My mother always said that people chewing gum reminded her of a cow chewing its cud. I think I've grown up with that, so I am really turned off by gum chewing. Man-oh-man - some people just really go at it. It's annoying to me when someone I'm talking to on the phone is chewing gum (or chewing anything - it's rude), and I often travel on public transportation and see people chewing gum.

I think there's an ok way to chew gum if you have to, but so many people chomp or smack or squirt. I was sitting in a meeting this morning and the guy next to me had "parked" his gum up next to his upper teeth on the side near me, so when he talked his gum was clearly visible to me. Ugh. So unprofessional.

I might chew gum twice a year, usually after a onion or garlic laden meal out. I'll dispose of the gum after a couple minutes... I just use it to freshen the breath.

My Mom chews gum a lot and she makes a little popping noise when she chews. Drives me nuts!

We chew gum a week before leaving for a dive trip.....to strengthen our jaw. Yes, I chew it like a cow! :0)Otherwise.....altoids mints for our breath....which make me sneeze! :0)

Nope. Can't see the purpose of chewing something I can't swallow.

I like it as a breath freshener, but sugar free gum becomes tasteless and like cardboard quickly, so I usually dispose of it after a few minutes. I wonder if the prohibition against chewing gum in school helped to limit the habit?

I keep a big container beside me at my desk. I chew probably 3 pieces a day.
2 reasons: one is to freshen my breath and 2nd is to curb my appetite.
I usually throw away after 15 minutes or so.

I chew gum often.... but no smacking, cracking or loud noises please.. It keeps my mouth from drying out and I love the peppermint taste.

I just remembered something.

When I came to California (1958), I got my first job in the real estate dept. located in the main lobby of a bank. For some unknown reason, I WAS chewing a piece of gum one day. My boss, Mr.Brown (sure long dead) came over & fairly politely admonished me, saying that since I was in public view, gum-chewing was not appropriate. The funny thing is while he was tellng me this he was smoking a big, very smelly, cigar (as he always did). The other two guys (4 person department) were heavy cigarette smokers---in plain view---throughout the day. Funny how vices change.

I chew a lot of gum, not noisy, no cracking, but I can chew a piece most of the day, take it out, put it back, lol./

I have to chew gum several times a day to stimulate salivary gland production. I have extreme dry mouth. The nerves functioning my glands were damaged as a result of brain tumor surgery.

I'm a quiet gum chewer, no popping or smacking :)

Suzieque and I must have had the same mom. I never was allowed gum as a child and never got into that habit. I have to admit my mother was right, some people do chew it like a cow.

kfca that drove me bonkers the other day...a new store and the new clerk chewing while checking..and then when he'd made a mistake the manager was chewing, too...it just seemed impolite at the time..

i'd probably have gagged if your old boss smoked around me, lol...

Once in awhile I do, to freshen my breath, and only for a short time. Years ago, as a telephone operator we all "chewed" the entire shift to keep our mouth from getting so dry.

Not a gum chewer

I was never a gum chewer until I quit smoking. I chew mostly in the car or just after dinner. Those are my times. And I chew like a cow too. Plus blow bubbles! I don't do that in public though. I can only chew it for about 10 minutes and then have to toss it. I get headaches if I chew too long.

Trish in SC

I chew gum before I go to any meet and greet situation, such as teaching or greeting others at church. I personally like the Dentyne Ice type. In fact, I normally have multiple packets hidden around e.g. in my book bags, my glove compartment, etc. I actually don't chew it while I'm talking, I'm one of those swallowers .... according to my grandmom (long dead) I must have a huge wad in my stomach!

I chew gum to curb my appetite -- it's pretty painless to chew a stick of Juicy Fruit and it fools my brain into getting past that bored hungry feeling. For a while, all of Wrigley's gums were sugar-free but they somehow saw the light and put the sugar back in. I'm sure the sugar and flavor are gone rather quickly, and I can't chew gum with artificial sweeteners - yuk. My young son believes me (so far) when I tell him gum is for grown-ups only. So he's ok with walking past the gumball machines in the store entrances. Still wants candy, though....

I chew gum also. I've never really thought about it being rude in public. I don't chew it like a cow or in a gross manner (I hope). I bet it will be something I will start looking for when in public. LOL
I have always corrected my children on how to chew gum, no smacking, bubbles, etc.
I will try not to chew it during business doings now that it has been mentioned as rude, mainly because I will think of this post.

I started chewing gum when I tried to quit smoking over 30 yrs ago. I never liked it, then when I really quit 4 years ago I've been steady chewing all the time. I still don't like it but its better then smoking except when I break my teeth chewing!

I chewed gum as a kid and as a young adult. I quit for a few years and went back to it when this burning tongue syndrome started and quit again later. Haven't chewed it in years now.

I'm supposed to chew gum to help my ears. Doctor recommended the same to my DS years ago when he was in grade school and had problems with clogged tubes.