What the hell is an "aggressive smoker"?

[Vektor]

I recently heard a snippet on the news where a woman claimed she supported a particular smoking ban in some area or another, because she was "repeatedly being menaced by aggressive smokers."

The visual image that my mind's eye produces of an "aggressive smoker" is just too freaking hilarious.

Anyone?

[Droopy]

1. About the most aggressive thing you can do

when smoking is blow smoke in somebody else's face.

[Vektor]

3. Do you suppose this happens to her

repeatedly, and aggressively? I mean - wow, that is NOT good luck.

Not that I condone doing that to someone at all AT ALL, it was just her description that I found comical.

Like everyday, multiple times per day, someone corners her, vigorously inhales a Marlboro Red, blows the smoke right in her face while physically restraining her, and then puts the cigarette out on her forehead or some such craziness.

The term "aggressive smoker" just struck me hysterical.

[Droopy]

4. Yeah, it's pretty funny

especially when you put it that way :)

[Vektor]

7. Haha

I called my friend, who does smoke, and asked her if she has ever smoked "aggressively". She said "Only when I am in a hurry." She did add that she has never menaced anyone while doing it, or aggressively smoked AT someone.

[Huckebein the Raven]

2. I can't say I have met an agressive smoker

:shrug:

[YellowRubberDuckie]

21. You haven't met my mother..

She still bitches when I turn on the fan so the smoke gets pulled away from me. She thinks I'm just just bitching to bitch. I CAN'T BREATHE, WOMAN!
Duckie

[BikeWriter]

5. Definition...

aggressive smoker:
n.

Any of three adult female humans formerly married to BikeWriter.

[Huckebein the Raven]

6. LOL

:rofl:

[BikeWriter]

12. LOL! That's right, go ahead and laugh. I'll send them by your house. :-)

[Vektor]

9. OMG

Your THREE ex-wives were ALL aggressive smokers?!?!

My goodness. Did they ever aggressively smoke AT you?

I wonder if any of them ever menaced that woman I saw on the news?

[BikeWriter]

11. It may have been one of them, but not if she survived the meeting.

[Vektor]

13. Oh - yeah she lived to tell about it.

So it mustn't have been the same aggressive smokers. That means there there are MORE of them.

[BikeWriter]

14. YIKES!

[Robeson]

8. This is an agressive smoker....

....

[Vektor]

10. Awww baby!

Now that IS an aggressive smoker. Man alive.

[tammywammy]

15. I wouldn't know what to think either

I'm a smoker, but I always make a point to make sure not to blow smoke on someone (and apologize if I accidentally do), and make sure the smoke coming off the cigarette isn't blowing on someone either.

When I hear aggressive smoking I think, I've got a 5 min break at work, and I need a cig, potty break and cup of coffee. Fast smoking to me is aggressive smoking.

But if someone had been blowing smoke in her face then that is aggressive and just plain ol' rude.

[Vektor]

16. That makes sense -

My friend who smokes said the same thing.

[Gemini Cat]

17. It's an over dramatic description,

that's what it is. I'm not sure why it's being used. Maybe the person felt ignored and decided using "aggressive smoker" was the way to get attention they thought they weren't getting about the situation. I don't know.
However, it sounds like a very silly way of putting something!

[Atlas Mugged]

18. Sounds plausible

However, the first thing that came to mind are the fools that complain about smoking VERY LOUDLY when in the company of smokers. It's happened to me. Standing outside, smoking a cigarette, minding my own business, and someone 10 feet away from me is hacking, waving their hands, and loudly proclaiming,"Filthy habit! Disgusting!! Should be illegal!!!". You get the idea. While I've never done it, I've certainly fantasized about walking up to said person and blowing smoke directly into their face. I wouldn't be surprised if it has happened to such a drama queen, either.

[Seabiscuit]

19. Any smoker who is unfortunate enough to be near an aggressive ex-smoker

[Theres-a]

20. Bingo!!

I'm an exsmoker(10) days,and I pray to always rememember to treat smokers kindly!I have had those aggressive ex-smokers harass me,and I vow to be vigilant to the idea that it is still a free country(for now).

