The "I am a Smoker and I am Not Rude" thread

[mudnuri]

You know it's funny this should come up so soon after our recent trip. We were at WDW apr 18-24.

On my confirmation for ASMovies, it states "GTY SMOKING" to me, thats read as guaranteed smoking building/room. When we checked in and were given 101 dalmations, I knew right away it wasnt right. No room at Mighty Ducks or Fantasia to move, (the 2 smoking buildings)....I said, well, now here in lies the problem, I dont smoke in a hotel room, dont smoke in my own house, however, I feel a bit guilty smoking outside of my room at a non-smoking building...can I at least get a ground floor room. Nope, none of them, 3rd floor we were! Right by the ice/soda machine and elevators...so I do what any good smoker does, I wait until late at night, or early in the AM to smoke outside my room, I use a plastic cup filled with water for a cig snuffer...one day, by mistake I left it out...imagine my suprise when I came back to find 12 butts in my cup...hmmmmmmmmmm seems a lot more smokers are at WDW than I thought!...closet smokers unite!

There is NO designated non-smoking, or smoking areas at the WDW resorts, unless a ROOM is non-smoking...the grounds are different than the parks grounds....

I will say- I had a lady tell me "Geez, cant you smoke somewhere else" in MGM and low and behold...I was in the smoking area,so I as politely as I could said..."No actually, I cant but you can park your butt on any park bench you find and rest, I'm in a smoking area"...

I'm not rude by any means, have 2 DD's of my own, dont smoke in my car/trucks or my house, and never in the close proximity to children, my own or anyone elses, HOWEVER it's an addiction, and I'm here to say it's one that I'm much happier with than without..

Brandy

 

[ontariodisneywoman]

Stinkerbelle you do have a way with words

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by ontariodisneywoman
Stinkerbelle you do have a way with words

I'm sorry - but if you go back and read that thread from the OP's first post - it got really, really heated.

Some people are down right RUDE...coming off as holier than thou because they don't smoke and I'm "a slave to a cigarette"

And to have a family sing that insepid little song? Whatever...way to teach your children not to discriminate against people. It's called TOLERATION people!!!!

If i have to deal with these effing rude people, they can deal with me standing outside in a blizzard sucking down a cigarette polluting THIER air.

 

[ontariodisneywoman]

I can relate with you.

It is upsetting but we "smokin" people must stick together and show the non-smokers that we are people too, and we also have feelings and likes and dislikes. It just so happens one of our likes is a good "puff" after a good meal. (etc.)

I feel so bad about that rude display by the family. I can just imagine how bad that gentleman felt.

I sure hope none of that family ever has to face a bout of cancer caused by something other than cigarettes. Then what could they sing about. I know the sun...

 

[tiggersmom2]

I'm not a smoker and I usually do not mind being around a little bit of smoke. Now I've got a story to tell ya'll

Last year I was at EPCOT with DH, both DSs and my parents. Well DS and DH went off to ride Test Track so my mom and I took the baby and proceeded to find a place to sit. We happened upon a lovely bench with a great big umbrella! We had been relaxing for about 15 minutes when this man comes up and lights a cigarette up right beside my baby! Mind you I usually don't mind cigarette smoke but when it is right beside the baby I do! Well, I move the baby's stroller and glare at this man - he doesn't get the point, and KEEPS on smoking. I then turn to my mother and exclaim (in my most self-rightous tone) - "Some people are just sooo rude! You would think they would know better not to come and smoke beside an infant!" The man looks at me and shakes his head and puts his cigarette out - he then leaves. I notice he put his cigarette out in an ashtray and I move over to the side of the bench to check it out. I WAS SITTING IN A DESIGNATED SMOKING AREA!!!!! I felt like the lowliest slime on earth. I grabbed my mom and the baby and slunked away. That poor man should have blessed ME out! I learned my lesson, to keep my mouth shut! If someone is smoking and I don't like it - I move.

 

[dcg0317]

I think they are all getting back at us for all those years when smoking was in and you could smoke ANYWHERE, grocery stores, banks, moive theaters, hospitals, resturants, elvators, malls, buses, taxis. where every you went you could smoke and I remember not even hearing a peep of how the smoke is bothering me or little Suzie and Johnny. Well times have changed and we either have to quit or go into hiding I guess. BTW health ins. cos. are also singling us out too by doubleing our rates, even though obesity is now the number one killer in this country.

