It's the open mouth chewing sound that causes me to get angry and violent really fast.<p>To share my experience, I couldn't control it well when I was young.<p>In my 20s I figured it was better for me to look rude and leave the table, than to start yet another discussion on this topic by suddenly asking the person to chew with their mouth closed, which makes me look rude anyway.<p>In my thirties I learnt how to tolerate small instances of open mouth chewing, such as those that some people do when tasting new foods or drinks (it reminds me of birds drinking water), mostly because the sound is temporary.
Otherwise, I am better at practicing mindfulness long enough to be able to excuse myself politely.<p>I know why people chew with their mouths open. It's the air and the taste. It doesn't help with the strong reaction it causes in my brain.<p>I go from liking you to want to stab you in 3 seconds. Since this is the Internet, I'd like to clarify that I have never gotten into a fight and am an average, non violent person.<p>I used to have a mild reaction to closed mouth chewing and throat sounds, but I've been able to tolerate those better and now they don't bother me much.<p>If I could go back in time, I would try to teach younger me how to handle these sounds in a more socially acceptable way.<p>If you chew with your mouth open, please don't take someone else's strong reaction too personal. It's hard to contain the sudden burst of anger.