Is this about you?

To the smelly smoker that got on the treadmill right next to me yesterday:

You are disgusting. Thank you for standing right next to me so I could feel like I was actually smoking as I ran. The nicotine pouring out of your pores was just lovely.

Smokers: shower before you work out. Or work out in a dingy corner far away from me.

Thank you.

Tue. Mar 11, 7:18am

You are a SNOB! no, I am not the one that was next to you, I'm fortunate enough to work out at home, however, again you have a REAL problem! At least this person that has a bad habit is TRYING to offset that habit with the exercise so give that person a break. You probably smell WORSE than those cigarettes by the time you get done so get off your high horse. Do I smoke? No, but I used to and know how it is.... you are a very unattractive and discriminating person!

Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 8:11 AM

Unfortunately, smoking damages the sensory epithelium in smokers' noses. Smokers have no idea what they smell like. I guess the advantage is that the sweaty person next to them doesn't smell all that bad to them, either.

I used to have a colleague I worked closely with who smoked -- nicest guy ever, I would never insult him on purpose, but he leaned over my shoulder one day when I had a migraine coming on, and I literally puked. (If you are reading this and have never had a migraine, they can make your sense of smell unbelievably acute -- NOT an advantage!) Needless to say, we were both terribly embarrassed......

Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 8:19 AM

i just love how some people feel because they see an issue their way, everyone has to see it their way. Instead of bitching, move to another treadmill if you don't like it. His gym membership was the same price as yours, which allows him the same opportunities and equipment as your membership. I am a non smoker and don't care for the smell, but that's my decision to not smoke. Who am I to push my views on anyone?

Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 8:59 AM

I am an ex smoker and we are the worse by far when it comes to smelling second hand smoke but that is where it usually stops. I have friends that smoke iand it doesn't bother me at all the way they smell, but when they light up it just makes me gag and stays with me for days, like I can taste it in my throat. As for the OP, get over it, I'm sure the overly sweaty person running next to you doesn't smell so hot either.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 9:38 AM

Hey, I agree with the OP ! Call me a snob or defend him any way you like, but it's gross! (And yes, I am an ex-smoker!)

Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 10:05 AM

Totally with the OP on this one. It's not like she's complaining about the smell of regular ol' sweat in a gym. How can it be okay for us to bitch on the "gym bunnies" thread about women who douse themselves in perfume, but not about some waste dump of a human swirling his toxic stench around willy-nilly.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 10:35 AM

I agree with OP - people that smoke smell VERY stongly but don't notice...

Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 11:12 AM

That's so funny...I've never heard the term "gym bunnies" but yes they are just as bad as smokers sweating out the toxins from their bodies. Have to agree with the OP.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 11:15 AM

OP here...

Thank you! :)

And yes, perfume wearers bother me as well. As do sweaty people who get on the machine next to mine when there is a whole row of empty treadmills just sitting there (obviously if its all full I deal and try not to make disgusted faces). Maybe I AM a smell-snob, but thats okay with me.

And 2nd poster, chill. I am just venting.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 11:34 AM

WOW. Sounds like OP likes to criticize everyone for the way they are. smokey, too much perfume, getting on a machine by her. HOW DARE THEM!

OP--sounds like you should mind your own business or quit going out in public.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 12:29 PM

Totally have to agree with the OP.

For the second poster- trying to offset bad habits? You're ridiculous. Quitting smoking is likely a healthier choice than running. All that person is trying to do is assuage guilt for not quitting. Pardon me if some of us don't feel like applauding someone on their half a**ed attempt at improving their health.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 1:07 PM

and please refrain from tons of garlic before spinning :) GROSS

Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 1:24 PM

Pollution

I completely aggree with the OP...
and on the topic of smelly people being a bother, how about noise pollution? Those people that listen to there headphones so loud the whole world can hear. Or in my apartment gym, the people who bring in boomboxes. PuLeeeze!
Mind yourself people, please be courteous to those people around you. Wash your hand after you smoke, rinse your mouth, whatever it is you have to do, turn down your headphones, and don't drip your smelly sweat all over me.
Now lets get in shape!

Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 1:38 PM

You people are freaks. If you have a problem with finding someone "smelly" whether it be from smoking, or garlic, or onions or perfume or curry or sweat or whatever else does not conform to YOUR olfactory standards then just pick up and move to the middle of nowhere. Believe me, "US" the rest of the normal non-bitching population would love to see you go.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 1:59 PM

Way to Go OP! I am with you too....I know of a child care provider who smokes and I don't know how parents can take kids to her, mine went for one day as a drop in because of a emergency and I would never do it again......they came home stinking so bad, I tossed the clothes out I couldn't even wash the smell out it was THAT bad, plus I had to wash them, clean them top to bottom to get the smell off them, even today my daughter will say as we are walking by someone how gross is that they stink of smoke.........I know they can't smell it but for the rest of us it sucks!

Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 2:51 PM

I know you all have been next to the FARTER on the treadmill/other cardio - waaaay worse. The other day I was next to someone who was releasing STINKY ones every 2 or 3 min durng my long run I had to get off and move a fan to flow the air away. I would have just moved but there were no other open machines. If I am ever next to her again and she starts up I am going to have to ask her to please take a dump before she begins her workout.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 2:52 PM

1:59--apparently these people have nothing else to do but judge others for their choices. PT has now become a place we can spend time bitching about others instead of encouraging those same smelly people to lose weight and get healthy. amazing!

Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 5:24 PM

I agree with the OP and others that agree with the OP.

But must admit that I do feel bad for people with poor hygene...they may not have been told that they smell, or that they're not being hygenic...which is a sad situation.

I'm sure the person that smells don't realize it and they're not doing in on purpose.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 6:26 PM

Actually, PT was designed for accountability, not so much encouragement. And the lounge was designed as a place for discussion, not for people to go seeking praise or pity or consolement as so often is the case.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 8:18 PM

I agree with the OP. I dont care what you do at the gym as long as it does not affect my workout, and smelly people can really de-rail a nice hard run.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 8:36 PM

For 2:52.

As a frequent treadmill farter, I apologize. I don't need to take a dump, it's just the effect of 6 daily servings of fibrous vegetables. Which is why I try to limit those workouts to weird times like 11pm and choose the most isolated machine in the joint. But sometimes it doesn't workout so well for the folks around me. Sorry.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 9:52 PM

hey I am not a smoker and am just going to say that perhaps it is good they were working out...perhaps they were near someone who smokes and there clothing picked up the scent ...like many years ago I use to wait tables at the end of my shift I smelled like an ash tray...I have never puffed once

Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 10:35 PM

you waited tables in your gym clothes?

Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 7:01 AM

buy nose plugs

Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 8:44 AM

smoke sticks to hair and skin too, smart@ss.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 9:13 AM

I agree with the OP too. If your habits start to infringe on my healthy environment, I'm going to have a problem with it. Smokers should smoke within the confines and comfort of their own home, not in places that it can affect others.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 1:13 PM

Whatever, all you people who don't smoke are supposed to be so much healthier then the smokers. Careing so much about the smells around you. GO RUN OUTSIDE! Move to another teadmill, you have the energy. Don't infringe on a smokers right to smoke. It is still legal in the US. Sorry about your luck. Maybe, your ugly and I don't like to look at ugly people when I run. Maybe your fat and all that jiggling on the treadmill makes me nauseous. Maybe your petal pink ipod is turned up too loud and I can clearly hear the Slayer albumn, or the Televangelist download your playing.
What I am saying is you can't change others, just yourselves and your own situation.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 1:50 PM

Nicotine/cigarette residue is a toxin. It comes out in your sweat and stinks up the whole room, and is distinctly nastier than the waft you get from someone who just smoked. Funny how smokers get all defensive and accuse us of having abnormally sensitive noses when it's their senses of smell and taste that are significantly compromised. It's probably the only way they can stand their own stench.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 2:10 PM

Shut up, quit whining and get a life (read the book)! You can't change anyone so deal with it or quit going out in public.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 2:19 PM

Is that the scent of a poor persecuted smoker I smell?

Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 2:30 PM

Nope, i'm a non-smoker and don't care for the smell of smoke--raised in a family of smokers. However, I have absolutely no power in this world to change other people and their behaviors. I also don't waste time bitching about how other people look, smell like, on the machine next to me, their ipods too loud, etc. I personally find it quite pathetic that some people have absolutely nothing else to do but judge others because they are not the same as themselves.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 2:39 PM

When it comes to smoking, you're not powerless to change the habits of others. 25 years ago you could smoke in an office, now you can't even smoke in a bar in most states. We are just a few landmark court cases from stripping tobacco companies of their economic might and political influence - and then cigarettes will go the way of steroids: illegal. And then we can all get the stinky smokers in the gym arrested. Wheee!!!

Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 3:00 PM

Oh 2:39

I am 1:50. I am not bitching about people with ipods or smokers or anything. I amsaying, these are someofthe things people face inth gym or subway, or any place that isn't their perfect living room. I agree with you in the "stop bitching about other people and work on yourselves philosophy".

Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 3:04 PM

sorry 1:50, i mis-interpreted your post. Sorry hun!

I just get a little fired up when other whine about things they have no control over. I recently lost a loved one and it completely opened my eyes to the things I was doing and not doing. I was whining, bitching, complaining and not being happy. I realized what I was missing out on. I see people wasting their energy and time doing this very thing and I think, what a small thing in life to pick on. I read the book Shut Up, Quit Whining, and Get a Life. What an eye opener!

Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 3:41 PM

So...it's not a waste of energy to bitch and whine about people who bitch and whine? I see you got a lot out of that book.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 3:45 PM

I didn't bitch and whine about it. If you would open the trap doors around that brain of yours and come out of the box, you'd see that I wasn't bitching and whining. My comment stated: shut up, quit whining and get a life (read the book). You can't change anyone so deal with it. Don't see how that's whining, but you go aheah and think what you want.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 4:33 PM

Oh sorry. I guess bitching without whining is okay then. And revisiting this thread isn't a waste of energy. Got it.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 4:39 PM

No, revisiting this thread for me was not a waste of energy as I hope that the nice person, clearly not you, accepted my apology. Didn't know apologizing and explaining myself to that person was bitching.

Again, I made a statement, not bitching.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 4:45 PM

You were bitching. Own it.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 6:24 PM

This strikes me, in part, as an issue of context. The rank of a good workout is to be expected at a gym. Being around people who reek of smoke when you're in a place where people smoke - to be expected. Expressing a negative reaction to the reek of smoke at the gym - not so unreasonable. Now, if she were complaining about people sweating too much at the gym...

The advice to MYOB...well, we don't actually live in bubbles and we can't really control our senses. Doesn't sound like the OP went off on the person, embarassed them, or organized a petition to ban smokers from the gym (that's the scenario where you declare- get a life!) Doesn't sound like she did anything at all - she just smelled and posted a little harmless rant here about it. We all have a list of smells that kinda gross us out.

And it sounds like smokers may not know they stink so much. Perhaps if someone were to kindly point it out, they would want to do something about it!

Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 7:01 PM

People - Get over it

It is not like the person was puffing away while you were running. I could understand complaining if you are sitting in a restaurant / bar and someone is smoking around. Yes it impairs your health, but my God, the person was working out on the treadmill next to you not shoving a cigarette up your nose. You don't like it MOVE if it is so offensive for your delicate little nose.
The person had as much right to be in that gym working out as you do.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 7:07 PM

Pointing out the smell to smokers doesn't work. They just don't believe it because they are convinced it's not that bad.

Have you ever kissed someone who has said "I'm a smoker but I have great oral hygiene and you won't be able to tell" - and then BLECH!! For me, three smokers >> three minty-overlay ashtray mouths >> no more dates with smokers.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 7:08 PM

I'm with you 7:08 - I couldn't date a smoker. I'm getting nauseated just thinking about it!

Can you imagine the days when people could smoke on flights? UGH.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 7:46 PM

2:39

No apology needed. It is a foible of anonymous postings that sometimes the point doesn't get made properly. I guess that is why I am not a famous author.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 8:19 PM

Current smoker.

