Ever been hassled for vaping?

[Saturnalia]

Sorry for the sad thread, but it has been an odd couple of days.

Twice in the last two days I've been hassled on the street for vaping. Men have come up to me shouting, saying "those are worse than cigarettes" and in both cases being very close to me, shouting in my face. It was very intimidating and if I were on a quieter road or after dark I would have felt scared for my safety.

Have you ever had anything like this and how would you/did you handle it? If people want to ask me about e-cigs I'm happy to answer. In fact when I'm at work and outside with the smokers, quite a few have been curious and I think I may be on my way to a couple of converts. But people acting aggressively aren't interested in facts and experiences and it would probably make them even angrier.

Short of hiding my vaping (which I suppose I could manage, but why should I have to?) what can I do?        

[DiscoDes]

Just try to ignore them, they are ignorant.

If anyone becomes you should report them to he Police, you are doing NOTHING wrong!

[Saturnalia]

I suppose some people are just that sad and they have to amuse themselves by starting aggro with a stranger. I'm probably not the first or last to get a piece of their tiny minds. They're usually cowards too, they seem to manage to hold their tongues around men who look like they could defend themselves.

Cor, I almost feel sorry for the pair of them when I think of them like that!

[OneDay]

Mar 5, 2014 23:21:24 GMT Saturnalia said:

Cor, I almost feel sorry for the pair of them when I think of them like that!

Exactly. What can be sadder than some swivel-eyed loon who feels the need to aggressively share their misguided opinions with complete strangers?

[loobiebloo]

I've not had the aggression but have had a few people recently commenting on how terrible these things are. I don't read daily papers but suspect there's been some bad press. I've also had several comments on e-cigs being used to 'smoke' dubious substances in public. Fortunately, I've been in a position to correct misconceptions - you weren't Saturnalia, that must have been scary.

[Balllsy]

I was hassled for vaping a while ago, I asked him to leave me alone and eventually he did

[Raffles]

I think you've just experienced the current 'dick heads' of the time. It wouldn't matter what you were doing, they are just 'performing' to their peers at how hard they are... poor delusional souls.

Just feel sorry for them, and try and give that impression, but obviously don't put yourself at risk... there are some very pathetic people around.

They are NOT the majority, and some will just cause trouble for the sake of it... just imagine to yourself someone, far harder, who will put them in their place... only a matter of time.

[Steve (VapeStorm)]

allaboute-cigarettes.proboards.com/thread/34295/police?page=1&scrollTo=602678

need I say more

[Perpetua]

I'm sorry you've had the hassle Saturnalia, it's not something I've experienced personally . . . no one should have to tolerate abusive behaviour of any sort.

Pure ignorance on these eejits part.

[BrenD]

I'm far more likely to get grief for my weight from that kind of ejit, so vaping hasn't caused any aggro yet.

I had one moron glare at me for vaping on the train before explaining how disgusting they were and that they should be banned. His reasoning? His one had "exploded" in his mouth earlier that day and "filled" it with juice. I really didn't want to know what he had been using or how he had been using it. But he moved to the other end of the carriage and all was good.

[Deleted]

I try to vape stealthy whenever I can as I notice stares mainly because people haven't seen a real one! What concerns me more is:
The 'street boys' haven't realised yet just how valuable one /some of these things are. A provari with an atty.. almost £200.
I'm more concerned about some muppet trying to thieve it!

[Deleted]

Sorry you've received such abuse, Saturnalia, they're ignorant morons & they're fed by some of the ridiculous media articles that have been put out there.

Ignore them is the best policy, as they won't take educating & vape to your hearts content.

[Saturnalia]

Mar 5, 2014 23:33:57 GMT loobiebloo said:

I've not had the aggression but have had a few people recently commenting on how terrible these things are. I don't read daily papers but suspect there's been some bad press. I've also had several comments on e-cigs being used to 'smoke' dubious substances in public. Fortunately, I've been in a position to correct misconceptions - you weren't Saturnalia, that must have been scary.

I was thinking that, it looks like there has been a recent rash of scaremongering articles laying it on thick. 

I did get one man saying he'd heard "that stuff crystallises in the lungs". (No, he wasn't a doctor, chemist or biologist.) So I asked him what ingredients were in e-juice and which one causes the crystals? Of course he didn't know! But he had manners and was interested and we were able to talk about it. The peculiar thing is, he's a heavy smoker - seems weird to worry about vaping when everyone knows what cigs do to the lungs!?!

And as for the "more dangerous than smoking" argument - surely any substance that was would not be on sale legally and openly, including in pharmacies!

[Deleted]

Interesting.

I'm used to the stares. It doesn't bother me that much. and the dirty looks. And the comments from the junkies of 'what do you have in your pipe?'

Only one that scared me was a while back. Happily vaping at an open air bus stop when some big chap in his 50s told me whatever I was 'smoking to put it out'. I told him I was vaping. He wasnt' impressed. Felt quite intimidated . Fact is you can't vape on buses round here (first and stagecoach)

Jane

[andy01424]

Sorry but had opposite last summer in cab,but since have people getting saying hmm smells nice in here ,but this one time ,guy walked up to the car door and said what scent is that coming from your cab smelt it up the road,and it smells lovely,so wanted to ask ,to which he got reply uhmmm Vanilla custard and pulled out the vamo with agaa T on it