Darling, shut your mouth

Dear Amy: I’m married to an intelligent, educated, professional man.

We’ve been married more than 20 years, and things are basically solid and good. My problem is that he eats like a pig at the trough, and it repulses me. He chews and talks with his mouth full, smacks loudly and shovels the food in. I can hardly stand to eat with him.

Is there anything I can do?

Repulsed

Dear Repulsed: Isn’t the beauty of being married for 20 years that you and your husband become more -- and not less -- intimate? That you are able to tell each other about the things you each do that make your life together a momentary hell, but which are correctable with a little bit of effort?

Say, “Honey -- I love you. You are a good man. But I’m having such a hard time with you during meals. You have got to help me out here and eat quietly.”

Send questions to Amy Dickinson by e-mail to askamy@tribune.com.