Extreme Non-Smokers?

[Planogirl]

I would much rather hang out with a friendly smoker than people who spend their time looking down their noses at others. I can't think of anything truly sadder than those who worry about what other people are doing and I also don't have much respect for highly judgmental people. JMHO.

As for cats being a poor analogy, use dogs instead! I mentioned it earlier but lots of people are pushing to allow dogs to be virtually everywhere. There are people allergic to or afraid of dogs so I think that that is perhaps a good correlation.

 

[vivilasvegas]

Actually, I myself have disordered eating - and yeah, it is a part of me that I see as sad and pathetic. And I agree that it is up there with smoking as suicide.

Yes, my respect/opinion of someone is lessened when I find out they are a smoker. I feel that it is a disgusting habit. As is my disordered eating.

I meant to add to my post - I really don't care if you smoke. Really - go ahead, kill yourself. I really do not care in the least. And I won't give you all the 'scare' that you already know. But don't endanger my health in the process.

So it's an addiction. So what? Does that mean that they are doomed forever? No. EVERY TIME that person lights up they are making the decision to feed their addiction - to stay addicted. Don't get me wrong, I imagine that it is really d$%^ hard to break it, but it can be done.

WHO on this thread said that smokers 'purposely want to kill people'?

(I'd also love to know how I'm being 'full of myself' - I've admitted a small number of my own faults on this post, I know I'm not perfect)

Apparently you took offense to my post, but your post offended me.

Sorry you didn't like my reaction, but I react to those who feel they are better than others and look at people with disgust.
It's almost worst that you say that when you admit to having disordered eating.

Trust me, I had my quit when a friend started dieting, we both knew how hard it was for the other, and neither of us found the other "disgusting" or "thought less" of the person.

 

[VSL]

I would much rather hang out with a friendly smoker than people who spend their time looking down their noses at others. I can't think of anything truly sadder than those who worry about what other people are doing and I also don't have much respect for highly judgmental people. JMHO.

I don't know who this was directed at, if anyone (although I'm imagining me as my post was the last one), and I agree - I have many friends (well, I've grown away from them now after leaving school) who smoke, and I don't care that they smoke.

For the most part, I think that those of us who are anti-smoking do not care whether someone smokes, we just don't want them to smoke around us (and endanger us).

This brings up another question...
I know that I'm in the UK and the majority of 'you' are in the US or Canada, but is it legal to smoke when driving? And, if it is (which I imagine it is, in all three countries, as cars come with ashtrays), is it also legal to eat at the wheel (like a chocolate bar - not a full course meal!)?

I know that a nurse in the UK got fined a year or so back for eating an apple while driving, but I've never heard of anyone getting fined for smoking. Just seems odd.

 

[vivilasvegas]

I don't know who this was directed at, if anyone (although I'm imagining me as my post was the last one), and I agree - I have many friends (well, I've grown away from them now after leaving school) who smoke, and I don't care that they smoke.

QUOTE]

You just are disappointed in them, look down on them, and see them as slightly sad and pathetic.

 

[VSL]

Apparently you took offense to my post, but your post offended me.

Sorry you didn't like my reaction, but I react to those who feel they are better than others and look at people with disgust.

It's almost worst that you say that when you have an eating disorder.

Trust me, I had my quit when a friend started dieting, we both knew how hard it was for the other, and neither of us found the other "disgusting".

I never once said I found smokers 'disgusting' - I said that I found the habit disgusting. Quite different.

And I never once implied that I think I am better than other people. I even went so far as to openly admit my own problem to make a point that I am not any better than anyone else.

However, what I can't stand (as I previously said) is when people use the 'addiction' excuse (and while I agree that smoking is addictive, that doesn't mean that there is no way around it).

 

[VSL]

You just are disappointed in them, look down on them, and see them as slightly sad and pathetic.

I never said that I look down on someone who smokes. And I said that someone in the action of smoking looks 'sad and pathetic' as opposed to the cool look that some of them seem to be going for.

I love how you keep twisting my words.

 

[vivilasvegas]

I never once said I found smokers 'disgusting' - I said that I found the habit disgusting. Quite different.

And I never once implied that I think I am better than other people. I even went so far as to openly admit my own problem to make a point that I am not any better than anyone else.

