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If my Dad were alive, we would be celebrating his birthday later this month. Unfortunately, I've lost both my parents and a sibling to smoking related illnesses.
Because of that, if I see someone smoking and the opportunity arises, I ask them gently to stop, even if it only for the sake of their family. I also explain that I've lost family members because of smoking.
It raises a question though: if we see someone engaging in a practice that will, in all likelihood, shorten their natural life and possibly cause pain and suffering to themselves or others, do we gently engage them to ask them about their actions? Or, do we assume an attitue of "Not my monkeys, not my circus" and say nothing?
Tim
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Whenever opportunity arises I do ask them to quit the habit..but I can not go and ask some one I dont know..I just keep the advice limited to the people I know.
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Going around and ask random people to stop smoking would be considered unfriendly by many people.
A ghost from the past. Known to others as "Linda".
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Quote: Going around and ask random people to stop smoking would be considered unfriendly by many people. True. It's terrible to try and save people's lives, unless you know them.
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
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Dropkicked Murphy wrote: Going around and ask random people to stop smoking would be considered
unfriendly by many people.
Else they just ask "Who the F*** are you man??" and trying to save their lives all I get is the F word!!!
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Dropkicked Murphy wrote: Going around and ask random people to stop smoking would be considered unfriendly by many people. Only makes me think this Joke:
"Girls these days do not appreciate what boys do for them, like just the other night. Instead of appreciating that I bring her favorite breakfast in bed. She starts shouting and swearing about wanting to know who I am and how I got into her bedroom at 3 AM..."
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Dinesh.V.Kumar wrote: I just keep the advice limited to the people I know
It's not like these people haven't heard that "advice" before. That's probably half the reason it always comes across the wrong way.
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Is it "in all likeliness"?
I don't know, but I'd suspect not considering many who smoke give up long before it has any significant impact of their own volition, large numbers will die of completely unrelated things, and some will live out their lives with no significant impacts at all.
People don't like being nagged at or told what to do.
Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them.
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chriselst wrote: Is it "in all likeliness"?
The discussion was not necessarily related to smoking only, it was any activity. I had an uncle that was a raging alcohol and died as a direct result of his excessive drinking, for example.
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I realise that.
The in all likeliness applies to anything.
Millions drink alcohol with no ill effects at all.
Loads of people die in accidents, mostly in their own homes, plenty being in cars. Most don't.
What about Skiing, mountain climbing, lots of other things people enjoy doing but have an inherent risk?
Adults have to be allowed to make their own choices, even if they seem to be stupid choices, and have the chance to learn from what they do.
Most people have health issues or shorter lives because of poverty yet there is more than enough wealth in the hands of just a few people.
Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them.
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Quote: People don't like being nagged at or told what to do. How dare you tell me what I like or don't like.
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
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Ok. Some people like it, but they pay a lot of money to leather clad women in dungeons for the experience rather than raking it from random people on the street.
Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them.
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It depends on the situation. I smoke, and I try to avoid it around children - That said, I wait until the family has passed me before I light my fag, or try to pass them with the biggest possible distance. I see that as my responsibility - What I don't see as my responsibility is to back away when I stand somewhere, having a smoke, and a mom and their kids need to stand right next to me - I was there first, and there is plenty of space for her to stand, where she is in safe distance.
I also smoke at the train station - Whoever doesn't like the smoke can back away from the ash tray, it's there for a friggin' reason.
What I want to say with it is that both sides, smokers and non-smokers, need to behave responsible - With hindsight and respect.
I can understand your considerations - But people may get it into the wrong throat if they don't quite get your point. If any foreigner would as me to stop (without any obvious reason, a huge gasoline spill nearby would be a good reason) I'd probably light another fag.
In the end we are adults, and everyone shall do whatever the heck they find right - Within some borders of course. If someone desperately smokes near children anyone shall be allowed to shove the smoke down the smokers throat.
I will never again mention that Dalek Dave was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel.
How to ask a question
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Well reasoned reponse, thank you.
Marco Bertschi wrote: But people may get it into the wrong throat if they don't quite get your point
And that is why I always explain why I am asking them to stop, and do so in a gentle tone, not condemning them, just explaining my history.
Tim
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That might work well if you know them, but here (Switzerland) you get odd looks if you go to approach random people, tell them your life story and ask them to quit smoking - Dunno how that is in the US, but from my point this behavior would be *unusual*, if not be considered rude by some.
I will never again mention that Dalek Dave was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel.
How to ask a question
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I would not approach a complete stranger with that action in mind, which is part of the 'if the opportunity presented itself'.
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Just saying
I guess we have the same opinion, if there is an opportunity I don't mind to talk about non-smokers about my habit.
I will never again mention that Dalek Dave was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel.
How to ask a question
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Quote: smokers and non-smokers, need to behave responsible Some would say the mere fact they smoke makes them irresponsible.
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
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Smoking is a stupid thing to do.
Everyone who smokes in the western world knows it is a stupid thing to do.
It makes them smell nasty, less nice to be around, increases their chance of getting all sorts of things wrong with them, and costs a massive amount of money.
I'd say deliberately giving someone lots of your money to be less healthy and more unpleasant is quite irresponsible.
Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them.
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Come on. Don't be shy. Tell us how you really feel.
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
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chriselst wrote: It makes them smell nasty,
Talking about these who smell like an old ash tray, yes. I for my part got often complimented by non smokers on the way I smell.
chriselst wrote: increases their chance of getting all sorts of things wrong with them
I'm a Developer, there are so many things wrong with me that I can't be bothered to care about the smaller things the fags get wrong with my.
Enough of the drivel, I'm with you on anything (except the smell). Smoking is stupid, and it is a stupid decision to start with it.
I will never again mention that Dalek Dave was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel.
How to ask a question
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People who smoke around children (as an example) are irresponsible.
People who smoke are stupid (Yep, starting to smoke was a stupid decision).
The difference is small, but it is there. People who smoke might be stupid, but in their behavior they might still act responsible (I gave the examples in my answers to Tim already).
I will never again mention that Dalek Dave was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel.
How to ask a question
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Quote: (I gave the examples in my answers to Tim already You gave examples of being responsible around other people. But killing yourself cannot be considered responsible in this context whatsoever.
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
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I see my responsibility around other people as more important than the responsibility to myself.
Apart from that I stopped drinking coffee and keep myself fit with running, so smoking isn't that bad, at least not at the moment. Am I self-responsible? I don't think one can answer this by just asking "Do I smoke?".
I will never again mention that Dalek Dave was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel.
How to ask a question
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Quote: so smoking isn't that bad, at least not at the moment.
Quote: Am I self-responsible? I don't think one can answer this by just asking "Do I smoke?". I agree. No one is perfect.
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
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