This may stir up a argument, but is it just me or are we (e-smokers) starting to sound like a bunch of stoners and .... addicts? (never been one, so not sure)
I'm referring to the words used to name various aspects of smoking electronic cigarettes and cigars. Yeah, yeah - they are just words. But how you name things can greatly change how others perceive those things. This is starting to worry me due to the upcoming showdown between the fringe users (we are fringe, admit it) of electronic smoking devices and the general public. The one outcome I do not want is where e-juice is a controlled substance with cops busting in my doors late at night.
For example: I am smoking en electronic cigarette, and someone curious comes up to me and asks "What the heck is that thing?". I could say "It's a personal vaporizer. I am vaping some of my favorite e-juice, you should try it!"
At least to most people in America (may vary in other countries), this would be A BAD IDEA. Many would immediately draw a straight line in their head between me and that scary looking guy on the corner in a REALLY bad neighborhood. Might even get the cops called on me. "Hello police? This guy is sitting on his porch smoking some 'juice' or something from a vaporizer. He said it was 'vaping', whatever THAT means... you are going to send someone by to check? Thank you officer."
Now if I said instead: "It's an electronic cigarette" (which I already have to a few people in my conservative town). They then say "Really? Weird... how does it work?". I respond "I load some tobacco essence oil into it and it converts it to tar-free vapor when I smoke, kinda like those fog machines in movies."
They usually then say something like: "Interesting, I should tell my brother about that. He really should stop smoking, or at least cut back a bit". Or they just chuckle and walk away. Both good responses. No cops called. No one concerned about what I am doing to their neighborhood.
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See what a difference simple words can make?
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Also, I would never dare "cook" up a batch of "e-juice" at home using the tobacco plants (Dutch Shorts) I have started in my windowsill for use while "vaping". I would instead "brew" some "tobacco essence" - along with some coffee to pass the time - to "smoke in my electronic cigar".
The general public (and local police) likely would frown on the first explanation, but shrug their shoulders on the second.
I know it may seem petty, but isn't that how the world works? I am waiting for the day when I see a report on the news where they proclaim in gravely concerned voices: "Apparently, there is a new type of drug user hitting our streets. People are cooking up 'e-juice' to use in small 'personal vaporizers'. Devices like these have long been used with illegal drugs, but this time it is a special form of chemically altered tobacco."
8-o
IMHO we shouldn't underestimate the power of certain words, and the connotations they may carry. Thoughts?
I'm referring to the words used to name various aspects of smoking electronic cigarettes and cigars. Yeah, yeah - they are just words. But how you name things can greatly change how others perceive those things. This is starting to worry me due to the upcoming showdown between the fringe users (we are fringe, admit it) of electronic smoking devices and the general public. The one outcome I do not want is where e-juice is a controlled substance with cops busting in my doors late at night.
For example: I am smoking en electronic cigarette, and someone curious comes up to me and asks "What the heck is that thing?". I could say "It's a personal vaporizer. I am vaping some of my favorite e-juice, you should try it!"
At least to most people in America (may vary in other countries), this would be A BAD IDEA. Many would immediately draw a straight line in their head between me and that scary looking guy on the corner in a REALLY bad neighborhood. Might even get the cops called on me. "Hello police? This guy is sitting on his porch smoking some 'juice' or something from a vaporizer. He said it was 'vaping', whatever THAT means... you are going to send someone by to check? Thank you officer."
Now if I said instead: "It's an electronic cigarette" (which I already have to a few people in my conservative town). They then say "Really? Weird... how does it work?". I respond "I load some tobacco essence oil into it and it converts it to tar-free vapor when I smoke, kinda like those fog machines in movies."
They usually then say something like: "Interesting, I should tell my brother about that. He really should stop smoking, or at least cut back a bit". Or they just chuckle and walk away. Both good responses. No cops called. No one concerned about what I am doing to their neighborhood.
--
See what a difference simple words can make?
--
Also, I would never dare "cook" up a batch of "e-juice" at home using the tobacco plants (Dutch Shorts) I have started in my windowsill for use while "vaping". I would instead "brew" some "tobacco essence" - along with some coffee to pass the time - to "smoke in my electronic cigar".
The general public (and local police) likely would frown on the first explanation, but shrug their shoulders on the second.
I know it may seem petty, but isn't that how the world works? I am waiting for the day when I see a report on the news where they proclaim in gravely concerned voices: "Apparently, there is a new type of drug user hitting our streets. People are cooking up 'e-juice' to use in small 'personal vaporizers'. Devices like these have long been used with illegal drugs, but this time it is a special form of chemically altered tobacco."
8-o
IMHO we shouldn't underestimate the power of certain words, and the connotations they may carry. Thoughts?
!!! you just made me seriously "LOL" tbob, you're awesome. may i use that for my new signature?? that's gold.
