Wall Of Gum
I’ve just learned that chewing gum is against the law in Singapore. No wonder my friends who lived there moved back to Des Moines.
Apparently the law was enacted in 1992 due to ‘incorrect disposal’ of dead gum: citizens stuck it under restaurant tabletops one too many times.
We need no such law in America; we are much more self-disciplined with regard to gum disposal. We have the Wall of Gum.
The city of Seattle is the proud host of the massive Wall, which has ample space for all Americans to deposit their expired Double Bubble in a correct, responsible way.
Understandably, the wall has been pronounced the second most germy tourist attraction in the world (second only to the Blarney Stone) but we go anyway, determined to protect our restaurant tables from that knee-sticking blight that led to Singapore’s Draconian crackdown.
As everyone knows, chewing gum develops muscular jaws and it helps you concentrate. (You’re supposed to chew while taking the SATs.) If the Singaporians are tired of having weak jaws and not getting into Harvard, they should forward these pictures of the Wall to the people who make gum laws. This senseless deprivation should end; Singapore should build one of these babies and let their citizens get back to gum.
I have a friend who was from Singapore and she told me about the anti-gum rule. At first I thought, ‘What an odd rule’ but the fines on certain offences are quite high to deter such piggish behavior. But you’re right, what’s needed is SELF DISCPINE. Theoretically, that would be wonderful, but practically, the Singapore Gov. might be on the right track, sadly. The human race is getting to be LAZY, and so, in order to keep their citizens on the straight and narrow, the government of Singapore has had to hit its citizens where they live; right in the wallet.
On the other hand, the WALL OF GUM might be a more…telling statement on the way we incorrectly dispose of gum. Any chance it’ll make people think. We can only hope.
oh yeah? well i enjoy chewing while i drive then rolling down the window as i cruise along and shooting the gum out onto the street with a nice loud “THWAT!”
I was in Singapore in 1992 and remember vendors selling a t-shirt bearing the legend “Singapore – it’s a Fine city”. It then has illustrations of numerous things you could be fined for. Gum was one of them; urinating in elevators was another. While I’m not sure how much of a problem elevator urination was prior to this law being enacted I’m frankly all for it – imagine being the person stuck in an elevator with some fool who not only relieves himself but adds insult to injury by then sticking his chewing gum on the hand rail or button panel.
Dear Jessica,
If you know Singapore’ history, you will appreciate what they have done. Once upon a time Singapore was as bad as a hell. The river was so dirty, that fish could not survive there because of lack of oxygen. Even a blind man sitting in the bus would know that the river has come, because of the nauseating stench coming therefrom. One man who totally transformed the country is their Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and his Peoples’ Action Party. His autobiography “From Third World to First – A Singapore Story” is worth reading.
Just when you think you’ve heard everything here comes an incredible story like this one, thanks for sharing Jessica.
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog. 🙂 Cheers! Sandra. R.
[…] Seattle it’s a no-brainer. I’m heading straight for the famous Wall of Gum. Minneapolis has a mall the size of Tunisia, which might be fun, and Chicago has two feet of snow and […]
Dear Jessica –
Looks like you are a traveler . . . looking for Wall of Gum, Jr., aka Bubble Gum Alley . . . come to one of the happiest places, San Luis Obispo, CA. Yes, we have a wall of gum, were one of the first to ban smoking in public buildings, and have plethora of “foodie” restaurants. Still have a formerly-typical downtown where small business owners know each other and sweep the sidewalks before opening their doors. We are surrounded by wineries and close to the beautiful seaside towns of Morro Bay and Avila Beach. We have a SLO Film Festival in March and a Mozart Festival in August. . .let’s not forget a County Fair, as well.
I think you’d really enjoy a visit to our Bubble Gum Alley . . . tacky surrounded by fun!
Happy traveling. . .
Embee of MB