Thoughts on sniffing

At least a fart or a burp is occasional - probably serves a purpose and I’d guess 80% are horrified and apologize. People who sniff continuously through habit are a different issue - in my books anyway.

I find it seriously difficult to cope with a sniffer. Ugh! However, would never dream of offering a tissue. Seems too unkind and self indulgent for words. I do try to move away if I possibly can but, if not, I just thole it. Don't suppose it's any more pleasant for the sniffer than me.

Does anyone remember, in the Derek Jacobi series "I, Claudius" how Caligula dealt with the young boy who continually sniffed? He had him terminated!

I’d class it with belching and farting. Not pleasant.

tanith

A family member did this and it was diagnosed as an anxiety tic. They actually still do it as an adult occasionally although I doubt they even realise they are doing it but I notice.

We have a friend who does this and I don't think he realises he does it. It's a tic or habit.

No, I wouldn't say anything to him.

I’ve been told not to blow my nose by my consultant, it causes bleeds, I also have to sneeze with my mouth opened to relieve nasal pressure - sorry!

Whiff

Many people have hidden disabilities you don't know if the sniffing has anything to do with a disability. I look able-bodied sitting down it's only when I move people see I am not. Some people with autism sniff and people with tourettes do as it's part of their ticks . Please don't judge people you don't know if there is something wrong and they can't control it .

Thank you Whiff. I am not infectious, I appreciate some people do not like sniffing, but, as you say, for some of us,it is something we can do nothing about.

Baggs

I once was on a longish bus journey when a man came and sat in the seat next to me who sniffed every three seconds. I endured it for a while (and counted the seconds silently) then got out a packet of tissues: "Would you like a tissue?"

"No, I'm alright, thanks", he said.

"But I'm not alright listening to you sniffing every few seconds", I replied.

"I didn't know", he said. "I know you didn't", I replied, "that's why I offered you a tissue".

He took one and blew his nose.

Peace at last!! I would have had to move or even get off the bus otherwise.

I'm very impressed with how you handled that situation Baggs very straightforward and unaggressive

Many people have hidden disabilities you don't know if the sniffing has anything to do with a disability. I look able-bodied sitting down it's only when I move people see I am not. Some people with autism sniff and people with tourettes do as it's part of their ticks . Please don't judge people you don't know if there is something wrong and they can't control it .

How do you move away on a crowded bus or train?

I would just move away,,non conflict situation.

Can’t abide sniffing, along with lots of other things I find irritating. No tolerance, me!

Mine is blocked sinuses. Trouble is daughters border collie goes bonkers at every noise and barks and jumps round the room

I think (I may be wrong) that in Japan it is very bad manners to blow your nose in public, but OK to sniff.

There seem to be a lot of crypto-Japanese around these days.

Oh, how I sympathize!!
My Sis-in-Law is a sniffer - every 5 seconds. On a recent visit it drove me crazy. I didn’t say anything (I know she has tissues to hand) as I think it’s just a habit. Had DH, her brother, been alive, I’m sure he’d have taken her to task about it - he wasn’t a man of great patience at times.

I too have offered tissues to sniffers. I hate it!

Sniffing often has nothing to do with blowing your nose. It can be a sign of sinus troubles that mean your nose feels blocked and you sniff to clear your nose, but blowing your nose will be entirely unproductive. The problem is further up the nose and in the sinuses.

I know I sniff a lot, but blowing my nose will have no effect on it at all. I always have a whole wad of hankies on me, so if blowing will help I have the needful. But I know that they are irrelevant to the issue.

I have offered tissues to sniffers before. I hate it.

I have also been caught out without a tissue when I've changed handbags or whatever, and that's awful too. There are fewer shops like newsagents that sell them than there used to be, which is annoying. I usually have a small pack of them though.

My mother used to sniff rather than blow her nose, despite having countless hankies and later tissues. Then her nasal passages would be congested and she would have splitting headaches. i could never understand why she would not blow her nose.

I always carry a tissue, my husband a handkerchief.

Despite my sons always having to have a handkerchief at school as adults they are both now out of the habit, it’s infuriating.

That should read white stuff

Maybe they’d had too much of the whit stuff 😉

My OH is one who does this, drives me crazy!! He says he doesn't realise until I say something. It usually starts to get worse after he has the flu jab, I always say here we go, sniffing will really get going now. Even after I tell him he's doing it again peace doesn't last long. I wonder if he does when he is out?
It was something we were always told off for as children, I wouldn't dream of sitting here continually doing it.

With that and his constantly moving feet/legs .....

Calendergirl I agree it’s so maddening.

tanith

Yes, I thought sometimes it could be diagnosed as an issue.

I’m afraid I still find it maddening though.