 

[snoopy]

Some people are down right RUDE...coming off as holier than thou because they don't smoke and I'm "a slave to a cigarette"

Uh oh, I hope you aren't referring to me. I sure hope I didn't come off as rude, there is nothing worse than a rabid ex smoker.

When I said that *I* was probably a rude smoker, and that I was a slave to nicotine, I meant that about myself. Even though I didn't smoke in anyone's home or car, I didn't really care who I smoked around or if anyone was bothered by it. All I really cared about was getting my fix. I'm certainly not insinuating that any other smoker feels this way. Sorry if I insulted anyone.

 

[arminnie]

I have never been a smoker, I have asthma and don't like to be around cigarettes BUT

the maddest I've been recently was on a trip to London last November. I was with a friend who smokes. We were on a very deserted side street and she was smoking (being very careful to keep the smoke away from me). She was smoking outside on a deserted street - she was trying not to offend anyone.

Two women came up behind us and started being so rude about how cancer kills and how stupid she was as they passed us. I was FURIOUS - my friend took it in stride, but I almost wanted to light up a cigarette and blow it in their rude faces.

 

[msdznyduck]

Originally posted by dcg0317
I think they are all getting back at us for all those years when smoking was in and you could smoke ANYWHERE, grocery stores, banks, moive theaters, hospitals, resturants, elvators, malls, buses, taxis. where every you went you could smoke and I remember not even hearing a peep of how the smoke is bothering me or little Suzie and Johnny. Well times have changed and we either have to quit or go into hiding I guess. BTW health ins. cos. are also singling us out too by doubleing our rates, even though obesity is now the number one killer in this country.

I remember those days also, I (and whoever else wanted to) could smoke at my desk (in a hospital no less) and no one ever said anything. Now its in the parking garage........at least its covered. The old place was just a bench out behind the building. Rain, snow or whatever.........we still were all out there, at least for a few minutes.
Elaine

 

[BrinxFam]

First let me say that I am not a smoker and never have been. My dad is a smoker though and always has been and my brother who is 28 has smoked since he was a teenager. My grandfather passed away almost 18 years ago from lung cancer due to lifelong smoking. That being said my personal choice is to not smoke. Those who choose to smoke know what they are doing and are obviously willing to accept the consequences whatever they might be. I do sit in smoking sections at resturants when I eat out with my bro. or my dad because it is important to me to just be with them and accept them, completely. It seems funny to me that as a society we are willing to accept drinking but are very judgemental when it comes to smoking. It's a free country, Thank God!, and I for one appreciate the courtesy that I am shown by most smokers I encounter.

The only real complaint I have is when I see someone throw a cigarette butt on the ground or out the window, still lit. I also get a bit fumed when I see an irresponsible adult smoking a cigarette while holding or playing with a child or in a group of children.

Just my 2cent. Not that it's worth anything.

M

 

[ontariodisneywoman]

It seems funny to me that as a society we are willing to accept drinking but are very judgemental when it comes to smoking. It's a free country, Thank God!, and I for one appreciate the courtesy that I am shown by most smokers I encounter.

Brinxfam
Well said. Thank you for pointing out that we still live in a free country and that we are still able to make choices. When the government steps in and starts to take away our ability to choose we all are in for a rude awakening. Right now it is starting with the smokers, who or what is next?

 

[shortbun]

I can smell my neighbor's cigarette in my house when
she goes outside to smoke so she won't stink up her house.
What should I do about this? I don't want to be rude to her
but she's causing in my house what she's trying to avoid
in her own. Should I tell her? Thanks for your input.

 

[ScarlettO]

Originally posted by tiggersmom2
(in my most self-rightous tone) - "Some people are just sooo rude! You would think they would know better not to come and smoke beside an infant!" The man looks at me and shakes his head and puts his cigarette out - he then leaves. I notice he put his cigarette out in an ashtray and I move over to the side of the bench to check it out. I WAS SITTING IN A DESIGNATED SMOKING AREA!!!!! I felt like the lowliest slime on earth. I grabbed my mom and the baby and slunked away. That poor man should have blessed ME out! I learned my lesson, to keep my mouth shut! If someone is smoking and I don't like it - I move.

