Do you think eating in the classroom is rude?

[Alnitak7]

In most cases I restrain myself from passing a judgement on obsessive eaters.

In recent weeks though, I have become severely agitated when I go to my classroom which has a sign right on the door reading "NO FOOD OR DRINK" and people insist on bringing their dinner or their snacks in and eating them in front of everyone while people are trying to do their work and socializing while they eat. The classroom should not be treated like their living room.

They almost seem to be testing their limits. The teacher lets them get away with it and the school has ignored the complaint I sent to them.

I find the sound of them chewing their food revolting, offensive and distracting. Sometimes the sound of the food sloshing inside their mouths gives me chills down my spine.

The cafeteria is just right in walking distance, a place where if I see them eating, I refrain from evaluating them.

They also have option to take their food outside, a place where I can easily mind my own business.

Not only do people insist on bringing food into class but also continue to eat for extended periods of time. They go get more food after they finish what they have.

Unless it's a small class with a mutual agreement about food, eating in front of people is disgusting and disrespectful.

[vanessaem, BSN, RN]

If there is a sign on the door of the classroom that says "NO FOOD OR DRINK", then your teacher is doing a poor job of enforcing the rules. That being said, I don't mind food or drink as along as whatever people are consuming isn't smelling up the classroom or they are not leaving their food trash all over the desks and floor. People are busy and sometimes the only time they get to eat or drink is in class. Some people can't focus if they're hungry. Sometimes classes are long and people get the munchies. Yes, they can eat during the breaks but not every teacher gives long breaks.

[I <3 OR, RN]

I can be so easily distracted by sounds like this so I completely understand where you're coming from! If snacks are allowed then that is fine so long as the person eating is making an effort to not be disruptive. But eating loudly and talking during class is unacceptable even in the back of the room because even if this is the only chance they get to eat they need to realize that being loud can really negatively affect the people around them in their learning. And there is only so much space in the front of the room and there may be other people who can't get that front row seat that this is also bothering. CONSIDERATION!

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

If you are like me and you have two jobs and a commute, sometimes the only way to get a breakfast or snack in is to eat during lunch. As long as the person isn't being loud or obnoxious about it, who cares?

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

I always have a drink on me and sometimes a snack. I am on the go 24/7 and sometimes the time I sit in class is the only time I can eat some crackers or something. Eating has taken a back seat. And I always have a drink on me. Always. The lab at my school says no food or drink and I adhered to that last semester but this semester we have not done much in the lab. Our class is in there but we do most of our lab on the computer or tablets. The fact that you complained about it is a little disturbing. You need to realize not everyone is like you.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

I would eat on breaks because sometimes I am coming from work or another class. However, I avoid eating during lecture. I would drink a pop or gatorade sometimes. I also did some of the night option classes and the class started right at 5:00. Some people left work at 4:30, grabbed fast food, and would be running into the classroom at 5:01 after working many hours.

[sharpeimom]

My husband doesn't make an issue when students eat in his classroom, unless the food is stinky and he does ask that they toss the remains in the rest room trashcans because they're plastic lined. That contains any bugs.

What drives me nuts is gum and mint chomping! Yikes!

[Jenngirl34RN]

I am one of those with 4-5 hour long lectures, with 10 minute breaks every hour and a half or so. Most of us eat in class. As long as it isn't too loud or smelly.

The sounds that drives me crazy are people clearing their throats or sniffling- basically mucousy sounds. Yuck.

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

If food is not allowed in the classroom then the instructor needs to address it. If they won't then go to the Department head. Keep going up the chain of command so to speak. If they say they don't care then they need to remove the sign. Not much else to it.

[smf0903]

Chip bags. So funny that this thread is on here because I just about could not hear our lecture instructor over the multiple people digging into their chip bags this last week. I don't mind at all if people eat in class...I get that some people don't have a chance to grab something so they do so during class. But people digging around in their chip bags, especially when there are like a dozen people doing so, is really distracting. I have moved to various spots around the room, but it's still difficult to listen with the symphony of crumpling bags...

[RunBabyRN]

Our lectures have always been several hours all at once, so food is almost a part of our culture, and many of us are too busy to eat before class or wait until after. In fact, we have had several lectures where we've done potlucks. During our psych class, we had a tin that got passed around, and a different person would bake something and bring it each week. It was a fun thing to look forward to!

I can't imagine some of our 6 hour days without food in class. Plus, half of the time, if we DO have a break, we're running for the ONE microwave on campus to heat something up, or trying to get through the snack bar at the school as fast as possible, so we are then eating and drinking in class after the break.

[krisiepoo]

I worked 40+ hours/week while in nursing school. Sometimes if I wanted dinner, the only time I could eat it was during class. If you don't like it, move to another area I'm sure the ENTIRE class isn't eating, just a few people who you might dislike anyways. Just wait until you're a nurse, the sounds you'll hear will be much more revolting than someone chewing.

[tsm007]

I am a rule follower by nature. I don't find eating in class rude. We have 8 hour labs and they tell us to bring food. However, I do find it rude if the sign on the door says "No food or drinks allowed". However, just because I find something rude I am very unlikely to complain about it unless it is truly something that is causing a genuine problem. If the teacher isn't complaining about it then not much to say. There are lots of things that don't line up with my value system. I try not to impose my values on somebody else. It bugs me when people show up late, when they have nail polish and are not supposed to, wear their hair down when it's supposed to be up, and don't wear all white uniform shoes that are required by policy, nurses who swear a lot at work, etc.. BUT just because it bugs me that people don't follow the rules doesn't mean I am going to complain about it. My goal is graduation. I let the little things go. Doesn't mean *I* personally am going to change my rule following nature, but it is not my job to police other people. Plus, I've kind of learned there are just too many frustrating things in nursing school to spend that much energy on little stuff like that.