I grew up in the south, that is no secret. What I have held as a closely guarded secret is when I was in grade school, I so wanted to snap my gum like the other girls. I have no idea how they made that amazing sound come out of that tiny pink rubbery goo, but it was awesome!
Then I went to boarding school… (she hangs her head in shame) Please don’t think less of me. I didn’t want to go. But what I will carry with me forever is now every time (no joke- EVERY TIME) I put a piece of gum in my mouth, I hear Mrs. Elmore say “ladies do not chew gum in public”. That and my mother’s insistence that anyone who chews gum looks like a cow chewing it’s cud. it’s bound to have some effect.
Sure enough, I have an intense sensitivity to gum chewing around me.
Enter hell. I worked in an office where the girl who sat next to me smacked gum all day long. Not only that, when she was upset, the gum smacking got louder and more animated. My head nearly exploded. Then one day I went into a meeting and EVRYONE in this meeting from the dingbat to the VP was chewing gum. Really. Really?! So, to say I am sensitive to gum chewing is the understatement of the century. Thanks Mom. (crazy- the phone just rang and it was Mom… creepy)
Enter my new semi-regular commentary on life in transit. “transit rant” Now that I’m back taking the Tri-Met that I love to work work every day, I am bombarded with these things. The first of which was that guy and his “pants“. This week it is gum.
There was a beautiful woman on the bus the other day. The first thing I noticed was her hair. Great haircut, falls just perfectly. Naturally straight. Bitch. Then her skin is flawless. Gorgeous red coat. Tapered to fit. Tall. Everything about her was immaculate. Then I saw it. Gum. chew. chew. chew.chew. chew.chew…
I leave you with a quote from my Muther (say with a strong southern accent) “oh, harras” (translation for Yankees: oh, Horrors)
Lula Harp 
My mom used to say the same thing. And she was a hippie from Northern California.
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Evidently mothers are the same no matter where they are from!
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Your mother was right, LOL! This is a riot. Don’t get me started on the “pants” thing! Margie
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I may never be at a “place” in my life that I can tell her she was right! 😉
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My mother’s only comment about gum was her disliking hearing ‘gum snapping’, especially while on a transit bus.
(Self blog promotion here) I posted “Something to chew on…” back in May 2011 and noted the following: On the commuter train I take to work I would see a woman, mid-thirties, who was attractive and sociable. One day I noticed she had become friendly with a fellow commuter and a few days later I overheard them talking about going on a first date that weekend. Monday rolls around and she sits down next to him; however, I noticed the guy is somewhat distant. I could not hear their conversation and she appeared to be doing most of the talking. What I could see was her chomping away open mouth on a wad of gum. CHOMPING! As we pulled into our station, he looked embarrassed to know her. They sat apart the following day. I can only imagine how their date went.
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I read your comment while waiting for my bagel to toast at the coffee shop across from my office. I snort laughed and I’m certain the guys waiting for their coffee now think I’m certifiable 🙂 oh well.
I agree completely with the bus guy. I dated a guy once that I really liked and I told him once how much it bothered me and he promptly threw it out and we never had to have that conversation again. Gum chomping instantly makes someone unattractive.
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Ahahahahaha! That video is priceless! Yes, my mother also used the “cow chewing cud” comparison with me. I think it is a required reading in the motherhood manual, right up there with, “If you keep making that face, it may get stuck that way forever!” and “I have eyes in the back of my head, so don’t think you can get away with that!”. I personally do chew gum to help keep my ears from plugging, but I really do try to keep the snapping to a minimum! 🙂
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