Chewing Gum

K nurse-one-day · Oct 31, 2010

I have a personal vendetta against gum. I hate it, I hate how people look when they chew it, how they sound when they chew it, I hate the sound of people cracking, chomping, and popping gum. Its so rude and unprofessional.

The British government spends 24 million dollars annually to clean up the more that 30,000 pieces of gum that are spat into the streets every day.

Seriously?

Gum needs to be illeagal

klone, MSN, RN · Oct 31, 2010

When I'm helping a woman push out a baby, or assisting her with latching her newborn, I know that she doesn't want to smell my coffee breath or 5am-and-tired-as-a-dog breath. In fact, when I'm asked to go in to do a lactation consult, I specifically will put in a piece of gum. So yes, I do chew gum at work. I do not snap it or blow bubbles, nor do I chew with my mouth open. I really think it's the lesser of many evils.

ebear, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2010

coolpeach, not only no, but HELL NO! That is ridiculous! Take your breaks and full lunch time! I learned long ago that if I died, they'd just step over me. DON'T do that to yourself!:heartbeat

purple10 · Oct 31, 2010

we were always taught to not chew gum because of possible contamination (for those who feel the urge to cew like a bleepin cow) from saliva

greenfiremajick · Oct 31, 2010

"are auditioning to be a cow."
I learned to only chew it enough to release the flavor and then it doesn't get chewed any further.

Now that just COMPLETELY takes the fun out of it! I went to Christ The King in Indianapolis and St Barnabas, in Alabama....You brought back a FLOOD of memories, for me!

greenfiremajick · Oct 31, 2010

Gum needs to be illeagal

booooo, hiss, boooo!!!

greenfiremajick · Oct 31, 2010

We could not chew gum in my nursing program either, but that was nursing school. We also could not wear ANY jewelery at all (not stud earrings, pins, necklaces of any sort), and all tattoos had to be covered.
In the real world of nursing nurses wear jewelery, have tattoos, and chew gum. I chew gum at work, but try to be non-cow like about it. I do it because we go 12+ hours with one 30 minute break, and sometimes we do not get that. This means I do not EAT, DRINK, or otherwise nourish myself. After three shifts I honestly would be lucky to have taken in one days worth of calories (I have lost 11 pounds since starting to work). I know I am dehydrated I can feel it, and try to chug the water on the drive home.
The gum makes my mouth feel less dry, starves off a bit of the hunger, the sugar in the gum keeps my blood sugar from completely bottoming out, and I am sure it helps my 12 hour dragon breath.
Already I am going with out enough sleep, adequate food intake, fluid intake, and have to be apologetic for taking the time to pee. AND you want to take my GUM away ??? REALLY? Nope after I die of starvation, dehydration, and my overinflated bladder in dead in the car which I wrecked after being up for 19 straight hours 3 days in a row, and trying to drive home.....then you can take the gum from my dead mouth.

:yeah: :bow: :hhmth:

greenfiremajick · Oct 31, 2010

On a funny note, when I am confronted with a person who feels the need to smack their gum, whether it is a patient or a co-worker I will usually gently state "You must be really enjoying that gum" and will repeat it later if need be.
It doesn't attack but draws attention to the fact that I have noticed their offensive open mouth chewing.

I agree that one can chew without looking unprofessional...

However, your manner of addressing it would prob just **** me off. To me, that seems too passive/aggressive and I would prob just look at you and say something to the effect of "Why, yes....yes, I am." "Did you want a piece?" Of course, I also wouldn't chew like a cow chewing its cud, so it would be a non-issue..........

I deal so much better with someone that respectfully tells another how it is, as opposed to more genteel, or passive/aggressive methods....

greenfiremajick · Oct 31, 2010

I hate gum chewers! YUCK. I sat next to one yesterday while charting she is a tiny little thing, but the noise was LOUD and icky.

well, dang...I guess us "gum-chewers" don't get no love from you then....Yes, I realize that was a horror show of grammatically incorrect usage of the English language....But it just goes along with my redneck gum popping reputation! Heh....

GHGoonette, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2010

I have a personal vendetta against gum. I hate it, I hate how people look when they chew it, how they sound when they chew it, I hate the sound of people cracking, chomping, and popping gum. Its so rude and unprofessional.
The British government spends 24 million dollars annually to clean up the more that 30,000 pieces of gum that are spat into the streets every day.
Seriously?
Gum needs to be illeagal

I agree 100% with the irritant factor of inconsiderate gum chewers, and as for the cost of cleaning up after them...

Anyone ever sat unawares on a discarded wad of gum, and then have to try to clean it off their clothes afterwards? I have-off a very expensive georgette skirt!

I've had visitors whose kids stuck gum wads underneath my table!!!

If you really want to chew gum and are discreet about it, and are considerate and hygienic in how you dispose of it afterwards, that's fine by me; hang on to your habit. I won't scream "ban it."

But for those of you who exercise your jaws to the maximum, please take a look in the mirror while you are doing so, and get a close-up view at what the rest of us have to look at.

If you pop bubbles, please do so in the privacy of your own room, so you can keep your bugs and plaque to yourselves.

And if you dispose of it on any old convenient surface, you deserve to have it rubbed into your hair!

remifentanil · Oct 31, 2010

Gum chewing is something I do in the operating room while I am at work. Generates saliva and it is sometimes 6 hours before I can go get a drink of water.

I REALLY like nurses who can not only chew loudly with their mouths open.... but can make it SNAP on each chew... that is SOOOO dope ghetto...

I have tried numerous times to replicate this skill.. but to no avail.. I stand in awe of those who can.

It is truly a class act thing to do.

K nurse-one-day · Oct 31, 2010

I agree 100% with the irritant factor of inconsiderate gum chewers, and as for the cost of cleaning up after them...
Anyone ever sat unawares on a discarded wad of gum, and then have to try to clean it off their clothes afterwards? I have-off a very expensive georgette skirt!
I've had visitors whose kids stuck gum wads underneath my table!!!
If you really want to chew gum and are discreet about it, and are considerate and hygienic in how you dispose of it afterwards, that's fine by me; hang on to your habit. I won't scream "ban it."
But for those of you who exercise your jaws to the maximum, please take a look in the mirror while you are doing so, and get a close-up view at what the rest of us have to look at.
If you pop bubbles, please do so in the privacy of your own room, so you can keep your bugs and plaque to yourselves.
And if you dispose of it on any old convenient surface, you deserve to have it rubbed into your hair!

True dat

I was at Fort Jackson Army base for my younger brother army bootcamp graduation a few weeks ago, a woman sat behind me chewing gum, and every time she would chew, she would SNAP the gum as loud as she could. Through the entire graduation, the prayer, saluting the flag, awards, the soldiers marching, everything. All you could hear is "snap snap crack crack". UGH! Both my parents had to get up and move (they're the same way as me about gum) and I pretty much missed the whole ceremony b/c I was turned around glaring at her 2/3 of the time. I even said something to her and she still wouldn't stop.

If you absolutely cannot make it one more minute without chewing the wretched stuff, at least have a little consideration for those around you