Smokers, and why I despise them...

[Skeeter]

[Rant Mode ON]

A couple of days back, I'm nearing the end of my shift at work. (A tourist attraction in close proximity to a casino.) After dealing with the Bastard Family from Bastardville (Think: Four screaming, psycho kids and two sets of parents who stand by and LET them scream and run about around a $7,000+ computer system.) I decide... "Think I'll have a glass of vino after I finsh up... Just to relax."

Ten minutes later, people in the nearby bar light up... with what appears to be a cross between tabacco, smouldering compost and burning tyres. My eyes were literally watering, despite being 100 meters away at least.

Finally, I finish up and retreat to a tiny bar across the street for a glass of Kim Crawford Unoaked Chardonnay...

And discover I can't smell a friggin' thing! My nose has gone on strike! (Yes, there's a "picket" gag in there, I know that...) The wine tasted okay, but probably would have been ten times better had I been able to get anything from the ol' sniffer.

To round things off, a slightly tipsy girl next to me lights up. Now my wine doesn't TASTE good, either.

Sometimes I think New York has got the right idea.

OK, make that "I KNOW New York has the right idea"... Either that, or I have to start stocking up and drink at home.

[Rant Mode OFF]

[Innkeeper]

Know a lot of people who react that way including my beloved. For some reason, though I quit smoking thirty five years ago, smoking by others does not bother me unless they blow it into my face.

[Thomas]

I don't know, Skeeter, about NY's program. Now, smokers stand outside bars to puff away. The outside air quality truly stifles, especially during hot, humid summer nights.

My view: firing squad for the lot of 'em... [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/eek.gif[/img]

[wondersofwine]

Foodie,
Isn't it traditional to let them have a cigarette before the firing commences?

[Thomas]

Sure, let 'em have two--or better yet, let Bucko give'em one of his cigars...

[winoweenie]

Guess everyones tolerance to tobacco is different. I too, like IK, have no problem with the nasty weed unless it in my kisser. Like NY and LA, Phoenix is a complete indoor " NO Smoking " town. Not fair but I didn't vote yea on the proposal. WW [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/frown.gif[/img]

[Kcwhippet]

Here in MA, many restaurants/bars are still able to allow smoking. I don't particularly like them because my sinuses close right up in those atmospheres and I have trouble smelling or tasting anything. It's a good thing I'm not in there to enjoy a good wine, but rather a few brews and some pub food. Not all my friends are wine geeks - yet.

[Georgie]

Personally, I hate the smell of smoke anywhere, and particularly in a restaurant. But I do have good friends who are smokers and I feel a little sorry them when they are made to feel like social pariahs. I find smokers to be MOST considerate of the non-smokers when we are out in a group.

[This message has been edited by Georgie (edited 07-28-2003).]

[JagFarlane]

Smoking itself is a nasty habit, one I wish I had never picked up [and thankfully will be forced to quit due to a tobacco free bootcamp]. I do try to be considerate, going so far as to hold the smoke in whenever someone passes, moving the cigarette so that the wind carries away the smoke and so forth. I do despise those whom can't be considerate enough to move away from non-smokers and such like that...though i have met that a lot of them can be quite considerate [lets face it...what other habit can you walk up to a stranger and bum something off of them except smoking, just because we know the massive cravings for nicotine.] It, in itself, is a double harsh habit to quit, not only do you crave the nicotine, but the habit of hand to mouth, and believe me, the cravings hurt like hell. Do I agree with making places non-smoking? YES! But I also like the idea of one restaurant, where they made a smoking room that is fully enclosed, and has a lower airpressure, thus sucking the smoke up and out of the room, just to keep all the smoke from other patrons. Areas like that, are greatly beneficial, and I think its something that should be allowed, perhaps charging a smoking customer a bit more to use, but its something that prevents the smoke from building up in a building, or outside. [and hey if we can afford $5.50 a pack of smokes, we can afford a couple more bucks to help prevent our smoke from bothering others.]