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AIBU?

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Would you accept gum offered by a taxi driver?

27 replies

Nattyandcatty · 18/09/2026 18:17

My uber driver offered me chewing gum, I’m sure perfectly innocent and he was just being nice. I took it but then thought better of it and put it in my pocket. I’m just curious if anyone would eat gum offered by a taxi/uber driver?

OP posts:
HDready · 18/09/2026 18:19

No, probably innocent but I’d not risk it given John Worboys.

JackGrealishsCalves · 18/09/2026 18:20

No I wouldn't, it's no different to a complete stranger walking up to you on the street and offering you some.
It's easy to refuse if you don't want to cause offence, sorry I don't like gum (or whatever they are offering)

TitsInAbsentia · 18/09/2026 18:20

Not a gum fan anyway but assuming it was boiled sweet/chocolate whatever the answer has to be no!

Nattyandcatty · 18/09/2026 18:21

HDready · 18/09/2026 18:19

No, probably innocent but I’d not risk it given John Worboys.

That’s exactly what came into my mind but then wondered if I was being overly cautious but I suppose it’s better to be that way

OP posts:
Credittocress · 18/09/2026 18:21

No. I’d think you were mad to take it

Purplecatshopaholic · 18/09/2026 18:22

I wouldn’t, no. Sad indictment on society for sure, but better to be safe than sorry (or raped/drugged/dead).

NorrisToenail · 18/09/2026 18:23

I would assume your breath smells, sorry. I read a long time ago if someone offers you gum or a mint, that is why

Nattyandcatty · 18/09/2026 18:24

NorrisToenail · 18/09/2026 18:23

I would assume your breath smells, sorry. I read a long time ago if someone offers you gum or a mint, that is why

I had only just got into the car. Like I literally shut the door, and as I was buckling my seatbelt he offered one. And also it wasn’t even minty, it’s a fruity flavour

OP posts:
Fidgety31 · 18/09/2026 18:25

No because chewing gum is vile . Would you want to be both sat in his taxi chomping like a cows.
no . It’s gross, slopping chomping chewing . 🤮
do not take the gum, ever, from anyone, anywhere .

CordwainerBird · 18/09/2026 18:27

No but I would be more concerned about poor hygiene than it being drugged

3luckystars · 18/09/2026 18:27

Out of his mouth or out of a packet?

I would 100% take it out of a packet? There are trackers on everything now , he is hardly going to chance kidnapping you unless you are Dua Lipa.

Nattyandcatty · 18/09/2026 18:28

CordwainerBird · 18/09/2026 18:27

No but I would be more concerned about poor hygiene than it being drugged

Yeah that’s true, it was one of those tubs with a lid and it was already open so anyone could’ve stuck their grubby fingers in there!

OP posts:
Toiletbrushanswer · 18/09/2026 18:28

I wouldn't from anyone I didnt know well. Or any food or drink unless I was in a restaurant or cafe. I would assume that it was a perfectly innocent and kind gesture but still no.

SukiPook · 18/09/2026 18:28

If it was out of the packet and he was offering me one because he was having one himself, absolutely I"d take it.

Nattyandcatty · 18/09/2026 18:28

3luckystars · 18/09/2026 18:27

Out of his mouth or out of a packet?

I would 100% take it out of a packet? There are trackers on everything now , he is hardly going to chance kidnapping you unless you are Dua Lipa.

Haha fair enough, I’m definitely not Dua Lipa 😆

OP posts:
Hiredgun · 18/09/2026 18:29

Nattyandcatty · 18/09/2026 18:17

My uber driver offered me chewing gum, I’m sure perfectly innocent and he was just being nice. I took it but then thought better of it and put it in my pocket. I’m just curious if anyone would eat gum offered by a taxi/uber driver?

One fucker called Worboys ruined such trust in basic gestures.

Nattyandcatty · 18/09/2026 18:30

SukiPook · 18/09/2026 18:28

If it was out of the packet and he was offering me one because he was having one himself, absolutely I"d take it.

He didn’t have one himself, it was from a tub that was already open. I did think this at first anyway which is why I accepted, they’re bubblegum flavour and I quite fancied it but then after I took I just thought… maybe better to be cautious just in case

OP posts:
Gentlydoesit2 · 18/09/2026 18:30

Nope

Frlrlrubert · 18/09/2026 18:33

Daytime uber booked through the app - yes, unless there were other red flags.
Night time taxi I hopped in off the taxi rank - no.

Edited as cross post: open tub, no. I was imagining wrapped sticks from a packet.

CordwainerBird · 18/09/2026 18:34

Nattyandcatty · 18/09/2026 18:28

Yeah that’s true, it was one of those tubs with a lid and it was already open so anyone could’ve stuck their grubby fingers in there!

Oh dear god no. I won’t take gum from my parents’ car-based tub, not a chance I’d take it from a stranger 🤮

ginasevern · 18/09/2026 18:35

No I fucking wouldn't. Firstly, it could be drugged. Secondly it will have had a stranger's grubby hands all over it. And he might even have stuck his dick in it. Men do get off on that sort of shit. It's hardly unheard of, especially as you were a solo female passenger.

Strawberryfruitstarburst · 18/09/2026 18:35

HDready · 18/09/2026 18:19

No, probably innocent but I’d not risk it given John Worboys.

This, absolutely not!

HavingABlether · 18/09/2026 18:37

NorrisToenail · 18/09/2026 18:23

I would assume your breath smells, sorry. I read a long time ago if someone offers you gum or a mint, that is why

I have Strong Mints on me every day and always offer if I'm having one. It's manners, not a reflection on their breath.

Tiptopflipflop · 18/09/2026 18:37

Recent a driver offered me a sweet from a packet, having had one himself. I politely declined. He then got really weirdly pushy about it trying to get me to change my mind. Which made me really glad I had declined.

Ponoka7 · 18/09/2026 18:38

3luckystars · 18/09/2026 18:27

Out of his mouth or out of a packet?

I would 100% take it out of a packet? There are trackers on everything now , he is hardly going to chance kidnapping you unless you are Dua Lipa.

Just have a Google, put in 'woman raped by taxi driver uk', unfortunately we don't have to be famous to be at risk.
No I wouldn't take anything from a man I was alone with.