"Popping Gum Ain't Always Fun".

It's time for class. Today you have an exam in one of those general ed. college classes you loathe (because they have nothing to do with your major), and you've studied for an excessive amount of hours, had a nice snack before the class, made flashcards, threw on your favorite sweatpants (because you know you can leave after the exam and that bed is calling your name), and you're certain you're ready. The class is silent because everyone's heads are looking down at their desks reviewing for the last few minutes before the class begins. Your professor walks in, greets the class, throws in a totally not-funny joke, and begins handing out the exam. Pencil in hand, you're ready. Within moments, you're filling in answers and in the process, a "POP!" breaks the silence. Strike ONE. It throws you off, but you get back to your exam. Again, "POP!". Strike TWO, dude. Looking around, you spot a fellow classmate chewing on some gum. The enemy...you lower your eyes and exhale (extremely loud) in hopes the villainous gum chewer will take the hint. Then, a triple combo "POP! POP! POP!" Strike THREE! Now, your eyes are rolling and the huffing multiplies. I know you've probably done it too. There's always one of them...somewhere. We want to avoid being offensive or coming off as rude, but, despite our failing sound effects, we really want to shout "Can YOU stop popping your *#$%@ gum! DANG!!" It doesn't work like that, friends...no matter how badly we want to stomp their gum to death, shred their exam, or turn green and lose control like the Hulk. The worst part of this situation is there is usually no way to keep the gum popper content if you ask them to stop. Most get offended as if we stole the gum from their mouth. Gum poppers are one of the types in almost every classroom. It can be deadly.

Despite the risk of cavities many of us take to express our undying love for gum and to defeat superterribleawful breath- according to certain studies- there are actual benefits of gum chewing. Gum chewing is beneficial for holding off hunger...but not for a long time (I don't think this works for me). Sugar-free gum or caffeinated gum is good for a mini caffeine fix as well. Another suggested benefit, is that gum chewing  can assist in relieving stress and assisting with focus. The only downfall I believe related to this benefit is that concentrating too hard results in some of us having injured tongues because we accidentally bit down on them...or the jaw (the pain is NO joke...my 'lanta). One of the major benefits I think is pretty important is that gum chewing boosts the powers of the brain! It assists with maintaining focus, blood flow to the brain, remembering things, and it kicks fatigue in the genitals! What's better than that? The gum can be sugared gum or sugar-free gum. How lovely...but...we still don't want to hear you popping your gum! There are places in which gum popping is less of a problem: at home, on the toilet, walking, when you're alone, when you're alone, when you're alone. Those are just a few possible places, but in the classroom during an exam or lecture, in the library, at your place of employment where you constantly interact with customers,  on the phone, and (especially) when you're having a face-to-face conversation with another individuals is not-at all- okay. It speaks inconsideration, and although it may be a habit for some of us (so the popping is so far from intentional) it's almost as horrid as hearing someone snoring...in class. Popping is for poppin'-n-lockin', popping corn, popping the backside (when the time is right...heeyyy), popping Pringles...and I guess popping gum, but in the right place. Gum poppers, take heed to the sound effects. Someone is probably directing the sounds to you and your loud affair with your gum. Habit, love affair, addiction, you name it, but please pop it at the right time...or pop at your own risk!

http://healthland.time.com/2012/06/22/hack-your-gum-boost-brainpower-and-fix-everything/

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/22/chewing.gum.benefits/index.html?eref=rss_latest

With Realness,
Bee Elae
1/29/2014