It is very rude to walk by me while I'm smoking and cover your nose and mouth. Did you know that ?

Question

Especially when out in public and in my own home.

Im trying to teach you children proper ETIQUETTE.


Hands down, you'll insult someone and that is rude

Answer 1

I hear ya! With all these negative answers, you'd think you were slamming a needle full of heroine in your arm while doing squats naked! But it's never frowned upon when some person jumps in their gas guzzlin' smog emitting SUV, is it? And I'd rather smell cig smoke than breathe in the body odor of some who didn't take Beano, didn't wipe their bum correctly, forgot to use their FDS,or doesn't know what deodorant is! ...Smoke em if ya got em!!!

Answer 2

If someone has a legitimate reason for covering their nose and mouth (asthma, bronchitis, COPD, etc.) then it's not rude. However, those who do it to be rude, give "fake" little coughs, fan the air, etc. simply because they don't like the smell of smoke should be beaten within an inch of their lives and left in an alley somewhere.

Seriously--to non-smokers out there: Do you REALLY think you're going to get cancer and die some horrible, crippling, smoking-related death simply because you have to pass by a smoker a few times a week (hell, even a few times a day, for that matter) and breathe in their smoke? Unless you're walking down a long hallway indoors that's filled with smokers, hold your f-ing breath while you enter into the mall or the grocery store or wherever else it is you encounter smokers. You're doing this just to be rude because you don't like the smell. My personal opinion--the ONLY people who have a right to complain about second hand smoke are non-smokers who live with smokers, and non-smokers who work in a smoking environment and have to be surrounded by the smoke all day.

Answer 3

I don't cover my nose and mouth when I walk past smokers but I can tell you that I have trouble breathing around too much smoke. Outside it's not an issue but I start feeling really bad - like I can't take a deep breath - inside if people are smoking a lot. I end up walking to a different room or out of the house altogether.

I feel that it's not a nice gesture to make but if you are sensitive to smoke and have to go through a crowd of smokers gathered around a building's entrance then I think that it's ok because it's not directed at an individual. Directed at you by your kids or your family - that's impolite but try to understand that they are probably trying to hint that you should quit so they can enjoy your company for a long time to come.

Answer 4

I don't care what you do in your own home. In public, you should think of others. Most smokers aren't "with it" enough to understand that the smoke can be very strong and offensive to people who don't smoke. So what if someone covered their nose and mouth? It would be rude if they gave you a dirty look but it is their right not to breathe someone else's cigarette smoke if they don't want to.

And just a side note to smokers everywhere: Step away from the entrance of buildings! I hate going to the grocery store, for example, and having to walk by smokers standing right in the middle of the entrance. MOVE TO THE SIDE!

Guess what? I smoke too but I am considerate of others, especially those who do not smoke.

Answer 5

Yes, I can see how that would be considered rude and how it could cause some severely hurt feelings.

However, please consider that some people may have asthma or a severe allergy to cigarette smoke. (Like me, unfortunately.) If this is the case, they're probably not trying to be rude, but just trying to protect themselves from a very unpleasant attack. An asthma attack is like being smothered. When I'm having one, all I can think about is getting a breath of air; nothing else matters. It really is one of the worst feelings in the world.

Yes, covering up my nose and mouth when I'm around a person who is smoking while in public may be rude, but with my condition, I'd be insane not to. I avoid designated smoking areas because I have no business around them. I do not do this to a person smoking in their own home/car because that is not my right. Their home/car=their rules. I do, however, choose not to go into their homes or cars due to my condition. I do not say any of these things to offend people and I'm always very sorry if that's how it ends up.

Unfortunately, when it comes right down to it, cigarette smoke provides me with two very limited options: be polite or stop breathing. I apologize to all whom it may offend, but I choose to breathe.

