I must disagree with my beloved on this one I'm afraid
Talking whilst eating isn't a major bugbear for me, depending on how it's done. It is quite possible to be coherent with a morsel of food in ones mouth, as it is possible to pouch it in one cheek and speak. However, it is odd that in some cultures it is acceptable to shovel great forkfulls into ones gob and then engage your fellow diners in conversation before chewing even commences. That's just, well, gross. Much as I agree that mealtimes should be sociable occasions, that doesn't involve spraying half chewed food all over the table and guests.

Social graces at the table as well - like not starting to eat before everyone else is served / sat down. We had some friends round at New Year, and before everyone had even sat down and picked up their cutlery, one of them had demolished half of her dinner...

My biggest bugbear, though, is noisy eating. Sometimes it is unavaoidable - crunchy things, for example. You just aren't going to be able to eat quietly with crisps and biscuits. However, for most things it is possible to eat quietly WITHOUT providing your own bloody sound effects. Like the cunt that sat opposite me on a train and proceeded to slurp and smack his lips whilst demolishing 3 tubs of houmus, several sticks of carrot and celery, and three cans of cider. For four hours solid.

Quite the most nauseating thing ever.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Fri 11 Apr 2008, 14:22, Reply)