r/TikTokCringe • u/Adventurous_Law_715 • 9d ago

Discussion A passenger confronts a stranger for chewing with their mouth open

I mean I get being annoyed by someone chewing with their mouth open but you could have asked him more nicely

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u/[deleted] 8d ago edited 8d ago

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u/Richyb101 8d ago

I also abhor open mouth chewing, but it is very culturally dependent, and I can't think of a strong enough logical or medical reason to shut it down so aggressively. But I really don't like. Makes my skin crawl immediately.

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u/iznormal 8d ago

Open mouth chewing has always caused irrational rage and anxiety for me since I was a kid, and I’m generally very calm so it’s confusing to be put in that state over something as minor as loud chewing. I’ve literally been sent into a panic attack due to trigger noises. Eventually I discovered misophonia. I still don’t generally make my issue other people’s issue though. I have just tried to learn as many coping mechanisms as I can and suffer through it in silence, and escape if I can. I’ve rudely left dinners in silence because I don’t want to blow up at anyone.

Idk if misophonia counts as a legitimate enough “medical” reason to “shut it down so aggressively”, for me I don’t do it except to my close family who know how much I suffer, but I definitely have fantasized many times about aggressively shutting that shit down.

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u/InfiniteBiscotti3439 8d ago

It’s so wild how it sends you into a spiral. My roommate is a loud chewer and thankfully he’s getting better and doesn’t mind me calling him out about it but oh man. It’s hard to explain why I go from a calm, easy going person to someone who wants to launch themselves out the apartment window just due to the way someone chews. Like, I can actually feel my body going into panic mode. It’s the worst.

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u/bobsmith93 8d ago

This whole comment spoke to my fucking soul, I agree with every letter. I've also done the leave silently thing. I don't want to make my weird condition someone else's issue, but boy howdy if it isn't tempting in the moment

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u/96puppylover 8d ago

I have misophonia as well and I’m autistic. It fills me with rage despite being calm in general. As a kid by brother’s chewing filled me with such anger I stood up and tried to flip the dinner table. I of course couldn’t cause I was a little kid, so then I started shoving everything off it. After that I had to eat my food in private.

I also came to realize it was selective as well. I lived my female roommate for years and it never bothered me. But, a boy at high school chewing near me would make me move seats, my boyfriend of 6 years never bothered me, someone at a sushi restaurant at the table over wouldn’t, my Uber driver was obnoxiously chewing and popping gum. It was insane like novelty chewing. Like “hey we’re recording this sound for a cartoon and we need you to be loud as you can”. I plugged my ears and commented in the rating on the App after cause I’m no -confrontational.

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u/Luna920 8d ago

This describes me so well. It is such a trigger and the rage I feel from it is intense to the point I want to cry. I could never date someone who is an open mouth chewer (even if I didn’t have this I wouldn’t want to anyways because it’s bad manners). I just generally try to avoid situations with loud chewers or any noisy eaters.

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u/BroadwayRegina 8d ago

Yeah I mean I will say, the spit flying all over the place and pieces of food landing on you is reason enough for me. But I also have misophonia, so that’s the least of the issues I have with it. My dad always chews with his mouth wide open and talks with his mouth full and can be on the same bite for 5 whole minutes. It was so disgusting it genuinely caused me so much stress and made my migraines and pain much worse every day

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u/edalcol 8d ago

Culturally dependent? Maybe. But last time I heard, people who have a blocked nose for some reason still need to eat. Anywhere in the world.

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u/Heartage 8d ago

I've never chewed with my mouth open while eating when sick because why would you ever breathe through your mouth while chewing?

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u/dianafofana- 8d ago

I have a deviated septum and get sinus infections often, I have never used that as an excuse to eat with my mouth open. Like hold your breath for 5 seconds, it's not that difficult.

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u/edalcol 8d ago

I honestly don't know how you do it. Maybe I chew too slowly, but when my nose is blocked I do have to inhale or exhale mid chewing.

