About ‘aggressive’ smokers?

[Mynameyourname]

This is an extreme example of course.

I’ve got a rare day off and was sitting outside at a sidewalk cafe enjoying my lunch.

Another customer came along and sat down practically on top of me (I was on a long bench, she chose a spot with no table despite the many empty tables available) and lit up a cigarette immediately.

I was on the last bite of my sandwich and basically fled indoors as the smoke blew all over me.

I could see from inside that within a few moments she’d seated herself at “my” table, moved the plates somewhere else and then ordered a glass of wine!

Smoking is allowed there, so that’s fine, but AIBU to think that her behaviour was incredibly rude and basically inviting me to either have a fight (and still get covered in smoke) or simply flee? I feel like it’s ruined my lunch and I feel silly for letting it, but I don’t like cigarette smoke and I just washed my hair this morning

You can do it, @BlossomRain. I have faith in you!

I actually think smoking isn't really the issue here. Plonking yourself down next to a stranger in a cafe when there are a lot of empty tables is basically rude, and invading their personal space. It's rude whether or not you're a smoker, though admittedly the smell of smoke makes it more unpleasant.

As per usual the smokers come out and try to claim that people complaining about smoke from tobacco is just the pot calling the kettle black. "What about being obese and what about cars?"

As if smokers compensate for their bad habit by eating in a more healthy way than others and walk instead of taking the car when in fact empirical studies have shown without a shadow of doubt that smokers in general also eat less healthy food, exercise less and drink more alcohol than non-smokers. So yeah, you shouldn't smoke and you also shouldn't eat all that junk food and take the car everywhere.

And look it up: the smoke from wood stoves is not as dangerous as tobacco smoke. It is still dangerous and can still cause lung cancer. Most cases of lung cancer in Africa is attributed to the tradition of cooking over an open fire...... But, but, but surely the smokers here are not going to argue that they are less likely to have a wood stove than non-smokers?

As if smokers compensate for their bad habit by eating in a more healthy way than others and walk instead of taking the car when in fact empirical studies have shown without a shadow of doubt that smokers in general also eat less healthy food, exercise less and drink more alcohol than non-smokers. So yeah, you shouldn't smoke and you also shouldn't eat all that junk food and take the car everywhere

This is shite. Smoking doesn't even come in to the equation, some people just don't bother to exercise or eat properly, smokers or not. Which studies are you looking at?

In not a smoker anymore. am like the fucking bisto kid when there's a smoker about though.

SabineUndine you're right some smokers do do this deliberately. But some non smokers love being outraged! A few years ago when I was sat on a bench smoking. A woman came and plonked herself and her toddler next to me and told me I had to move! I didn't and pointed out I was smoking prior to her arrival and may available benches!

You’re going to get all the stinking, smelly fag ash Lily’s bleating on about smokers rights. Spot on!

I’m a smoker and I can’t even drive - and I’m almost teetotal too (with the exception of one glass at birthdays and Christmas etc). I eat well and walk everywhere as long as it’s feasible due to chronic pain. I never smoke indoors, never smoke near other people.

I dont have a wood stove either, despite the fittings for one being in place.

Stop spewing out your bullshit stereotypes. You’re basically lumping smokers and impoverished communities in together and while there may be a large crossover, it’s not cause and effect.

There are also studies showing that a significant percentage of lifelong smokers have suffered emotional, physical or sexual abuse or other trauma, so perhaps understand how that impacts statistics of what smokers are and are not: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2675188/

I actually think smokers do this deliberately. It's their revenge for not being able to smoke inside

OP I hope you managed to recover after you'd fled inside the building.
Get a grip ffs

Unsure why a few PP think you're being unreasonable, even if it is a smoking area, as a smoker I'd still be considerate of how my smoking would affect those around me, especially if they're eating, it's just manners isn't it?

Clearly the smoker in the original post was unreasonable to sit so close when there were many other tables available. I don't know many smokers these days, but those I do know try to be considerate of others.

I have no sympathy with smokers having to sit outside pubs in the winter. In my late 20s and 30s I always sat outside pubs, because I found the smoky atmosphere inside unbearable.

The thing that worries me most about the current ban (which I entirely support) is that I imagine people smoke more at home. I don't normally care what adults do in their own homes, but I do fear for their children's health.

I don't understand the logic behind saying most smokers are inconsiderate and light up in other people's space. You only get to notice the inconsiderate smokers.

I don't go about approaching people saying 'hi, I'm hog father and I'm not going to come and sit near you for a smoke'

Neither do I understand the logic behind it being oh so hard to stay away from them. I wouldn't want my child sat in smoke same as anyone else. She's 14 and I managed it both pre and post smoking ban without too much difficulty. That might mean that sometimes we might avoid outdoor seating if it means sitting where she'd breathe in smoke, but whoever runs the business has decided they need the smokers more than me or any other person who doesn't want to sit in it, and thats their choice.

Some people are just rude when it comes to other people's body space, and some of them will be smokers.

I just think it’s a shame that, in many places you can’t sit outside because it’s just full of smokers. It’s nice to get outside on a lovely day, not so great in a smoky environment. Smokers tend not to think about anyone else (not all of course) my mum smokes and she sits outside it’s almost as if, well I can’t smoke inside so I’ll pollute your lungs and anyone in breathing range outside k, fun!!
I have an asthmatic 6 year old so she refrains in the house but is militant and moans about people who overeat etc as if it’s the same thing, she gets quite angry.
I really don’t get it, you’re participating in a habit that can affect your health and that of others - that’s your choice of course but don’t get angry because others don’t want to sit near you.

I actually don't think smoking should be allowed anywhere that people are eating, whether it's indoors or outdoors. It is just not reasonable that people cannot eat outdoors on some of the rare hot days we get without having to put up with cigarette smoke being blown around them.