Etiquette issue

If someone belched deliberately close to me, I would stand up and look around then ask “did you see a pig run past”.

One son did that, ONLY ONCE.

I think it is a disgusting habit, perfectly controllable but regarded as hysterically amusing by certain sections of the population. I would ignore it and just put it down to poor manners.

Ignore it. In some cultures it's perfectly acceptable, and even used as a sign of appreciation of a good meal. Wonder what he was reading?... Answers on a postcard please...

I often say pardon me if I burp and I'm alone.

One of the unfortunate consequences of getting older is our bodies do not function quite as well as when we are younger. I do pilates with a group of older women and it is not unusual to hear the occasional fart. It's perfectly normal. I don't know why people find normal bodily functions a problem.

eazybee

I think it is a disgusting habit, perfectly controllable but regarded as hysterically amusing by certain sections of the population. I would ignore it and just put it down to poor manners.

It is not always perfectly controllable.
The man in the DT article was on heart medication which causes flatulence. My DH had a lifetime of Ulcerative Colitis and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis which can both cause farting during flare-ups - about which you can do very little -so don’t be so judgemental and quick to lump everybody together with those who overeat or drink or have poor manners.

I always say pardon even if i am on my own,it`s polite habit.

I dont think there is any need to apologise to a room full of strangers whom you are never going to see again. They are probably too busy with their own business to notice you and your noisy bodily functions.

Except we did all notice!

Aveline

Except we did all notice!

But with exquisite good manners - ignored.

I'm known for my exquisite manners

Do not draw attention to it. It is good etiquette not to embarrass others.

I was taught that the correct thing to do was ignore it. If one apologises one draws attention to it thus making it impossible for others to ignore it. Seems a good idea to me.

This reminds me of what I consider to be a funny story about the late Queen Mother. When riding in a carriage one of the horses broke wind very loudly. The QM said politely something along the lines of, "I'm most terribly sorry," to which the eminent person replied, "Oh, I thought it was the horse!"

It makes me laugh, anyway, but then I'm just a common peasant.

Wouldn’t mention this to a stranger. Family tho’ now that’s different. I agree good manners is making others feel comfortable.
My grandchildren would giggle if someone had wind regardless of what orifice it left. Had the gentleman held on to his wind, it could perhaps have caused him pain.

NanaDana

Ignore it. In some cultures it's perfectly acceptable, and even used as a sign of appreciation of a good meal. Wonder what he was reading?... Answers on a postcard please...

I think he was reading the Dale Carnegie classic “How to Win Friends and Influence People”!

MerylStreep

Burping loudly and not apologising in some cultures is perfectly acceptable.

www.rd.com/list/rude-american-manners/

All very well and good, but we are at liberty in Britain and in Europe where burping, passing wind, yawning, coughing or sneezing without covering your nose and mouth are not good manners to expect others to respect our traditions!

I would say "Excuse me!" or "Pardon!" if I committed any of these breaches of good manners, but like Maw, I would not correct anyone else for not doing so. Two wrongs do not make a right, after all.

My Dad does this all the time now. Really loudly and doesn’t apologise. He is 91 and has the onset of dementia so I know he doesn’t recognise that he is doing it - or does but doesn’t have the understanding to care any longer. I hate going out to eat with him as people look but I know he doesn’t understand as he would never have done it when he was young so I just have to smile and carry on. Manners and social etiquette are difficult as we navigate through life. It would appear that my Dad has poor manners but for people to comment on an uncomfortable situation would also be poor manners. I think sometimes it is easier to ignore things unless someone is obviously behaving in a boorish manner with deliberate disregard for others.

LilyoftheValley

I was taught that the correct thing to do was ignore it. If one apologises one draws attention to it thus making it impossible for others to ignore it. Seems a good idea to me.

I agree LilyoftheValley to do otherwise would be a breach of etiquette

My mum used to burp really loudly because of the type of stomach cancer she had. She got to the stage where she wouldn't go out because of disapproving looks and comments from people, very sad.

Wouldn't give it a thought. In Japan it's considered good manners to burp after eating. Perhaps he was reading something Japanese!

This is not normal behavior in the U.S., at least not in the Northeastern states. Excuse me is usual. Pretending you haven't heard is also the norm. Joking about it with strangers would be considered declasée.

Declassee indeed! Luckily, I don't have worry about that.