I Pit "I'm Sick Of The Smoke"

[Khadaji]

LOL. Most of you who took exception to my post both missed the point and helped prove it. The point wasn’t that all smokers are evil. The point was simple: I haven’t seen where smokers have become more courteous, as the OP claims. As I said, I find that they only smoke outside when they are *forced * to, not because they are trying to be courteous.

Why don’t you guys either grow a pair and make it illegal, or else decide just where it is that we can smoke and we’ll call it a day.

Wow, I didn’t know I could do that. Doesn’t that require an act of legislature and can’t be done on my say-so? If I have more power than I thought, there are lots of other things I would like to outlaw too.

The people that really make us dig in our heels are the likes of Khadaji. For those people we’d need and Act of Congress to be raised to the level of second-class citizens.

Really? Because I disagreed that with the statement that most smokers are considerate and pointed out where I have seen that they are not?

You bet. More exactly, I smoke during while I am eating. Once again you can choose to go elsewhere if the restaurant’s policy displease you. Or ask the owner to change his policy. I’m not going not to smoke just because you decide to come and eat in a place where smoking is allowed. I pay for my enjoyment, not yours.

These smokers aren’t uncourteous. That would be you for complaining about people smoking in a place where they’re allowed to smoke, and being irritated because they don’t comply with your unreasonnable expectations. You put yourself in the situation of eating your breakfast in a smoking area. That knowing that you don’t like eating when people are smoking. Complain to yourself for your poor choice.

As I said, you help prove my point. What I said was

I know some very courteous smokers, but I see more who don’t care and only go outside to smoke because it is a rule of the establishment.

This was not even a whine, I didn’t start the thread, I responded to an observation that I found to be untrue - and you confirm that my observation is correct.

I’m not going not to smoke just because you decide to come and eat in a place where smoking is allowed. I pay for my enjoyment, not yours

You see? You have confirmed that you do this only for you - and courtesy to others be damned. I’m not even saying it is wrong, I’m saying the OP’s observation is incorrect.

These smokers aren’t uncourteous. That would be you for complaining about people smoking in a place where they’re allowed to smoke, and being irritated because they don’t comply with your unreasonnable expectations.

As I said, I didn’t start this thread or any thread for that matter, I responded to an observation that I find to be incorrect. Had I started a rant, then I would be complaining.

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 definitely agree. One of the guys from the UK at work that I hang out with smokes heavily. He is a good man and a good friend. When I am in his home, I would fully expect him to smoke if he chose. After all, it is his home. But he is very very courteous and goes outside while I am there. When we are out at a bar, he goes out of his way to not blow smoke into people’s faces. As I said, I have met some courteous smokers.

Don’t forget buses. Damn, the exhaust from those things can paint a wall black.

Well sure. And if we are going off-topic, lets also talk about vehicles with loud mufflers. But the OP was about smoking…

[Liberal]

@Khadaji

Well sure. And if we are going off-topic, lets also talk about vehicles with loud mufflers. But the OP was about smoking…

Sheesh.

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=6454777&postcount=55

Mine was number 56. See, it goes …54, 55, 56…

Besides, attempts at humor are exempt from the off-topic guideline:

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=6453633&postcount=227

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=6453640&postcount=228

[calm_kiwi]

[QUOTE=Khadaji]
LOL. Most of you who took exception to my post both missed the point and helped prove it. The point wasn’t that all smokers are evil. The point was simple: I haven’t seen where smokers have become more courteous, as the OP claims. As I said, I find that they only smoke outside when they are *forced * to, not because they are trying to be courteous.

What you fail to realise is that both you and the OP are right. YES legalistion FORCED where smokers could smoke BUT the NEED for the laws about smoking made smokers even more aware about the effect (affect?) of their addiction.

I don’t know a single smoker who would even think of lighting up without asking for permission from those around them (NZ is a now a “everywhere but your own house/car is smoke free” place) but I also don’t know a single smoker who doesn’t actively preach the non smoking message.

Even smokers don’t approve of smoking.

[tdn]

@woodstockbirdybird

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.

Are you serious with this? You honestly think that smokers are requesting non-smoking rooms just to stink them up?

The reason people smoke in non-smoking rooms is simple: There is no such thing as a smoking room anymore.

[Rebo]

In two weeks, I will have been a non-smoker for two years. I think that smokers are becoming more aware and courteous to non-smokers. But, and I’m speaking from my own experience here, I don’t think that most smokers REALLY know how bad it smells. How it makes your clothes reek. How your house and car smell. I didn’t realize until I had stopped for several months. When I met my husband, he was a reformed smoker, and I have no idea how he put up with my smoking. I’m grateful though!

We went to Florida for vacation the month before I quit. They had just passed a state law, no smoking in restaurants. I was not happy. But now I’m looking forward to them passing the same law here in Houston.

Sorry for the rambling…

[DiosaBellissima]

@tdn

The reason people smoke in non-smoking rooms is simple: There is no such thing as a smoking room anymore.

Uh…what? Every hotel I have EVER stayed at has had smoking rooms. That is not an exaggeration either. The hotels range from one star crap holes to five star spa resorts and ALL have offered smoking rooms. I’ve been stuck in smoking rooms a few times due to over booking. I’ve also been in clearly labeled (as in, we are told at the front desk and there is a huge NO smoking sign on the door and a few places in the room) nonsmoking rooms that smell horribly of smoke.

