Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - if you think of yourself as a good person... how can you smoke around others?

Martian · 09-21-2006, 09:20 PM

This thread shows a classic bait and response that I see constantly (and am occasionally victim to). The reasoning is quite simple - smokers are pariahs. That's not just a word we bat around for fun. I can't claim to know what it's like the world over, but I know that I am already greatly inconvenienced by my habit. Here in my part of the world, we can't smoke in bars or restaurants, nor can we smoke in any workplaces. We are entitled to smoke outside or in our cars, as well as in our own homes. Despite all of this, most of the smokers I know are considerate enough to take reasonable steps in keeping their smoke out of the way of non-smokers, myself included.

Note the operative word there, though. We will take reasonable steps. Smoking outdoors and at a respectful distance from public entrances or exits is a reasonable step. If I stay ten feet away from the doors of public buildings and smoke outside, there's no need for you to be subjected to my cigarette smoke. If I smoke in my home or car, there's no reason for you to be subjected to my smoke. Granted, I will refrain from smoking in my home or car if it's likely to bother you, but not everyone will do that and I can see the reasoning behind that attitude. If you don't like it, don't ride with that person or visit them.

You're entitled to your opinion of my habits. You may think smoking is a sign of the anti-christ and you're allowed to. Hell, think worse of me for it if you want to. I won't be losing any sleep. However, I am taking my reasonable precautions not to subject you to my tobacco smoke. If you subject yourself to it and then get on my case about it, don't be surprised if I react negatively.

In a more direct answer to the op, I don't think about that sort of thing every time a light a cigarette. I have my reasons for smoking. I don't expect everyone to agree with them and I will respect people's right to their own opinion, but thinking of smoking as making me a bad person? No. I have other things to keep me up at night.

09-21-2006, 09:20 PM	#84 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	This thread shows a classic bait and response that I see constantly (and am occasionally victim to). The reasoning is quite simple - smokers are pariahs. That's not just a word we bat around for fun. I can't claim to know what it's like the world over, but I know that I am already greatly inconvenienced by my habit. Here in my part of the world, we can't smoke in bars or restaurants, nor can we smoke in any workplaces. We are entitled to smoke outside or in our cars, as well as in our own homes. Despite all of this, most of the smokers I know are considerate enough to take reasonable steps in keeping their smoke out of the way of non-smokers, myself included. Note the operative word there, though. We will take reasonable steps. Smoking outdoors and at a respectful distance from public entrances or exits is a reasonable step. If I stay ten feet away from the doors of public buildings and smoke outside, there's no need for you to be subjected to my cigarette smoke. If I smoke in my home or car, there's no reason for you to be subjected to my smoke. Granted, I will refrain from smoking in my home or car if it's likely to bother you, but not everyone will do that and I can see the reasoning behind that attitude. If you don't like it, don't ride with that person or visit them. You're entitled to your opinion of my habits. You may think smoking is a sign of the anti-christ and you're allowed to. Hell, think worse of me for it if you want to. I won't be losing any sleep. However, I am taking my reasonable precautions not to subject you to my tobacco smoke. If you subject yourself to it and then get on my case about it, don't be surprised if I react negatively. In a more direct answer to the op, I don't think about that sort of thing every time a light a cigarette. I have my reasons for smoking. I don't expect everyone to agree with them and I will respect people's right to their own opinion, but thinking of smoking as making me a bad person? No. I have other things to keep me up at night. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame