Slurping food or drinks
Informal Can sound rude
What it really means
Slurping noodles, soup or tea — a sign of enjoyment in some cultures — is considered bad manners in Britain, where eating is expected to be quiet. Nobody will say anything, but they notice. In Asian restaurants among friends who know the custom, nobody minds; at a British dinner table, eat as silently as you can.
Chinese explanation
吃面、喝汤、喝茶发出声音——在一些文化中是享受的表现——在英国被视为不雅，这里默认吃东西要安静。没人会说什么，但都会注意到。在亚洲餐厅、了解这一习俗的朋友之间没人介意；在英国人的餐桌上，尽量吃得无声。
Example conversation
A: In my country slurping noodles shows you're enjoying them.
B: Interesting! Here it's the opposite, I'm afraid — quiet eating is the polite way.
A：在我们国家，吃面出声表示吃得香。
B：有意思！但恐怕这里正相反——安静地吃才是礼貌。
What you could say back
No spoken reply needed for this one.
Related phrases
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All Customs & Etiquette
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· Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake