply responding to some long forgotten instinct to protect his food, but it worked.
This has also worked with strangers. I take public transit to work, and have had occasion to sit across from some mouthbreathing gum chewers. Basically, I stare long and hard at that wad of gum. I barely even blink. Eventually, they notice what I’m doing. I avoid eye contact, maintaining focus on the pink piece of sugary goodness. Some continue, but many “get it” right away, and chew with their mouth closed. One woman gave me the “What the hell are you looking at?” and I asked her if she was chewing gum, or doing some sort of performance piece. She invited me to fellate myself, and then moved. Hey, at least I didn’t have to listen or see it anymore.
Mrs. Dante says I need to work on my people skills…
Go ahead, grand-mothers have been known to have senses of humor.
I would definitely slip the server a little something at the start of the meal if I had a grandmother like that.
The mark of an adult female is that she can achieve ‘the look’ without looking across her shoulder; she can achieve it without changing her expression; after about five years of marriage, she can achieve it without even looking in her husband’s direction. And adult males can still tell.
Marriage is amazing.
Oh, my god! I’m so glad I found this thread! I thought I was nearly alone in my abhorrence of open-mouthed chewing (my sister can’t stand mouth noises, either). There was this woman who worked across the hall from me at my last work place, and her chewing was so loud, I could hear it from her office, across the hall and into mine. Every time I saw her carry a bag of potato chips in there, I’d slam the door shut as quickly as possible.
I don’t know what the best solution is to this - the steady, pointed stare seems to work the best for me, though.