Korean Job Discussion Forums

[DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP]

Okay lets have a thread where we can discuss the evil weed.

I'll start by writing all of my thoughts about smoking.

History. I started when I was aboout 12 years old. I wanted to do it just to see what it was like and then I noticed other kids thought me and my mates that did it were kind of the cool group and I liked the attention that having a fag outside the youth club at school would get me and I'd make big obvious displays over it like blowing smoke rings or flicking the butt soo it made a big 'explosion' on the floor when I was done wit it... lol, what an idiot. The irony here is that I used to feel violently dizzy and sick and would often have to go home and lie on the sofa for an hour and lie to my Mum and Dad and say I had a headache or something.

Then it became enjoyable, the dizzyness and sickness passed and I began liking the taste. Then of course the cravings and I was hooked.

Smoked full time every day about 10 a day from 15 years old - about 23 years old.

Around aged 23 I'd quit a 4 year period of almost daily weightlifting (no matter how poor it was) and noticed that now I wasn't ecxercising but still smoking, I was extremely lethargic in the mornings and my breathing felt strange sometimes and I'd genrally just feel weaker than normal.

So then I pretty much spent the next 3 years (these were uni days) quitting on and off for a few months at a time and since I was about 26 (7 yrs ago) I mostly only smoke if I get drunk with other smokers, gamble or am severely stressed over work.

Present. I now really only smoke if I'm very drunk or just drinking normally with other smokers.

Also if I'm hungoever and there is a pack in the house from the nigt before - they get smoked. If not, I won't bother.

Usually if I have a non smooking girlfriend I can quit easy as I feel weaker and lethargic in general when I smoke and thus am not at my best in (aherm) 'physical matters.' Also I'm getting laid and am genrally happier I guess so that overrides the ciggy cravings.

Ciggies of choice - I like those with a strong taste but aren't 'full fat.' Malborough Lights or Camel Lights are the ideal. At the moment I have a pack of Raison Blue laying around as I'm living on a farm until my school sorts out my apt so I drink and smoke every evening simply because there is nothing else to do. I'll go back to just being a drinking smoker when I move into the apt...

Health As mentined I feel godawful in the mornings when I smoke the day befoore and genrally weaker in body and my mind seems fogged at work.

The last few years or so sometimes even having just one cigerette has occaisonally made my heart pound like crazy annd I feel so weak and exhausted that I crash on my bed for about an hour befoore I feel normal again I went to the docs for heart and lung check ups after this and ironically my bloodpressure is AMAZING - 46 bpm and he said my lungs were in tip top shape. Weirdly straight after this odd crash on the bed feeling, I can get up, run to Namsan, run up it feel perfectly fine and continue running lterally until my jooints hurt. I explained all this to the doc and he said 'if you feel bad, then don't smoke, but you are in very healthy condition.' Weird huh?

I always tend to have a beer now if I smoke before I get drunk as the alcohol seems to counteract the stimulant and I don't get the nasty, 'crashing' feeling I mentioned above.

Fave time to smoke with soju and samguipsal / on the can having my morning 'movement' and of course whilst nicely drunk (but not when hammered.)

Now I've written this I will probably go and smoke one as soon as I press 'submit.'

Pavlov is laughing in his grave...

Discuss anything about ciggies and your relation with them here.

[richardlang]

I started smoking a year ago, almost to the day this month. I smoke Marlboro Lights regularly. I used to smoke Dunhill Lights. Well, for about a month. I usually smoke about 4 to 5 in the morning while drinking coffee. I like to smoke any time of the day really. At dinner, especially.

[MollyBloom]

I have been smoking since HS, but never a pack-a-day smoker. Just when I have a drink or coffee, but it sucks being back in the US after being able to smoke everywhere in Korea. In public you have to go 100 yards away from entrances, children, and small animals.

My favorite tobacco is Gauloises, loose tobacco, and I would kill for one right now. Gotta get them online since they discontinued selling them in the US.

