Needless to say, I don't smoke. I never did and smoke really annoys me. I hate to be exposed to so much smoke when I don't smoke. But I have a part-time job now and in a month I'll start working there full-time. As there are many teachers (this is a teaching job) in the institution, the rooms are very crowded. The manager put me in a room with two other teachers who excessively smoke. They've been working there for a long time and I don't see myself in a position to tell them not to smoke in the room. But the smoke really bugs me. How can I get out of this situation? I can't ask for a room change at this moment as I don't know what awaits me in other rooms, and moreover apart from smoking I like my roommates.
2006-10-02 09:37:57 · 15 answers · asked by Earthling 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
It's illegal to smoke inside in Turkey too, but the law is not practiced. So, everybody is relax about it. And this is a college institution, normally you can't smoke in primary or high schools but since it's a college they don't really care about the law.
2006-10-03 06:37:45 · update #1
I'm a smoker and I'm very cautious about smoking outside and far away from all the entrances. I don't know about your State where you live, but here it's illegal to smoke indoors anywhere, period. If I were you, I would wait until a time when you're all sitting together and say in a very nice way......."I really like you both and I have something to say, but I don't want you to take it the wrong way.....cigarette smoke really makes me sick. It always has and I can't help it. I've tried to ignore it, but it just does. Is there any way you can smoke outside?" You could say it nicely and sort of in an apologetic tone (even though i don't think you should feel bad about it) - if you're worried about hurting their feelings. Another way, that is more passive would be to start coughing when they smoke. If you do this a few times, one of them might say "Oh, does this bother you?" You could say "Yeah, I didn't want to hurt your feelings but cigarette smoke makes me really sick". Hopefully they will feel bad and start doing it outside. Otherwise, if you're not willing to say anything then you might have to wait until you can stake out the other rooms and see the situations in these other room and then ask for a switch. Good luck!
2006-10-02 09:49:03 · answer #1 · answered by ggirl 3 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Why are they smoking inside?
Its a law here now that everywhere is non smoking. You have to take your butt outside. The only exceptions are in bars/bingo hall those kinds of places.. there are seperate smoking areas provided. These areas are walled off with glass and ventilated with fans and such.. ( supposed to be anyway..some places dont so such a good job on that)
I would explain to them that the smoke really bugs you. I would tell them that as much as you like them and appreciate their company you would like to see about switching rooms because the smoke is really bothering you.
Be polite about it..dont sit there and cough everytime they light up.. that may really piss them off. It is best to be straight to the point. I am bothered by your smoking and I would like to be placed away from it. I like your company, but my health is more important.
Personally as a smoker unless I am outside if there is a non smoker in the group I will not smoke. I will take it outside ..or if I cant really I will hang out a window to try and avoid them having to breathe it in.
One way around it all is for you to sit by an open window with a fan..but that is only really good in the spring/summer. Winter can be too cold for that.
2006-10-02 16:56:50 · answer #2 · answered by timberleigh 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being a smoker both of those are very RUDE!! If you just mention to them that it bothers you and to open a window most likely they will and if this is a teaching position they should not be smoking in any rooms anyway, whether it be a school for children or a continuing education facility. Then go to your immediate supervisor for advice. I actually think that they are just as rude for not asking if it does bother you. I myself am a very aware smoker and am know that people around may not smoke.
2006-10-02 16:49:22 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Tell them that the smoking bothers you and ask them to at the very least do it by an open window. If they don't, start coughing and sneezing as much as you can when they light up. If it gets really bad, ask for a room change with non-smoking roommates only. You can still be friends with your current roommates without having to live with them and their disgusting habit.
2006-10-02 16:43:18 · answer #4 · answered by brainy_blonde 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Be direct. Polite, but direct. And, be sure to get ALL the information regarding laws/bylaws about smoking inside - it's totally illegal here, but I'm not sure where you are so maybe it's different. Explain to them that as a non-smoker, you're concerned for your health being subjected to the smoke. If they refuse to stop, that's when you would point out the laws/bylaws that say they are not allowed to smoke in there...if they still don't stop, go over their heads, as far as you have to go. I'm sure you're worried about causing rifts, but it's better to cause rifts than to end up dying over someone else's dirty habit. Good luck!
2006-10-02 18:38:08 · answer #5 · answered by Holly 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a former smoker, the best way to approach this subject would be to ask them NICELY to smoke by a window, turn on a vent, or turn on a fan to blow the smoke away from you.
If you start telling them all the evils of smoking, that will only alienate them.
2006-10-02 17:04:16 · answer #6 · answered by startwinkle05 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Michelle - I'm also a smoker and typically go off to a corner outside to do my dirty habit - but I'm a well-trained Californian. I thought it was illegal in most states in the US to smoke in the workplace and many other countries have adopted this approach.
They may be so caught up in their own routine that they are oblivious. Please let them know it bothers you - and that outside of that you really like them. Surely they will find another place to smoke. If they don't, you have every right to ask for another place to be.
2006-10-02 16:55:05 · answer #7 · answered by Stef 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would tell them that the smoke bothers you. I am a smoker and I would respect the person and leave the room or stand by an open window at least. It's such a bad habit sometimes you don't think about others.
2006-10-02 16:47:31 · answer #8 · answered by Michelle 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
just as you would conform for them, ask them politely to either open a window or to go outside whenever possible. if it is a school, aren't there no smoking laws for the campus, they should be following the law. and you should check into the school's policy. maybe there is somebody else in your situation and you could room together. i would just check into another room and tell your superiors why. it's your health
2006-10-02 17:10:31 · answer #9 · answered by elisebri 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can smoke indoors? In Georgia there is no smoking in any public place! That sucks!!
Even if they smoke outdoors they'll still be carrying that stench with them! YUCK!
I feel really bad for you.
2006-10-02 17:15:20 · answer #10 · answered by Alison 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