The Grammar Badger
You are quite correct. It's not only a matter of smoking per se: it's about inconsiderate people.

If you are a considerate smoker, then I commend you. If you never caused anyone else harm then you're one of the good ones.

I also understand your point about inconsiderate drivers, drinkers etc. If a person is just an arsehole in general then they will inflict misery on other people without caring.

The reaon I single out smoking above all of this, however, is that it's SO prevalent in society that every single day I am negatively affected by inconsiderate smokers.

Maybe once in a while I am cut up by a driver who doesn't care about other people on the roads - and yes, I'm there muttering under my breath about what a cunt he is as well as anyone else would be.

However, it is every single day that, while waiting for the bus, several dickhead inconsiderate smokers feel that they have the right to come and stand next to me and light their stink sticks without asking. This forces me to move away. When the waiting area is busy, I'm constantly having to move around to try and find a space in the crowd which is suitably far away from anyone who's smoking.

So - yes, you're right. It's not about smoking per se, it's about arseholes. But the problem I have is that so many smokers don't even know - or care - that they ARE being arseholes when they smoke. It's because they don't understand how revolting their habit is to non-smokers. I just want to make them understand, and to thereafter have consideration. That's all.
(EuroSong I love horse meat: best of all the animals, Tue 2 Sep 2008, 9:45, Reply)