To think westerners shouldn't smoke

[TonaldDrump]

On holiday abroad right now in Asia. We've been staying at a resort where there are loads of Scandinavians, Dutch and Brits.

It really bothers me when they just light up in places they'd never do at home. We were sitting in a cafe and someone (Scandinavian) started smoking next to us. A Brit did the same at another restaurant.

Locals, including local tourists I can understand because there isn't a no- smoking culture here but anyone from northern or Western Europe or Northern America should have it ingrained that it's disgusting and unhealthy for those around them and it should be second nature.

It feels like they're just taking advantage even though they know it's anti-social!

It's disgusting, right? Or aibu?

Can I get this in first.
Op: aibu?
MN: Yes.
Op: I'm not. flounce

No, of course locals smoking is just as disgusting. And of course many Asian countries have kick-ass rules about smoking - I would include Singaporeans in my category too, just as bad. Not westerners per se but those from developed counties with strong anti smoking rules.

But it IS bloody anti social and anyone who has been living in a country which restricts where you can smoke should know that imo and not just take advantage of the lax rules on other countries

"But it IS bloody anti social and anyone who has been living in a country which restricts where you can smoke should know that imo and not just take advantage of the lax rules on other countries"

Do you realise how bat shit this sounds? They're smokers. They'll smoke wherever they are able. They're probably well chuffed to be able to relax a bit more and light up on THEIR holiday

Because the last time Britain went to Asia being all 'we know best and will order you to obey our customs and laws instead of your own, it went really well...

YABU - if you don't like it don't go there. I would not travel to a place, such as Saudi, and complain I am unable to get a drink.
If you insist on a smoke-free restaurant, go to place with laws to give you this.

DH gets so wound up about smokers in restaurants when we are abroad. I don't tend to notice it as I had to put up with him smoking everywhere before he gave up 3 years ago.
He now realises what a selfish arse he was, and thinks everyone should give up like he did.
I gave up about 15 years ago and TBH it really doesn't bother me now.

Tbh it's like expecting one toddler not to piss in a paddling pool with three other toddlers. Makes no difference really.

Health concerns may be valid but ultimately in another culture the onus is on you to remove yourself from the environment. At least in Asia the weather should be nice don't think about the uv index

Part of the fun of holidays for smokers is getting to smoke in bars etc without having to stand outside in the pissing rain like a leper. I can see that and I dont even smoke!

I was in the Middle East for work a few months ago and every one was smoking in the hotel lobby where we had our breaks and j felt the same thing. Could understand locals but not those from Europe, n America etc. Disgusting.

Sorry, you haven't persuaded me that it isn't anti social. I still think it is. (Your arguments aren't convincing me iabu)

No one should smoke it's totally disgusting.

not just take advantage of the lax rules on other countries

Why not? I'll smoke wherever I'm legally permitted to do so.

Sounds like a lovely places

Are you on glue?

But it IS bloody anti social and anyone who has been living in a country which restricts where you can smoke should know that imo

Hasn't it occurred to you that not all smokers (or even non-smokers) will agree with your stance that it's 'anti-social'? Whether it is or isn't is an entirely different argument, but you can't just assume everyone holds exactly the same view as you do.

So westerns should go out to these smoking countries and sit there feeling all smug and superior to the locals should they OP?

Maybe the non smoking westerners should all wear labels around their necks declaring 'I will not smoke in your country because I know better than you'. Sounds pretty patronising and borderline racist to me.

Again, it's the selfishness on the part of the smokers when they should know better.

Of course I realize that we're in countries where it'll happen. It's not a big deal in the larger scheme of things. 2 weeks of 2nd hand cigarette smoke here and there isn't a big deal.

But it's not nice and it iS anti social. When I was in the Middle East with the hotel smokers, the whole room stank of cigarettes at the end of the day. Absolutely foul. And there I had no choice, I had to be there

Yabu totally. I absolutely love visiting countries with relaxed smoking laws.

Did you expect to be persuaded? How strange

Pigsdolly

Or maybe just don't smoke in the restaurant? It's really not hard to do and there's nothing patronizing about not smoking around people who are eating. You don't need to wear a big sign.

I don't smoke now but when I did, it's brilliant when you go places and you can smoke in a bar! Wouldn't have given that up for the sake of some uptight brit who might not like it.

Wtf? This is the most ridiculous self obsessed post I've seen in ages

@TheCompanyOfCats: Can I have one? :)

not nice isn't the standard I judge myself by. I live in a country Canada where people do police each other and don't just try to be good people themselves but get peeved when others aren't also. It's all tremendously passive aggressive.

I holiday in live-and-let-live, laissez faire type places so that I can relax.

Tonald - how can it be reasonable to expect people in one country to abide by the laws and customs of a different country?

Do you expect to be allowed to do things that are illegal in the country you're in, if they are legal in the U.K.? I very much doubt it.

Wolver

I was kind of interested to see if there's a coherent counter argument but haven't heard one other than people will do what the fuck they want and that's ok

All the 'are you on glue' and cries of racism don't really do it for me. It's very strange why anyone would get so worked up and rude about it.

Yes yabu

I don't smoke. Never have done and never will do

But if a smoker is allowed to smoke where they want, why shouldn't they be allowed?

I would excuse myself and go find somewhere smoke free. If there isn't anywhere, I will stay outside