To think that it's rude to spark up a cigarette when you're cramped with a dozen other people under a small balcony?

[Lira]

I was in town today and the rain came on very heavily. I dashed over to a wall that had a balcony over it. There were already five other people standing there and over the space of ten minutes, 5-7 other people came over.

We were all clearly waiting on the rain to stop, and there was that horrible awkward silence going on. We were squashed uncomfortably together (imagine the size of an average bus shelter), and just kept doing that weird smile/nod thing to each other.

Anyway, one of the ladies standing in the middle decided to pull out a cigarette and start puffing away. Again, no one said anything but she was getting a few looks. After a minute, three people moved away from her so that they were half-under the balcony, and getting wet. She then proceeded to spread out a bit more, and no longer stood quite so hunched (note - she was already taking up the most room because of her pushchair and gazillion bags; she was one of the last to arrive but had no issue with sqishing past people to get nearest the back of the wall)

And after reading another thread on here about how people make up stories so they can say YABU...

I've considered the fact she might have been anxious about being in a small space and needed a cigarette to relax.

I realise she might be an addict and could have sparked up subconsciously.

I also know we were outside so she was perfectly within her rights.

And taking all of this into account, i still think it was selfish. I've now got a horrible taste of cigarette smoke in my mouth that I can't get rid of and dd said she can smell it on my clothes.

You are not going to get lung cancer through standing in the open air near someone who is smoking a fag. Get a fucking grip.

You had a choice of dry cigarette smoke or wet rain, and chose dry cigarette smoke. Your child was under a rain cover. People are funny.

YANBU, she was very inconsiderate.

Yes, how dare she smoke outdoors?

To hate something so much is a bit worry and says a lot about what sort of person you are.

I gave up smoking before I was pregnant, when I was pregnant the smell of smoke in the air and on my clothes and hair made me nauseous. It still does, so I hate it. Maybe it is because I am an ex smoker I am more sensitive to it.

I am not worried at all about what it says about me to say I hate something that actually makes me feel stomach churning sick. I'd be more worried about being thought of as inconsiderate and selfish.

(I have no problems with others smoking who consider others)

To "hate" something though is a bit mad. Mind you it is friday night

I can't believe some people don't think cigarette smoke is a big deal. It's really horrid. Like someone else, it makes me feel genuinely ill. And when it wafts in my mouth - of course it's going to leave a taste and will cling to my clothes. It wasn't just a little puff, it was a full cigarette's worth.

And second hand smoke can be dangerous. Haven't you seen the adverts showing mums smoking at an open window with a baby in the room? The smoke just wafts back in and right into the baby's nose and mouth.

Anyway, this wasn't really intended to be a rant about cigarettes per se (although i did want to defend myself against some of the not so nice replies), just this lady who felt it okay to puff away in a small crowded place.

Yes, second hand smoke can kill you. KILL YOU, I say, even though you are out and about in the open fresh air (well, as fresh as air can be when you are in a town, but breathing in car fumes is not the same thing at all. No, it really isn't). You are perfectly right to HATE this woman and all she stands for.

Okay I forget I said "hate" as its totally irrelevent to the AIBU.

How about I really really really really dislike it because it makes me feel sick and I dont like feeling sick. (I generally have no problem with smoking, I dont worry about catching lung cancer from a random passing smoker)

Smokers should consider that non-smokers may not like smelling like an ashtray when they decide to be selfish and light up in close proximity to others.

I hate when you get a lungful of smoke. I always hold my breath walking past someone smoking. I also equally hate walking past a vehicle belching out fumes.

It's not really surprising that the smokers don't get it, after all they voluntarily inhale cigarette smoke.

Yes, they should all buy their own private islands.

I also equally hate walking past a vehicle belching out fumes.

You must find modern life intolerable.

YANBU

It is illegal to smoke under a canopy/shelter in a public place anyway, apart from a smokers' rain shelter provided by a PH.

I am an ex-smoker now, but over the years smoked in inappropriate places, in cars, in front of children etc. The later, I am really ashamed of.

Unfortunately a lot of smokers (not all), are just not aware of how offensive it is and how much it actually stinks until they give it up.

And I don't really give a toss about what you think it says about me hating cigarette smoke. No need to worry for me.

I mean, I'm guessing you don't drive? Or ever go in a car?

Yy, can't wait until fossil fuel vehicles are phased out. Bring on the electric cars.

So you walk everywhere? No buses etc?

And actually you sound very worried. In fact, you sound very bothered indeed.

No. My last post was in response to an earlier post.

We are seriously looking into whether an electric car would be viable.

U of her not to offer you one.

Worried and bothered about what exactly? I'm not the smoker here.

But in the meantime you are happy to go on 'belching out fumes'?

You sound worried and bothered about 'getting a lungful of smoke'.