I give a tour of our offices for visitors sometimes for the company I work for. Is it bad manners for me to chew a little piece of gum while I do this? I don't mean that I sit there and chomp on it, but I'm talking about subtly chewing a little piece of Big Red or something. Is this bad manners?
If you were in a tour I was giving, would you be offended/distracted by this?
2006-10-25 07:58:43 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Yes, it is bad manners - particularly since you are giving a company tour to visitors. Remember, many times, you may be the first, and sometimes the only, representative of your organization that will actually meet and spend time with the general public. And many times, lasting impressions of a company -positive and negative- are made by the general public through interaction with employees such as receptionists, elevator operators, tour guides, etc. And yes, I would be offended by gum chewing. If you're concerned about your breath....carry the little mouthwash spray so that you can "spritz" now and then. My advice....present yourself in the best possible light....in doing so, you're making a great impression for yourself and the company you represent. :-)
2006-10-25 08:57:56 · answer #1 · answered by SWTBRNSGR 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you do not have to speak alot and are not chewing loudly or making it apparent, it should be fine. It would not be rude especially if you have to speak to a group that is in close proximity to you during the tour (I'd much rather a speaker have fresh breath!). But if you do have to give thorough or long explanation of how things are run in your office, you should dispose of the gum and switch to a mint before the tour. :)
2006-10-25 08:52:13 · answer #2 · answered by Annieo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As Oprah said "No one looks attractive chewing gum." I agree and I would be very distracted by it.
It is completely unnecessary. If you want to freshen you breath, as someone else answered, use the breath strips or spray. Chomp away in private, but not in public.
2006-10-25 09:43:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is bad manners. I don't think I would be offended, distracted definitely, plus I would wonder about your respect for your employment.
It is never considered appropriate, at least not in "polite society", to chew gum in public.
2006-10-25 08:28:25 · answer #4 · answered by Rembrandt11 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you don't have to talk a lot that would be fine. But if it was noticeable I would be offended, sorry, I would feel like you did not care enough to be articulate in the presentation.. But if it is for hygiene purposes I think a small mint like a tic-tac would be better.
2006-10-25 08:10:59 · answer #5 · answered by m_haney8145 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, I wouldn't be offended as long as you weren't like a cow chewing cud. Just to be on the safe side (& not piss anyone off), maybe try tic-tacs or other small candy.....
2006-10-25 08:13:08 · answer #6 · answered by TML ♥'er 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would find it tacky. One of those Listerine Pocket Packs or a Liquid Ice would freshen your breath and disappear more quickly.
2006-10-25 08:07:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should definitely NOT chew gum in that case.
2006-10-25 08:07:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just don't chew like a cow and noone should mind.
2006-10-25 08:06:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that ppl will consider this unpolite... I would be distracted by that
2006-10-25 08:07:58 · answer #10 · answered by Not your B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