What’s Bubble Gum?
Child, Preschool September 19th, 2008Keatkeat: “Mommy, what is a gum?”
Widening my mouth and showing my uneven rows of teeth, raised up my pretty index finger and pointed to the row of pink flesh holding those teeth up. “That’s gum.” I replied.
Keatkeat: “Mommy, then what’s bubble?”
Widened my eyes! “You KNOW what bubble IS!”
Keatkeat: “Oh so its that bubble I see when I bathe right?”
Me: “Yeeesss….” Wondering where are these questions leading to…
Keatkeat: “So bubble gum is BUBBLE ON THE GUMS, right?”
*Super laugh*
You see, Singapore Government banned selling of gums long before Keatkeat was born and we never brought him OUT of Singapore before. So he had no idea what Bubble gum is. He heard it from his classmate, who (I guess) probably went to Malaysia over the weekend and bought some back.
Me: “No dear, Bubble Gum is a kind of ‘sweet’. You can chew on it and when you chew long enough, you can create a big bubble by blowing into it….”
Keatkeat: *Eyes and Jaws opened up* “Wahhh…Can you show me?”
Me: “I don’t have Bubble Gum now..”
Keatkeat: “Then go buy it…”
Me: “Singapore doesn’t sell it, we have to go to other countries to get it.”
Keatkeat: “Then can you go now?”
Me: *laugh* “When I have the chance to go other countries, I’ll buy for you ok? But you CANNOT SWALLOW the Bubble Gum.”
Keatkeat: “Why cannot?”
Me: “Cos’ its NOT MEANT to be swallowed. Its sticky like PlayDoh, so if you swallowed it…hmmm…maybe it will stick to your stomach and not come out as poo poo…”
Keatkeat: “Huh?! Then I don’t want to eat Bubble Gum…”
In my heart I was thinking, when he really get to see the ‘bubble’ forming from the gum, I don’t think he’ll say that. *wink*
September 20th, 2008 at 1:13 am
This post makes me feel like eating a bubble gum now!
September 20th, 2008 at 7:54 am
But now I am in a need to know of why any government would ban bubblegum?
crazymummas last blog post..
September 20th, 2008 at 11:42 am
CrazyMumma,
This law was created because people disposed of gum incorrectly by sticking it under chairs, etc.., Incorrect disposal of gum led to this law banning gum. Chewing gum is banned in Singapore under the “Regulation of Imports and Exports (Chewing Gum) Regulations.” Except for chewing gum of therapeutic value, the “importing” of chewing gum into Singapore is absolutely banned.
A common misconception among citizens is that personal use quantities of chewing gum are allowed into Singapore. However, according to the set of Regulations, “importing” means to “bring or cause to be brought into Singapore by land, water or air from any place which is outside Singapore …” any goods, even if they are not for purposes of trade. The set of Regulations also does not make any provisions for personal use quantities to be brought into Singapore. Therefore, bringing chewing gum into Singapore, even small quantities for whatever purpose, is technically prohibited.
September 20th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Kids are just so curious about everything and anything, isnt it?
ContentedMoms last blog post..What would you have done?
September 20th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
my kids love it!
September 21st, 2008 at 12:21 am
you’re very cute -lah….
and keat keat even cuter hehehe…if one day i come visit you in pg, i will show keat keat what is the REAL Bubble gum like…
junes last blog post..Rachael turns 11 months old
September 21st, 2008 at 8:35 am
I’ve never heard of that law before.
Tammys last blog post..Camera Critters #24
September 21st, 2008 at 4:37 pm
hahaha! Yeah, it is tough to explain when you can show it yeah?
September 21st, 2008 at 4:37 pm
I mean you ‘can’t’… :P
September 21st, 2008 at 7:51 pm
I was going to ask what Crazzymumma asked but now I just want to know how you feel about such strict regualtions on something that in our part of the world is just pure silly. Curious.
Also, I chew one pack of gum a day every day I work. I swallow every piece. EEK! Horrible habit. (My butt does not blow bubbles, just in case you were curious.)
Erins last blog post..LOVING OLD
September 22nd, 2008 at 1:38 am
Though those days were really tough, cos I’m always stepping on a gum or two or sitting on one or trying to get the gum off the buttons in the lift, almost every day, it was irritating, I have to admit.
But when the law was passed, I wasn’t that supportive either…I guess, I’m just hard to please….*laugh*
September 22nd, 2008 at 9:24 am
My kids wanted to try it but I worried they might swallow it.
LZmommys last blog post..Bento #83 – Bear
September 24th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
clever little girl. why isnt bubble gum like a bath bubble!
Tinas last blog post..WORDLESS WEDNESDAY – You looking at me?
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:43 am
Nothing seems to be easier than seeing someone whom you can help but not helping.
I suggest we start giving it a try. Give love to the ones that need it.
God will appreciate it.