Opinion on food etiquette in office?

Oh we have a food fight do we.... bring some left over fish and heat it in the microwave.

Once the objections are made, call a truce no fish and no crunchy things in the office. Everyone can only bring mush and soft crust bread, rice dishes OK as long as it's mushy.

I really don't know what etiquette is for that. I would think that it isn't rude to ask her to leave the area or ask her to try eating quieter. I wish I had done that with a woman that did that where I used to work. We were also in a small space and it was just the two of us but she would eat all day long and drink huge jugs of various liquid and would have to go to the restroom almost every 20 min or so. I would have to stop working to leave the area with her because it we worked with items that required two people to be there.

Like you, I would try to turn up my headphones to block her eating out but I could hear her through it. It got really bad and I had taken it for so long that I just exploded and started arguing with her over other things and I ended up being the one that other people hated even though they knew the woman didn't really care about the job.

She vindictively turned the tables to make it seem like she was a complete angel even to another woman that used to work with her that knew better only because their children were dating each other.

Perhaps if I would have just said something to her in the first place, the disaster might have been avoided.

If you were on good terms with her, then I assume you would have asked her directly. I also assume that you are worried that speaking to her may make it worse between the two of you. There is one other option, depending on your boss:

You could just go to your boss and explain the situation. You can do it not so much in a way that it seems you are trying to get her in trouble, but more that you just think it is detrimental to you when you are trying to get some work done. Or, if at all possible (which I doubt because there seems to only be 2 of you) you could ask for breaks at the same time. This all depends on if you think your boss will be receptive to it. If not, buy better headphones (noise cancelling). Might help.

It might be annoying, but think about it. If you decided to have some chips as a snack and it bothered someone else how would you feel not having a designated break area? I'm sure you would be more sensitive about the situation and try not to make noise but the fact of the matter is some foods are just noisy! No matter how quiet you try to be. I wouldn't address your co-worker about it. I would bring it up to management and see if there is some way you guys can have a place to get away from your desk for a few minutes. You deserve a break and it doesn't really feel like a break if you're still at your desk! Good luck!

Does your office have meetings? I'd bring this up in a meeting. This way you're not mentioning anyone's name. Just say, "You know, I think we all should make a point to leave the office when eating snacks and/or lunch so that we don't annoy each other when chewing or crumpling snack bags." This way no one's feelings get hurt.

I think you should say something to her in a joking way b/c she probably doesn't realize what is going on. Say something like "gosh girl is it good??" LOL or reverse the situation, next time its your turn for break, sit at your desk and eat something loud then after eating for a few minutes say "Oh I'm sorry, is my loud crunching bothering you? Cuz I find it so annoying when people eat loudly in a small quiet area" hopefully she will get the hint.

If this is the worst thing that she does- then live with it.

Can you take your break at the same time and you go sit by the snack machine?

It is not rude if you ask her in a certain manner. I have people complain to me about their cube partners frequently. I suggest that they bring the matter to the other person's attention, but if you don't have any rules against eating at your desk there is really nothing you can do expect practice tolerance.

Take a long bathroom break...you are certainly entitled to that. I wouldn't ask her to leave, but if you have a nice relationship with her, you might say, "I can HEAR you!" And then laugh.

I don't believe it is rude at all, but you must be tactful. The next time she's crunching, mention that the noise is distracting you from your work. If she can't manage to eat quietly, suggest she goes to the snack bar downstairs.