This lady would not put out her cigarette..?

Question

at the desk where i am working even though i kindly reminded her that smoking was not allowed..

Her simple answer was "but you are not the police, are you?". My respond to that was "no, but i am bothered" which she immediately ignored and kept smoking..

How could I have stopped her without physically forcing the cigarette out of her hand and "accidently" rub it on her cheeck..

Answer 1

If smoking is prohibited...find management. They will have to enforce the rules.

She is rude...I would not consider her a "lady"

Answer 2

Rules only work for people who want to obey them. If they don't want to obey the rules, there isn't anything you can do about it. Had you physically *forced* her in some way, she could have filed assault charges against YOU, despite the fact that she was doing something wrong -- because no matter what she was doing, you don't have the right to physically assault her.

Welcome to the real world. Not everybody plays by the rules.

Personally, I think your best bet would have been to embarass her -- call the office manager or some other "authority" person, and while on the phone with them speak loudly enough so the woman could hear you, and say, "There is an extremely rude woman here who will not put out her cigarette -- would you please come up and escort her from the building?" She probably would have put it out right away.

Answer 3

In a workplace situation, you do have a right to either call security or walk away till the air clears. If you are caught by higher-ups away from your desk, you can then explain the rule-breaker to them. I smoke myself, but cannot agree with anyone deliberately ignoring the workplace smoking rules. We have to live with them. But to physically assault the smoker in any way puts YOU at fault, so don't do it. That includes such silly things as squirting water on them or sometimes even grabbing at their cigarette. If you accidentally scratch their face or wrench their finger, you get blamed.

Answer 4

Is she a coworker or a client/customer?

Coworker: fire extinguisher, cup of water, report to supervisor

Customer: Inform her of the rules. Since she made that rude
remark, call security and have her removed, pointing out the no smoking signs as she is being dumped outside the door.

Answer 5

What is the rule in your work place? If there is a no smoking policy, then go to her supervisor. If no response from the supervisor, then go the next level up.

Keep in mind, you will have to work with this person, so even though you are in the right, you will have created tension in the work place that may make your job harder. Weigh that in your response.

Frankly, its galling to me that she flaunts the rule when it is so easy to get up and step outside.

Answer 6

I'd have been tempted to go find a fine cigar and lit it up in her face, made every effort to blow the smoke in her face, and use her hair as an ashtray.

Probably your best bet is to file a grievance with human resources, though.

Answer 7

If smoking isn't allowed then contact your human resources department and report her. You do not have to be subjected to harmful toxins such as second hand smoke especially in the work place.

Answer 8

At that point you call security or the police. They are the ones who deal with these matters for you.

Answer 9

Hello =)

Well....

Oh nevermind.....I'm not going to try and explain motivation and compassion to you.....you'll think what you think, regardless..

Next time, go get a cup of water, and throw it at her hand, if it'll make you "less bothered"..... or call the police...it's your choice.

Namaste, and Happy New Year,

--Tom

Answer 10

Depends on where you work. Move to GA. We pass laws to keep those types of people at home.