I thought maybe I should put some input in. I am a smoker. I have smoked a pack a day for 12 years. I started my workout journey 2 and a half months ago. I know that for myself I cannot try to change too many things with my life at once. I decided I can work out and then when it becomes regular try to quit smoking. It's been long enough and I've talked to my doc who has put me on some stuff to help me quit. I'm hoping that since I started the workout first it will be a good replacement for the times that I crave a smoke.

To those of you that think it's horrible and ppl should wash before working out etc.... Just think, that person is trying to better themselves. Maybe they have a plan similar to mine where it's baby steps. If the smell bothers you that much, move to a different area.
I'm just hoping that people would stop judging ppl so much. If you don't like it, change your area, you can't expect everyone to bow down to your desires!!!!! We all have different values and lifestyles. For some of us, like myself, it takes awhile to reach a point where we start trying to get healthy. Just try and be respectful.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 8:47 PM

I love this thread! People bitching at people to stop bitching! People getting into the business of others to tell them to mind their own business! People taking the time to tell others they need to find better things to do with their time! Love it!

Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 10:30 PM

To 8:47

Excellent points 8:47 and well said! I too am a smoker and have drastically improved my health over the years. honestly I'm AFRAID to quit smoking for fear of gaining my weight back. No matter what you do I've heard that your metabolism slows way down once you quit. I do intend to try in the near future with that same stuff your doc gave you. Best of luck to both of us!

Thursday, March 13, 2008, 10:35 AM

It's ridiculous to fear quitting due to possible weight gain. Fear of things like lung cancer, emphysema, etc., should outweigh things like weight gain- I've never met anyone who became obese from smoking cessation.

Thursday, March 13, 2008, 2:33 PM

I do not smoke.

It is a well know fact when peole stop smoking, on the average they gain around 50 lbs.

I do believe that the benefits out way the weight gain; however that is easy for us non smokers to say. If you are, let's say 25 lbs overwieght and want to lose it. I can understand on one hand why they would be hesitant to want to quit; on the other hand, we all know how bad smoking is. Quiting is the best thing a smoker can do.

Thursday, March 13, 2008, 3:04 PM

I am the 10:35 poster and i understand your thinking it's ridiculous however, you don't know my background. When I was 15 my mother died of lung cancer so I am VERY aware of the dangers. Why I ever started after that I'll never know, um, maybe stress and a very tough life? However, it also took me years and LOTS of hard work to lose over 100 pounds. I am now down to 120 but you try being obese all your life, lose it and keep it off for years and also have a nicotene addiction and then tell me my thoughts are ridiculous. They are what they are....

Thursday, March 13, 2008, 3:52 PM

Well Said 3:52

Addictions come in all shapes and sizes and configurations, whether it is the person who drinks 5 martinis at the end of the day due to stress, or smokes a pack a day due to pure addiction, or eats 1/2 a chocolate cake due to emotional issues. We commend a person who goes to AA or Weight Watchers for trying to get control of their lives, but what about the person who cuts down from 1 pack a day, to 1/2 a pack, and then 1 pack per week. All what "the outsider" sees is someone who is smoking, or overweight, regardless of the progress that has been made.

So ... for all of you who have condemned the smokers, you may not realize that the "stinky" person on the treadmill next you might have gone so far as to reduce the cigarette intake and is working out to to feed another addiction + endorphins.

Thursday, March 13, 2008, 5:20 PM

Congrats to those who reduce, but I'm personally not impressed. Make all the excuses you want. Some of us are smart enough not to dabble with addictive substances or habits, so I fail to see why we should accept excuses at face value? Addicts are well known for excuses and for denying personal responsibility (I believe accepting responsibility is part of AA).

3:52, your thoughts are what they are, and I still say they are ridiculous. That your mother died of lung cancer, and yet still you chose to smoke, and you have refused to quit, to me, is not excusable, regardless of whatever excuse you chose to make. Again, look at it logically. That gaining 50lbs is BS. The average is 10-15. 10-15 doesn't make you obese unless you're 4'9" or shorter. So trying to cop out and say you're doing it for your health is absurd as those 15 pounds are most likely to be of the vanity variety. So suck up your excuses and quit smoking. Or hey, keep with the smoking- most cancer patients don't gain weight either.

