# I Pit "I'm Sick Of The Smoke" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 8, 2005, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196 "2005-08-08T22:03:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/41 "2005-08-09T04:04:43Z")
[QUOTE=Rubystreak] > [@duffer](#): > > He was an asshole, wasn’t he? Or maybe he was upset about something else and that’s why he was chain smoking and so damn edgy. But he was ranting and raving about his “smokers rights” and how I was being a fucking bitch for trying to infringe on those inalienable rights. That’s why he makes other smokers look bad, IMO. Well, as I was alluding to with my comment of non-smoking assholes I’ve dealt with in bars, I’ll ask the question. Any chance the booze was a factor? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/42 "2005-08-09T04:07:52Z")
> [@zenith](#): > > As a lifelong nonsmoker, I’ve noticed that smokers have generally become a lot more sensitive to us. > > More people ask before they light up and graciously take no for an answer. You obviously have met an entirely different class of smoker than I have. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/43 "2005-08-09T04:09:09Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > No, **Ruby** , the one that looks bad is the owner. Why not set markings on the bar itself stating “No Smoking” 10 feet to either side of the sink? If you tell a reasonable smoker they can’t smoke at “this” part of the bar, but they can at “that” part of the bar, almost all will comply. Sigh, and we are here to _fight_ ignorance. You think the smoke can see the markings? :rolleyes: :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Hung\_Mung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@Hung\_Mung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hung_Mung)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/44 "2005-08-09T04:10:32Z")
There are several small, mom-and-pop type places around here like that **Khadaji** described. If they told people they couldn’t smoke in their restaurant they would lose about 97% of their business. All the old folks and day laborers patronize these restaurants and many of them smoke quite a bit. If you want the food, you’ll have to deal with it, unfortunately, because otherwise there probably wouldn’t be a restaurant in which to eat. I try to go out of my way not to blow smoke on people. I’ve contorted myself into ungodly positions to avoid exhaling onto a draft that would get in someone’s face. I ask if it bothers anyone when I light up (unless I’m in my car, in which case you’ll just have to tell me your allergic or be damned) and I don’t chain smoke unless I’m just very drunk. It’s very possible to be a considerate smoker. I developed a nasty habit in college of blowing smoke directly at people who liked to do the fake cough thing. Just come say something, don’t be a whiner. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/45 "2005-08-09T04:11:20Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > C’mon, the first few posts in this thread have **got** to be part of a big whoosh campaign. > \ Perhaps it’s you who’s living in some sort of time-warp? I’m sorry you seem surrounded by inconsiderate people, but don’t think it’s representative of the norm. My workplace finally went smoke-free and there’ve been quite a few discussions about this very topic. The oldest smokers grumble and kvetch about putting up with ‘needless’ legislation but everyone under thirty-five seems okay with it. C’mon, at one point there was smoking allowed in movie theaters, airplanes, fitting rooms of department stores, hospitals for crying out loud! My high school had a designated smoking area, for students too young to legally purchase cigarettes, and in the winter we’d all suck up to whichever teachers smoked so we could huddle in their offices or the teacher’s lounge and smoke with them. Talk to a twenty year old and see how amazing they find that information. I remember my grandparents and aunts and uncles having decorative ashtrays for guests, they might have disliked people smoking in their homes but it was considered the proper way to host. I know plenty of people that don’t smoke inside their own homes because they have kids or a spouse that doesn’t smoke, that’s a huge difference from a few generations ago where Dad sat with an ashtray at the dinner table. All of these changes have had a definite effect on smokers at large. Younger smokers generally expect to smoke outside and most at least have a clue that some find it offensive. Sure, too many smokers litter, especially when driving, but how likely are you to notice all the ones that don’t do it? ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/46 "2005-08-09T04:13:49Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Sigh, and we are here to _fight_ ignorance. You think the smoke can see the markings? :rolleyes: :dubious: I have to assume that from where the smoker was sitting the smoke was blowing directly at where she would stand washing glasses, elsewhere not so bad. I’ve been in that situation - a chain-smoker whose favorite seat is right at the rail. The barback would tell me she was going to wash, I’d put my smoke out, she’d finish and I’d light up again. No big deal. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/47 "2005-08-09T04:14:06Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Sigh, and we are here to _fight_ ignorance. You think the smoke can see the markings? :rolleyes: :dubious: Nope, the smoke can’t see any markings. You don’t think it would have been less bothersome to **Ruby** if the offending patron had moved? Obviously, she thought it might lessen her discomfort, that’s why she politely asked him to do so. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/48 "2005-08-09T05:49:50Z")
