It’s not the habit it’s the people. People just want to be left alone these days.
Comment on Good to see AAFES looking out for my health
ZeffSyde@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I miss the clutches of people that would congregate in smoking areas on breaks at work, kinda forced to socialize but all walks of life would be tied together by their shared vice.
Now the smoking area at work has dwindled so I feel like a pariah sucking on my electric nicotine pacifier for a couple minutes, staring at my phone and ignoring the other pariahs that come outside.
Hell, I think I met the larger part of my 2000s friend group striking up conversations outside of bars when you could no longer smoke inside.
Sorry I’m romanticizing am unhealthy dirty habit, but I do think that we, in the US at least, have vilified one more means of social connection.
Pacattack57@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
maniclucky@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I’ve told people before, as a non-smoker, that smoking would be the ultimate social activity if it weren’t for all the cancer and assorted negative health outcomes. You’ve got an idle habit that many people also engage in. It requires that people come closer together to share the disposal resources. It then requires that you hold still and fidget with a small stick for several minutes every time you do it. And nothing else. It’s hard to beat a set of conditions to get people to idly interact with each other that’s better than that.
But, you know, cancer…
AnarchistArtificer@slrpnk.net 2 weeks ago
I have a couple of friends who smoke and I really enjoy heading outside with them when they go out to smoke. I especially enjoy it when it’s very cold out, because nothing makes me appreciate the cosy warmth of my home more than a brief spell of bracing cold.
Shame about the passive smoking though
Zink@programming.dev 2 weeks ago
Don’t underestimate the value of the “I’m going to wander outside for a couple minutes” break on your well being!
I’m sitting here realizing that my big hobby project of the past few years — a koi pond in my back yard — is essentially a reason to just go outside and chill.
fox2263@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Imagine if smoking made you healthy.
dejected_warp_core@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
When I worked in an office, I used to regularly take breaks with the smokers, even though I don’t smoke. Not unlike following a bird or deer through the woods to a source of food or fresh water, the smokers really do have a line on togetherness. That and getting up from your desk regularly to take a damn break.
kerrypacker@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Drinking is better it also lowers inhibitions.