Thursday, March 13, 2008, 7:33 PM

Oh my god, I don't care why you all smoke, boo-freaking-hoo. It doesn't make the habit or your personal odor/hygiene any less foul.

Thursday, March 13, 2008, 8:23 PM

To 733

Wow!! how harsh!!! You should never comment like that about someone getting cancer. Yes, I'm am a current smoker, I posted earlier. There is cancer in my family too. I picked up smoking as a teen and it was stupid. I can't explain why I smoke, all I know is I want to quit. It sure as hell isn't easy. I've tried multiple times. It seems like I'll be doing good and then peer pressure or some A- hole like yourself makes me feel like going back.

To 8:23, yes smokers smell. It happens, but good god!!!!! if you don't like it move! It's not like they are forcing a cigarette in your mouth.
I just want some respect from others including non smokers. If you never smoked you can't understand the addiction, and how hard it is to quit. A good amount of smokers want to quit, it just takes time, it's kinda like loosing weight. If you aren't to the point where it's do this and stop or die it's really almost impossible. It's a mindset and you should be respectful. Maybe your weight offends others or your hair or your clothes or the smell. Who cares!!! You don't like it, you don't do it, but don't expect others to feel the same. Just have some respect and move you butt somewhere else!!!

Thursday, March 13, 2008, 10:27 PM

Respect for the poor smokers? Awww.
Sure, after you QUIT and stop stinking up our gyms, inflating our insurance premiums with your guaranteed smoking-related illnesses, and whining about how persecuted you are. Even at 7 years old, I knew smoking was addictive and bad. You have no excuse. At least you've seen first hand what's going to happen to you. If you want to call me an asshole for calling you a monumental dumbass, knock yourself out.

Thursday, March 13, 2008, 11:52 PM

Respect for smokers? I don't generally respect alcoholics. I personally don't even respect those who occasionally smoke dope. You want respect because you have a bad habit? Forget it.

Non smokers do not have to respect anything about your disgusting habit. Deal with it.

Friday, March 14, 2008, 9:25 AM

Ok then ..Hypocrites

Shall we talk about all the people with eating disorders who gorge themselves on hamburgers, french fries and god knows what else kinda crap, driving up the insurance premiums because they don't care about themselves. What about the increase in diabetes and obesity related cancers, hypothyroidism has become the new excuse for the why people are so fat.
Why the hell should we feel sorry for someone who wolfs down immense amounts of processed food and steps on the scale and says "I have no idea how this happened to me, yesterday I was skinny???".
We applaud people who join a gym, or go to weight watchers to make that "lifestyle change", but condemn those who try to quit smoking because "OH MY GOD - they should never have started in the first place because it is so bad for you ????!!!!!!", what about all the lard asses out there who consume a week's worth of calories in a day, they know it is bad for them, but we feel sorry for them.
Take a look at the stupid reality shows out there, America is celebrating weight loss on the Biggest Loser, so then why is obesity still on the climb? Why does 80% of the American population still eat out 4 -5 x / week?

For all of you that are freaking on the smokers, take a look in the mirror, then turn sideways yes that lard ass is you, and despite "I have no idea how I got this fat" you knew how bad it was for you, but you did it anyways.

Friday, March 14, 2008, 10:16 AM

I am a non-smoker, female. (once in a while when I get together with the boys, i'll smoke cuban's with them). I grew up in a household of mom, dad, and older sister smoking. I don't like the smell, I don't care for the smoke in my face.

That doesn't give me the right to disrespect smokers because they chose to go to the same gym as me and smell of smoke. That doesn't give me or anyone else for that matter the right to wish cancer on someone because they smoke.

Open your mind! Quitting a smoking addiction is harder than a herion addition. This is a fact, not an opinion.

9:25--deal with it that people smoke and no one has to respect your bitching.