However, what I can't stand (as I previously said) is when people use the 'addiction' excuse (and while I agree that smoking is addictive, that doesn't mean that there is no way around it).

Go back and read your own posts, and if you can't figure out what I'm talking about, then we'll just have to end this discussion. You said it lowers your opinion of them and you are disappointed. Saying you think less of someone means the same thing as looking down on them!! No word twisting there!!


And by the way, addiction is not an excuse. When you are addicted to something, you can't stop, even when you want to. And when you do, you did one of the hardest things you'll ever have to do.

 

[L107ANGEL]

Only on the Dis! We went from an extremist message about smoking, to the inevitable debate, from there we made a left hand turn to where some smokers are indeed trying to kill a few, then we went turn around to where smokers are less then human, oops forgot the great cat anaolgy that a few are not happy with, now we are at the eating disorder end. "These are the days of our Dis".

 

[vivilasvegas]

Only on the Dis! We went from an extremist message about smoking, to the inevitable debate, from there we made a left hand turn to where some smokers are indeed trying to kill a few, then we went turn around to where smokers are less then human, oops forgot the great cat anaolgy that a few are not happy with, now we are at the eating disorder end. "These are the days of our Dis".

sorry it bothers you, but I was very annoyed by that post.



edited again to put original post back!! (need to show I'm a brat!)

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

I never said that I look down on someone who smokes. And I said that someone in the action of smoking looks 'sad and pathetic' as opposed to the cool look that some of them seem to be going for.

I love how you keep twisting my words.

Maybe teens are going for a cool look. Don't know of any adults that think they look cool smoking.

As a non-smoker I don't find that I lower my opinion of anyone because they smoke. There are much more substantial things in this world that I base my opinions of people on.

I have met smokers that I think the world of, and the same goes for non-smokers, so I don't think it does much as a litmus test.

 

[L107ANGEL]

sorry it bothers you, but I was very annoyed by that post.

Please don't take offense! This is not directed at anyone!! Just an observation. I happen to agree with you on alot of your posts!

 

[vivilasvegas]

Please don't take offense! This is not directed at anyone!! Just an observation. I happen to agree with you on alot of your posts!

sorry! i just got worked up and didn't hear the bell....i'll go sit in the corner to calm down.

 

[eclectics]

However, what I can't stand (as I previously said) is when people use the 'addiction' excuse (and while I agree that smoking is addictive, that doesn't mean that there is no way around it).

It's been said by quite a few professionals that Nicotine addiction is worse than being addicted to Heroin and the withdrawal is just as, if not more, difficult. Having been there (Nicotine, not Heroin), I can believe it! Please don't claim you know about Nicotine addiction and the "ways around it" if you have never smoked.

 

[L107ANGEL]

sorry! i just got worked up and didn't hear the bell....i'll go sit in the corner to calm down.

No need to sit in a corner.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

It's been said by quite a few professionals that Nicotine addiction is worse than being addicted to Heroin and the withdrawal is just as, if not more, difficult. Having been there (Nicotine, not Heroin), I can believe it! Please don't claim you know about Nicotine addiction and the "ways around it" if you have never smoked.

While I've never smoked I feel a lot of compassion for people in my parents generation especially who took up smoking when 4 out of 5 doctors recommended brand x, and are now treated like outcasts because they just can't break a habit of 50 years.

 

[wvrevy]

Wow...speak of the anti-smoking nazi's and they appear out of the woodwork. Talk about "sad and pathetic.

And Pluto, as usual you have no idea what you are talking about. I don't have to be physically exposed to a cat to have an allergic reaction. When I was a kid, I got sent home a couple days in a row from school with severe allergy attacks. Came to find out that the teacher had just rearranged the seating, and sat me beside a kid that had a cat. All it took was proximity to someone that had cat hair on them...and yes, that still happens to this day. I have a coworker that has two cats at home, and I can't spend more than 15 minutes with her before my allergies start acting up.

So, sorry, but the analogy IS appropriate.

As for the 20/20 show last night, yes, I watched it, and it just confirmed what most sensible people already knew. Brief exposure to second hand smoke is not in the least bit dangerous, despite the hysterics of some that would have you believe that second hand smoke kills on first contact. Sorry, but unless you have a pre-existing condition, second hand smoke will not be any worse for you than walking by some woman wearing a gallon of cheap perfume.

