Would You Care for a Breath Mint?

Ha!
One of my life rules is,
"Whenever I am offered a mint or gum, always accept! "

We came up with this back when "Altoids" were first introduced.
We were one of the first stores in Austin to sell them and we used to give out samples by saying -
"Not that you need one, but would you like to try this Altoid".
We would then explain they were extremely strong mints..

Our code for each other was if we just said to a customer, "would you like a mint.. " Or "Please help yourself to a mint"
That this person actually needed the mint!

And so if someone says "Would you like a mint, gum, I think I may actually needed it! and I take it with a big, Thank you very much!" just in case..

Thanks for the laugh..

I have no policy. I figure that if someone is stinky or has bad breath, unless it is a family member, I do not mention it to them. Really not my business unless they outright ask me "is my breath bad?" Which no one ever has.

If someone offers me gum or a mint, I don't read anything into it other than 'they are sharing'.

Yup. In fact I was taught to always take gum or mints if they are offered, as it IS a polite way to tell the person they have bad breath. I've had conversations with my friends (and a couple of business associates) about this, too, and they were brought up the same way. Maybe it's a regional thing?

I always offer mints if I drag them out of my purse for myself or if one of he kids ask for no other reason than I have them out and consider that someone I'm with might just want one as well. Never mean anything by it. Same with gum. Only time I don't offer is if I don't have anymore left.
I've never taken someone's offer as a subtle message that I actually needed one. I often accept but sometimes won't, especially with gum, I don't chew it often as it is.

What I've always been told is that when you pull out a mint for yourself, or a piece of gum, you always offer to share with whomever you are with. Basically, it's a "manners thing".

Of course, you can engineer trying to help someone like this, but they won't know either way...

too funny!
i'm so oblivious. i base my answer on WHAT they're offering. i don't like gum or altoids so i decline them, but always say 'yes' to a mint. and if i'm having one of my own, i always offer to be polite.
but i have a friend who always tacks on 'not that you need one!' when she offers!
:D
khairete
S. (now hurrying off to brush teeth)

No worries...I chew gum as a habit. Since I am always putting a fresh piece of gum in my mouth, I always offer.