<Inspired By Gonga> Why do NON-SMOKERS sit in the designated smoking areas?

[Wish Upon A Star]

I am a smoker who ALWAYS uses the designated smoking areas in each park. On several occasions at Epcot and at MGM there were NON-SMOKERS sitting in the smoking areas (they probably didn't know) and they got all upset when people were in those areas lit up . . .I'm assuming that they didn't know even though there are signs posted . . .the looks and the coughing/clearing their throat was too much . . .these two areas were in the shade and people thought I was smoking in a NON-DESIGNATED area.

Anyone else have this happen . . .MGM over by the ABC food area and Epcot over by Italy?

 

[stinkerbelle]

I agree - I've gotten the dirty looks too...when smoker where I was supposed to be smoking!

I think Disney might want to make the "smoking alllowed here" signs a little big bigger...they are smallish if I remember correctly...maybe then the non-smokers would realize that it's a smoking section and not a hot place to plunk down with the little ones.

 

[Pat_Elliott]

A very interesting question, as I wait to get flamed for my diatribe in Gonga's post. It just lends credence to my main comment whenever I see a post of someone complaining about someone being a jerk: It's not activity that makes a person a jerk. Being a jerk makes you a jerk. As a smoker, I get quite sensitive when someone's upset by a smoker and condems the entire smoking population. I follow the rules. As my wise father used to say, thee who would condem the dirty neighbors better sweep your side of the sidewalk first.

Pat

 

[MelissathePooh]

I think mostly because they don't know. I'm sure its different if you are a smoker - you already know where the spots are, but I've always thought they were kind of hard to find and not very clearly marked. So it makes sense to me that people would end up there without knowing it.

Now to then get upset at the smokers when they are the ones out of place seems insane to me. But like Pat said - jerks will be jerks whatever the vice!

 

[Elk34]

We did just what most of you described. That is we sat in a designated smoking area without knowing it was desiganted as such. On an aside I don't think that area should be a smoking area. It was the group of tables in the MK right next to the stand where you (and a lot of kids) get the Dole whips by the Tree House and Alladins carpet ride. I think that all of the eating areas should be smoke free. The city of Dallas has just implemented a no smoking in restaurants law and that sure has made it more enjoyable to eat out.

We were eating our Dolewhips when I first smelled smoke. I looked around and several people were smoking so I figured we must be in "their" spot and looked around and saw the signs. They were small and on the trashcan so we had missed them. Since it was us who were in "their" spot we couldn't say anything. Instead we just had to hurry to get away.

BTW my wife and both daughters have pretty severe asthma so we do have to be extra careful about smoke.

I did however see several people smoking while they were walking around MK. It's really bad when not only are you smoking where you shouldn't be but to be walking around and spreading smoke everywhere you go is even worse.

 

[AirForceRocks]

When we were at CSR in March 2002, I was in a designated smoking area outside of El Centro. I was sitting there, smoking a cigarette, and a lady sat down next to me WHILE I WAS SMOKING THE CIGARETTE and started with the oh so fake hacking up a lung routine. I ignored her, right up until the point that she asked me to move because my smoke was bothering her. I advised her that she was in a designated smoking area, and if smoke bothered her, she had better move because I wasn't about to.

 

[grinningghost]

I would NEVER sit in a smoking section if I knew it was one, and generally, it's not difficult to tell if it's a smoking section - the smell lingers. So, if by some chance, you find me sitting in the smoking section by accident, please let me know - you'll be doing me a huge favor.

 

[KittieKat]

I don't think that the non-smokers are made at you. Some people just happen to be really grossed out by smoking. Personally, I'm not..during this day in age, myself being a high school student is far used to it. I don't smoke myself, but i have friends that do. Even if their is a smoking sections you can still smell it, and some people find that unpleasant. Even though you, as the smoker are allowed, they dont understand.