About the habit, it is a filthy one, but I really enjoy doing it, when I do.

[.38 Special]

Been smoking going-on 12 years. I've always been a heavy smoker, hovering between a pack and a half and two packs a day.

I like the activity of smoking. I can't really taste it, so that's not a draw. I guess I'm what you would call severely addicted. If I don't get my smoke on the hour, or before two hours, I become extremely agitated. I can't remember ever going longer than a few hours without a cigarette, so I don't know what comes after "agitated."

Frankly I wouldn't mind quitting. I guess I'm kind of afraid to. Being a chemical-wuss, though, I couldn't handle the "occasional drag" you folks got going on. I don't have the guts for it. I'd relapse in a hurry, I can all ready feel it.

Come to think of it, it's time for me to step outside and enjoy the crisp air

[Triban]

I'm quitting.

[gregoriomills]

Being from the US, smoking is not really that cool in public anymore, but occasionally I would buy a pack when going with my friends in uni and smoke a few, giving out most of the others, and I wouldnt have any trouble just doing this once a month or so. I would usually be left with a half used cigarette case in the morning, and eventually have 8 or 9 half smoked packs in my room after a few months.

After coming to Korea, where EVERYONE AND THEIR DOG smokes, I've picked it up a lot more, but almost only when drinking. But I must admit that sometimes I catch myself getting a beer just to justify having a smoke. Since being here, I've had a gfriend come from home for almost a month, my parents come here, and I've been home for a 2 month stint, without any trouble of dropping the habit cold turkey (except when Im getting hammered).

Hopefully when I go home for good next year, I will go back to the "once per month" thing, mainly because of the social stigma involved with it in the states. I don't mind this, though.

[DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP]

^^^ Yeah that's the ideal for me, the few times a month and mostly when drinking thing.

[Draz]

[nobbyken]

Pretty difficult to try to pinpoint 1 of the humereds of of toxins and chemicals your body is having to react to. Maybe it's trying to tell you something.

[Wiltern]

[eamo]

I gave up smoking in April after 25 years of less than a pack a day. Plus a lot of 'special' cigarettes.

Can't say I feel much better or happier. I gave up because my first child was on the way. Made me motivated. Plus, I always said I wouldn't smoke past 40 years old. Old guys smoking looks rough as hell.

I'm glad I gave up......but I always enjoyed smoking.

[DaeguKid]

20 year smoker, stopped recently and feel great! Sometimes I would smoke only 4 or 5 a day. Somedays alot more. On the drink it would be a pack minimum. Been building up my mind as of late to stop and found away to aid me in doing so...since then it has been smoke free (sort of, had a few on the drink just recently) If anyone is interested in knowing my aid drop me a message and I will be glad to share my tip with you.

All in all, smokes are great...the taste of a butt with a cold pint is priceless! But lung butter, smelling like poo, old wrinkled skin, being addicted and having temper tantrums when not fulfilling your addiction is just plain stupid. I am sure every smoker here would agree!

[chris_J2]

I went through a phase where I smoked Indonesian kretek or clove cigarettes. (Gudang Garam or Djaram). Gave them up when govt taxes tripled then quadrupled the price. Still smoke the occasional Marlboro light. I really should quit altogether.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

January 19th, 1987.

First day I smoked.

Story:


Friend: Have a smoke.
Me: No way!
Friend: Try one.
Me: No!
Friend: Just one puff?
Me: NO!!!!!
Friend: She smokes (points at hot girl)
Me: (looks at hot girl smoking)
Friend: Want one?
Me: Yeah



...and that's how it started.

Now I smoke too much, and I need to quit. Badly. Been several decades...

I smoke 520, a Taiwanese-brand. Sometimes, Mild Seven. Back at home I smoked Canadian Classic King Sized.

[beckett]

I am hopeless pathetic addict , marlboro reds

sometimes I have one before i even get out of bed in the morning,

really need to quit