I have a very dear friend who is the kindest, most generous and all-round adorable man you could wish for. The only problem is that he is probably the noisiest eater (and drinker!) that I have ever met!
I know he is very fond of me, as I am of him, and he has suggested that we set up home together. I welcome this, and I love his company, but I know that if I have to sit at the table with him three times a day I shall probably lose my temper and say something rude, as the constant speed-eating, slurping, and loud swallowing noises will be just too much.
In other ways he's a real gentleman, with lovely manners, and I think his problems stem from his youth when he often went without food. That's another story in itself, so I won't go into it here.
I feel that for both our sakes, I should say something gently, when I'm not feeling irritated, but it's very difficult to do so diplomatically without offending my friend.
I am aware that I probably sound like a fussy and ungenerous person who is not worthy of such a good man, but this problem is a bit like snoring - it wears away at you and can disrupt an otherwise lovely relationship.
Any other Gransnetters afflicted by a similar problem, and what might be a good solution - apart from earplugs? 
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Breeze,
Oh breeze! That must have been awful! Table manners are possibly changeable, but long, thin, hairy fingers you're stuck with 
Thanks everyone for your wise advice - I think I will risk mentioning the problem to my friend.
FarNorth - I could ask him if there's anything about me that he would like to change, but that would be pointless as I'm already perfect!
Seriously, that may be a good way to approach it - I may be getting on his nerves summat terrible, but he hasn't liked to say.
Maybe he'd like you to be a little less perfect, tho? Good luck, anyway!
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