[Metacom]

@Liberal

Besides, attempts at humor are exempt from the off-topic guideline:

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=6453633&postcount=227

You’re taking my quote out of context, Liberal. The post I made after that one to clarify noted that the post I was discussing with that comment, in addition to being humorous, was also on topic.

[Binarydrone]

I guess that the overall point, as far as I can see, is that most smokers (in my experience) try to be considerate and yet somehow the non-smokers seem as a group to be on the alert and eagle eyed in their watchfulness for ways to be offended by smokers. You have literally pushed us to the curb, but somehow that is not enough. So, there are more of you than us and I say it is high time to put those numbers to use. Call for the outright ban on tobacco. Propose legislation to make it illegal. Stop your incessant bitching and do something about it. While you are at it, can you do something about the perfume that some folks abuse? Thanks.

[Mr.Goob]

@Rubystreak

I used to tend bar, and I got into it with a smoker once who was sitting right in front of the sink. I was washing glasses, which had to be done. No one else was sitting at the bar, but he decided he had to sit directly in front of me and smoke.

Ever think he was just a perv looking down your shirt?

[tdn]

@DiosaBellissima

Uh…what? Every hotel I have EVER stayed at has had smoking rooms. That is not an exaggeration either.

Really? In the past several years, NOT ONE hotel I have stayed at has had smoking rooms, at least not available. Most had none at all.

Maybe it’s a regional thing.

[Troy_McClure_SF]

Smokers are so cute when they’re outraged and indignant when someone dares mention how nasty they smell…

“Smoking makes me wheeze.”

“No it doesn’t! You’re making it all up! It’s not that bad! Smoke has no smell! It tastes like lollipops! How dare you mention it! I’m being oppressed! Non-smokers killed my pa!”

Sheesh, people, you started smoking and got your fool self addicted, you fucking smell bad, and your stench causes involuntary physical reactions in others if you get near them. Get off your fucking crosses.

[DiosaBellissima]

Well, a good chunk of the hotels I’ve stayed in have been in California, but many were around the country. Hawaii, Florida, New York, Chicago, Texas, etc-- so I doubt it’s regional. Now, maybe the smoking rooms are booked- but they are still there.

I’m sure a few smokers get tossed into non rooms, as I’ve been thrown into smoking rooms before.

But even if there aren’t smoking rooms, why would a rational person smoke in a non smoking room? As someone said, a rational person wouldn’t.

[Binarydrone]

Troy McClure SF, Again, most of us try to be considerate about it. Also, we are addicted and it sucks. However, you non smokers don’t have to be such shits all the time.

[tdn]

@Troy McClure SF

“No it doesn’t! You’re making it all up! It’s not that bad! Smoke has no smell! It tastes like lollipops! How dare you mention it! I’m being oppressed! Non-smokers killed my pa!”

That is one rich fantasy life you have there.

[tdn]

@DiosaBellissima

But even if there aren’t smoking rooms, why would a rational person smoke in a non smoking room? As someone said, a rational person wouldn’t.

Ah. So smokers are not only rude, they’re crazy? Care to throw in pedophilic? Communist?

[Troy_McClure_SF]

@Binarydrone

Troy McClure SF, Again, most of us try to be considerate about it.

Yes, and we appreciate that. But too many douchebags not only fail to see a need for such courtesy, but act like we shot their dog if someone like LaurAnge or DiosaBellissima dares to cough or sniffle in their prescence.

I realize that non-smokers can be douchebags as well, but at least I agree with them, so I’m not gonna pit them.

[Troy_McClure_SF]

@tdn

Ah. So smokers are not only rude, they’re crazy? Care to throw in pedophilic? Communist?

tdn, take your head out of your ass. If you smoke in a non-smoking room, you’re being an irrational douchebag. Again, get off your fucking cross.

[DiosaBellissima]

Ok tdn- you were using a perfectly acceptable definition of rationa, but that is not what I meant and you know it.

ra·tion·al Pronunciation Key (rsh-nl)
adj.
**Having or exercising the ability to reason. **
Of sound mind; sane.
Consistent with or based on reason; logical: rational behavior.
See, logic dictates that when you are told not to do something for whatever reason- you don’t do it. If a hotel requests that you DO NOT SMOKE in their room, it is common courtesy to do so. The logical thing is to adhere to the policy of the hotel. It is the RATIONAL thing to do.

I sure hope you were kidding.

[LionelHutz405]

@DiosaBellissima

But even if there aren’t smoking rooms, why would a rational person smoke in a non smoking room? As someone said, a rational person wouldn’t.

As tdn mentioned, sometimes a smoking room isn’t available. I could imagine a smoker taking a non-smoking room because that is all that is available, then smoking in it anyway. Most smokers would probably go outside to smoke, but it would only take a few who don’t care to stink up the non-smoking rooms.

[DiosaBellissima]

Lionel- I can see why someone would, it’s just that a courteous person would at least step outside. As in all things in life- not everyone is courteous.

I still am thankful for the courteous smokers