[Seabiscuit]

41. Ditto

I'm an ex-smoker (almost 7 months) too and never bother smokers. I suffered from addiction for decades so I can empathize. I have my share of memories of aggressive ex-smokers harassing me (when I was in the midst of my addiction) as well, and really didn't appreciate it. As a smoker I was always careful not to bother non-smokers, especially not to even ask if I could smoke in anyone else's house - I'd just either go outside or to my car or simply refrain from smoking. I never liked the new laws banning smoking in restaurants in California but I simply obeyed them and interrupted many romantic dinners by stepping outside for a smoke.

The most egregious such incident was way back when I was taking the Larkspur Ferry from Marin County to San Francisco on a morning commute and sat down outside on the deck on a bench far away from anyone and lit up - by "far away" I mean I was the only one on the entire deck full of benches and other seating. It was an area where smoking was allowed. Some middle-aged lady came out of nowhere, sat down right next to me and told me to put out my cigarette because as an ex-smoker she suffered from asthma and my smoke was irritating her medical condition. I politely told her that in that case she could "kindly find somewhere else to plant your butt because I'm not putting out mine". She walked away giving me dirty looks. I just ignored her at that point - but was thinking to myself: "of all the gall!!!"

What it all really comes down to is following the golden rule, whether you're a smoker, non-smoker, or ex-smoker.

[tammywammy]

48. Wow, I've never experienced an aggressive ex-smoker

I'm a smoker, but I think I'm pretty polite. I'll never blow smoke in your face, and if I do accidentally I'll apologise profusely. I'll even make sure that the smoke coming from the end of the cig doesn't blow in your direction.

But I have had a couple of people say "you know that causes cancer" or refer to the cig as a "cancer stick." Which I'll reply with, "Really, I had no idea they caused cancer!!! OMG Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, I'll just stop right now."

Umm, yeah I know it's bad for me, but you know what I'm addicted and I'm also not ready to do battle with them. I am slowly cutting back, but I can't do a cold turkey stop.

[arwalden]

22. Here! Smoke this! I said SMOKE WITH ME dammit!! Do as you're TOLD!!

Is that an aggressive smoker?

[kwassa]

23. No aggressive, but many OBNOXIOUS smokers

There is nothing worse than going to a great restaurant for a wonderful meal, and have the experience destroyed by the penetrating stink of someone's cigarette. It is like paying big money to smell something foul.

Only thing worse: cigars.

[Divameow77]

29. If the restaurant has a smoking section

then they have the legal right to smoke there. If you don't like it then go to non-smoking restaurants.

I live in Minnesota and a smoking ban just went into effect March 31st. I'm an ex-smoker and find it alot easier to go out without the temptation now. When winter comes around again I will feel sorry for the smokers a little.

Part of the smoking ban includes no smoking within 50 feet of an entrance to a building.

[kwassa]

36. Until the ban here, all restaurants were smoking restaurants,

and smoke didn't stay in the smoking section.

Banning smoking in public places is the best public policy made in many years. Particularly on airplanes, and in restaurants.

[Divameow77]

38. See, even before the ban MInnesota had

non-smoking restaurants, not alot but a few. Alot of them had smoking only in the bar, which helps, but yea it still sucks for non-smokers when dining out. I guess the smoke doesn't bother me unless it's really bad.

[jmowreader]

45. Cheap cigars are truly disgusting

Premium cigars are something else again.

[ContraBass Black]

24. Well, I do particularly dislike it when

smokers are blocking a doorway and refuse to stand aside at my approach so that I have to inhale the smoke directly to tell them to move.

[LibertyLover]

28. Smokers in doorways

The building I work in had, up until a few weeks ago, a lounge for smokers. Then they decided to eliminate it because smoking is not healthy and we are all about health these days. So they forced the smokers out onto the sidewalks. I'm not a smoker, but I had no problem with them having a lounge to go to and not have to stand around in a huddle outside the doorway. Which reminds me of a cute story one of my collegues told me. He was taking some clients from Asia around town (I work in DC) one day showing them the sights. He said that almost every large office building they past had its small gaggle of smokers at the door. Finally one of the Asian businessmen couldn't contain himself any longer and exclaimed that he was frankly surprised by the number of prostitutes out soliciting business. My collegue, who had not seen any prostitutes, but plenty of female office workers grabbing a smoke, asked what he meant. Well, the businessman replied, all those women at the doors of the buildings smoking and soliciting. My friend had to explain American smoking policies. It was, he said, received in puzzled silence and some head shaking.

