Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Captain Corea]

I'm not a big fan of sweeping a massive group into any one stereotype, so I'll start this by saying - this is not all inclusive. But with that being said, I have to wonder, are most Smokers inconsiderate?

Everyday I find myself having to walk through crowds of them standing in front of the doors of buildings. I'm a little confused as to why they wouldn't move their lot over 5 meters so that people not wanting to walk through a haze of smoke could do so.

As well, the whole thing about throwing cigarette butts wherever they may be finishing their smoke really makes me wonder. Sure, all sorts of people litter, but why is it that it seems like smokers do so with such little regard?

I just don't understand the smoker's mind.

[Hanson]

As a smoker, I have a rather different view.

I often wonder, why are so many non-smokers holier-than-thou? Why don't buildings and municipalities accomodate a significant portion of the population by providing garbage cans or ashtrays outside of public buildings?

It's funny how people will accept other intrusions in their lives, but will target smokers with a venom rarely seen in these other, similar situations, just because the target is a smoker.

You ask why we crowd around outside buildings? Well, it starts with not providing smokers any areas designated for smoking. Airports do it - why can't other places? They have ramps for the handicapped, why can't they make an area for smokers? Note that some might say "Being handicapped is not a person's choice, but smoking is." Trust me, smoking is an ADDICTION, not a choice, and frankly, I'm tired as a smoker of being marginalized.

So, are we inconsiderate? Perhaps. Are non-smokers inconsiderate? Absolutely.

[Captain Corea]

Hanson, thanks for typing out a reply. I agree with you that if buildings want 'smokers away from the doors', that they should provide an area for them (and their butts).

However, are you seriously positioning your argument on the lines of 'Smoking addiction is the same as a physical handicap'?

[prideofidaho]

[crusher_of_heads]

As much as I detest smoking as my mom passed early because of it, I find the under 40 crowd of smokers, generally speaking, to be considerated. When in their company at an establishment, people always ask, and they don't comlain or ask to shut the windows when we are at a place that has the option.


That's the expat crowd-coincidentally I don't hang with Korean dudes so I would not know. By choice, I don't hang with older Korean dudes because of the nonsensical respect thing, so they can go straight to Helsinki for all I care.

[itaewonguy]

[Captain Corea]

[Kuros]

[Captain Corea]

[Hanson]

[prideofidaho]

Then I guess what I'm getting at is that this kind of discussion often dissolves into sweeping generalisations or inflammatory freak-outs. (smokers are soul-less arsehats, they kill my babies, non-smokers are boring puritans, they ruin my edgy fun).

All I can say is that some people are inconsiderate and others aren't. There are situations where I'll be considerate. Smoking is banned in public places where I came from, and those laws were vehemently enforced. What I'm saying is that at the basic level, you an I may have strong disagreements about what is constitutes a kind and considerate person, but laws and their enforcement/obeying thereof don't really relate to that....as far as I'm concerned.

[eamo]

We'll never get along. We smokers and you non-smokers. We need complete segregation.

Why large building can't make one little room or area a smoking zone is hard to take. We all have to stand outside and bother the non-smokers!

Segregation. It's the only way.

[Hanson]

[JMO]

[aboxofchocolates]

This is simplistic, but I�m pretty sure the only difference between smokers and non-smokers is that smokers smoke (say three times fast). As in they are addicted to a habit that by its very nature inconveniences others. I am an ex-smoker. My world view hasn�t changed, I like and dislike people the same as I had before I quit smoking and feel compelled to treat them with the same amount of respect. And yet I find that I am causing those around me less over all discomfort. I�m happy with that particular outcome, but it didn�t play a pivotal role in my decision to quit smoking. In all other things I would consider myself pretty considerate. I hold doors for people, I help strangers lift heavy stuff, I give change to the homeless, etc.

I bloody hate cigarette smoke, by the way, and I would never ever complain about it because of the years I exposed others to it and I know how difficult it is to keep it from others (yes it's difficult). Except for right now, apparently. Oops.