Why is it ok to berate smokers?

[EvianBaby]

Why is it ok for others to harass smokers about their habit?

I'm frequently asked by other people (normally friends or family), 'when are you going to quit'?

This morning I had an IT guy in the office. I barely know him and he could only have know I am a smoker by smelling it but out of nowhere he said, 'have you heard of Stoptober, you should do it'.

As it happens I am thinking of trying to quite but I want to do this in my own time and way, without announcing it to avoid everyones judgement.

Now, I'm happy for people to have opinions, I've plenty of my own but it seems like it's ok for you to air them whenever you feel like if it's about a smoker.

If I was morbidly obese I doubt he would have asked when I was going to join Weight Watchers.

I don't criticize people for the amount of alcohol they drink, although in some cases I'd really like to.

[Mick-Talbot]

Berate them?
I would have them tasered ...............

[tonyav]

How about berating banned users that's usually good for a laugh !

[Old_Geezer]

Unsure the comparisons you made are fair ones even if I do see some symmetry. For example, generally speaking a smoker will make the air around them that others breath unpleasant (and maybe even unhealthy), whereas an overweight person ought not be affecting you in the same manner so would not be seen as suitable for advice and encouragement.

That said I'm not keen on anyone making another uncomfortable as a matter of normal behaviour. Is it berating or encouragement ? If it really is the former, are you making life sufficiently unpleasant for others that they feel the need to do so ?

[EvianBaby]

I'll be honest, I sort of got bored of this post. Happens with most of my own posts.

But I will say that if I had been smoking with him anywhere near me I might be more understanding. But he wasn't.

I always get a general feel from Jokos posts that she's just a bit angry about everything.

Anyway, continue to happily argue amongst yourselves. IT man is on his way back in, although he's late (AGAIN! but that's another post) and I need to musk up.

[joko]

lol evian, not at all - actually i rarely get angry.... something may vaguely irk me enough for me to comment but certainly not angry or irate.

i just write simple words in a simple way, nothing more... if people wish to add all sorts of extra meaning to them thats up to them... but theyd be wrong.... because like i said in this instance, whilst i dont like smoke, i dont actually care much if people smoke around me...my boyfriend does it all the time ... and have certainly never complained at anyone... except once i think when someone was blowing smoke directly into my face inbetween sentences.

maybe you and others need to try to learn to read whats actually been written, and focus on that, rather than reading into it how you choose to interpret it?

Just because i dont pepper my posts with flowery language or smileys does not mean i am angry.

i think its quite a lazy cop out that people resort to trying to accuse people of being hysterical and ranting just because they dont like whats being said - as though that somehow enhances their own viewpoint ... it really doesnt

when i start using capitals, angry emoticons, swearing, and lots of punctuation etc - then you will know i am angry.

oh and just for the record i am calm right now - this is answerbank, the day i let myself get upset or angry about something on here is the day i stop coming here... lol :o) ;oD xxx