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female
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anonymous
writes: Hi. I'm not really sure how to put this into words without it sounding stupid, but here goes.At the dinner table when me and my family sit down for something to eat I always get irritated for a really stupid reason, I hate the sound of them eating. When you can hear them chew their food, I get this horrible knot in my stomach and I just want to stand up and yell and throw things at them. I'd love to be able to eat in peace at the dinner table, without sitting there stonily clenching my teeth. What can I do to solve this problem? Thanks. :-( Reply to this Question
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (17 March 2006): Im a little dissapointed with the first reply as your problem has not been taken seriously.About two years ago, I developed a similar feeling whenever my mum came to stay with me. She is now a pensioner is less self conscious than she used to be which is a good thing. However, she often burps, breaks wind or talks with her mouth full. She also has an annoying habit of talking to me on the rare occassions that I watch the telly or open a book. When this happens I get the same terrible knot in my stomach and want to scream. My fifteen year old daughter finds her Grandma's behaviour off putting. The thing is, I will never say anything to my mother because I love and respect her too much, she has also earned the right to eat and burp as she pleases without fear of negative comment from me. I allow my daughter to eat seperate from her gran at times as it truly makes her feel uncomfortable and she hasn't aqquired the skills to deal with it another way yet. For me, most of the time I just plain and simple block it out. Its hard but it works and no one gets offended.My sister in law was raised in a childrens home and had to eat at a large table with lots of other children Because of this, she can no longer bear to watch other people eat. you are not alone. Unfortunately, there is no magic solution and im afraid you might just have to grin and bear it. x
A
female
reader, willywombat  +, writes (6 March 2006):
 Go eat in another room.
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reader, anonymous, writes (6 March 2006): You can't make them change the way they eat, so you need to develop some more tolerance. More and more exposure to that sounds will help desensitize you to it. It'll be rough for a little while, but just bear with it (and eat with them often enough) and it'll cease to be a bother.
Alternately, you could always suggest putting on a little atmospheric music to cover up the sound.
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