Why do I still feel awkward vaping Sometimes

[kibbster]

I was sat in the works canteen today as always at lunch when some visiting colleagues asked to join me for lunch.
I just couldn't vape in front of them :-(
I felt so awkward that I had to make an excuse and go outside to vape.
I don't understand why I still get like that sometimes, normally I'll sit in the canteen and chuck out clouds and no one complains but as soon as someone isn't in my circle comes and joins me I feel like a dirty smoker again.
It's not like I'm doing anything wrong.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using proboards

[toots]

It's just a psychological thing kibbster where you were made to feel so socially bad, an outcast, when you were a smoker. It becomes deep rooted.

If vaping was fully accepted and legalised without any restrictions blah blah blah, then I'm sure you would not feel that way also. It's because it has not exactly been fully legalised as such and approved by all and sundry which makes it not easy to just vape away without any worries or fears that someone somewhere will start complaining.

[kibbster]

I suspect there's a lot of truth in that.
If I'm outdoors or at home it doesn't worry me at all, I suspect the whole "grey area" legal thing indoors in a workplace and the fact then I'd have to start explaining what I'm doing and come across as a bore hehe

Still kicking myself for being a wuss

[xs2man]

I get you absolutely. I would never wish to impose my "vapour" upon anyone who might object.

That said, your normal routine would have had you producing clouds of vapour, so I think I would have asked if they minded first, and respected their decision. Chances are they would have been more curious than derogatory, and you would have been both vaping and educating at the same time. Win Win...

However, that said, I HATE blowing either smoke or vapour in someones face, so probably would have felt uncomfortable anyway.  Even when smoking was allowed indoors, if I was sitting opposite or next to someone, smoker or not, I always exhaled out the opposite side, or exhaled away from any other parties.

[kibbster]

Jan 20, 2014 13:25:47 GMT xs2man said:

I get you absolutely. I would never wish to impose my "vapour" upon anyone who might object.

That said, your normal routine would have had you producing clouds of vapour, so I think I would have asked if they minded first, and respected their decision. Chances are they would have been more curious than derogatory, and you would have been both vaping and educating at the same time. Win Win...

Trouble is I'm on lunch at work not in campaign mode.
Just want a relaxing vape and lunch before the madness begins again, they caught me at a vulnerable time

But you are right, that is what I should have done ideally - just couldn't

[xs2man]

Yep. I understand completely. Just wanting a relaxing vape...

[Deleted]

Unfortunately vaping will never be generally socially acceptable even although it is legal and hopefully will remain so. The anti tobacco crowd have won the war to make any form of smoking socially unacceptable and those who indulge are seen as a lower form of life. In the eyes of the general public anyone who puts a device to their lips, inhales and then exhales any form of "smoke" are smokers and therefore beyond the pale of decent society.

[Deleted]

Yeah don't remind me of that eejit at the bus stop the other week when I pulled out my mod and started vaping yelled at me 'whatever your smoking put it out it's illegal'

Yeah the antis have won this one but still

Tomorrow is another day kibbster

[kibbster]

Jan 20, 2014 14:08:16 GMT @johanino said:

Tomorrow is another day kibbster

It is indeed!
We live to fight on.

[babs]

Don't think they have entirely won my daughter is very very anti smoking (to the extreme) but she now accepts my vaping without any criticism. This is from a daughter that is highly critical of anything in my life

[dickyg]

I'm always cautious amongst people I don't know at work. Don't want them whistle blowing and making those in power ban vaping inside! If there's people I don't know I make my excuses and go for a drive.

[Deleted]

I was referring to the general public babs not one's friends and family who know and appreciate the difference between smoking and vaping. kibbster 's normal lunchtime vape is in the company of his usual crowd of workmates who know the difference but the situation that he faced today was in the company of strangers ... a situation similar to vaping amongst the general public who don't appreciate the difference.

[babs]

Yes freefromsmoking but my daughter is a member of the public and I was pointing out that it is becoming more acceptable though I do agree that there is a time and place so to speak. I personally don't vape anywhere that smoking isn't allowed but that's my choice and I wouldn't try to influence anyone else

[Deleted]

Jan 20, 2014 14:55:53 GMT babs said:

Yes freefromsmoking but my daughter is a member of the public and I was pointing out that it is becoming more acceptable though I do agree that there is a time and place so to speak. I personally don't vape anywhere that smoking isn't allowed but that's my choice and I wouldn't try to influence anyone else

I take your point babs and I hope that some day there will be enough vapers and hence friends, family, workmates etc among the general public to change the generally held view that anyone exhaling "smoke" is smoking.

[Perpetua]

And the ironic part for me anyway as an ex heavy smoker . . . is when I go to use the smoking shelter at break times, I hope to have it to myself as I don't want the smell of cigarettes on my clothes or in my nose.

Colleagues can smoke to their hearts content if they wish, but I don't want the smell on me.

Neither fish nor fowl I feel  . . . .