Snapping Gum

[Pedal Wench]

How about an anonymous note on her desk. "The noise from your gum-chewing is quite disruptive to the work environment, and we would all be more productive and happy if this behavior would stop. Immediately.

Signed: A Concerned Coworker and an friend "

Yes, put the smiley in there.

[fastdogs]

If you do the note, you might even be able to get signatures of others in the office who are bothered by it (some people won't say anything on their own, but might be part of a group).
I'm with the people who say record her and play it back for her. Especially if she realizes it bothers people and still does it anyway. Play it back loud where she can't get away from it.
I hate gum noises too, and open-mouthed-cow-like gum chewing. But if I were doing something that really bothered an office mate, I'd sure like to know about it so I could stop, or be more aware of it if it was something I couldn't stop.
vickie

[michelem]

In particular, it was the LOUD slurping noises I found disgusting. Keep in mind, BART is loud in and of itself - to be able to hear the slurping noises over and above the train noises (I'm surprised people who commute by BART every day do not go deaf from the train noises) . . . In my opinion (and, yes, I do understand we are all different and have different opinions), some things just should NOT be done in public places - such as toe sucking!

Just to weigh in...I really don't understand characterizing either gum snapping (however annoying) or toe sucking (despite that I probably wouldn't do it in public), as actually gross or disgusting. We sure are all different.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Making loud open-mouthed noises while chewing gum is no different than chewing food with your mouth open. People should keep their mouths closed when eating and when chewing gum or when burping, etc. It's just the polite and considerate thing to do in public.
I am appalled at the multitudes of attractive intelligent young people I see these days in their teens and twenties -all eating food in restaurants with their mouths hanging wide open, displaying the food to the world as it slowly disintegrates, making gooey sticky noises. They often talk to others while doing this as well, exhibiting their amazing ability to multi-task.
It's just unbelievable to me.

[mimitabby]

disintegrates, making gooey sticky noises.

It's just unbelievable to me.

Sorry, you are cracking me up!

[li10up]

How about an anonymous note on her desk. "The noise from your gum-chewing is quite disruptive to the work environment, and we would all be more productive and happy if this behavior would stop. Immediately.

Signed: A Concerned Coworker and an friend "

Yes, put the smiley in there.

Heck, if the direct approach didn't work I doubt leaving a note would do any good. This office is bizarre...half won't talk to the other half. I refuse to take sides so I keep mostly to my self.

When my boss got promoted to the Dept. Head I had his diploma framed with a very nice mat. Cost me about $200. But it was a gift and I wanted to do it. He was the one that hired me. About a year ago someone supposedly made a complaint against him (no it wasn't me who complained). He took down the diploma and it has been sitting on his floor since then. He also removed the marble name plate we got him for his desk when he was promoted. Sometimes I feel like I'm working with a bunch of 4th graders. If you think the boss is bad the others are 10 times worse.

Lisa, will you come to TX and straighten these people out?!?

[mimitabby]

may I ask what kind of business you are in?
I cannot imagine buying my boss a gift beyond the price of a candy bar and he's a very nice man
I cannot imagine people "Not speaking"
on the other hand, where i work, there are 7 men to every woman. A lot of
the cat fight mentality just does not exist here.

[Possegal]

when i was a kid my mum's best friend snapped her gum and i thought it was the coolest thing. i asked her to teach me and she refused. she told me she hated that she did it but she sort of couldn't chew gum and not do it, it wasn't a conscious thing she was doing. so the only way to not do it was to not chew gum, which she didn't do while working since she was a bell telephone operator and kinda couldn't do that and work. i think the coworker kinda can't chew gum and not snap it, it is sort of reflexive to her. therefore, the gum needs to stay at home.

the noise would bother me a lot too. then again i'm sitting in my office with my door shut to the rest of the folks 99.9% of the day. and 2 days a week i'm at home working where my cat has yet to develop any annoying habit like gum snapping.

wish i had an answer for you, i'd be just as bothered i've got to say.

[li10up]

may I ask what kind of business you are in?
I cannot imagine buying my boss a gift beyond the price of a candy bar and he's a very nice man
I cannot imagine people "Not speaking"
on the other hand, where i work, there are 7 men to every woman. A lot of
the cat fight mentality just does not exist here.

I'm in the I.T. field...county government. She has been here for 5 years and has never popped her gum before. Maybe she's trying to make a statment of some sort. Although, there was no popping at all today. When my boss hired me it really increased my income. I was very appreciative. Plus in three years I was promoted up two positions. I am now in year seven and am basically the 2nd in line. I have been promoted over those who have been here longer than me. I'm sure that has caused some ill feelings. But I can't help that. So, he and I have, or at least had, a good working relationship until he became suspicious of everyone in the office. It is slowly improving back to what it once was....but the atmosphere in this office really stinks. I refuse to play all the games that are going on here.

[mimitabby]

wow. That sounds great! I am sorry about all the political nonsense though.