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Is it wrong to not want to talk while im eating? I just need opinions on this?

• Me and my parents have always had issues with me not wanting to do things i felt and kinda knew were wrong and this one i think is even though it may not seem like a serious topic or it may appear to be a weird topic. Im 18 and something ive never liked was talking while im eating. Ive told my parents ever since i was young i didn't like it. The problem is when its time to eat most of the time I prefer to eat alone its just me but when we eat as a family and im chewing my food and my mom asks me a question i try to finish what im chewing before I answer her. For some reason she seems offended when I don't answer until im finished chewing my food but I tell her I just feel its the proper thing to do, She even got mad to the point where she said I don't care if your;e eating I want you to answer me I tried to make it a agreement can I answer after I finish what i'm chewing at the moment. Apparently its not that serious but she makes a big deal of it I notice over the years my parents talk with food in there mouth and it seems they always want to talk when they have a lot in it and I never can understand what there saying because of it. They feel offended but I just wonder why don't they just ask me when there done chewing. Today it got out of hand because my mom for some reason thinks everything I do she has to tell my dad. So when she told him it automatically made no since because they both do the same thing. My dad is worse because hell have it all over his face and I can always hear him breathing hard and smacking and hell look up and ask me something like i'm supposed to understand what hes saying. Im not trying to sound like an a hole but it just does'nt make since to me. I thought parents are supposed to teach you things like that at an early age. But back to my mom telling my dad he said the best conversations are when your'e eating because you get alot done but I don't see how there trying to make it seem like i'm doing a bad thing when im really not. Im old enough to male my own decisions and if I don't want to talk to someone when im eating something is it that wrong I mean it seems like there not helping me but doing it for there own self benefit. Basically most of the habits my parents have taught me ive had to correct on my own because i notice they don't do it there self actually I noticed most of my family does the same. Is it that they feel they know it all and don't want to be told there wrong or were they just taught wrong. Sorry for it being so long it seems like the most little things get blown out of proportion. Its hard to explain things to my parents because they don't listen to anyone at all so how do I find a way to avoid this or future problems besides this.

• Answer:

  Totally on board with your stance, and agree..to an extent. - Just one thing: At 18, I don't imagine you've had occasion to meet for a business lunch or dinner, very often..if at all. I'm afraid that sharing a meal, or at least coffee, is par for the course when it comes to individuals making plans to discuss business. There are honestly too many times when that is what's necessary and to opt out of a business meeting because your boss, or future employer wants to incorporate his/her breakfast/lunch/dinner with meeting and greeting you could possibly mean you won't get the job..or promotion. - I've always had a huge issue with eating with certain people. I have been known to eat alone, in a secluded spot, when I'm not too crazy about co-workers, or whomever is around for set meals..so I get it. - To me, sharing a meal with people you either don't like, or don't respect is = to making love with someone you aren't in love with, sharing a roof overhead with someone you don't trust, or working for someone you don't respect = bad for the digestion! - It's a confident, mature kid who'll buck the system and counter their parents in this way. If I were a suspicious type, I'd allege a kid may be dodging the inevitable mealtime parental interrogation by using proper etiquette as a defense. But, you've maintained this since early childhood so it doesn't sound like a rouse. - Some people appear to be chewing their cud, like cow, even when not consuming food, (ala Roseanne Barr). Whether it's a phone call, or in person, chomping ones food's uncouth, to me anyway. Some cultures are offended when one doesn't make loud noises while eating. Most cultures subscribe to the Less Is More, as far as eating styles. - Nothing wrong with your insistence on not speaking with a mouth full of food. Sounds right to me, anyway! - Carry on! -