Survival instinct or bad manors?

It depends, i eat really fast because in the mornings I don't have a lot of time for breakfeast, so i have to eat it really fast. During lunch there is also not a lot of time so i eat lunch really fast. At dinner i have time, but i got used to eating fast.

It depends on your life style.

Unless you can provide the evidence that our ancestors had to wolf their food down, I think it's an excuse and a case of bad manners. Once the hunk of mammoth was dragged back into the cave, I don't believe they piggily snarfed it. Besides, modern humans have overcome worse instincts in a civilized society. There's no reason to presume gob-stuffing needs to continue for any reason. Actually, I think it's a great threat to survival because it can lead to choking.

Eating more slowly and chewing ones food thoroughly has proven health benefits. I think you really need to do some deep research if you want to support your argument, but I honestly recommend that you conform to more socially acceptable eating habits. Even if you're correct about the history and survival, today it's a moot point.

It's not survival instinct, it is just eating too fast and one of the other consequences is, indigestion and gas. Learn to put your fork down between each bite and chew twenty times before swallowing.

Eating fast is rude and is perceived as obnoxious. I think that your debate about this being an evolutionary matter is a little far fetched and out dated (literally). I'm pretty sure that this trait or gene that would cause you to eat like a pig has long ago faded as it is unnecessary.

It's both! I assume you had many brothers and sisters because my boyfriend and father are the same way. Once the food was gone when they were growing up, it was gone! Even if they were still hungry. So they learned to gobble, gobble down food as fast as they could so they would ensure their fullness after a meal.

Alternatively your wife is correct. Since you are no longer (I assume) a kid who is competing with family for fullness, then it can just be chalked up to bad manners.

I don't know I eat slow but thats just because I take my time, I don't think its rude if someone else eats fast. Its their stomach that is going to hurt not mine =)

not necessarily from a long time ago.... I had 4 brothers and I always had to eat fast if I wanted 2nds

A little of both, more about choice and habit. If you know better, you can choose to behave better.