To say smoking does look cool?

[BeachOrPool]

Yes, I know inhaling thousands upon thousands of cancerous chemicals definitely isn't cool!

But there's something about some people lighting up a cig and looking into the distance that looks rather cool and 'suave' to me

I always picture having a deep conversation with a mysteriously handsome but dark horse of a person, looking far into the distance as they respond to my dilemma "That's life, Soph" or some other talk that included clever sayings that I can never think to use at the right moment.

It looks cool.

My executive assistant aunty use to look very classy sitting with her legs crossed and smoking a cig, whilst listening to my dilemmas
I just want to put it out there that I've never so much as taken a puff of a ciggy

You clearly haven't RTFT Charisman if you have failed to see the many references to smokers as 'lower class', 'chavvy, 'thick, 'overweight', 'cleaning ladies, and 'wearers of sovereign rings' amongst other delightful bon mots.

Cool? No. And it stinks.

When I see a smoker, or vaper, my instant thought is "Idiot". Sorry, it's totally instantaneous and I can't help it.

But why Mxy? What makes them more idiotic than any other person doing what they do?

I don't want to live in exactly the same way as other people, I don't want to take up their habits. I don't think them idiots though, merely people with different tastes.

I assume you're looking for an answer more complex than, 'because they're paying good money to do something that's highly likely to kill them - slowly and painfully. And is harmful to others around them'?

I used to smoke. I am an idiot.

I suppose because it costs a fortune, is really bad for them (and anyone else who's exposed to it) and it stinks.
Vaping less so, of course.

I can think of lots of things that people do, that I don't want to, and I don't think those people are idiots.
I don't shout it at the smokers, my brain just automatically thinks it. {shrug}

You have recovered from idiocy, Dowager.

No, I haven't. I'm still an idiot for ever doing it in the first place.

For example, I am very particular about the clothes I wear. I don't wear synthetic fibres. Ever. It's just not something I do. I don't like it. Do I give a shit about people who do? No.

If I really analysed it, I probably should, as synthetics are usually a product of the oil industry and not great if that's your bag, but I really couldn't give a shite if people choose to clothe themselves in the by-products of the petro-chemical industry.

Likewise food. I am an omnivore that buys the best food from the best sources I can.

Do I give a shite that idiots on a quinoa binge have destroyed the staple diet of the people of Peru (I do a bit actually, which is why I don't buy it).

We all make choices that impact others, we don't live in a vacuum.

I just find it extremely interesting that health and lifestyle choices have been used as such a devisive tool, and can be used as a stick to beat the less desirable with, even when their choices are used to fund your pension and your other choices are depriving those who wish the worst thing they had to cope with was some smokey fucker ruining their al fresco lunch.

Short of emigrating to a remote island and living off the land, none of us can a live a life that doesn't negatively impact on others, in some way.

However, wearing synthetics or eating quinoa isn't going to send you - personally - to an early grave.

Smoking has the special distinction of being knowingly harmful to the person paying for, and engaging, in the activity.

It really doesn't. When you see people huddled outside their office in the poring rain desperate for a puff before their boss finds them it's just sad.

No, eating quinoa and wearing synthetics is going to send some other poor bugger to an early grave.

I'd rather be responsible for my own early grave.

The grave is fucking coming anyway. It's not some obscure fantasy. It will happen. Sooner or later. And it is an inevitability that some action, at some point in your life will hasten your journey there. Even if it's at the point of conception.

Well of course we're all going to kark it one day.

But there's nothing inherent odd at looking askance at the people literally galloping up to the finish line

Well yes OP - in the sense that it's a brilliant symbol of fuck you and fuck everyone else.

I loved smoking.

I'd love one right now if I'm honest....

Catherine Zeta Jones looked cool smoking in "Chicago" but other than that it doesn't look good on regular Joes walking down the street chuffing away!

This is how it usually goes for me:

I'm watching a film (usually an old one, it's rarer these days) and some cool and sexy character is smoking in a way that is supposed to look edgy, suggestive and beguiling. The other character is not smoking. The scene is all fraught with sexual tension, then one of them grabs the other and snogs their face off, rips their clothes off etc.

But all I can think at that moment is 'Eeeew, nasty! Bleeeuugh. Fag breath kissing. Boak Boak Boak.'

Therefore, not sexy. The antithesis of sexy. They just completely ruined the moment for me by doing something grim and revolting.

I agree with you op. It did look cool. Although you've dragged all the ranty posters here with your feckless comments . They're not very cool

I'm currently watching a French crime drama box set and every few minutes a different character will be smoking. As an ex smoker, it brings back all my cravings and it's taking me a lot of willpower to not run to the shop buy a pack and light up. I really do miss smoking, but I'll never smoke again, I never thought it made me look cool though, I just really enjoyed it.

Don't watch Peaky Blinders then mum there's a fag lit every 20 seconds in that. How anyone of that generation made it past 50 is a mystery to me.

I like your posts hairyhands and I agree with you.

Ditto Darth. I am an ex smoker too. I say ex loosely ahem. I have a packet of Marlboro lights in a cupboard that every now and then I go to for one. Nobody knows, just me. Wouldn't want to start up again but I'll never totally give up I reckon!