 

[gonga]

Hi Everyone - my original post is not about people in designated smoking areas. I think its everyone's right to have a place where they can smoke. That does not concern me. I don't even care if I see someone sitting anywhere and smoking, that means they are away from people and are being careful about the cigarette and the smoke. Hey everyone has their vices, but if you go off somewhere even if its not a designated area, you are being considerate and its appreciated.

What I'm takling about is the people that WALK around with their cigarettes in hand. They blow smoke all over everyone and are not aware of their lit end and can easily burn someone or a child.

There is a big difference. I am sure you have all seen that. I saw a lot of that on this last trip, that is what prompted me to write my original post.

Most of the visitors to WDW are children, some of them sick and/or sensitive. I would hate to see any body burned or have an asthma attack brought on by someone walking around with a cigarette. Like I stated in the other post, you can excuse a few but when its many that's another story.

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Gonga,

Your points were noted and understood. I hope many of our points are noticed, also. Someone who doesn't really care what the rules are is a jerk, no matter what rule they're breaking. I do question to what degree this infraction has increased. I personally think it's gotten a lot better as smokers have adjusted to, and reacted to, rules governing smoking in specified areas.

I think any post complaining about breaking of this rule is often followed by accusatory hysteria. I wonder if folks that don't care for smoking in the first place are simply becoming more sensitive. When 20,000 people are shoved in one area and you see ten or so folks smoking outside the allowed areas, that hardly constitutes an epidemic.

Yet I have seen folks, most of whom have annoying quirks all their own, build it up to be more than it is. And anyone with a cigarette in their hand, even in legal areas, is now simply a smoker. There's a subculture that a few of us are getting just as sensitive to as those who wish we'd go away.

Bottom line, 99 out of a 100 (probably better odds than that) of smokers are in the right area or simply aren't aware they aren't and won't make the same mistake again. I question whether 99 out of 100 families have their kids in control and don't let them break any rules all day. Likewise, I'm sure that the instances of non-smokers stumbling into smoking areas and making a scene are rare. But I doubt they're much more rare than smokers who simply don't give a hoot.

Thus, I get back to my original response to your original post, which is the guy that told you to mind your own business was a jerk, whether he's smoking or not. Those of us that smoke within the guidelines get a little tired that any post about such a person seems to result in mythical hordes of nonchalant smokers and calls for eliminating smoking from the parks. I hope my point is well made, as was yours.

I think I see a lot of random acts of rudeness in the park, but I deal with it. I'd like to see just one of these threads concentrate on rudeness itself, rather than try and find a particular group to blame. This isn't a reaction to your post, in particular. It's a reaction to a couple of years of this stuff appearing on the boards here. I'd love to see a thread, just once, titled "What dumb, rude, inconsiderate thing I did last time I was at Disney that I promise not to do again."

Stepping down off soap box,

Pat

 

[WDWorBUST]

LOL - Pat I think that thread would be the longest one on these boards. I try so hard to be considerate of others....as a young ( I feel like I'm young ) woman I always try to let elderly people sit on the buses....or a mom or dad holding a tired child (I hope that when I have that tired child someone does the same for me) it's easy for me to give up my seat when they obviously need it more than I do. That's just one example....I truly try to behave myself in the world and have a ton of patience with excited children, AND adults - and always try to be very tolerant even when people are in the wrong. HOWEVER.....I have caught myself doing things that were just rude and inconsiderate - not intentionally but because I had MY head up MY butt You know things like walking in front of someone trying to take a picture, etc. - that type of thing. But I try not to. And I think most people do - but I don't think there is a soul on this board who hasn't done something inconsiderate at one time or another in Disney World - whether it be because they were tired and cranky - or their kids were tired or cranky - or because they had just taken all they could take from the people who just generally behave rudely. Or it could be just a huge case of head-up-their-butt-itis I just have a feeling that would be a never-ending post ....that is if people would just fess up

 

[TreeOfLife]

To me, they're just being disrespectful, selfish, lazy and rude. If smokers don't walk into their designated areas, they shouldn't be there at all. Nowadays smoking is prohibited in just about all places you can think of "except the sidewalks". Forcing it on others is rude.

