I had forgotten that you’re allowed to smoke in bars in North Carolina. Actually, that’s a lie. I was blissfully aware the whole time I was in Alaska that you are not allowed to smoke in the bars, or within a certain number of yards of public buildings. It’s lovely. What I had forgotten is what happens when you’re a non-smoker in a bar in North Carolina. How you go home not just smelling like beer, but cigarette smoke as well.
Last night I went to dinner and then out for drinks with Jason. He and I have known each other since before we could talk. Anyway, we went out cause we haven’t had a chance to catch up since I’ve been home. We talked about everything from ACC basketball (oh man what a wonderful ending to that UNC/BC game) to wedding disasters to relationships and back again. It was great, especially since he heads back to grad school at VT on Wednesday.
So Mexican food, followed by drinks at our favorite bar downtown. For the first hour or so we sat outside on their patio, but Jason got cold (dude, it was like 50…at the coldest) so we headed in and grabbed stools. At this point we were seated between two smokers. Now, I have nothing against smokers themselves…I think the morality police need to leave these people the hell alone. It’s just that I went home last night smelling awful (I personally don’t like the smell of cig. smoke) and with burning eyes.
My solution? No smoking in bars. And if you’re a smoker and you don’t like it, I say…tough. If the smokers in Anchorage can deal with going out in -15 degree weather, you can handle a balmy 45. You’re the minority at this point and you know our country’s wonderful track record when it comes to respecting the rights of minorities. Look, I don’t want you to not be able to smoke, I just think it should be done outdoors, where I don’t have to inhale. If you really feel isolated because you’re the only person out on the patio, drag your friends out with you. Bars who really worry about losing business can provide patios with those wonderful space heaters for the wimps in the bunch, as well as pipe their music out of doors so they don’t feel like they’re missing anything.
Look, you know how important it is for you to be able to choose to smoke? Well, I want to be able to go somewhere and choose not to. It’s as simple as that.
Amen!
I have not sympathy for smokers. Addiction, a-smiction. That crap kills people who DON’T EVEN SMOKE, so you can complain all you want about being relegated outside or to one of those smoke glass rooms at the airport. Because if I end up with a trach, someone’s getting sued.
By: thecoconutdiaries on January 6, 2009
at 8:49 am
It reminds me of when I was a kid and restaurants still had “smoking” and “non smoking” sections, which were really just different sections of the floor with no separation. The smoke always drifted into the non-smoking section, so the theory didn’t quiiiite hold water.
I’ll never tell anyone to stop smoking; it’s their choice. But I do agree that I have just as much right no not breathe in their smoke as they do to smoke. Lucky for us non-smokers in California, you pretty much can’t smoke anywhere indoors anymore!
By: geekhiker on January 6, 2009
at 12:29 pm
Yeah. No damn alcohol in bars either. I hate going home smelling like beer that booze has got to go. I say drink that stuff outside do not be a wimp.
By: max on January 6, 2009
at 1:46 pm
Of course you smoke in church! That’s the flames of hell lickin’ at your heels young lady!
By: Dingo on January 6, 2009
at 2:40 pm
I assume this long absence means you’ve landed the world’s greatest job and that that anyone has beheaded you on Au Bon Pain.
Come back soon!
By: thecoconutdiaries on January 23, 2009
at 7:45 pm
Ha! I see The Coconut Diaries and I had the same idea to come here and harass you. Where in the world are you lady?!
By: Dingo on January 24, 2009
at 7:37 am