Everyone has a right to do whatever they want to their own bodies, and I respect that, but you should also respect others around you and recognize that you could be invading their space as well.
I had a meeting the other day, in a closed space, and I had to smell an ashtray for over an hour. No, there wasn't an actual ashtray in the room, but two of the gentlemen who sat in on my meeting smelled like one.
If you're going to smoke, great, fine, they're your lungs and your health, I could careless. However, if you know you're going into a meeting, is there something wrong with either not smoking right before the meeting, or standing outside for a few minutes to allow the lingering smoke to blow away to air out your hair and clothes?
I once dated a guy who smoked, and that was one of the reasons we broke up. I made him go outside to smoke, but he would walk back in as he exhaled the last drag. Excuse me, but that just offset the purpose of smoking outside because you just brought the smoke inside. I explained to him over and over again to let the breeze air him out before coming in, but he felt it was a bother... Well, I felt it was a bother to deal with it and we broke up.
I respect that you want to smoke, but you need to respect that I don't want to inhale it from you! I ended that meeting as quickly as I, but it was still over an hour.
**Are You Packed Yet?**
Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com
Austin TX Real Estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way.
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Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Real Estate - Austin TX Homes for Sale are Selling Strong * was first published on donnahomesblog.com
Well said Donna...I had this fella who would jump in my car whenever we did an office caravan...my car would stink for hours after.
Another thing people have to realize is perfume. Some women and men wear to much perfume(cologne) that can make many people nauseous and cause giant headaches...I don't think they know that you don't have to bathe in it to smell good!!!
That's just one of several nasty habits that invade other people's spaces, Donna. What about having something with garlic or onions for lunch right before a staff meeting? That's a bad one too. We just need to remember to think about the other people we will be subjecting to our habits at crucial times, like meetings or shared car rides. Thanks for the thought-provoking post!
Emcee
To true Donna, I occasionally walk past a smoker whose odor is noticeable from three feet away. Makes me realize how bad I smelled when I was a two or three pack a day smoker. UGH!
This is a disgusting habit and I've always thought smokers had the worst manners standing in public doorways smoking away so that I have to walk thru a cloud of secondhand smoke. I'm pregnant and took my car to the car wash early one morning. I was in the waiting area when one of the employees came through smoking as he was cleaning up the room. I promptly walked outside in 50 degree weather.
But I also agree with Dennis about heavy perfumes too!
Donna ---- this is a pet peeve of mine, too. I walked into my "work room" this morning and it smelled like smoke -- I looked up to see one of my big smokers in the room --of course, she was not smoking, but she may as well had been smoking
Happy Holidays
People who smoke a lot smell terrible! We get prospective tenants now and again who tell us they don't smoke, and I can smell it from across the room. I think their noses go numb and they really can't smell it, themselves.
Another problem is that by that association your clothes also pick up the odor...
Just trying to have a positive Friday,
Paul
Based on the dozens of blog posts that I have read from you, there is no holding back your opinion. In order to prepare for the next time why not carry a small bottle of Febreeze. You can make your point and improve the air quality all at the same time. LOL
Also Donna, have you ever had a conversation with a heavy smoker and the nicotine breath comes your way? Not pleasant. Even in the old days of bowling alleys with heavy smoking, it would all get in your clothes. Smokers just have to be more aware and respectful of the non-smokers around them, but they do indeed lose their sense of smell. Like kissing an ashtray right??
Donna: A smoker is a smoker is a smoker. You can smell the odor within three feet; being in a closed room would make me get up and walk out. What gets me is when you pull up to a red light and look over and the car next to you is full of smoke. They are smokiing with the windows rolled up.
Well said indeed ! It is such a vile habit. My wife and I just stayed at a hotel in Atlantic City, a "non smoking" room that either the prior person did smoke or maybe it used to be a "smoking" room. Either way, it was awful. We should have complained but just left asap the next morning !
Dennis, And I would push him right back out!
Emcee, I don't think garlic and onions are bad unless someone is belching up a storm. It's not all over their clothes, and shaking hands with a smoker is way worse!
Bill, Ick!
Michele, What about walking through smoking sections in the restaurant to get to the restroom...
Liz, People should be sprayed down with Febreeze!
Leslie, It's always funny when they try to lie about it.
Paul, I know, right!
James, Good point! And no, I don't hold back my opinion!
Gary, It got to a point where I had to shower as soon as I got home after going to a smokey place. I can't sleep with it in my hair.
C & C, Sad people!
C & S, I would have gotten a migraine, so I could not have stayed in there!
Hi Donna... now I really understand your FB comment on my post about Perfume Woman earlier today! LOL
I walked into my kitchen tonight and my husband was standing at the sink. I could smell smoke on him across the room and he doesn't smoke. He'd been visiting with friends of his who DO smoke a lot and the smell lingered on him as he came home.
I agree with the perfume thing too. Most perfumes on women smell awful!
Donna - That's the worst. I also hate how some stores put ashtrays and benches right outside their doors. Just the other day I had to walk through a cloud of smoke in order to get to my car.
Is the smell of an ashtray worse or a walking cigarette (person who smokes all the time). When I know the person smoked, I start imagining the hands. Then I wouldnt want to be friendly for a handshake. I have weird imaginations.
I really thought I would see more comments from a smoker that is defending this. Im not a smoker, so I totally agree with you here. Back in the day, I would not date a smoker either. Personal choice. I have no problem with smokers personally, I just prefer not to smell it. Thats actually of the things I loved about California. No smoking inside. Frisco is pretty much like that as well, which is nice.
Some people are not aware that others have alergic reactions to cigarette smoke or the smell of cigarettes. I would have explained my situation and asked if you could move locations where you could breath easier, or would have asked to reschedule the meeting. Your health isn't worth a commission.
Donna,
I had someone apply for a job with a previous company, and she just reeked of stale tobacco. Her stance when someone mentioned it was that she only smokes at home and in her car.
Winter clothes really soak up the smoke, and she didn't get hired.
Mike in Tucson
boo to smokers. I agree that they need to be a distance away from any entry or exits.
Donna, The smell just lingers on a smoker. Regardless of whether they strolled outside to smoke. It is a huge turnoff.
Sorry for the delayed response, but I was never sent emails saying people had posted comments.
I HATE perfume as well. My step father likes to put on aftershave in the mornings, and when we visit, I have to hold my breath for about an hour each time he walks by. It's awful!
And I'm also surprised no smokers have commented...
In total agreement with your post!