For instance when you are a TV or video host or talk to the customers. I have seen people doing it when hosting shows on youtube, also in lots of movies when actors play clerks for instance. Is it more of a movie thing or actually accepted in the society?

28 comments

  1. I can’t imagine the toxicity of the personality of the person who cares if the cashier at the store is chewing gum.

  2. No, that would be considered rude and unprofessional behavior.

    In movies, they use chewing gum as shorthand for “this character is low class” or “this character doesn’t give a shit” *because* what they’re doing is flippant or inappropriate or unprofessional.

    Also, gum has fallen out of favor here in general since the 2000s. I actually can’t remember the last time I saw someone casually chewing gum. (Not a quick chew to freshen breathe after a heavy garlic meal or something. That’s still common.)

  3. It really depends on context. It’s not seen as particularly classy or professional but the vast majority of Americans wouldn’t really care.

  5. I’ve always assumed it was to help with saliva. Only time I’ve noticed is with singers. I know Dave Grohl uses gum during live shows.

    We don’t have a cultural taboo about chewing gum or not.

  7. More of a movie thing tbh. I don’t see anyone chewing gum at most places I’ve worked but alot of that is in kitchens at restaurants where gum chewing isn’t happening. I don’t pay attention enough at stores to notice if the workers are chewing gum I can hardly even tell you what they look like so I wouldn’t make a deal out of it but I can see where someone may have a problem with it.

  8. At work, I wouldn’t care

    Talking to an audience, I would find a bit annoying. Especially if they were making chewing sounds into a microphone

  10. I chew gum at work all the time.

    I would chew when public speaking. Chewing noises are annoying over a microphone.

  11. I found it depends on how they chew the gum. Some do it subtly and others chew it loud with snapping or like a cow chewing cud.

  12. I’ve never seen anyone who has a problem with it. I’ve also seen a lot of people quitting chewing or cigarettes go to chewing gum because of the oral fixation. If you’re audibly chewing gum and blowing bubbles I could see that being a problem.

  13. I chew gum pretty much all day every day and never had a problem with anyone. I was a surgical tech and chewed under my mask every single day 🤷🏻‍♀️ I hate the feeling of my mouth even getting slightly dry.

  14. Honestly, I do it because it helps alleviaelte dry mouth I get from being nervous. If I am speaking I don’t really chews as much but just tuck between cheek and gums, roof of mouth or under my tongue. I do this because the flavor last longer than a hard candy, thus allowing me to salivate.

    I try not to chew it and talk because it is distracting. I know it is highly frowned upon, but most people I’ve been around seem to not mind if one isnt popping it and blowing bubbles. I will say when I worked around food it was forbidden, due to it being considered a health hazard.

  15. Only if you’re famous enough. It’s rude and unprofessional if you or I do it, but when Dave Grohl does it, it’s an endearing idiosyncrasy.

  16. As an adult it is seen as a sign of disrespect if younger people are doing it. It basically gives the impression that the person chewing the gum does not care what you are saying, and that they are “too cool” for you.

    Obviously this is not reality though, some people just like to chew gum.

  17. Gum is fucking disgusting. It’s practically the same as tobacco chew. No one wants to see a bright blue wad stuck in your craw or watch you spit it out or wait for you to take our your gum prior to eating or making out.

  18. There are 47 comments, three mentions of Dave Grohl, and zero of anyone else. It’s not common to chew gum when you’re a performer, on stage, or otherwise the focus of the conversation.

    I never chew gum anymore because of TMJ, but I also almost never see anyone else chewing it. Movies must have done a number on me because I do associate it with being low class, and I can’t imagine any of the wealthy people I know chewing gum in a public setting.

  19. If you’re a news host or something, then no, it would not be okay for you to chew gum. If you’re working in an office or something, I don’t see why anyone would care. If you’re working in a lab, or in certain industrial areas, you can’t have food or drink for safety/contamination reasons, so that’s a no go for non-social reasons.

  20. I was taught that it was rude to chew gum when talking to someone. Its sort of the same category as don’t talk with your mouth full. I don’t recall many movies or TV shows where they show that unless its to specifically show the person is rude or doesn’t care, like a bored and angry receptionist, or rebellious teenager.

  23. I couldn’t begin to care if someone chews gum. Why the fuck would it matter to me? I will say, I direct theatre and have a no gum onstage rule. But that’s because it can affect articulation and poses a choking hazard when taking deep breaths.

  27. Talking to an audience, no. At work, probably depends on the work. Nobody cares if you’re sitting at your desk writing code and chewing gum.

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