this is not meant to be an anti-smoking post. that would be hypocritical of me, especially as i reflect on the days in college when it was fine to smoke inside of a bar and no one thought twice about throwing a cigarette butt directly onto the floor beneath the table where we were eating and drinking from...myself included.
my gripe is this: when walking to work, freshly showered and make-upped (now a word), and enjoying the mental respite that comes with a 25 minute walk before starting my work day, there are few things more revolting, annoying and shocking than having someone blow their morning cigarette smoke directly into your my face. it is never intentional, but it is always sickening. the blend of morning breath, exhaled cigarette smoke, hot air, and the city sewage steam it inevitably picks up along the way to my (and other pedestrians') face makes my stomach turn over. i'm not asking you to stop smoking...i'm asking you to be mindful when you exhale. it may be a futile request, but one i think worth making.
the worst example of this i recently saw while walking down 16th street towards market. we had just passed the dunkin donuts at sansom street and a dapper man, dressed in his work suit and holding his brief case in one hand, exhaled directly into the face of an elderly man behind him. the smoking man did not know this took place and i don't think he intended to do this and continued his brisk walk to work. the older man literally stopped in his tracks and began to cough and rub at his eyes. he looked a little bit embarrassed and certainly grossed out. when there are 4 people across a sidewalk in the rush hour walk to work, i do think it becomes a social grace to be aware of who you are smoking near and where your hot smoker's breath is going. the same way it is rude to talk loudly on your cell phone while on a crowded train or bus....but that's another post entirely.
thanks for letting me vent...felt like breath of fresh air.
-citypersonwhoknows
yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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