I 32F am finding some of my partners (33M) habits a bit too much.
I (32F) have been with my boyfriend (33M) for just over a year. We don't live together but we do try to spend time with each other every chance we get.
My issue is, there are some things that are starting to grate on me a little. Things like, how he eats. He chews with his mouth open and smacks his lips so much that it almost makes me actually angry. I was preparing myself a salad to have with chicken... He helped himself so some of it and said "eh, it's alright." I reflexively replied "doesn't matter what you think of it. I'm the one eating it."
He also has a frustrating habit of craning his neck to see what I'm doing on my phone. I'm never doing anything I shouldn't be, usually just scrolling TikTok. I've gotten into the habit of just turning my phone to him and saying "that's all it is" before I continue scrolling. I also want to add, it's not like I'm constantly on my phone when we're together. I heard my phone buzz, so I picked it up to check it... I had a text off my dad and it was funny, a response to something I had asked. I giggled when I read it and started to tell my partner what it said and he interrupted me to say "oh I know. I can see it." no regard for privacy and it's frustrating me a bit.
As far as I'm aware there's no reason for either of us to have any kind of mistrust and aside from these really irritating "habits" he is absolutely wonderful. I'm just getting to a point where I might snap at him and I'm not quite sure how I approach it kindly?
Like "babe, eat less like a starving animal please." or "if you want to see what I'm doing on my phone, just ask. You look like a pillock craning your neck like that"
This is absolutely not something worth ruining my relationship over, I'm not daft. BUT I just want some advice or tips on kinder ways I can approach it. Bevause it's something I'm dealing with I feel as though my approach might be a bit more harsh (fuelled by frustration more than anything.)
Thanks for any help!
-Mora.