[Mutley]

25. I think my Grandmother is an aggressive smoker

She will cuss you out if you are even THINKING about telling her that she should quit smoking.

[Demit]

43. Actually that would make her a defensive smoker

And you an aggressive lecturer :)

[nytemare]

26. I picture Andrew Dice Clay when I think of an "aggressive smoker"

What the heck happened to him? I just didn't think he was that funny.

[northzax]

30. I was thinking about...

[nytemare]

32. Yeah, but Dennis Leary is funny!

But, yes, he is an aggressive smoker..lol.

[Misunderestimator]

27. Here's an Aggressive Smoker:

[Divameow77]

31. Everyone knows smoking is not good for you,

I think there are more agressive non-smokers who preach to any smoker they see about how unhealthy it is.
Smokers should have courtesy for non-smokers and vice versa.

[Ellen Forradalom]

33. Poor choice of words

but what I think she means is a smoker who fails to practice common courtesy with his or her habit.

[HEyHEY]

34. One who freaks out when you say "You can't smoke here"

[northzax]

35. true, but on the other hand

I (a smoker) have been yelled at by people in a smoking section. Look, if I'm sitting there, smoking, don't come and sit down next to me, when there are other seats avaliable and complain about the smoke. seriously, sit somewhere else. I don't smoke inside, and am careful to do it in places where it disturbs the fewest people. But some people simply put themselves in the way.

[zanne]

37. I used to enjoy annoying non-smokers.

I haven't smoked for over two years now, but I used to enjoy lighting up in indoor "open" areas--huge spaces, like in a mall. I could always count on someone marching up to me with a very self-righteous look and saying "You can't smoke here"! Yeah, yeah; I know, second-hand smoke, blah, blah, blah. Non-smoking laws made every non-smoker powerful and a little bit self-righteous. People who wouldn't say a word if you dumped litter all over the place suddenly became worried about the purity of the air. Sorry, but sometimes I'd still like to stick a cigarette in my mouth and just PRETEND to smoke! I just blame it on my inner "little shit".

[ucmike]

39. i knew a guy i'd call an aggressive smoker.

he was a ww2 vet i helped out for a while. he smoked 4-5 packs a day of whatever tobacco he'd get his hands on. he got smokes from the VA hospital where he was a patient. people would donate cigarettes because thats what they wanted. the vets were always bored and smoked for something to do.

once i got him out of the hospital he would smoke wherever we were, law office, doctors office, in the car-with the windows rolled up, restauraunt, etc. he would challenge people to try to stop him from smoking. he was just a cranky old vet who felt he paid his dues. he also felt that the government cared so little for him that he'd do what he wanted just to challenge the laws. his attitude was "f'em if they don't want me smoking". (also an unhealthy dose of "what do i have to live for anyway?")

in a strange coincidence he was killed in a smoky fire about 2 months after i stopped helping him.

yep, fell asleep smoking in bed.

[NoPasaran]

40. I was going to say Hitler, but I don't think he smoked

Little bastard sure enjoyed invading places, though.

I guess I'll have to categorize him as an "aggressive vegetarian".

[UncleSepp]

49. Der Fuehrer ist tot... rauchen erlaubt...

Aggressive non smoker, definitely. Smoked pretty good after he was dead though - that's what happens when you only have so much gasoline.

:smoke:

[Vektor]

42. Thanks, everyone!

This turned out to be a very funny and informative thread.
I appreciate all the input!

[DawgHouse]

44. Reminds me of a coworker that I once had,

a non-smoker, who would hang out at the back entrance to the building with the smokers - and complain about the smoke.

[Hugin]

46. A person who A) Smokes and B) Has Deep Pockets....

So they can be sued by the Wendy's Finger gal
to cover her legal bills when Wendy's is through
with her.

[bigwillq]

47. People need to leave the smokers alone

We are only hurting ourselves in most cases. For those people who smoke around non-smokers or around their kids, that just shows a lack of respect and responsibility for other people and it's not necessarily related to them being a smoker.

Jeeez, us smokers hardly have any rights anymore. If you want us to stop smoking then make it illegal. Until it's illegal, then leave me the fuck alone!:rant: