Customer told me to stop chewing gum at work?

54% Normal
20 Comments

First off, I'm 23 years old and work in a book store full time behind the information desk.

I do NOT chew my gum with my mouth open nor do I chew it like a cow, so don't suspect that.

I have to chew gum and I don't think anything is wrong with it nor does it seem unprofessional. I have to chew gum because my teeth are EXTREMELY sensitive in the winter and I found that chewing gum makes them feel 50% better. The pain is horrible if I don't chew the gum and I often get a headache. I already went to the dentist so don't tell me to do so. The dentist can't do anything. I already use sensitive toothpaste and that does nothing for me. My teeth hurt and gum makes it feel better. I should have the right to chew gum whenever I want, no? I dont even make a sound, all you see is my jaw moving.. What if it was a mint? Thats allowed..I'm just confused. Its not like I work an incredibly professional job..its a freaking book store.

The customer told me, "Don't be alarmed but I must say, your gum chewing is very unprofessional and child-like"

I'm 23, I own my own house, I support myself..Went to college for 4 years paid for it myself..I'm mature and well-mannered. I was COMPLETELY offended by that.

I said "I'm allowed to chew gum" but they shook their head at me and walked off. This is the second time someone has been annoyed with me for chewing gum. WHATS THE MATTER WITH CHEWING GUM? NOTHING AND IF IT TAKES THE PAIN AWAY, I CANT STOP IT. RUDE PEOPLE.

Voting Results
54% Normal
Based on 136 votes (73 yes)
Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 20 )
  • almostunreadable
    13 years ago

    It looks unprofessional to the old people yes. But keep chewing, when they die there will be no one to nag you about social codex from old times. As a token of respect, don't chew when you deal with customers (old and young alike).

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    2
    2
  • ms_funion
    13 years ago

    I think some ppl are just old fashioned and view gum chewing as tacky. just different beliefs.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    2
    2
  • underager
    12 years ago

    Tell them to go **** themselves.
    And then chew some gum.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
  • hellostrangers
    12 years ago

    Gum chewing is seen as unprofessional, but there is no way they could have known it was for pain. DONT TAKE IT SO PERSONALLY.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
  • themysteriousblue
    13 years ago

    You are being a little too sensitive and insensitive as well. That woman could have never known you had a health reason for chewing your gum. I don't care what any of the other "modern" folk say on here, chewing gum at work is NOT professional. If you HAVE to do it, if there is NO OTHER WAY IN THE WORLD for you to help your problem (which I refuse to believe), then just keep it discrete and polite, and if someone is disturbed by your "necessity," explain why you're doing it. If you don't want to reveal personal information, that's understandable, but let them know that you have a medical issue whose intensity is lessened by doing this. By calling that women rude and insensitive, you are no better than she is. Some people such as myself are driven insane by just the sight of people chewing gum; plus if you've never seen someone before then you obviously you don't know anything about them so...you can't make a fair judgement. She shouldn't have judged you and you shouldn't have judged her.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
      -
    • audiomuse
      10 years ago

      Yeah - next time I would tell them you chew it for a medical reason. If they are still upset about it, that's their problem. I can see how it looks a little unprofessional but it's not like you're waiting tables!

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • The_White_Spirit
    13 years ago

    Fuck old people

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • pyrope314
    8 years ago

    Ok grow up and stop being overly sensitive.

    First of all I doubt they know you got a medical condition. Second of all I highly doubt your chewing politely because if you were they wouldn't even notice the gum chewing. Trust me polite gum chewing is rarely noticeable. I know this may sound unusual even stupid but some people cannot hear their own chewing. My brother chews his gum really loudly sometimes to the point where I can hear him on the other side of the room. And when I told him to chew quietly he denies he actually chews loudly in the first place.

    So what you should do is start by asking your coworkers. "Hey how obnoxious is my gum chewing? Am I loud? Do I chew with my mouth open?" You may be one of those people who zones out and doesn't know they chew loudly.

    Now then that being said I will say it depends on your job. If your job doesn't involve a high level of public interactions (no questioning costumers, no long speeches, anything more than a cashier's level of public interaction is unprofessional). For example a medical industry where your asking patient question that gum smacking is EXTREEMLY distracting for patients. Also if your job involves the use of harmful chemicals or biohazards don't chew gum. Why? Well think of it this way, if your doing a urine test, and your chewing gum, that gum is absorbing urine particles. YOUR BASICALLY CHEWING PEE PEE PEOPLE!

    This is all under the asumption that you are chewing politely and quietly. So PLEASE ask a co-worker how you are with chewing gum. You'd be surprised.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • grahamsgirl
    12 years ago

    chill out you mysteriousblue idiot.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • grahamsgirl
    12 years ago

    fuck that bitch..she didnt have to say it that way. she is a damn hoe! i think she was very rude. child like? ha. stupid. i think you should keep chewing your gum cuz it makes you feel better and it wouldnt bother me at all if i saw you chewing it at work NO WAY UH UH. i like that you.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • lovedarklatinosandmixes
    13 years ago

    hi gum hurter,
    this is normal. gum chewing is considered obnoxious. but chew away or get a dog chew toy and put that in your mouth. my dog needs to chew too!!!!! anything and everything.
    get anal novaicaine for butt sex and put it on your gums.
    chomp. chomp. at least you don't have stinky breath.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • bleach_baby
    13 years ago

    well that was one long moan. The customers dont know your life story, obviously they just see you chewing gum which does look unprofessional wherever you work. Get over it.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • freebee
    13 years ago

    It's not old fashioned it's normal. It's not normal to chew gun drink tea or coffee or water in front of customers. The youth plus have no pride in appearance, they dong shave or wear clean tidy cloths. They are slobs God help the never generation.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    -3
    -3
  • BoredGuy
    13 years ago

    I always chew gum and I don't give a shit what a random retard thinks about it

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    -3
    -3
      -
    • grahamsgirl
      12 years ago

      oooooooooooooooooooooo yaaa

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • emilydoll
    12 years ago

    I chew gum at work.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    -1
    -1
  • ipeeintheshower
    13 years ago

    how the fuck is that child-like!? A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE CHEW GUM! WHAT THE FUCKS IS STUCK UP THERE ASS SO DEEP!

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    -1
    -1
      -
    • grahamsgirl
      12 years ago

      probably havent gotten layed in many years.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • [Old Memory]
    13 years ago

    Shouda said, "piss off, fascist."

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    -1
    -1
  • moomus
    13 years ago

    And "god" help those who can't spell, amen

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    -1
    -1