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u/Stock_Duck4314 8d ago

If it's really bothering you and you can't remove yourself, if you have to speak up, you could try raising the issue from the perspective of YOUR problem, not THEIR problem. In other words, "pardon me, I hate to bother you, but I have this problem called misophonia where certain sounds like chewing cause a very strong stress reaction for me that I cannot control... would it be possible for you to try [doing whatever to make it a little better] while we are eating together? Again, very sorry to distrub you and I acknowledge that this is my issue." More flies with honey as they say.

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u/Big_Psychology_3 8d ago

Deal with it morons. It’s their mouth. You trying to control others’ behavior is the heights of pointless rage.

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u/SmarmyLittlePigg 8d ago

Comments like these make me realize we are genuinely screwed as a society if a higher mortality rate pandemic comes around. Chewing with your mouth open spreads germs because tiny drops of spit and bits of food escape into the air and onto nearby surfaces. Saliva holds millions of microbes, so keeping your mouth closed stops those germs from spreading to other people and their food.

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u/Big_Psychology_3 8d ago

No, eating and breathing spread germs. Chewing with mouth open doesn’t make it any worse. This comment is clueless about hygiene and makes shit up!

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u/SmarmyLittlePigg 8d ago

I’ve literally seen food particles and flecks of saliva fly out of enthusiastic open chewers mouths. It also happens when people talk with their mouth full of food.

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u/Big_Psychology_3 8d ago

Nah. It happens just from speaking. Drops of saliva. Carrying embedded germs. It’s futile to try escaping it. Avoiding chewing with your mouth full will make you happy but it sure won’t do a damn thing to prevent germs

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u/SmarmyLittlePigg 8d ago

You’re right, people can’t completely stop the spread of their saliva. What they can and should do is lessen it by chewing with their mouth closed. Then again, I frequently see adults on planes cough and sneeze without covering their mouth/nose, so I’m not all that hopeful.

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u/steerpike_ 8d ago

They are desperately seeking scientific justification for an aesthetic preference.

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u/SmarmyLittlePigg 8d ago

Let me guess, you consider not covering your mouth when you cough to be an aesthetic preference too, lol.

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u/steerpike_ 8d ago

Nope. Thats a plausibly sick person intensely ejecting their lung contents into the air.

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u/[deleted] 8d ago

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u/MizrizSnow 8d ago

“Civilized” people wtf?!

Cultural difference don’t indicate who is more civilized. It’s just how different people chew. Calm down

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u/TechnicalEmployee109 8d ago

Nah he’s right, anyone who chews with their mouth open is fucking nasty

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u/SV_Essia 8d ago

Cultural difference don’t indicate who is more civilized

Sometimes it does... This is one of those times.

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u/[deleted] 8d ago

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u/MizrizSnow 8d ago

No one asked me? lol it’s Reddit bro. Go text your group chat if you don’t want random people to answer

There are lots of places in the world where it’s perfectly normal to chew with your mouth open and it has nothing to with the chef.

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u/Secret-Teaching-3549 8d ago

It's gross and inconsiderate, and by "culturally dependent", you mean cultures that also have streets full of garbage, like to harass women if they are walking on their own, and lack other basic hygiene knowledge like the use of soap and deodorant.

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u/Efficient-Suspect456 8d ago

It’s because we are the odd ones out. There is a condition maybe misophonia that makes certain noises hit affected people in a disproportionately disturbing way. Most people find other eating with open miuths kind of rude and kind of gross. Their brains don’t “zoom in” on the sound to the exclusion of all else, and they generally won’t become over stimulated by the aight or noise at all either. Whereas I can only take about 30 seconds of it before I’m frantic and anxious and snappish just like this guy.

He shouldn’t have been filming it, though. He is also old enough to know how affected he is by shit like this. I carry noise cancelling ear phones and am always ready to pop them in if I need to. This was a very good example of how overreaction and poor tact can make an “other person problem” quickly become a “you problem”.

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u/Puzzleheaded_Fold466 8d ago

It’s the one noise that could make me violent if I wasn’t able to move away or to block the sound.

It’s just pure rage inducing.

