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Seen but not heard

So you are on a hot date with a very attractive man and suddenly a piece of the potato he has been chewing goes ricocheting towards you barely missing your eye. Doesn’t he know that talking with your mouth full is gross??

No one has anything to say that is so important or can’t wait until they have swallowed prior to continuing the conversation. First of all, it is a health hazard since it can go down the wrong pipe and you may have to perform the Heimlich maneuver to save his life…and you better brush up on this technique if you don't curb him of this bad habit, or you may have to end up paying for dinner…and secondly, it’s just bad etiquette.

In a situation such as this, it is not inappropriate to say something to the person you are having dinner with about talking with their mouth full. I would keep it light and joking at first such as, “I can wait for you to swallow your food before you answer, honey…I don’t want you to choke.” If it persists, then my recommendation is to just make the statement, “I think you are really nice, but do you mind finishing what is in your mouth before you continue talking? The view from here looks like a Cuisinart ” and then giggle a bit so he knows that you are not upset at him. If it continues…then girl!!! I don’t know what to tell you. Maybe it should be a silent dinner and then start talking when dinner is over.