Gum chewing is disgusting, rude, unattractive, disrespectful and pointless. We non-chewers are subjected to the incessant slurping, cracking, blowing and popping noises coming from the offender. Pass gas or belch and it’s over; put a wad of gum in your mouth and the offensive noises continue again and again and again. How can a cubicle mate get any work done with your constant chomping racket? We’re also subjected to the nasty chewing visual. Why is it considered improper to chew with your mouth open while eating food, but it’s common practice to let the world see the little pink gob bouncing around in the chewers mouth? If the gum chewers dined like they chew gum, they’d be considered barbarians. Our environment suffers, too. Take a walk down any street. You see those big, round black spots on the pavement? That’s gum. After offending all in their path, the chewer dumps his wad where it finds it’s way to the bottom of our shoes. Or, even more revolting, on our hands as we touch the bottom of tables and counters in restaurants. Finally, why do gum chewers want to resemble cows? The quickest way to improve your appearance is to smile. The quickest way to look ugly is to chew gum. Don’t believe it? We’ll wait while you gum chewers put the paper down and stand in front of a mirror for a minute or two. Attractive? I don’t think so. Expressing these simmering sentiments was prompted by the May 30th Ceremony at Ground Zero signifying the end of the recovery effort. One could not help being moved to tears by the sight of the victim’s families and the NYC firefighters and police. As the flat bed truck made it’s way up the ramp out of the site carrying the last beam and the flag draped cot, the officers and fireman stood at perfect attention saluting their fallen brothers. An incredible and powerful moment. How special these people are. But as the TV camera caught them standing at perfect attention and in full uniform saluting, what struck me was that some were chewing gum. Why? Why when you look your best at the most solemn of occasions honoring heroes? Does it matter, you might ask. They have far more important things on their minds. What’s important is the job they do and that we recognize them for it. Yes, they are special people and we’re lucky to have individuals who put their lives in danger for us. We should never forget the sacrifices they make. But for some reason gum chewing has become so popular and so tolerated, we don’t see it as disrespectful. You can bet there were smokers among them, but not one would dare light up during such an occasion. It was a hot day. No one would consider bending over to take a drink from a bottle of water. Gum chewing is in the same category. It had no place being there at that moment. Or any other moment when you want to make a good impression. Today you’ll see young business executives in their dress for success outfits who think nothing about what gum chewing is doing to their appearance and graduates from ivy league schools accepting their hard earned diplomas chewing like a herd of cattle. And lovely high school seniors, having parted with hundreds of dollars to look like a princess, destroying the look with a chiclet. Gum chewers say it relieves tension, freshens your breath and cleans your teeth. Well, go for a massage, have a mint and brush. If you insist on keeping this nasty habit, chew on your way home from work in your car. But first have the windows tinted. Call us for Business Etiquette Training and Business Etiquette Training Materials 973-857-6200 etiquette@corbyoconnor.com ©Copyright 2008. CORBY O'CONNOR ETIQUETTE & PROTOCOL. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS MATERIAL MAY BE REPRODUCED, STORED IN INFORMATION AND/OR RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS OR TRANSMITTED IN ANY WAY OR BY ANY MEANS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ELECTRONIC, MAGNETIC, DIGITAL, OPTICAL, LASER-BASED, MECHANICAL OR OTHERWISE,WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM CORBY O'CONNOR ETIQUETTE & PROTOCOL.