Our admin assistant is a smoker, and sometimes she has these terrible coughing fits! I don't know if I should say "are you okay?" or say nothing because obviously it's the smoking that causes it. It doesn't really bother me that she coughs, I just don't know if I should rush over there and act concerned or let her cough it out.
2007-06-22 02:26:23 · 16 answers · asked by ♫ Sweet Honesty ♫ 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Say nothing. Do nothing, unless you can see that this time it's more than a coughing fit. (In which case, you might need to call in the paramedics.)
2007-06-22 03:38:26 · answer #1 · answered by kiwi 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Asking if she's ok probably won't be all that bad, she will probably pass it off as a tickle in her throat or a virus. I don't think a smoker would ever say "yeah it's these damn cigs" - I've never heard of anyone acting mean when you are just asking if they are ok - if she does... then she has issues. Maybe offer her a cough drop or water?
My mom smokes and I hate it - I don't tip toe around it - I tell her "yeah... you sound great, smoke another one, need me to light it?" - I'm not mean to my mom (though that sounds mean), I love her dearly! But when it comes to watching her smoke her life away, I'm not playing! My daughter even asks her not to smoke, especially when she has her coughing fits.
2007-06-22 02:39:55 · answer #2 · answered by mystigirl976 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A cough from cigs or a cough from a cold...whats the difference if you are trying to be a concerned colleage? Ignore it when you can unless she is in obvious distress. She may also have allergies. Or acid reflux. Why dont you just shoot her or something & that will cover all the bases for that damn smoker!
2007-06-22 02:36:34 · answer #3 · answered by chickem 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Coughing is a common problem with smokers. You should not be too concerned but be weary incase she really is in trouble and needs help.
2007-06-22 02:44:24 · answer #4 · answered by Jin S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What I do is pray that they are facing the other way and covering their mouth when they cough. am not sure what is bring that cough on, I know I don't like to breathe the same air and have habit to cover my own mouth just to keep their vapors out!! ( ickkk)
2007-06-22 07:49:47 · answer #5 · answered by Charisma 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ask if you can get something for her like a glass of water or a cough drop.
2007-06-22 02:40:51 · answer #6 · answered by Gypsy Gal 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
let her cough it out. she may get offended as i have tried to help a smoker when she coughed and got upset. they know what they are doing to their bodies. leave them to their ignorance.
2007-06-22 02:31:00 · answer #7 · answered by wondering 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
most smokers don't want to be patronized and be called out on the spot for their habit, they can get really defensive, but there are also the type of people who crave attention and thrive on that, you can tell whether or not theyre an attention whore and treat them accordingly.
2007-06-22 02:31:17 · answer #8 · answered by taco_man_747 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would just ignore it. It isnt your fault she is destroying her health.
If you want to be nice maybe give her a pack of cough drops.
2007-06-22 02:29:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
ya just them cough it out..i mean at the end of the day..it is their fault..but i think it might be more polite to ask if they want a drink of water or something if it gets really bad...
2007-06-22 02:29:43 · answer #10 · answered by $J =) 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