Etiquette Queen says: Leave your gum at home
BY SHERRY THOMAS
Recently, I looked in horror as a singer on stage at church rotated her jaw from side to side, taking great pride in her activity. It wasn't from reaching deep into her diaphragm to hit those high notes. She was 
chewing gum!
It was noticeable. It was uncomfortable. It was inappropriate.
Shortly afterward, I was in line at the supermarket and . . . pop, pop, slosh - there it was again
- that dreaded tongue -smacking, bubble-popping, chewing, right in my ear. The cheweress didn't seem to mind that the whole store was staring at her. This isn't uncommon, I've noticed. It seems that the smackers and poppers subscribe to some sort of "chewer's rights."
Teachers despise it. Restaurateurs spend thousands cleaning it up. Manolos are ruined by it.
Etiquette states, or at least I do, that gum is for chewing at home and only at home. In the etiquette world, we view it as tacky when done in public.
One touch underneath a student desk or restaurant table will tell you where much of it is deposited. One look at people who are subjected to it will tell you how they feel about it. Their glares "smack" of disdain.
Many of us enjoy a good chew (don't know why exactly, but we do) and bubble gum blowing is indeed a healthy competition and a whole lotta fun for kids, but . . . teach your children to be polite chewers.
Teach them the rules of gum and gum chewing - when to spit it out, where to dispose of it, how to dispose of it, and where and when they may indulge. And while you're at it, show this article to that friend or family member and tell 'em the EtiquetteQueen said so. Maybe he or she will get the hint.
Now . . . does anyone have any spearmint?
Sherry Thomas is president of The Palm Beach School of Etiquette and Life Skills. Visit the school's website and follow her on Twitter @EtiquetteQueen.
