No offense to smokers...
I took a puj yesterday after work, so glad that I was one of the first passengers. When it was almost full, an elderly man took the chair across. When he was settled, out came a puff from his lips like a volcano is about to erupt. Yup, despite the ordinances on smoking in public and inspite of the bold NO SMOKING signs, there it was, lighted in between his fore and middle fingers.
The vehicle was so full it was almost impossible not to inhale the smoke. I had to cover my nose and close my eyes. I'd even turn my head to gasp some air.
He noticed this, and asked for an excuse. I told him the smoke is unbearable.
Alas, after a while, he threw it away. And made sure he told me about it. I just nodded, half-smiling -- glad that the air is finally clear. It was still around 5 mins away from my stop, ample time for my mind to wander. My friend or sister would have reacted differently. Either they'd tell the person in his face with sarcasm or they'd make actions to show disgust. It was tempting to do that.
When I was about to disembark, I glanced at his direction and said "thank you".
I was happy.
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This afternoon before going home I dropped by the grocery store to buy some stuff. I was bringing a bag so I had to deposit it first at the baggage counter. I was there first, so I expected to be served first. But people kept coming and he took their things, shelved it, others were given their things, and I was still there, waiting. The cue was almost empty and I am still clinging on to the plastic bag.
I got pissed-off. When finally he was to take it from me, I shoved the bag, gave him my killer look (it would have killed him in a split second had looks been deadly) and said "I was here before them", grabbed my tag and went inside. Taking a walk, even in between aisles of goods does wonders. When I finally paid for the items I bought, the nerves have calmed down. Good thing another security guard was serving when I came back to retrieve my bag.
The guard was indifferent, but still thanked him for the service and left.
Ah, life, so full of ironies.
Lioness posted on May 22, 2009
| views: 87
Comments
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Hegemone said on May 22, 2009....
Lioness - Well, interesting experience with the man and smoking. He shouldn't have been so rude. He's lucky that a polite non-smoker like you was so patient. I'm on the yucky side of this, as I am a smoker, but I at least abide to common courtesy and do not smoke in public, around children, or in confined spaces. I do so in the comfort of my own home, where we are all smokers, or in my own car, which is an extension of my personal domain. Others are just not so conscientious. I mean, hell, if we smokers want the non-smokers to be nice, we better start being nice to you too, right? It works both ways.
Now, about the other thing ... how come you guys have to put your bag at the baggage counter? Is it to prevent stealing? Sorry, I'm over here in America so it's a weird concept to me, but it sounds interesting and like a pain in the rear all the same. Glad you finally got in there and got what you needed, and were able to calm down.
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Lioness said on May 22, 2009....
Yes Hege it is called mutual respect. I hope I have not offended you.. At least you are more considerate than others who mindlessly puff wherever and whenever they have the urge. There are designated smoking areas here, definitely not on public vehicles and those caught violating the ordinance are penalized.
Heck, I've not really thought of the reasons why there are baggage counters , except for the convenience of not bringing all your stuff inside while purchasing. But there are a lot of shoplifters proliferating in this part of the world, so I guess you are right on that. :)
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Hegemone said on May 22, 2009....
No no, no offense here, I feel bad that yet another smoker has represented us so badly though. I hate when that happens. I mean, they say it only takes one bad apple to turn the bunch ... but sometimes it only takes one bad apple to make the rest LOOK bad, if ya see what I mean. No hard feelings here. That does make sense though, to add some ease to shopping by not making you carry every little thing around the store. -
queenparanoia said on May 22, 2009....
yup... life is full of ironies... good thing i quit smoking now...lol... ;-) -
travelr712 said on May 22, 2009....
makes life interesting, doesn't it ss ss? -
Lucytorial said on May 22, 2009....
Lioness - the smoker? well I am one and I tell you I would never ignore the law, I don't where I live, I would have asked very nicely if he could put it out. I was walking down the street once, wide open and very airy street ( you can still smoke on our streets here) and a lady walked behind me, I heard her foot steps, then she tapped me on the should and said "It isn't very pleasant" I looked at my ciggie and promply put it out "I am so sorry, I didn't realise" since then I don't do it, I wasn't offended at all by her saying that. She could have moved to the other side of the foot path (huge wide street) she didn't, I am poluting so cool no worries. Sometimes people are ignorant. -
Lioness said on Jun 07, 2009....
oh my, I have forgotten all about this post, lol. sorry for the late chat folks! :D
hegemone, I completely get you.
queen, quitting is the hardest thing to do, so CONGRATULATIONS! :D
yes mr. trav, it definitely is.
Lucy, sometimes, it takes one tap as a respect. I believe there are sensitive smokers out there, just like you.
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