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Smoking- Part 1 million

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NOVA Lady:
OK :) I know smoking had been addressed here pretty much ad- nasueum but Sunday's incident just makes me want to shake someone!

I am a smoker as is my SO and the friends we went to watch the football game with Sunday afternoon. In Virginia there are still bars you can smoke in an we were in fact sitting in an Irish Pub watching the game and smoking. During the 2nd quarter of the game a couple with a few kids came and took a seat a table across from us. While they were sitting down we were smoking and they saw this because I saw mom wrinkle up her nose.

However, since we were in a place that allowed it, and since it was a BAR (I personally don't believe children belong in bars) I really didn't feel like I should have to accomdate her. About 30 minutes after they sat down we all decided to have another cigeraten and lit up. The husband got up and asked us to please put out our cigerettes because of the children. Although he asked politely (well at least wasn't screaming or irrate) my SO said, "No, I am afraid we wont do that." and repeated it a few times.

The man seemed to accept it. However, for the rest of the game whenever anyone lit a cigerette they would sigh loudly and dramtically and roll their eyes and clearly wisper about us amongst themselves, fain looks of disgust, and otherwise try to shame us. The problem: None of us felt shames.

1. We were there first! They could have picked a different seat because they noticed us smoking before they sat. They could have moved if they realized it bothered them.

2. Kids don't belong in bars! Its smoking, its LOUD during the football game, and people are drunk, Its not safe for a small child and in fact they aren't really allowed in this particular bar unless its brunch (which it was, these people chose to wander upstairs to the smokey football game and eat there).

3. There was a non-smoking option they didn't chose to take.


I have had a lot more extreme examples of non-smokers being rude to smokers. It just aggrivates me. I would never smoke in a non-smoking area, why would a non-smoker expect me to refrain from smoking in a smoking area? Do some non-smokers think the non-smoking section follows them around or something?

:) Ahhh good to get that off my chest.

ShadesOfGrey:

--- Quote from: MarinaDCA on December 18, 2006, 02:49:54 PM ---I would never smoke in a non-smoking area, why would a non-smoker expect me to refrain from smoking in a smoking area? Do some non-smokers think the non-smoking section follows them around or something?

--- End quote ---

While I personally actively avoid being in places that allow smoking, I understand...wait, no I dont - that's just the point!! I avoid places that allow smoking since I dont like smoke.  This couple should have done the same. Plain and simple. 

Here's a random memory (not a commentary on  your post) - I once had to take my grandmother, who was on oxygen at the time, to another restaurant because her favorite restaurant (which was a non-smoking environment) allowed a patron to light up in a separate section.  I was more than a little shocked...

Clara Bow:
I live in Florida and in Florida smokers are not allowed to light up on earth. I'm a smoker. I get a little peeved when I'm outdoors in an open area where somking is permitted and some prude walks by and looks at me as though I'm touching myself or something.
I did vote for the somking ban though. There's no way all the smoke in a restraunt will stay in the smoking area and I don't like smoke while I'm having a meal. But a bar? That's a whole different setup.
If you don't like smoking, stay away from places that allow it. And when people are doing something legal that doesn't involve you, STAY OUT OF IT!!

TZ:
Those people were way out of line.  It's fairly easy to avoid places that allow smoking, and I'm sure it's not the only brunch place in town.  If you don't want your kids exposed, take them elsewhere.  It was one thing when smoking was allowed in restaurants, as smoke does tend to carry, but I totally agree that children and bars don't mix!  Also, good for SO standing up for you. 

Hawkwatcher:

--- Quote from: MarinaDCA on December 18, 2006, 02:49:54 PM ---
I am a smoker as is my SO and the friends we went to watch the football game with Sunday afternoon. In Virginia there are still bars you can smoke in an we were in fact sitting in an Irish Pub watching the game and smoking. During the 2nd quarter of the game a couple with a few kids came and took a seat a table across from us. While they were sitting down we were smoking and they saw this because I saw mom wrinkle up her nose.

However, since we were in a place that allowed it, and since it was a BAR (I personally don't believe children belong in bars) I really didn't feel like I should have to accomdate her. About 30 minutes after they sat down we all decided to have another cigeraten and lit up. The husband got up and asked us to please put out our cigerettes because of the children. Although he asked politely (well at least wasn't screaming or irrate) my SO said, "No, I am afraid we wont do that." and repeated it a few times.

The man seemed to accept it. However, for the rest of the game whenever anyone lit a cigerette they would sigh loudly and dramtically and roll their eyes and clearly wisper about us amongst themselves, fain looks of disgust, and otherwise try to shame us. The problem: None of us felt shames.



--- End quote ---

These parents should be happy that you were too polite to have a conversation about what type of idiots bring their children to bars.  Seriously, I agree that you had nothing to feel ashamed of and if the smoking was really a problem, they could have returned downstairs to eat their meals.

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