What do you think of a stranger who tells me "Have another cigarette!" while I'm coughing?

Question

I've never smoked but I have bronchitis. This has happened to me twice. I have a feeling a man wouldnt say this to another man. It's pretty insulting.

Answer 1

"I'm sorry, you're mistaken, I don't smoke."
If the boor continues the conversation along these lines, you can make a brief statement about your medical condition.

At NO point should you berate him for being incredibly rude, insensitive, and completely un-funny. Hopefully he will have apologized anyway. If not, resolve to keep your distance from this jerk in the future.

p.s. Men say this to other men, too - I heard this a few times when I had pneumonia.

Answer 2

As a smoker, I have two responses to this, although both are pretty impolite:

(1) If it was a smoker who said this, they would have known, as I do, that sometimes another cigarette will cure that incessant "smokers cough." When you go a while without, there will be a tickle in the back of your throat, which is even worse if you have a cold. It can be a kind of informal way of offering a cigarrette to a stranger, in case they have run out, such as this:

"Have another cigarette!"

"Oh man, I just smoked my last one, and haven't gotten more yet."

"Hey, if you don't mind my brand/flavor, you're welcome to one of mine."

Or (2) It was a non-smoker who assumes that you are a smoker from the cough.

Either way, if there was no indication that you do smoke, it was fairly impolite, but depending on the tone (which I can't tell from your question) it may not have been meant to be insulting.

The most polite way to respond, in either case, would be to simply say, "I don't smoke."

Answer 3

I think you should tell them to mind their own d@mn business, or else tell them that you have bronchitis and not to jump to conclusions because it makes them look like a fool! That's just rude! And even if you *were* coughing from a cigarette, they still have no right to say anything!

Answer 4

I would say "I don't smoke, asshole. Why don't you take another stupid pill?"

The Nutcases in the world are getting worse. I have an artificial leg, had it all my life. Most people (except you of course) would not believe the number of absolute morons who chastise me for parking in a handicap spot. They must think that you have to be at least 80 years old to park there. As I age, it gets better, but I had a security guard just two days ago give me grief for parking in a handicap spot. I understand that reading is not a requirement for security work, but my goodness, can they not see the symbol on the license plate that matches the one on the sign?

Thanks for letting me vent.

Answer 5

They are just being ignorant. I guess when you start coughing it sounds like the "smokers cough". The next time you should say, excuse me I don't smoke, but years of breathing in smoke and other toxins have done this to me. They will feel really stupid .

Answer 6

Most likely the person was trying to make a joke. They may have been trying to make light of a situation that appeared disturbing to them. They may have been trying to get you to laugh to make you feel better. I would just calmly inform the person that you have never smoked a cigarette in your life and that you don't think it is funny.

Answer 7

That is very insulting and insensitive, if this happens again, say that you have a serious, highly contagious disease that is air born. Chances are the person will leave you alone.

Answer 8

eeks...yes a bit insulting. But I do think he would say it to anyone. I hear people say this all the time. Just return with a response...its nice that you care, but I dont smoke.

Answer 9

Whatever you cough up, goes on the floor right in front of him! Then you say why don't shut the f*** up until you have something intelligent to say!

Answer 10

It is ignorant, but also in a way comical. I have no pity for those who have problems due to smoking. In your case it is not this, obviously he just assumed.