> [@Binarydrone](#): > > \*disclaimer: Sarcasm does not apply if poster has been to an allergist or other medical professional that has determined that there is an actual medical component to claim that is specific to tobacco smoke. Sarcasm is based on wishing that I had a dollar for every time that **someone claimed to be allergic to something as shorthand for “I don’t like it”.** So what ARE we supposed to say when someone is approaching us with a lit ciggarette, asking for directions or something? I frequently ride the bus, and would take it a lot more often in part, if it weren’t for smokers at the bus stops. For some strange reason, they always want to approach me and start a conversation. I never have any idea of the “proper” way to react to this. I have no idea if I’m “allergic” or not, but ciggarette smoke makes me gag and on occasion has made me sick to the point of vomiting. And even if it didn’t, I don’t want to smell it, or smelll LIKE it after having been in someone’s smoke cloud. Why is that so insulting to people? Backing rapidly away from someone who is approaching and who isn’t getting the hint…what, that would be acceptable to smokers, is a non-snoker supposed to say? “Sorry I’m allergic” seems to be the only thing that is acceptable to smokers in this situation. Would you rather hear “please don’t come any closer, cigarettes make me sick”? Same with walking outside and having three smokers puffing away RIGHT outside the entrance of the building you’re trying to enter. What is the, acceptable to smokers, way of getting away from breathing in the smoke and having it infiltrate clothing and freshly washed hair (and yes, I can wash it again when I get home, but I want it to smell fresh for the whole day, not just the 10 minute drive from home) other than making a wide berth and then holding your breath and making as quick a dash as possible through the cloud? ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/49 "2005-08-09T06:47:12Z")
[QUOTE=duffer] > [@Rubystreak](#): > > Well, as I was alluding to with my comment of non-smoking assholes I’ve dealt with in bars, I’ll ask the question. > > Any chance the booze was a factor? :dubious: What’s with the “dubious” smilie? Like being drunk would excuse anything? No, he wasn’t drunk. It was about 6 in the afternoon and he was just hanging out. He’d had a couple but was not intoxicated, because if he were, he would have been kicked out, not just told to move his goddamn seat. And for the record, I did ask nicely. I said, “Could you please move a few seats in either direction? I’m having trouble with all the smoke.” He flipped shit. I don’t think he was the most stable personality, granted, and certainly not a spokesman for smokers in general. However, it’s not safe to say that there aren’t plenty of smokers who aren’t extremely hostile about their smoking. I just remembered another fun incident. I was staying at the house of a close friend. Her mother (who passed away recently, too young) was an insane chain smoker, like 4 packs a day. She had one of those air purifiers, but nevertheless, it was horrible staying at their house when I visited. Saturated in smoke, nowhere to escape. Sitting in a small, closed room where 50 cigarettes were smoked over the course of an evening is not good, I don’t care what the science says about second hand smoke, I don’t care if you’re technically allergic or not. It’s strictly nasty and evil. Silly me, I tried to open a window. She said, “It’s too cold out. I have the Ionic Breeze on.” Fine. I waited until she went to bed (her daughter was there, didn’t have a problem with this), then I opened the window. About an hour later, her mom came down for some water and flipped out about the window being open. I told her I just needed some air, I couldn’t take the smell, and she said, “Close the window. This is my house, and if you don’t like the smoke, don’t stay here!” This was a woman who I loved and who loved me, but boy was she defensive about her smoking. Suffice it to stay, the next time I stayed in her house was for her funeral. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Futile\_Gesture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Futile\_Gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futile_Gesture)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/50 "2005-08-09T10:00:58Z")
I dunno. Why should we be thanking smokers for not fouling the air and stinking up out the place? What’s next? Thanking people for _not_ spitting on our shoes? Thanks for _not_ pissing on the carpet? I appreciate a considerate smoker. I’m friends with some. But they’re not doing anything special that deserves thanks. Smoking is still entirely self-indulgent, no-one gets anything from it other than yourself. So if you’re going to smoke, it should be a basic, obvious, social nicety not to make others suffer it. As for smokers being touchy about their smoking… You always have to remember that there’s no-one more illogical and defensive about their addiction than the addict. And there’s few things more addictive than nicotine. Smokers will do and say anything to excuse and justify smoking, but it’s the nicotine talking. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/51 "2005-08-09T10:08:21Z")
