Once again, President Obama has managed to offend his foreign hosts. This time in India while as an honored guest at their lavish Republic Day parade:
“In an ungainly sight, cameras caught US President Barack Obama chewing gum during the Republic Day parade on Monday. In the picture captured by cameras and posted on Twitter by some users, Obama was spotted removing his chewing gum while PM Modi was seen trying to explain something to the US president,” reports the Times of India.
Obviously, this is not simply a cultural faux pas limited to India. It is considered rude world-wide, including in the United States.
Of course, this is not the first time Obama has offended his foreign hosts and others by chewing gum at events. Here are 8 other times I found in a Google search:
- On November 11th, 2014, Obama outraged the Chinese while attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
- On November 15th, 2014, while at the G20 summit in Australia.
- On June 6th, 2014, at the 70th anniversary of D-Day ceremony in France.
- January 20th, 2013, at his own inauguration ceremony.
- Late 2012, at a Pentagon retirement ceremony.
- In June 2012, at the G20 summit in Mexico.
- In November 2011, at the G20 summit in France.
- In May, 2011, while attending a memorial for the victims of the deadly tornadoes in Joplin, Missouri.
Seriously, what’s this guy’s problem? I know the media likes to brush this off because he is supposedly chewing Nicorette gum to kick his smoking habit, but America’s Commander-in-Chief should know and practice basic social etiquette! Especially after being criticized for his display of disrespect for many years! How hard can it be to spit out your gum before an event like this, I mean, really!
Zero class!
