I forgot my headphones today

[trixtah]

...not to mention my PMP. But at least I have backup sounds on my work PC if I forget to bring my tunes.

I have a colleague who sits right next to me, who eats like a pig. Well, he actually eats like someone of his nationality, and it involves much slurping, chewing with mouth open and licking fingers. It drives me insane, as well as grossing me out. And he's a small guy, and eats constantly. At least every hour on the hour.

But I can't put on my music to drown him out today. WOEZ. It's 10:10am, and he's been eating something since 9:15. I really don't need this kind of penance first thing on Monday morning!

Speaking of cultural differences with food, though, I admit that I am far from being perfect. I can't make myself slurp Japanese noodles, although I haven't eaten them in Japan (yet). Also, I had a Japanese flatmate who didn't slurp, and she said that she thought it was "lower-class" to do so noisily. When in Rome, though...

If someone is of European descent, it's one of those things that I find very diffcult to keep politely quiet about. Not everyone has the same upbringing as I did, but keeping one's mouth shut while chewing is one of those rules that is adhered to (and broken) at all levels of the class hierarchy. I also blame American TV for encouraging the notion that it's cool to engage in long periods of dialogue while masticating - is it something they teach in actors' school? "Hey, show those punters you're really eating! Do big chomps! Open that mouth really wide while you're chewing! Talking at full bore while you're doing that shows masterful actorly skills!"

I have to say that it's a dealbreaker for me, if I'm interested in someone romantically, and they eat excessively badly. I am not a stickler for table manners per se - since I'm pretty crap myself, unless I'm in a formal setting - but watching food revolving around someone's mouth and hearing the entire process at volume LOUD just makes me want to vomit. Blech.

PS. My colleague has finally stopped munching. Peace is restored!

Comments

[weibchenwolf.livejournal.com]

I went to Japan about 20 years ago, and I still slurp noodles and even coke (when drinking from a can). I can't seem to get out of the habit!

[trixtah.livejournal.com]

Huh, it's funny the things we take on and those we don't. I still find myself saying "Fab!" quite frequently, even though I've been away from the UK for 5 years now.

[saluqi.livejournal.com]

That would drive me batshit insane. I can't concentrate or enjoy my own food if someone is eating open mouthed near me. It's one reason why I'm glad I've graduated to the perk of having an office.

[trixtah.livejournal.com]

Yes, I envy the office perk. I certainly couldn't have my own lunch near that performance - I actually wish he's save his troughing for when I'm away from my desk. Oh well, at least I remembered my sounds today. :-)

[10binary-cats.livejournal.com]

If you can get your hands on a copy of 'Tampopo', watch it. there's a scene therein... actually there's lots of scenes pertaining to food and such.

It's also a pretty good movie too.

[trixtah.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, Tampopo is in my top 10 movies. Mmm, ramen.