> [@Queen Tonya](#): > > Perhaps it’s you who’s living in some sort of time-warp? I’m sorry you seem surrounded by inconsiderate people, but don’t think it’s representative of the norm. > > Sure, too many smokers litter, especially when driving, but how likely are you to notice all the ones that don’t do it? > Yesterday 11:10 PM I agree. I’m a smoker, and I have no problem smoking outside, a good distance from a building’s entrance. I also agree with no smoking indoors policies, especially in restaurants and bars - not even because of health concerns, but for the much simpler reason that cigarettes _do_ smell like shit, and I don’t think I should subject others to that any more than I should walk around with a big dump in my pants. I even smoke outside at home because I don’t want my apartment to stink. And why anyone would ask for a non-smoking room in a hotel and then smoke in it is beyond me, except that they’re assholes who realize how bad cigarette smoke reeks and want a room (initially) unsullied by the odor. I’ll never light up in front of others without asking, and I don’t know many who would. That has nothing to do with being “trained” - it’s just common courtesy. The assholes make more of an impression, no doubt, and I’ve run into a few myself, but most of us who smoke are aware of non-smokers’ distaste for our habits and don’t set out to antagonize them. Though I must admit, after seeing some of the ads on TV I want to smoke just out of spite. ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/52 "2005-08-09T10:40:37Z")
> [@Futile Gesture](#): > > I dunno. Why should we be thanking smokers for not fouling the air and stinking up out the place? What’s next? Thanking people for _not_ spitting on our shoes? Thanks for _not_ pissing on the carpet?. There are many cultures where spitting is seen as apropriate…on your shoes? Maybe not. Pissing on your carpet? I can’t think of anywhere that would be resonable behaviour. Comparing shoe spitting and carpet weeing to smoking is probably hyberbole where ever the fuck you live. > [@](#): > > I appreciate a considerate smoker. I’m friends with some. But they’re not doing anything special that deserves thanks. Smoking is still entirely self-indulgent, no-one gets anything from it other than yourself. So if you’re going to smoke, it should be a basic, obvious, social nicety not to make others suffer it. That is true. I believe most smokers are aware of this. Smoking is, however, a perfectly legal activity (in those FEW places it is still allowed), believe it or not smokers DO NOT smoke in order to annoy you. Shit I believe I speak for many smokers when I say we do not enjoy being a slave to the fag. It is not an easy addiction to beat. Perhaps you sensitive lung types should pity and support the addicted instead of getting cranky, that might be more effective. > [@](#): > > As for smokers being touchy about their smoking… You always have to remember that there’s no-one more illogical and defensive about their addiction than the addict. And there’s few things more addictive than nicotine. Smokers will do and say anything to excuse and justify smoking, but it’s the nicotine talking. I don’t believe smokers ever seek to justify their smoking (other then to admit they are addicted) they just want to find a quiet, wee place where they can kill themselves in peace. We KNOW it is bad for us. We KNOW you don’t like it. It costs SHITLOADS. All these things are true BUT when I am standing on the footpath outside my workplace IN THE RAIN and you walk past muttering and fake coughing then clearly you are a FUCKWIT (that was not adressed to anyone in this thread, just to the woman that complained about my “filthy habit” today, while I was on my lunchbreak, hiding under a tree on a public footpath). I am almost willing to guarantee that if you could find a smoker who didn’t regret that they started smoking’ then I would give you $1 mill. Fat chance though. Smokers don’t deliberatly set out to kill you, piss you off, make you sick…we seem to be happy with kiling ourselves. If enough of you non smokers grizzle loudly enough perhaps smoking will be made illegal, then we all win (well except for the few of you killed by really cranky smokers who can no longer get their fix). Sadly this will never happen because the tax bought in by smokers outweighs any other legal addiction. ---
**Author:** ![Futile\_Gesture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Futile\_Gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futile_Gesture)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/53 "2005-08-09T11:01:11Z")
> [@calm kiwi](#): > > Comparing shoe spitting and carpet weeing to smoking is probably hyberbole where ever the fuck you live. You’re absolutely right. Shoe spitting and carpet weeing never caused cancer in anyone. (I wasn’t comparing, I was extrapolating to illustrate a point. There’s a difference.) ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/54 "2005-08-09T11:09:12Z")
