Re: Is this rude or not

I'd need to know a few more details before passing judgement.
Is this person a member of the immediate family circle and living in the same house?
Is this person a relative, for example aunt, uncle, sister or brother, an in-law perhaps?
Is it formal everyone sitting round the dining room table scenario?
Or informal kitchen table scenario?

Generally a "please excuse me" would be nice...

Re: Is this rude or not

Yes rude. We were always taught to say 'please may I leave the table'.

I wonder what people do when it's the situation of TV dinners. Slobbing around on the settee in front of the TV, which so many seem to do nowadays. I suppose the art of good manners at the table is something else that's dying away?

Edited

Re: Is this rude or not

I am very laid back about most things but I am very strict on good table manners, so I think that person is rude and ignorant.
What really makes me mad too, is when someone starts clearing the table before you've finished eating your food!
Worse, is having the television on whilst you're at the table eating a meal.

Re: Is this rude or not

I hate people sitting with lap trays stuffing their faces watching the tv. Can these people not give up the tv for at least 30 minutes to eat at a table like civilised people.

Re: Is this rude or not

Does this person know that you find this behaviour rude Enya? And if they do know then why do they still persist in doing it?

Re: Is this rude or not

Doc, It must be hard to digest food bent over a tray! How can you savour your food if you are concentrating on watching TV. Plus, I'd imagine you get dribbles down your front and bits everywhere!
I always sit at the table and television off!!

Re: Is this rude or not

So do i Art these people must be addicted to their tv's. Oh dear must not miss me Eastenders doh! doh!!

Re: Is this rude or not

We sit at the table for all our meals, the only sloppy meal we have is a hamburger or chips on Saturday.
I work hard to produce decent meals so I would be offended if OH stuffed them down while absorbed in EE or some other trash on tv.

Re: Is this rude or not

Don't worry what others do, just do what you want and is acceptable in your own homes.
Mediaeval times you would only have a dagger to eat with, what do we say now about putting a knife in our mouths.

Please may I leave the table there is a cat coming