TV etiquette expert urges Brits to employ ‘soft crunch technique’ for crispy snacks – as poll suggests noisy eating is the UK’s biggest annoyance ‣ Diverse Daily

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Updated: 09:34 BST, 14 July 2026

A TV etiquette expert is urging Brits to use her ‘soft crunch technique’ to reduce irritating eating noises when snacking in public.

Laura Akano, who teaches the art of English etiquette and manners, has devised a 10-point plan to help high-volume snackers keep the volume down amongst co-workers and commuters.

Polling by crispbread maker Ryvita suggests 69 per cent of UK adults believe inconsiderate noisy eating is their biggest bugbear – beating out even people playing music out loud on trains, snoring and crying babies.

Half of those asked said they would support an outright ban on loud food in certain places – and would even back an ‘eat considerately’ warning on crunchy snacks.

Ms Akano has detailed exactly how best to tuck into a noisy snack without annoying your fellow passengers, work colleagues and friends.

She said: ‘The soft crunch etiquette is the polished art of eating a crunchy snack quietly by chewing slowly and keeping your mouth closed.

‘Keeping your mouth closed reduces the crunching sound. Using the soft-crunch technique ensures that you chew quietly and slowly in a refined way, so your crunching does not become distracting and uncomfortable for people around you.’

She even advises adopting the ‘three finger rule’ – of using your thumb, index and middle finger only – to retrieve snacks in order to keep your digits clean.

Ms Akano added: ‘It not only looks elegant, you also avoid getting all of your fingers dirty.’

Etiquette expert Laura Akano (pictured) has drawn up a guide for Brits who want to snack more considerately

Crisps are amongst the noisiest snacks to hear someone eat, according to a poll of 2000 UK adults

Ms Akano previously came to the media’s attention after being hired by the Cumberland School in Plaistow, east London, to teach its pupils better etiquette – with the ultimate aim of winning scholarships.

As well as teaching them posture and greetings that would impress even the sternest royal, the coach’s lessons were designed to boost the confidence of the school’s pupils, many of whom came from working class backgrounds.

Ryvita’s polling of 2,000 Britons found that crisps are widely considered the noisiest food to eat at 73 per cent of pollsters voting them the loudest – followed by crackers, tortilla chips and raw carrots.

And those asked put crunchy eating in cinemas at the top of their list of undesirable habits, followed by eating smelly food – though this was the other way around on board trains.

Eight in 10 people even admitted they have argued with a partner over their eating habits at home, while fewer than half admit to munching noisily themselves.

A Ryvita spokesperson said: ‘Brits clearly love crunchy snacks, but we found we are becoming far less forgiving about where people eat them.

‘Whether it’s an office, a cinema or a quiet train carriage, many people feel everyday etiquette is slipping.’

The snack firm carried out the polling to coincide with the launch of its new range of Ryvita Sticks, pitched as a crisp-alternative available in Salt and Vinegar and Sour Cream and Chive varieties.

Considerate snacking: Etiquette expert Laura Akano’s guide

1. Packaging on some crunchy snacks can be loud when being opened. To avoid too much rustling, open packets slowly. Avoid repeated rummaging, especially in quiet, formal or professional environments.

2. Manage crumbs gracefully by holding your snack over a plate, napkin or saucer. This helps to avoid messy crumbs on you. Brushing crumbs away can draw more attention than the crumbs themselves.

3. When eating a crunchy snack, do pick and eat one at a time, bring the food to you. This not only looks elegant but also helps to avoid overloading your mouth. It is also easier to chew and swallow with ease.

4. To avoid a loud crunch when you take a bite, wrap your lips around the snack. Smaller bites are more manageable than larger bites that can break the snack and make a mess.

5. Keeping your mouth closed while chewing slowly will soften as well as reduce the crunching sound. It also ensures that others don’t see the crunchy food in your mouth.

6. Practice soft crunch etiquette, this is the polished art of eating and enjoying a crunchy snack quietly by chewing slowly and keeping your mouth closed. Keeping your mouth closed reduces the crunching sound. Using the soft-crunch technique ensures that you chew quietly and slowly in a refined way, so your crunching does not become distracting and uncomfortable for people around you.

7. Depending on your environment, if there is background noise such as music, traffic, applause or conversation, use it to your advantage when taking a bite. Silence can often magnify crunching noise.

8. Use the three-finger rule when picking up your snack, it looks elegant and makes each bite easier to manage.

9. Master the ‘I’m listening’ nod. If your mouth is full and someone speaks to you, nod thoughtfully while you finish chewing before responding. It shows your level of decorum.

10. The sound and smell of crunchy snacks can irritate and make others uncomfortable. In some environments, such as theatres, cinemas, quiet offices, public transport and libraries. Softer snacks will be a better option, showing consideration for others.

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