 

[AirForceRocks]

To me, they're just being disrespectful, selfish, lazy and rude.

I take it you are addressing this to the non-smokers that sit down in designated smoking areas and then complain about the smoke...

 

[f-LORI-da]

Originally posted by AirForceRocks
I take it you are addressing this to the non-smokers that sit down in designated smoking areas and then complain about the smoke...

I almost spewed coffee all over my key board when I read this!

I don't smoke, but my DH does. Once, while he was enjoying his cigarette in the designated smoking area near the COP in MK, a woman sat down near us. She started coughing and waving her arms around (to clear the smoke apparently). When she looked straight at me and gave me a "dirty look", I pointed to the designated smoking area sign. She must have realized her mistake, because she got up and left in a huff.... or was it a puff (pun intended)

Thanks for the chuckle, AirForceRocks.

Excuse me while I go change my coffee-stained shirt.

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Originally posted by AirForceRocks
I take it you are addressing this to the non-smokers that sit down in designated smoking areas and then complain about the smoke...

More coffee spit on keyboard. The confrontational and inward attitude expressed by the poster you're responding to is indicative of what happens when we start one of these "don't you hate it when everyone isn't just like me" posts. Thanks for the laugh. These threads should be kept light, not uptight.

For more amusement, join our "I've got my head up my butt, too" club in this thread...

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=375869

 

[MulanMom]

OK...I'll fess up! I'm one of those nonsmokers who finds their way somehow into a smoking area and ends up coughing. I assure you, though, it is not meant to be rude...it's an honest reaction.

And before anyone begins to flame me...I was a heavy smoker until 5.5 yrs. ago and a respectful one at that. I applaud all the smokers that confine themselves to smoking sections in the parks. I remember having to do that in an airport once...before it was confined to bars or outdoors...and felt very conspicuous to others. Aside from health reasons and children entering my life, one of my other incentives for quitting was to not be treated like a second class citizen.

So, I guess the gist of my message is not to assume that every nonsmoker who enters the smoking area and coughs is trying to give a message or putting down smokers.

 

[SonicLogic]

I think the real problem is that designated smoking areas are just a myth. Smoking is very much like urinating in a swimming pool, everyone in the pool gets pissed. Also, when smokers leave their "designated area" they carry their stink with them. Their breath, clothes and hair stinks to high heaven! It's just a great pleasure to stand next to a smoker in a cramped 1 hour line at Peter Pan. Smokers should not expose others to their nasty smell. However, they do and therefore they are not worth the air they exhale.

 

[Planogirl]

Amazing! I don't smoke but I would never, ever consider looking down my nose at people that do as some people seem to. As for their so-called odor, I've smelled worse and I've definitely seen worse behavior.

Geesh, whatever happened to "live and let live"?

 

[HunnyPots]

Smoking is very much like urinating in a swimming pool, everyone in the pool gets pissed.

LOL!!!

My dd's favorite quote is, "Having a smoking section in a restaurant is like having a peeing section in a pool."

I don't really have anything to add to this. Just wanted to say thanks for the laugh.

 

[TreeOfLife]

Smokers should not expose others to their nasty smell.

I have to say your post was hillarious but this is soooo true.
It is a hideous stench. Far more, it is illegal in most public places to the point where just about anyone can claim to request to have the smoker leave the area.

What about when the insolence and addiction is taken to the point where they have to smoke while waiting forn an attraction such as Fantasmic, imposing on others nearby?
It is like having nasty gas and not wanting to go to a private spot to fart

or you'll lose the seat.

I almost spewed coffee all over my key board when I read this!

Oh, AirForceRocks is more classic than the Iraqi Minister of Information! You have to catch some posts of his sometime to really spew coffee on your keyboard breaking out in neurotic laughter

!