If someone asks you a question..

[Laura Corin]

.... when your mouth is full of food, what do you do? Poll to follow.

 

ETA: by 'hand sign' I mean some kind of 'I've got food in my mouth please wait a minute' gesture.

 

Laura

Edited August 9, 2011 by Laura Corin

[Gailmegan]

I usually will hold up my pointer finger indicating, "Just a moment," and then make an awkward kind of silly smile and nod my head while I finish chewing.

[ChristusG]

I hold up one finger, signaling "wait", and I point to my mouth, and finish chewing.

 

If the answer needs to be immediate, which is rarely, I'll hold my hand in front of my mouth while I answer, so that you cannot see the food.

[chepyl]

If it is important or mid-conversation I will hold my hand in front of my mouth. That is rare...except if it is just me and dh....then I am less well mannered ;)

[SailorMom]

I usually will hold up my pointer finger indicating, "Just a moment," and then make an awkward kind of silly smile and nod my head while I finish chewing.

 

:iagree:

This exactly - must be a gene for it or something ;)

[Diana B]

I chose something else - but really it's a combination of making a motion and finish chewing and holding hand in front. I will usually chew until I don't have a full mouth any longer than hold my hand in front to answer. If it's a long, drawn out answer, I'll finish chewing completely. But if I'm trying to answer a quick question, I don't have a problem answering with just a bit of food in my mouth and covering up.

[Parrothead]

I suppose the lot of us needs to take smaller bites so we can carry on a conversation while eating.

 

I'm with the hand sign crowd.

[tmulcahy]

If it is important or mid-conversation I will hold my hand in front of my mouth. That is rare...except if it is just me and dh....then I am less well mannered ;)

 

I did this in front of my sister at a social event once and she, who has no problem pointing out faults, told me never do that again because it was rude. I never saw it that way. What say the hive?

[Truscifi]

I usually will hold up my pointer finger indicating, "Just a moment," and then make an awkward kind of silly smile and nod my head while I finish chewing.

 

:iagree:

[Farrar]

With close family though, I admit I might just answer - assuming my mouth isn't SO full the food's going to fall out.

[Ellie]

I think it's awkward when someone holds her hand in front of her mouth and talks. I'd just rather she wait until she finishes chewing or something. It is possible to tuck one's food to the side while saying a few words such that the food is not displayed to all the world...

[Pamela H in Texas]

Depends....I'd hand sign and chew if there is a good deal of food. However, probably only until I could speak. I do cheek stuff but still cover. I cover even if I don't have time to tongue swipe my teeth!

[~Tara~]

Like others have said..signal, smile, nod, chew, answer :~p

I also will cover mouth and answer in more familiar company.