Vaping in public - why am I embarrassed?

[Twisty]

Hi everyone!

New to vaping , only been doing it a week. Very much enjoying it but ... I feel quite embarrassed when it comes to doing it in public.
So even if I'm just popping down to the local shop or going on a night out , I feel very self-conscious taking it out and vaping on it.

In my head i feel as people look at me suspiciously , like I'm doing something weird or wrong. Or god knows , even illegal!

I still very much treat it as I did with cigs , in terms of : I'll go out of a restaurant or club to have a vape. Or think I need 5 mins alone with my e-cig , like I used to take little breaks when having a cig.

Not to mention that , when I'm in public and I need to refill with juice - gosh , feel I should hide in a corner so nobody can see what I'm doing.

Has anyone got any advice for me , please?

[pixiguru]

Just do it! I had to force myself not to hide as I felt everyone was looking but I persevered and now I'm not bothered I've not had to refill in public tho.......

[Karma]

You could pre-fill some cartos before you go out?

Apart from that all I can really say is that you will get used to it I think people look because they're curious! Some vendors send business cards out with orders that explain it pretty well. You could take some out with you to show people.

[giles]

I felt a bit embarrassed at first too Twist, and I'm not easily embarrassed. It goes away when you realise that actually nobody cares much.

I found it easiest with a black 510 cig-sized setup. Everybody knew it was an imitation cigarette. Most people have heard of such things, so not a threat to them. I'd keep loaded carts in a purse so that I only had to fill when at home.

I still go out of restaurants for a vape, just like I used to for a smoke. Nice to be in the fresh air.

If I'm with friends, I tell them what it is first - "by the way I've been using one of these things...". "Nearly as good as a fag and lots cheaper" is what I used to say, but these days I actually think vaping is a better experience.

[Brian]

Nothing to be ashamed of Twist.

[Twisty]

Thank you so much everybody - I know it's not something to be ashamed of. Considering that smokers are frowned upon most times ( used to be very self-conscious telling new people I met I am a smoker ).

I will follow your advice and have some pre-filled cartos with me whenever I go out .

I havent yet been approached by people asking me with it is. I have been quite discreet with it though. At home Im happily vaping away , but in public feel so shy about it still.

[Deleted]

i felt exactly the same, im a month into vaping now and i dont feel imbarrassed anyone, you will get used to it

[GothicLord]

I tend to find any attention I get is more curiosity than nastiness, and I am always happy to explain what my Riva is, how it works, and the differences between vaping and smoking.

If you go to allaboute-cigarettes.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=promoting&thread=12608&page=1#253723 you can get some business card that are easily printed, and can be handed out to those who are curious, then they can come here, and we can answer any questions they have.

[Twisty]

Just got to keep telling myself Im not doing anything wrong and actually doing something that is good for me.

Gothiclord , I tend to be shy when people ask too many questions I suppose. Or them thinking that Im a weirdo , if Im explaining it and they dont get it. The idea with the cards is probably the easiest route out of it , he he - send them over here

[GothicLord]

Oct 13, 2012 19:19:11 GMT Twisty said:

Just got to keep telling myself Im not doing anything wrong and actually doing something that is good for me.

Gothiclord , I tend to be shy when people ask too many questions I suppose. Or them thinking that Im a weirdo , if Im explaining it and they dont get it. The idea with the cards is probably the easiest route out of it , he he - send them over here

Lol I'm used to people thinking I'm a weirdo I mean I'm 6'1", 33 years old, and a goth

But I do know what you mean, so print some cards, and send them here There is always someone about waiting to answer any question they could ask

[Twisty]

You guys are making my whole transition so much more fun , so glad I joined the forums!

Gothiclord , Im probably right at the opposite end : short , blonde and with a "thing" that lights up blue and vapour coming out of my mouth. Hmmmm , had some weird looks from some old ladies at the bus stop the other day

[womble]

I've been vaping a year and I'm still a bit apprehensive about vaping in public, it will get better over time as it becomes more normal for you.

I've been vaping this afternoon at a kids party and the only person that asked me about it was one kid who saw me doing it outside. I had it on my belt in full view all the time.

[GothicLord]

I started with a "thing" that lights up blue, and was initially worried about it, I even bought different batteries that light up orange so I didn't draw as much attention, now I stand in the smoking area at work with a riva 1100 vaping away quite happily.

I was very self conscious when I first started using e-cigs, and did all I could not to be noticed, 6 weeks on, and I'm much more confident with it, to the point that I'm about to build my own mod which will draw a lot of attention

[Chrissie]

Twist, I mainly vape with this -



And apart from a guard on a train, no one has questioned me.

[GothicLord]

that is a beautiful bit of kit Chrissie