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The "3rd world country" line wasn't the point - I think you missed it altogether. Smoking has a bit of a culture - when you're smoking somewhere, and someone e
by jpv 17y ago
The "3rd world country" line wasn't the point - I think you missed it altogether.
Smoking has a bit of a culture - when you're smoking somewhere, and someone else is smoking, that's something you can physically talk to them about. You can saunter up to them and say "Virginia blend, eh? Never tried that" and you immediately have a conversation, provided they're not an asshole. It can be something that brings a group together: "Hey lets stop watching this movie and go outside and smoke." And it is very social: it's tough to NOT talk if you're just sitting around with some guys smoking. It can also just be something to do with your hands - for me, at least, it gets rid of the anxious foot-tapping or knuckle cracking and lets me just sit back and smoke and enjoy someone else's company.
Basically what I'm trying to say is that today we are caught up by "interactive distractions" rather than actual human interaction. Smoking socially changes that. </rant>
- axod 17y ago>> " when you're smoking somewhere, and someone else is smoking, that's something you can physically talk to them about." Agreed. Just like if you've both had a leg amputated, you have something in common and can also strike up a conversation. But it's not a good reason to purposely cut your leg off. That's probably why you believe smokers to be some of the most friendly people you know - because they have something in common with you. Personally, most smokers I see around are pretty unfriendly. Drinking is better for lowering the barriers to social interaction IMHO without making everyone smell horrible and choke. Also a bit healthier. Also I'm sure it depends on where you live. In the UK the culture is very much anti smoking.