OMG! This reminds me of getting our Dole Whips at MK and finding this wonderfulplace with tables and chairs right next door and eating our whips...then one, then two and more people start smoking..I was FURIOUS!. Yep, it was a smoking area!

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by shortbun
I can smell my neighbor's cigarette in my house when
she goes outside to smoke so she won't stink up her house.
What should I do about this? I don't want to be rude to her
but she's causing in my house what she's trying to avoid
in her own. Should I tell her? Thanks for your input.

No. You shouldn't.
She's out side...on HER property...and you don't want her smoking because the wind happened to be blowing just right one day and it blew into your yard? No..I do not think you should say anything to her...ifyou do, you're being rather selfish.



That being said...*I* only smoke outside as well...I live behind an elementary school..do you think I should not smoke outside when the kids are there? Hell no...it's MY house, MY property...I'm going to do what I want.

Uh oh, I hope you aren't referring to me. I sure hope I didn't come off as rude, there is nothing worse than a rabid ex smoker. [

no no no no no...someone on that thread was sitting on her high horse...it just ticked me off.

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by ScarlettO
OMG! This reminds me of getting our Dole Whips at MK and finding this wonderfulplace with tables and chairs right next door and eating our whips...then one, then two and more people start smoking..I was FURIOUS!. Yep, it was a smoking area!

we JUST found that smoking area in January on our last trip...oddest place in the WORLD for a smoking area to be IMO...right near food and all?

however - I LOVE it! heheh Sorry!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Originally posted by BrinxFam
........It seems funny to me that as a society we are willing to accept drinking but are very judgemental when it comes to smoking....

Hi BrinxFamm and IL neighbor. I think the reason for the higher level of integrated acceptance of alcohol consumption as compared to smoking is that when one drinks alcohol, at least usually during the actual act of consumption, generally those in the immediate area around the person consuming are not affected, neither short term, with comfort, nor long term with health concerns. True, sometimes an obnoxious drinker, but those are isolated and individual situations. After the consumption, if one is intoxicated, well there are laws there to deal with how those people impact their fellow citizens, through DUI laws and such. And hopefully those people, if impacting others, will have the book thrown at them.

When it comes to smoking, the actual act of consumption, the smoking of the cigarette, whether one or many, does impact those in the immediate area, detrimentally, both in short term comfort and long term health.

I do not think it is being judgemental to hopefully isolate the folks who desire to smoke to areas that do not impact others detrimentally. I do think it wise. As I said before, it would be much easier if, like NY and CA, the law was simple and clear, you can't smoke in ANY public use building or area.

Here is a copy of a letter I just sent to the President of a local high school some weeks back, expressing my views on integrated smoking at a high school function......

Hi Brother *****,

My wife and I are both back home now, after a very short evening at ****** annual St Pats dinner. We have attended every year with several friends of ours for some years now. It is always a nice function for a good cause, and the corned beef is delicious. But I think we finally have attended our last. Neither of us can take the tremendous amount of smoke that is permitted in the school gym. Each year, as we left for home, we commented to each other, in amazement, that smoking is permitted in the building at all, much less in the actual gym/dining area, and even with that, not even separated into smoking/non-smoking sections that most minimal of any restaurant would have. I personally have spent most of the time there in past years sitting out in the lobby by coat check, ducking back into the gym for brief moments of conversation with our friends, but giving up after short periods, having a tough time breathing. Several years we were next to tables of prolific cigar smokers, something which is not permitted anywhere today, except maybe in a cigar bar.

In a social atmosphere that so totally is opposed to smoking, for good reason, and additionally in a high school environment, where most lifetime smoking addictions are actually acquired, I find it truly unconscionable that the current condition exists at the dinner. I even find it amazing that, from a fire department perspective, along with insurance guidelines, that smoking of any sort is permitted in a crowded gym as it is, if only from a safety perspective. I think when cities and states around the country have totally banned smoking from any public building, when cities/towns around Chicago have banned smoking from any public building, when Chicago is considering the same, that it would be acceptable, if not desirable and prudent, for **** to not permit smoking in its facilities. Just makes good common sense, no?