Friday, March 14, 2008, 10:24 AM

Kudos 10:42!!!! It's non smoker's like you that I was talking about earlier. It is hard to quit, yet ppl don't seem to care about that. All they care about is smell and this and that.... Thank you for being the respectful person I mentioned.

Friday, March 14, 2008, 11:26 AM

oops, I meant 10:24.

Friday, March 14, 2008, 11:27 AM

I feel sorry for the morbidly obese because, despite the popular belief that it's a result of "laziness", those who didn't get that way from a physical medical problem got that way due to depression. The rate of abuse (usually sexual) during their youth is ridiculously high, why would I compound that with criticism?

However, I doubt you smoke because your uncle molested you. You just wanted to look cool and fit in. If you're under 50, you knew it was addictive and destructive when you started. I'm supportive of active quitters but not the "I'm going to quit soon" crowd. That's just lip service.

Friday, March 14, 2008, 12:47 PM

you're welcome 11:26. I guess I expect the same respect from others. When I work out, I'm sure my sweat doesn't smell like roses! But that doesn't mean I need to join a gym for sweaty people only. My money's just as good as the next persons. Don't know why that makes them better than me, but apparently it does.

Friday, March 14, 2008, 12:50 PM

As I'm one of the ones here who doesn't think that bad habits should be so openly accepted and condoned, let me also say that I don't condone those who fail to take care of their health by indulging in bad food. And my ass isn't that fat thank you very much. I'm at a healthy weight and quite happy with it, thank you. I have no addictions, and I think my worse bad habit is failing to clean my room or do my dishes. So no, I don't feel obliged to support people who are taking half assed measures to improve their health.

Friday, March 14, 2008, 1:59 PM

Ignorant or what??? C'mon people!!

I agree with the poster who brought up the issues regarding the healthcare costs and also want to know how many of you realize our number ONE reason for the rise in costs and health care use is due to obesity NOT smoking.
That's not to say that smoking is okay because it absolutely is not but still the number one issue is obesity and that's why there is so much about that issue on the news these days. Also, it is a LEARNED behavior in most cases usually in the atmosphere in which they were brought up. None of my family, except me, was obese but that doesn't mean I didn't learn it from them. Just because they had a better metabolism doesn't mean they ate any better than I did and I grew up with the "eat everything on your plate" mentality!
As for the idiot poster who stated that obesity was probably due to depression or child molestation? Oh my God, that is one of the most ignorant, retarded things I have ever heard. Are you saying that other addictions, besides food could not be due to that same issue? wow! I am a smoker and I didn't start to be "cool" as you stated but to say that you are fat because you have an excuse but a smoker doesn't is about the dumbest thing I have ever seen posted on PT and I have seen some pretty stupid and ignorant comments. I am no longer fat and got that under control quite some years ago and I don't judge you so who are you to sit there and judge others addicted to things besides food? Pretty high on yourself aren't you?

Friday, March 14, 2008, 3:35 PM

10:16 I agree with you 100%.

12:47 I have to disagree with you. So why is it that all of a sudden 80% of the population overeats because they were abused?? Sorry but abuse has always happened and as a sexual abuse survivor (who is at a healthy weight) I can't stand for that excuse to be used. That's exactly what it is: an excuse.

I don't discriminate againse smokers, obese people, alcoholics or anyone with an addiction openly. In MY mind I think at some point we need to take responsibility for our actions and realize we CHOOSE to smoke, overeat, drink or whatever else our vices are. We do have a choice and it seems we are blaming lots of other things in life for our shortcomings.

Friday, March 14, 2008, 3:42 PM

So why did you start smoking?
I've never heard any reason other than to fit in. Ever.

Friday, March 14, 2008, 3:47 PM

You don't need cigarettes to live, but you do need food. You're comparing apples and oranges, but that was a valiant attempt to fake intelligence.

Friday, March 14, 2008, 3:50 PM

Yes but you don't need huge amounts of food to live... that's when it becomes an addiciton, when you abuse it

Friday, March 14, 2008, 5:21 PM

You don't really get the phrase "apples and oranges", do you. They're related, but they're not the same. Learning to live with the thing you abused is different from giving up something your body has absolutely no use for. Oh, except for slowly killing itself.