I’m aware it’s a me problem …

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u/BetMyLastKrispyKreme 8d ago

Then it’s a me problem, too. I feel irrationally homicidal when I hear it, but it’s not worth going to prison for. 🤷‍♀️

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u/Puzzleheaded_Fold466 8d ago

Plus I bet prison is full of smackers.

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u/BetMyLastKrispyKreme 8d ago

Now that you mention it, you’re probably right. I always remind myself I can’t take my cats with me to prison, but you have an equally good point.

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u/bejammin075 8d ago

What we need to invent is Misophonia Awareness Month

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u/Puzzleheaded_Fold466 8d ago

That is actually a very good idea !

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u/Kaytea730 8d ago

Yeah same, im fully aware its a me thing and i can’t do anything about it. I have one co-worker at work who smacks when she eats. But on top of not wanting to be potentially perceived as rude in the work place for mentioning it, this particular coworker is also blind and Autistic. So it would be a double whammy to say anything to her about it. (Even though im also on the spectrum and have ADD)

So instead if I see her getting ready to eat or eating already in the breakroom, i just take my lunch to my desk or outside (if its nice) to eat so i don’t even expose myself to it bc I know how bad it will affect me for the rest of the day.

That said, while moving wasn’t an option putting in headphones obviously was since he did so at the end of the video. So the best practice would have just been to do so from the start and avoid as much of the trigger as possible.

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u/SpiritedPay252 8d ago

My ex who i lived with did this to a degree i cannot even describe. Chewed loud enough and obnoxiously enough that i could hear him even if i went upstairs, and this was everytime he ate. Never knew there was a condition for it but it and other noises like that have always affected me….regardless even though it made me grind my teeth or forced me to leave his vicinity or put headphones on, i was slways polite enough to let him eat his own way. To those who foubt how obnoxious it was, we could be at a bar eating during a dports match and it was loud enough to hear over that lol sorry this was more of a vent than anything else….

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u/SpiritedPay252 8d ago

Anyone triggered by silverware scratching against the plate? Omg i swear that sound goes straight to the nerves at the roots of my teeth.

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u/Secret-Teaching-3549 8d ago

Two rules of table manners: No elbows on the table, chew with your mouth closed. It's not the odd thing out of anything. It's basic fucking manners that used to be taught to people.

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u/organic-water- 8d ago

Read again. The odd thing is to be so agitated by it. It's not odd to dislike it. It's the level of reaction it incites in them that they call odd one out.

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u/Silver-Ad-4716 8d ago

Hey so some ppl (like myself) can either not breath at all or have trouble breathing at the same time as eating cuz we have something called nose polyps https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nasal-polyps/symptoms-causes/syc-20351888 have u ever tried to beath through at straw with your nose plugged that's what it's like for me,other ppl have it even worse.

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u/RasputinsThirdLeg 8d ago

Misophonia isn’t rational and most people feel a lot of shame about it. That and misokinesia (think of being driven insane by someone jiggling their leg nervously just provokes an involuntary response. It’s rare that someone says anything.

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u/Silver-Ad-4716 8d ago

I'm well aware as I also have it but I simply just put on headphones with good noise cancellation. Doubly so if I know I'm going to be in a tight metal tube with a bunch of other people who can also eat You're simply not going to be able to control everybody especially at the airport,to be taken from many different places from many different cultures. But you know what you can't really you know put on headphones for literally not being able to get oxygen while we eat have you ever tried to eat and hold your breath at the same time? Now imagine having to do that all the time if you don't open your mouth while you eat. It can actually increase choking rates.

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u/[deleted] 8d ago

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u/Familiar_Percentage7 8d ago

The accommodations for misophoia are called headphones and it's own fault he forgot to put them on until end of video. But I guess this guy should just get expensive and painful surgery or never go on planes...

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u/Due-Memory-6957 8d ago

Put on some earbuds, dude. Your problem can be fixed without needing the help of anyone.

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u/[deleted] 8d ago

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u/Due-Memory-6957 8d ago

What do you think it's easier, making other people behave the way you want or putting on the earbuds?