 

[eclectics]

While I've never smoked I feel a lot of compassion for people in my parents generation especially who took up smoking when 4 out of 5 doctors recommended brand x, and are now treated like outcasts because they just can't break a habit of 50 years.

It's very difficult and I'm glad you understand it. I smoked for 32 years and quitting was, and still is, no picnic. I just can't sit back when some folks insinuate it's not a big deal to quit. If you never smoked, I'm sorry, you just don't know! I haven't touched alcohol in 18 years and believe me, quitting drinking was a walk in the park compared to the cigarettes.

 

[Viking]

WHO on this thread said that smokers 'purposely want to kill people'?

Which part of the statement 'smokers are murderers' didn't you understand?

 

[C.Ann]

And, I don't know if any other non/anti smokers agree with me (and my BF), but whenever I find out that someone smokes it somewhow lowers my opinion of them. I feel kind of letdown when I find out that someone I like/admire smokes. I don't necessarily dislike people just because they smoke, but I find myself thinking less of them because of it.

And it looks so sad and pathetic.

------------------------------------

This has got to be the saddest statement I have ever read from another DISer on these boards.. My mouth literally dropped opened when I read this..

I could never in a million years be friends with someone who is as shallow as you have clearly indicated you are by that statement..

I won't even get into how low "my" opinion is of people who are so shallow.. Actually I don't think I could even put it into words because I have never met anyone that shallow... It's soooooooo sad..

 

[VSL]

Saying you think less of someone means the same thing as looking down on them!!

No - feeling a bit deflated at the fact that someone I admire has a disgusting habit does not mean I look down on them. I still admire whatever it is I admired before about them, but I also a feel a bit 'oh' because I am now aware that they are not what I idealised them to be.

And by the way, addiction is not an excuse. When you are addicted to something, you can't stop, even when you want to. And when you do, you did one of the hardest things you'll ever have to do.

Talk about contradiction.
If an addiction is something that you cannot stop, how do you explain all the ex-smokers/junkies/etc. out there?

Maybe teens are going for a cool look. Don't know of any adults that think they look cool smoking.

True - I should have made that clearer (although I tend to think that it applies to my mother as well). In fact, I should maybe amend that fact here:

The 'sad and pathetic' thing very much applies to my mother, who uses social situations purely as an excuse to smoke - all in the name of 'fitting in'. And yes, I do find that smoking to 'fit in' is pretty sad, and yeah, I was very much exposed to that kind of peer pressure at school - the group I hung out with were very into smoking and drugs, but I just wasn't interested (genuinely).

As a non-smoker I don't find that I lower my opinion of anyone because they smoke. There are much more substantial things in this world that I base my opinions of people on.

I have met smokers that I think the world of, and the same goes for non-smokers, so I don't think it does much as a litmus test.

I agree that it is definitely not the be-all and end-all of someone (see above).

It's been said by quite a few professionals that Nicotine addiction is worse than being addicted to Heroin and the withdrawal is just as, if not more, difficult. Having been there (Nicotine, not Heroin), I can believe it! Please don't claim you know about Nicotine addiction and the "ways around it" if you have never smoked.

I did not claim that I know all about nicotine addiction and 'ways around it'. I was simply saying that it is possible to quit (as people like yourself have proven), and I hate it when people use it in the way of an excuse (when, like I said, it can be done) - I would rather them tell the truth (which is usually that they are not ready to quit).

Which part of the statement 'smokers are murderers' didn't you understand?

No one on this thread has said it though.
And I saw it as a more of a 'if you smoke you are a murderer' comment rather than 'smokers are out to kill everyone' thing (which to me is a little different - and it was the writing on the car, not someone here on the DIS).


Like I said, I think it is an awful habit but I do not care if you, her, he, she, him, etc. smokes. Seriously, I don't care. Smoke all you want. Fill your lungs with tar or whatever. Drink lots of milk to compound the problem (lots of people find that dairy makes them congested, so it probably doesn't help if you're a smoker). However, it does bother me when smokers (inconsiderate smokers - not all, as many on this thread seem to be more considerate than some of the ones I've come across) eat up my clean air space (which I'm sure you can understand). I think that is rude.

And BTW, I do not have coughing fits or anything out in public if I walk past someone who is smoking. I either move away or simply do not inhale until I'm past (and thankfully I've never had the disfortune to walk behind someone who was smoking).