Friday, March 14, 2008, 7:32 PM

Some start smoking for other reasons than to look cool. Some smoke to be skinny due to the rumors. Others start due to stress. Some that have quit for years and years (i.e. my mom) have a superstressful day or week and want a smoke. It happens, it's addictive. I had a friend in college that LOVED the smell of smoke because it reminded him of some place back home. He was a runner, so he never smoked, I used to tease him, because he's the kind of person that one puff and he'd be addicted. There are plenty of reason why, not just for acceptance.

Saturday, March 15, 2008, 5:18 AM

You didn't make your point at all.
People RETURN to smoking due to stress. They're seeking a familiar comfort. That's not why someone starts.
Your friend loved the smell of smoke - but DIDN'T SMOKE.
As for being skinny, I'll give you that one. It's a real winner.

Saturday, March 15, 2008, 9:37 AM

Oh, my friend so wanted to smoke!!! He was a runner for our college and on scholarship, so he didn't. However, he constantly asked for one and I constantly denied him. I don't believe in being an enabler.

Saturday, March 15, 2008, 10:09 AM

I smoke because I LOVE IT!! It kills people, so does everything else. Are you guys walking to work everyday? Do you drink? Do you eat ANY processed foods? Do you go into the sunlight?
We all make some bad decisions. That's one of mine. Sure I'd like to quit, but not because I care what a stranger's opinion is. I want to get healthy. Say some sarcastic crap about health and smoking if you want to. I am as respectful of nonsmokers as I can be. I don' t smoke anywhere near nonsmokers. I won't even stand upwind from anyone. I wash my hands and chew some gum. Sure I still smell, but I made a respectful attempt. If that isn't good enough for you, then let's see you stop everything in your life I think you should.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008, 4:47 PM

I once saw a Man asked to leave the gym because he smelled of smoke after several people complained. As a former Police Officer I've had to escort people out of restaurants etc. for what is ref. to as a Hygiene problem. I personally do not wear any perfumes or use scented products when I use the gym or take a plane etc. I find it in poor gym ettiquette to Stink before you even start working out;-). A friend of mine actually showers before she works out just because she has a naturally strong BO. Thank you to all of you thoughtful people who care about other people. And for those occasions when I can't stand the stench I carry vicks or pepermint oil and apply under the nostrils just like at an autopsy. It takes care of it!

Tuesday, May 6, 2008, 11:48 PM

All I can say is OP must be pretty hot since everyone ignores empty machines to workout next to her/him! Have you ever read the book "Everybody Poops"....well, at times.... everybody stinks. Had the same thing happen to me a few weeks ago and later thought.... "Why didn't I just move?" Later, taters...

Wednesday, May 7, 2008, 2:21 PM

I would rather work out next to someone who smells of smoke than some of these women and men who put on way to much perfume. I have to hold my breath everytime I pass one women on the track because it feels like I am choking on her scent.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008, 4:31 PM

our right not to be irritated??? Has it come to that?

I understand that people vent here. That's not what I'm getting at with this post. It seems, more and more that people feel it's their right not to be irritated. There are many irritating behaviors, perfume, smoking, talking on cell phones in public - smells, noises, sights....is it our right to live our lives expecting that people change their behaviors so that we are never bothered? I don't think so. People REALLY jump on this topic, if it can be suggested that the irritating behavior is health damaging in some way. Insane lawsuits get based on that. What do people think? Is it a human right not to be irritated? Are people becoming less and less tolerant? Is it because we are more croweded? What's up?

Thursday, May 8, 2008, 1:00 PM

It's kind of a battle between the Entitled. "I'm entitled to not be irritated" vs. "I'm entitled to do what I want." They both lose, but they do get to be indignant until the bitter end :)

Thursday, May 8, 2008, 6:25 PM

PP - awsome response - that totally sums it up

Thursday, May 8, 2008, 11:52 PM

No, it's clearly about you.

Welcome to the world, my friend, where we have to tolerate all kinds of people and their smells.

If you can't stand the smell, get out of the gym.

Friday, May 9, 2008, 6:02 AM

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