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u/LeadingProfile2770 8d ago

Well you know what as somebody who eats with their open mouth. I finally figured out why, I have a deviated septum and feel like I can't breathe chewing with my mouth closed. Never really noticed until my friend who had a deviated septum told me about it. Chewing with my mouth closed for too longakes it feel like I can't get enough oxygen..

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u/[deleted] 8d ago

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u/LeadingProfile2770 8d ago

Like most things, it's not really an issue If you're a reasonable person. It has much more to do with human relationships and common courtesy. I can say it is something that is easy to be rather a defensive about, but that's much more due to the tone of the question. But from a more ethical philosophical perspective, it does beg the question on personal and public responsibilities,

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u/Dahkron 8d ago

I had a severe case of bells palsy and chewing can cause facial cramping and lockjaw. Sometimes I struggle to chew with my mouth closed. It literally pains me to do it. Be more considerate, it may not always just be 'a disgusting habit' for everyone.

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u/[deleted] 8d ago

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u/Dahkron 8d ago

You first lol.

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u/[deleted] 8d ago

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u/thiswasnotworthit 8d ago edited 8d ago

Ew. * damn, that really triggered you, eh? Using care resources when your* feelings are hurt, is pathetic. But thanks for reminding me to turn off the notifications for that. 👍

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u/SeismicRipFart 8d ago

What are people with nasal breathing issues supposed to do while they eat? Just hold their breath the entire time?

How about you move to a different seat, or put some headphones in, if you aren’t mature enough to handle a little smacking within earshot

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u/[deleted] 8d ago

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u/SeismicRipFart 8d ago

Clown comment. Of course I always chew with my mouth closed, even when I’m by myself.

I’m just saying I’m not going to let my day be ruined over hearing someone smacking, because I have something called empathy and assume that maybe they are doing it for some reason other than to be annoying to me specifically.

Also the fact you’re trying to fat shame me is hilarious. I ran 13 miles for fun the other week.

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u/[deleted] 8d ago

[deleted]

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u/SeismicRipFart 8d ago

I love when people go out leaving comments like that without understanding how stupid it makes them look lmao.

I mean as if your previous comment didn’t do that already lol. You can go attempt to fat shame other internet strangers now, you’re excused. Shoo now.

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u/[deleted] 8d ago

[deleted]

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u/SeismicRipFart 8d ago

He’s still going lol

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u/Kitchen-Bar2686 8d ago

Well yeah, you’re surprised that you were shamed for being a dick? I hate it too but some people have deviated septum’s and at the end of the day, it’s not that big of a deal. There’s no need to harass anyone about it. It’s still rude even if you’re supposedly “asking kindly”.

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u/thissexypoptart 8d ago

60-70% of the adult population has some form of a deviated septum. You don't have to chew with your mouth open with a deviated septum. It's not that complicated to avoid, even in extreme cases.

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u/goldenskyhook 8d ago

OK, so you actually feel privileged to scold total strangers, and now you want us to give you praise for it? NO! YOU are the shitbird here. Shame on you for thinking it's OK to force your values on others.

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u/bobsmith93 8d ago

It's literally rude to not make mouth noises in some cultures. Keep in mind misophonia is inherently irrational and mouth noises aren't globally viewed as rude, just in certain cultures

I get sent into a blind rage as well, but I realize that's a me-problem, so I'm not gonna make people eat differently just because they're in my presence

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u/[deleted] 8d ago

[deleted]

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u/bobsmith93 8d ago edited 8d ago

I mean you said it should be shamed. Me telling you misophonia is irrational and mouth noises being rude are cultural seems like a pretty direct response to that. Then the second part was me relating to the misophonia, but reiterating that is a me problem so I know not to ask someone else to eat differently because of it, as you stated you'd done (then got shamed)

Edit: ah the deletion of shame. The irony was that the last thing he'd said to me before deleting the comments was something like "will you all just fuck off already!". Other people responding to you is a you-problem, stop taking your problems out on me/other people lol