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Assuming you eat with your mouth closed, eating the Starbursts in no problem. But…
Your opponents do not want to hear you unwrapping anything during the game.
Even if you unwrap during your clock time only, it bothers other players nearby, whether they avoid the unpleasant step of complaining or not.
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Oh, you say my opponents don’t want to hear me unwrapping my latest Opening thriller and novelty?!?
In my last rated game at my club, I was called on the Startbust thing. He knows that I always eat them but he decided to wait until about 5 moves into the game to tell me that if I wanted to eat Starburts at the table that I could only do so on my time or I should get up an leave the table.
So, to some people my Starburst addiction is an issue.
I ended up eating them on my time and for the few long thinks that he took, I got up and walked across the room before eating them.
In the end, it is a player to determine what is distracting to them I would say. An objective rule at best but one that I think that common sense can be applied.
Have fun all…
I think GeneM makes the relevant point. I am admittedly a bit noise sensitive. There have been many occasions when I have been greatly distracted by a guy chewing on ice or whatever two or three boards down from where I am playing. So for all you “gamesmen” out there who are trying to find subtle ways to distract your opponent…the consequences go much further than your own board. Personally, I never bring food to the board. I think it is totally disrespectful of the opponent. It’s an unwritten rule to be sure. I have seen people bring a Big Mac combo (or equivalent) and proceed to eat it during the game, digging in the bag numerous times to fish our the french fries! It never ceases to amaze me how these folks could be so clueless (and that’s usually the case…it’s unintentional) as to do this. I always have earplugs in my chess bag because you never know what you are going to run into at a tourney, so I have it covered in a non-confrontational way.
Having said that, and having played in the same club with Carerros for a couple of years, I want to say that while I have observed the mountains 
of Starburst papers at his board, his particular eating habit has never disturbed me. So I think it’s situational.
Starbursts probably have one of the quieter wrappers on them. Biggest noise would be from ripping the wrapper off. Though I suppose one could unwrap them ahead of time and keep in a plastic bag. Just reach in and grab one as needed.
I’ve essentially done just this, but never by CHOICE. If I’m not given enough time to eat between rounds, I either have to do this or go hungry. At that point I’m not sure I care if it distracts my opponent and the other players. If it bothers enough players, maybe the TD/organizer will learn a lesson. (of course, I also like long time controls and lots of games over a weekend, …)
At least these “distractions” are a whole lot easier to deal with than the bad old days when smoking at the board was allowed! Now THAT was distracting.
Tanstaafl…no doubt there are times that games last late and there is not enough time between rounds, but I still don’t think you should punish your opponent or others around by bringing food to the board. Again I understand these are my personal set of standards and maybe I’m the one who’s wrong. And wanting to remain as a generally friendly, non-confrontational type, I do have my own way to cope (earplugs) anyway.
I have been in those situations and I’m not one who misses a lot of meals… , so in those cases I might bring my fast food combo into the hallway and go outside the playing room and eat it between moves. Not ideal, no doubt, but I know it won’t distract others.
Possibly asking the director for more time between rounds or if not possible at least letting him know the round times were not ideal in a more direct manner would be a better solution.
And I am in complete agreement on the smoking comment.
Oh, I don’t know. I particularly like to bring a complete meal and eat it at the board. On occasion, I will even make sure I tuck the napkin under my chin and in my collar…
Seriously, I have taken to bring either a cup of strong tea or Cafe Americano to the board and game. On our club night games, Monday night, I really like my Cafe Americano as it help keeps me awake and alert for the rated game after a Monday of seeing patients. I also like the idea of having an oatmeal cookie handy to munch on, if I feel the urge. Of course the cookies are of the softer variety and the munching is quiet.
IMO, one of the most annoying behaviors (and seemingly routinely tolerated) is the opponent who chews gum with his mouth open to a cadence. I have observed this many times just awaiting the player to complain but have never been asked.
Perhaps many of the opponents have felt the way I did as I related in this post.
castlingqueenside.blogspot.com/2 … racks.html
I just felt it wasn’t worth getting into it with the opponent. I pick my battles carefully. 
FYI, there is a certain school of thought, touted by at least one chess instructor that I know, that chewing gum during a chess game is advantageous to your performance…not due to distracting your opponent, but that it “stimulates your temples” or some such. Don’t know if there’s any truth to it…by chewing gum while I’m trying to concentrate, I would distract myself as much as my opponent!
I have recently run into the issue of groups of scholastic players from the same club who get up between moves, huddle together, run back and forth between their boards smiling, giggling and pointing. These have not been my opponents, but it is still distracting, especially if they are huddled around my neighbor’s game, bumping into me, etc. The lack of “personal space” and respect for the game is just too much and I have had to complain to the TD.
Please, don’t jump on me for being “anti-scholastic”. I know it’s an age/maturity thing for them and that kind of behavior may be allowed at scholastic events or in their club. However, when playing in open events/weekend Swiss tournaments, a higher level of behavior is called for. Either prepare the child before-hand or keep him home.
I agree 100% with your sentiments. I’ve encountered same type of behavior and not just in NY. I’ve written on the topic on my blog and have been accused of being a cranky old lady, but I think kids need to act more like adults when playing in open events.
BTW that type of roaming around the room and gathering with buddies is not tolerated at most scholastic events I’ve been at. Sometimes I think the freedom players have at open events in terms of leaving the board, and roaming around the room causes this to happen with kids.
In which state was this, and when?
Probably have to contact Beautific through PM, as this thread is six months old.