I am no gum-prude, but

[AnaheimGirl]

Don't you think, that if a person is going to stand up and talk in front of 250 people at his father's memorial service, that he ought to take the gum out of his mouth first?

Or at least, shove it into one cheek and stop the open-mouthed chomping for the 5 minutes he's up there?

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Wow!! That's awful!!

 

[debster812]

Don't you think, that if a person is going to stand up and talk in front of 250 people at his father's memorial service, that he ought to take the gum out of his mouth first?

Or at least, shove it into one cheek and stop the open-mouthed chomping for the 5 minutes he's up there?

If it was his own father's memorial service, and he had the fortitude to get up in front of all those people and speak, I highly doubt he was even aware he had the gum in his mouth.

I did a reading a my BIL's funeral last year, and got through it with some great advice from a fellow DISer, and by twisting a pen in my hands. I shudder to think about what everyone was saying about me.

 

[kdibattista]

I would think the last thing on his mind at his father's memorial service is his gum.

 

[hentob]

I despise when people chew gum while public speaking.

But, in defense of the son of the deceased, perhaps his mouth was really, really dry. Sometimes when people cry a lot they get dehydrated. Maybe this was to "keep him on his feet"?

 

[LindsayDunn228]

You guys all make some good points and are probably right. I don't know. It's just if I was speaking at my parent's memorial I would hope I wouldn't be doing anything to dishonor her/his memory. I have been to services where there was water for the speaker and thought that was pretty smart.

My first speaking engagement when I was Jr. Miss Wheelchair TN was a local morning show. I was a nervous wreck and mouth was horribly dry. I popped in some gum beforehand to try and help it. Nope. Didn't work. I put the gum in the side of my cheek while I spoke and the durn thing made me all tongue tied and I'm sure I looked like an idiot. I never did that again.

 

[AnaheimGirl]

You know, you may be right, and I may be being overly critical. But I have been in that position, with both of my parents, the first one at the age of 23, and I still had the presence of mind to make sure I looked presentable before going up there.

Of course, everyone handles their grief differently.

 

[Anotherguynamedbob]

Here's a thought. Maybe, just maybe, he was suffering with the loss of his father and didn't realize the gum was there. But it was sure nice of you to pay attention, get all upset about it and report it on this board.

 

[Beth76]

Normally, I'd agree, but his father just died. Maybe he didn't realize he had it or who knows.

 

[AnaheimGirl]

Here's a thought. Maybe, just maybe, he was suffering with the loss of his father and didn't realize the gum was there. But it was sure nice of you to pay attention, get all upset about it and report it on this board.

Who said I was upset?

I only "reported" it because I thought I thought it was disgusting and I thought the "gum-prude" line was funny. But then, based on the way the guy treated his dad when he was alive, I'm sorry to say that his gum-chewing signified to me his lack of class, more than his suffering. Maybe I should have mentioned this up front?

My most sincere apologies to all the good and decent sons and daughters out there whose suffering caused them to forget about their gum at their parents' funerals.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Don't sweat the newbie, AnaheimGirl. I knew what you meant

 

[MouseWorshipin]

My need to chew gum since I quit smoking is almost pathologic. I chew all day, every day. Sometimes I sleep with gum in my mouth.

But, YES, if you're talking to folks, stick it up between your gum and cheek, for crying out loud!

However, he may have been distraught, overcome by grief, whatever. I'll cut him some slack on that account.