Eating while talking on the phone

[Beaner]

DH was having a phone conversation with his cereal-slurping sister who was eating while talking with him.  He continued with the natural progression of the conversation feeling grossed out the whole time.

When he told me afterward, I suggested that he should have said something like, "It sounds like you're busy, why don't we talk later?"  He's afraid that would sound too abrupt.

What do you think is a good way to handle this?

[Alida]

Just as he said.  My aunt does this to people all the time.  Why my mother and grandmother and others tolerate it, I don't know. 

The one time, though:

"Sounds like you're having lunch.  Why don't I call you back?"

"Oh, no, I'm just chewing gum."

I think that's as bad or worse!

[bohemia]

the only problem I have with people eating while on the phone is that they tend to take looooong pauses when chewing and swallowing. And that can get weird.

But the slurping thing? I would've just waited until the right moment and said something along the lines of "Hey, are you eating? Can you call me back when you're done? I'm really hungry so I think I'm gonna get something to eat, too..." or, if constantly eating on the phone was a problem, I'd probably say "Do you mind not eating while on the phone? I can't hear you when you're eating."

[cicero]

"It sounds like you're busy, why don't we talk later?"

that sounds fine to me. I use a line that like when I need to - People who eat while they are on the phone don't realize that the sounds carry, and multiply, and sound icky...