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AIBU?

To think chewing gum should be banned?

37 replies

PhantomBlooper · 18/04/2017 07:45

Really, what purpose does it serve?

It's bad enough that people's mouths make a racket when they eat something that they swallow straight away!

I really can't see the attraction of looking like a cow chewing on a wad of grass and making such a horrendous sound.

And don't even get me started on popping and blowing bubbles with the stuff!! Need fresh breath? Have a mint!

Everyone who chews gum sounds and looks obnoxious!

Tired, early morning rant because I've been stuck on the train with someone doing all of the above and not had my headphones to drown it out.

AIBU to feel like this?

OP posts:

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RedSuitcase · 18/04/2017 07:51

YANBU but I suspect we're the extreme minority

treaclesoda · 18/04/2017 07:54

YANBU. The mess it makes if the streets is disgusting. They've been campaigning for at least 40 years for people to wrap it up and bin it and it hasn't worked. Would be far easier to stop selling it.

And as for the sound of someone chewing it.

Kalizahara · 18/04/2017 07:56

Yanbu.

Hygellig · 18/04/2017 07:59

I hate it too, or more specifically people who leave it in swimming pool changing rooms or dropped on the street.

pipsqueak25 · 18/04/2017 08:00

yanbu totally grim stuff imo, you chew food, you swallow, you chew gum it's 'cleaning' your teeth of any crap caught between them, you are chewing saliva in the gum have gone off my breakfast now...

PhantomBlooper · 18/04/2017 08:00

Glad I'm not the only one (thus far!)

It really, really irritates me! I try and carry headphones wherever I go, especially on the train, as I really struggle with the sound of people eating at the best of times. But at least with an apple or a packet of crisps I know it will end, chewing gum just goes on and on and on!

OP posts:

Casschops · 18/04/2017 08:03

Hate the stuff, I especially hate it when people eat it with their gobs open. I'm not violent but that could drive me to it all the lip smacking and spit clicking. So the people realise they look stupid.

LittleCandle · 18/04/2017 08:05

It drives me to drink and I especially hate to see shop assistants chewing the cud! I have been known to tell them to lose the gum whilst being served. My DC were allowed chewing gum only outside the house, and not when I was with them. Repulsive habit!

claraschu · 18/04/2017 08:08

My mother had a theory that making gum illegal would give teenagers something to do when they needed to rebel which was obnoxious but harmless.

She thought it would be a good strategy to cut down on teen smoking and drinking.

tanfield90 · 18/04/2017 08:09

Happy to lose chewing gum but we must keep bubble gum. Is Anglo Bubbly still around ?

fourteenlittleducks · 18/04/2017 08:10

Gum keeps your breath fresh much longer than a mint. I'm always surprised when people don't chew gum after meals or coffee, to me it's like a quick tooth-brush when out.

You don't have to chew it noisily or with your mouth open. I'd rather the gum chewing noise than someone breathing stale breath on me!

SorrelSoup · 18/04/2017 08:13

It's illegal in Singapore.

Eminybob · 18/04/2017 08:23

It's awful stuff. It's revolting to look at someone else chewing and ends up stuck to shoes and other stuff because stupid lazy people can't be bothered to dispose of it properly.

But worse than all of that, the thought of actually chewing it myself makes me feel so ill. It's what I would imaging chewing blu-tak would be like, once the 2 seconds of flavour has worn off. Horrible horrible horrible.

bigbluebus · 18/04/2017 09:18

I saw the article on the news the other day about the cost of cleaning it up and said to DH at the time that they should ban it. I hate seeing people chew constantly and especially if people are working (and serving me) whilst chewing the stuff. Thankfully it was a very short lived habit in this house when DS was a teenager.

RusholmeRuffian · 18/04/2017 09:53

YANBU. Vile stuff.

Armadillostoes · 18/04/2017 09:57

YANBU-Last time I was on the Tube I got (fresh and soggy) gum on my tights from the seat. I didn't notice until I went to the toilet at the station and in rolling down my tights it got on my skin. Grim!

thebakerwithboobs · 18/04/2017 10:03

I'm afraid I'm a gum chewer but there is a time and a place. I don't make a manky noise with it, and I don't stick it anywhere but in the bin. I drink coffee and have paranoia about bad breath, I find it helps me concentrate on things and I also find it freshens my mouth and stops me reaching for snacks. Most importantly, I'm responsible with it, so I'm not doing anyone else any real harm. Plenty more anti social habits than gum-I'm going to be the lone voice supporting gum (Wrigleys-please send me some freebies!!)

Asmoto · 18/04/2017 10:03

YANBU. It's horrible stuff. I hate the sight of people endlessly chewing away.

Even worse are irresponsible gum users who don't wrap the gum and throw it in a bin, but drop it and make a mess.

PuntCuffin · 18/04/2017 10:28

YANBU. DH is a chewer. If he had displayed this habit before we got married, I genuinely think i would have called it off, it revolts me so much. He does this odd inhaling through his mouth thing as he chews which gives me the urge to whack him (I don't).

I have mostly managed to restrict him to when he is in the car, on his own, and ask him to stop if he comes inside still chewing. But DS keeps asking for gum as well now.

I thought it was just my repressed Victorian style upbringing. Glad I am not alone.

Glossolalia · 18/04/2017 10:29

YABU.

I love chewing gum. I nearly always have a packet with me.

GinSolvesEverything · 18/04/2017 11:13

God it's revolting stuff. I can't bear the sight of someone chewing, and it's even worse if I can smell it as well.

My kids know it is banned from our house!

Cellardoor23 · 18/04/2017 11:20

I don't mind it as long as it's not chewed with your mouth open. Or people who feel the need to stick it under public tables and chairs, it's revolting.

I don't like mints either, but that's just a personal preference. Can you still get the spray ones? I think I might opt for that instead.

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londonrach · 18/04/2017 11:24

Yanbu. Never understand why you waste chewing something you cant swallow. Looks silly too and sounds stupid. Luckily seems to be dying out as rarely see it now.

SherlockPotter · 18/04/2017 11:42

YANBU - I can't stand it when people spit their chewing gum out on the pavement, it gets stuck to your shoes. As well, it's spending the local authority's money on having to get the cleaners out... then again, I suppose you could say the same thing about litter.

I do have chewing gum on me, it helps with my anxiety... I also don't like mints e.g. Polos, Smint, Tic Tacs. I can't blow bubbles either (ew).

carnassials · 18/04/2017 11:47

I had a colleague who sat opposite me who would chew a stick of gum every day without fail. Open mouthed. I had to put white noise on and hide behind my computer screen to get through it. Otherwise I would be filled to the brim with disproportionate anger!
(They also made a loud glugging sound when swallowing water)

So YANBU.

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