It's a bad, smelly habit

Friday, April 14, 2006


I have an etiquette "issue" with someone I work with. At first it didn't bother me much. But it's been 6 months and I find it happening constantly. It is so often that I'm beginning to think it's a habit rather than an incidental occurance.

Whenever we sit together for discussions, she tends to burp. And sometimes, it happens more than once during the entire discussion. It doesn't matter what time of the day it is, whether it's right after a meal or way after. It just happens EVERYTIME we talk.

It is not subtle, either. And because she doesn't bother to turn away when she burps, I hold my breath each time it happens because I feel "assaulted" by the burp's effects i.e. the foul smell of whatever crap she ate.

Can burping be a habit people adopt? Can you really consciously manufacture a burp? If not, maybe it's a medical condition?

Whatever it is, I just feel offended. I don't want to be constantly "treated" to the sounds and smells of someone's food digesting. How do I get her to quit her bad habit? Or at least don't do it so blatantly.

a. Slap her on the back whenever she burps?
b. Tell her she stinks when she does that?
c. Walk away and fan the air frantically?
d. Continue to hold my breath?

7 comments:

Nick said...

i have this wonderful battery operated fan for babies. u might want to buy one to help u clear the air ...

Anonymous said...

i think the foul smell comes frm the gastric juices... burping too much comes frm gastric problems. i have it. but i'm embarassed to burp aloud, gets horrible after drinking anything fizzy and beer!

and yes, u can manufacture a burp =P hahahah... man, u missed alot in school!

Eternity said...

nick, good idea. so i gotta carry it with me all the time when i see her ;)

midnite lily, so i've been smelling gastric juices?? gross! hey our sweet school had "lessons" on burping? but but but...it's an all-girls school. i can't imagine it. :P

FooDcrazEE said...

gross ! normally i just walk off if someone burps..yucks!

Anonymous said...

choose (a) but (b) is good also : ). Someone got to tell her it's rude !!

DebtSurvivor said...

i'd go for a. Then give her a clap and tell her that her burb is far the smelliest one in the building....*and then smile sweetly* hehehe

Eternity said...

foodcrazee, shall i add a disgusted look too while walking away? haha.

leonard, would you tell her please? lemme give you her email :P

evs, not sure if i can still smile after smelling that. yucks!