Answer 6

As a former smoker, I try to be very aware of smokers' feelings. My sister still smokes and has COPD now. The last time that I stayed overnight at her home, I had a severe asthma attack, developed bronchitis, and it took me six months to get back on my feet. The doctor read me the riot act, saying that smoke particles had accumulated in my lungs: that was why such difficulty in getting well. I spent hundreds of dollars on doctor and pharmacy bills during that time, in addition to lost time from work. The doctor also told me to *never* stay overnight in a smoky environment again, whether or not anyone is actively smoking at the time. As a result, I can no longer visit overnight with my sister, due to my health. It was difficult for me to actually come out and say that to her. It is her home, and she has every right to do whatever she prefers there. Since that episode, I must be very careful to avoid inhaling smoke because of the lung damage that I sustained. Recently, even eating (in a restaurant's non-smoking section) next to the smoking section exacerbated the asthma and bronchitis (we thought it was a smoke-free restaurant, but discovered it is only so on Sundays). I am still on medication since that event.
Please be patient with those of us whose health cannot tolerate inhaling smoke. For some of us, it really is a matter of health, survival, and economic realities. We don't mean to be rude to you, just as you, undoubtedly, don't mean to be rude to us. We are all just doing the best we can, and understanding one another's situations, thinking, and feelings will help us to be more tolerant of one another as fellow human beings and to treat each other with the dignity and care that human beings deserve. I hope that we are all able to instill etiquette in our children, so that they can understand the needs, rights, and responsibilities of people on both sides of this issue.

Answer 7

Personally, I prefer not having to breath second hand smoke.... so if I cover my mouth and nose, when I pass you, it's because I like fresh air, not to be rude. Did you know it's rude to blow smoke in the faces of non smokers?

Answer 8

I used to be a smoker and try not to be rude to those who still smoke but some of them are thoughtless and blow it into my face. Whatever you do in your own home is your business. If I didnt like your smoke, I wouldnt come to visit. What ever you do in public is another story and we all need to be thoughtful of others allergies or health problems. Some people are just too dramatic in their reactions so try to ignore them.

Answer 9

Some folks are allergic to cigarette smoke. I guess they could be discreet, and cover their face with a hankie, turned away from the smoke. I also cover my eyes and nose when there are heavy car fumes or other fumes which make my allergies act up. I guess as long as you are not intentionally blowing the smoke into other people's faces, then you won't be considered rude yourself. Live & let live, I say.

Answer 10

It's just as rude to force a non-smoker to breathe your smoke.

Now, if it's in your home, I, as a non-smoker have a choice as to whether or not to go there, so I'll give you that one.

Out in public I have the right to breathe clean air, and will do whatever I feel is necessary to do that. Your rights end where mine begin, and if you violate my rights (by forcing me to breathe cancerous air) then YOU are practicing poor etiquette first.

Personally I don't cover my mouth when I pass a smoker, I would just move away if it was bothering me, but I see nothing wrong if someone were to do that. You have a choice to kill yourself, but you don't have the right to make that choice for someone else.

ETIQUETTE is obviously just a word you learned how to spell and not something you understand the meaning of.

Answer 11

What's rude about trying not to die? My daughter's asthma attacks are often triggered by second-hand smoke. If she detects a smoker, etc., she will do what she has to to avoid triggering an attack -- if that means covering her nose and mouth while she walks by the smoker, so be it. You might have the right to smoke, but you do NOT have the right to kill my daughter with it. The only thing that you are teaching my daughter with your aggressive attitude is that your right to smoke overrides everything -- including consideration of her right to breathe. If that's "etiquette", then God help us all!

And consider: Not too long ago, it was considered the height of "common" for a lady to be seen smoking in public at all. In fact, gentlemen didn't smoke in front of ladies, either. So, if you want to lecture us on etiquette, please realize that smoking in public used to be considered rude. In fact, in the 60's, in society, it was considered extremely risque for a lady to smoke if she wasn't *seated*!

I think Miss Manners hit the nail on the head when she commented that laws governing behavior only come about when people fail to observe rules of etiquette -- thus all of the laws we are currently seeing being enacted regarding smoking in public places are coming about because people gradually failed to observe etiquette rules regarding smoking, and the law had to step in to protect people who do NOT smoke.

In your own house, though, I would agree that you are entitled to do what you wish without being pointed at. Anyone who visits you should know the risks they are running.