*****, I do know that the only case for continuing to permit smoking in any restaurant is monetary. There is no other reason. And I presume that is the same reason for continuing to allow smoking at *****, money. When the administration places the comfort, health and welfare of the attendees above the money, when they place the good example to the young students above the money, I think we may return for some more great corned beef and sharing. Till then, I think we will sit it out in the future. And I do know that our seats will be filled by others, a waiting list for your wonderful evening there is. But for us, *****, our health and comfort come first.

Best regards,

An Irishman who enjoys corned beef,

Dan Murphy

Part of the reply I received back said......

....Your point is well-taken, and I especially appreciate that your note was without rancor or indignation.

I do think it best not to be judgemental of others, especially when it comes to addictions and the like. And I am pleased to say that they have now also changed the rules and smoking will no longer be permitted at all indoors, period. Progress moves slowly at times, but if not judgemental in the effort, it generally works better. As always, JMO.

 

[C.Ann]

Just to touch briefly on the monetary issue and restaurants.. Two weeks ago - a little further north than where our lake house is located in New York - a restaurant owner was in fact issued a waiver in regards to the "no smoking" in any public areas in NY..

She was able to prove to the state - without any shadow of doubt - that banning smoking in her roadside restaurant had a tremendous financial impact on her business - to the point of nearly having to file for bankruptcy - and thus they gave her the waiver.. So clearly the NY laws aren't carved in stone..

Is it sad that there are that many smokers in her particular area? Yeah - it is.. Addiction is a terrible thng - but on the other hand, she should not have to lose her livelihood and only source of income when restaurant goers have the CHOICE to eat elsewhere..

I'm not going to touch the "alcohol" thing with a ten foot pole because most everyone knows how I feel about it after having lost several families to the actions of drunks, but I will say drunks can and do kill people IMMEDIATELY - not 25 or more years later..

 

[ontariodisneywoman]

Just to touch briefly on the monetary issue and restaurants.. Two weeks ago - a little further north than where our lake house is located in New York - a restaurant owner was in fact issued a waiver in regards to the "no smoking" in any public areas in NY..

I don't know why restaurant/bar/bingo hall owners cannot have a say as to whether they are a smoking or non-smoking establishment. If the government would allow owners to make up their own minds I am sure that there would be enough places to accommodate both smokers and non-smokers alike, thus giving everyone a chance to choose where they want to eat/drink/ and or play.

 

[faithinkarma]

C.Ann's post reminded me of a story I read recently.

It seems there was this space that was going to be used for AA meetings. They wanted a waiver to the no smoking rule. They felt these meetings can be difficult enough on some people without the added burden of not allowing smoking.

The response to the request for a waiver?

You can only get a waiver if you are serving alcohol.

 

[barbeml]

Interesting thread. I have a number of perspectives & comments.

First--as a terribly allergic person with an asthmatic brother, a heartfelt "thank you" to all of you considerate smokers. You are more appreciated than you will ever know.

I have had so many bad experiences with smokers since I was a child that I have a very negative attitude toward public smoking. There was a time when there was no such thing as a "non-smoking" section anywhere and it seemed like everyone was a smoker. I recall vividly being in restaurants as a child near tears because I felt so ill from smoke--burning eyes, nausea and severe headache. I cannot tell you how many times an adult would make eye contact, see my obvious distress and deliberately blow smoke in my face with a nasty smile. Others witnessed this many times. I dreaded restaurants and avoided bars and clubs for years.

I also hate seeing every space between the boards on NJ's boardwalks filled in with discarded butts when there are ample trash cans nearby. Same with parking lots--amazing how many piles of butts emptied from car ashtrays wind up dumped out at your local Wal-Mart.

Some food for thought for those of you who smoke, and I say this because I care: A dear friend just lost her husband way too soon due to emphysema. He smoked all through his chemo. My DSIL's Dad is dying from lung cancer and still smokes. We lost my smoker Uncle to lung cancer in February. Another friend has lost both parents and all her aunts and uncles (all smokers and while she was in her young 30s) to emphysema and she still smokes.

It must be so very hard to quit, but please try. There are many people who love each of you and want you to be healthy and around for a long time.