But why bother? Surely “it may kill me” is enough on it’s own? If you need to bring in carpet weeing and shoe spitting you are only belittling your own point. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/55 "2005-08-09T11:22:24Z")
> [@Futile Gesture](#): > > You’re absolutely right. Shoe spitting and carpet weeing never caused cancer in anyone. But toxic emissions from automobiles have. Fucking drivers. Totally self-indulgent. When they only drive their lazy asses a quarter of a mile to the store instead of walking should we thank them? Then maybe we can start thanking people when they shit in our salads! Ah, life is tragedy. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/56 "2005-08-09T11:44:51Z")
Don’t forget buses. Damn, the exhaust from those things can paint a wall black. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/57 "2005-08-09T11:56:52Z")
Can I interject a mild annoyance of mine? Smokers whose designated smoking area is outside the business all look like a bunch of wayward youths standing outside smoking a cigerette. it is so unprofessional. This bugs me. It is so teenage-ish and rebel looking in a pathetic way. The designated area, I feel, should be behind the building or, better yet ( and this will make me lose any popularity contest.) have the entire property be non smoking for employees. That includes the parking lot. I sure the ACLU would have a feild day. Thank you for listening to my narrow minded views. ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/58 "2005-08-09T12:16:00Z")
> [@Shirley Ujest](#): > > Can I interject a mild annoyance of mine? > Smokers whose designated smoking area is outside the business all look like a bunch of wayward youths standing outside smoking a cigerette. it is so unprofessional. > > This bugs me. It is so teenage-ish and rebel looking in a pathetic way. > > The designated area, I feel, should be behind the building or, better yet ( and this will make me lose any popularity contest.) have the entire property be non smoking for employees. That includes the parking lot. I sure the ACLU would have a feild day. > > Thank you for listening to my narrow minded views. I couldn’t agree more! I am a kindy teacher…there is NO allocated space. I loll about about looking all (old) teenagerish on the frigging footpath! As I loll, (my afternoon tea break) children are leaving. I am PLEASED at their horrified looks (ewwwwwwwwww my teacher is a smoker), I am pleased they are horiffied…THE MESSAGE IS GETTING THROUGH…I am also mildly pissed off that (because of NZ’s no smoking in workplaces law) that children ever have to see me smoking in the first place. I miss having a hidey hole where I could smoke in peace and no child could ever see me…I think me on the footpath smoking is a far less positive role model then me tucked away where kids couldn’t see me. ---
**Author:** ![Q.N.Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3da27b/32.png) [@Q.N.Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.N.Jones)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/59 "2005-08-09T12:33:15Z")
Wow. Sounds like those billboards will make the two black people who live in Nebraska sound really, really obnoxious. (Kidding! I know, Nebraska is 4% black.) Non-smoker with asthma here. I really hate smoking. But I think we’ve gotten to the point where we’ve reached a reasonable compromise. Smokers are much more considerate these days. Twenty years ago, my dad used to get burned on a daily basis just walking down the streets of NYC because smokers wouldn’t mind their cigarettes. Cut to modern times. Recently I was eating al fresco at a restaurant; outdoor seating was smoking optional. But the guy at the next table who was smoking when we were seated immediately turned around when we arrived and asked if we wanted him to put it out. I thought that was exceedingly polite. And I’m seeing that behavior more and more If I walk past a designated smoking area, I just hold my breath for a minute. No big hassle. I have to agree, though, that businesses need to find a better place for their smokers than “hanging around the front entrance of the building.” Not so bad at restaurants, but it looks unprofessional at other businesses. And I don’t mind that there are still some smoking havens out there, like bars and casinos. I think it’s perfectly fine for businesses to choose to cater to a smoking clientele, especially in adult places. Especially since there are tons of restaurants and other establishments that have gone voluntarily smoke-free. I don’t have to go to those places. They’re few enough in number that they can be easily avoided with little inconvenience to me. Just by putting forth a very minimal effort, I’ve never had an asthma attack because of a smoker. And I don’t think it’s too terrible to say that yes, we’re living in a society here! (to quote George Costanza), and it’s not so much to ask that we give smokers a small corner of it in which to enjoy their vice. ---
**Author:** ![mks57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@mks57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mks57)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/60 "2005-08-09T12:51:49Z")
Why don’t we just shoot all the smokers, that seems to be the only thing that would satisfy the “Somebody, somewhere, is doing something I don’t approve of” retreads from the temperance movement. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196.md?page=4)