Walmart...

[g-dub925]

As I walked into Walmart yesterday I exhaled a large plume of vapor, the greeter told me I couldn't smoke in the store. I tried to explain that it wasn't a cigerette but she wouldn't listen. I don't want to be a jerk when it comes to situations like this, I'm looking for good advice on how to deal with people that look at me lime I'm an idiot because they think I'm smoking. For the most part I've just been holding the vapor in til it dissipates, but I kinda lose some satisfaction in that lol

To clear things up; I didn't exhale the vapor into anyones face nor was I being in your face about it. I feel this shouldn't be an in your face kinda thing and if I am asked not to use it, I dont. I dont want to give vapers a bad rep, ya know?

 

[BiancaMontgomery]

Just don't vape where you can't smoke...problem solved.

 

[cocorico]

vaping still looks like smoking to a non smoker. But I know a mall that allows them since they have an e cig stand set up inside and the sales person is always vapin it up lol.

 

[Glam]

+1 to Bianca. People cannot tell the difference--you would not walk into a Walmart exhaling a big old cigarette cloud--so why would you do that with vaping? Being a vaper does not give you certain rights over tobacco smokers.

 

[untitledblue]

Well, you could always blow it [vapor] in their faces to get your point across. Erm...then again that may not be the best of ideas.

 

[BiancaMontgomery]

+1 to Bianca. People cannot tell the difference--you would not walk into a Walmart exhaling a big old cigarette cloud--so why would you do that with vaping? Being a vaper does not give you certain rights over tobacco smokers.

Right, it's still something you're inhaling and exhaling, in turn making those around you breathe it in their air while you do it. Even if we as vapers aren't worried about what's in our vapor, we still have to respect those around us that don't want to inhale it second hand. Just don't vape where you can't smoke...easy peasy.

 

[Stevew443]

When that happens to me I just say, "Thank you, I am not smoking." and then walk on.

 

[doots]

Just don't vape where you can't smoke...problem solved.

exactly........

 

[g-dub925]

Just don't vape where you can't smoke...problem solved.

Good stuff, I guess common sense strikes again!

 

[Nova Sphere]

When that happens to me I just say, "Thank you, I am not smoking." and then walk on.

Agreed! This is your best bet

 

[Outre]

As I walked into Walmart yesterday I exhaled a large plum of vapor,

This

No matter what I believe about vaping in public, I wouldn't exhale just as I was walking into a store; at the checkout; while at a gas pump; etc., etc.

If we're looking for acceptance for vaping as an alternative to cigarettes, then we all need to use a little common sense instead of "in your face" attitudes.

Not saying that what you intended was "in your face", but, that's how it can look to others.

What's that quote from Shakespeare? "The better part of valor is discretion ... " which I always took to mean thinking things through and using good judgement before acting.

 

[Phroge]

I look at them, drop my PV into my shirt pocket, and tell them I'm not smoking. The looks I get when I drop a "hot cigarette" into my pocket are priceless. Depending on the WTF reaction, I may take the PV back out to show them what it is and give them a quick course in Vaping 101.

 

[dragonladee]

I think I read somewhere that Walmart doesn't allow vaping in their stores. It doesn't fall under tobacco laws in most places, but the fact is that a business owner can allow or disallow pretty much anything they want to within their business i.e. dress codes, behavioral policies, etc. If they tell you not to do it and you want to stay, you kinda have to follow those requests.

Having said that I have vaped in Walmart. No one has said anything to me yet, but I don't do it right in front of anyone. As someone else said....at the checkout, in front of the greeter - I'm sure those people have been told to ask customers not to smoke if they see it, and not many people have any idea what vaping even is so to them there is no difference and their behind is on the line if they don't say something.

So far if I have been inside somewhere long enough that I need a vape I just move to an area that is less conspicuous and act like it's no big deal. Blowing a big cloud of vapor on people who are instructed not to allow smoking is probably just going to get you into a confrontation, not many are going to be willing to listen to what it actually is and then also make the decision to allow it (which is above the greeter anyway).

 

[Renzuli]

Good stuff, I guess common sense strikes again!

Can't say it any better . We as vapors , have no special pass , to do as we please . I vape in Walmart , all the time . I just do it , when no one is looking . In VA clinics , grocery stores , elevators , where ever . I just don't advertise .

 

[ZinniaBlaze]

I had this same conversation with my daughter last night at the movies. No sense in causing a disturbance and as long as you don't blow big plumes of vapor all over the people in front of you noone even notices and we can sit back vaping and enjoying our movie as well.

 

[Chinner]

I'm all for sneaking a puff here and there in an empty grocery store isle, but I never make a spectacle of myself in places I can't smoke. The truth is, most non vapers don't have a clue what we're doing, or even what vaping is. Once people understand, it's a much easier sell. Problem is, if we generate complaints before people take the time to learn about ecigs, then it's easier for places to simply ban vaping then to learn about it. And like it or not there's not enough vapers to make a dent in the sales numbers of a place like walmart lol, so our position trying to get them to change any anti-vaping policies down the road would be pretty weak. So I for one will continue sneaking around, invisible ninja Vapist!

 

[Iffy]

Way to crumble under the weight of self-image and social/governmental/corporate biases. What are you overweight folk out there gonna do when you're ostracized and taxed for being so (check out NY and Kalif; that's not counting medical insurance companies)?

Lil' story fer ya'll:

I can remember when Florida would ticket motorcyclists for not wearing helmets. But yet during that same period, when some large motorcycle clubs gathered and traversed the Sunshine Skyway without helmets, the state and local counties had the FHP, Pinellas and Manatee County sheriff deputies escort the them over the bridge... not one helmet was worn by the club members and not one citation was issued! Why... think about it!

How did they get away such a grievous, in your face and illegal action? Massive civil disobedience! Forward to today, no Florida MC helmet laws.

BTW, do I wear a helmet when riding an MC? Yepper, but by my choice!

So continue to duck into the restrooms, fitting rooms or step outside 15 feet/miles/counties/states to take a PV break. You're missing out on a terrific opportunity to educate the clueless, even if it doesn't do any good. If you do nothing, then don't come on here b*tchin' about your 'no vape here' experience.

On the other hand, when 'challenged', be polite, respectfully ask for permission, explain your stand and comply with the resultant decision.


Day-um, guess I'm really gettin' crotchety in my advanced years. But I'm VERY tired of having someone else making my decisions. Whatever happened to the days when the air was clean and sex was dirty?

 

[FranklinBluth]

I try to keep a low profile when shopping, just hitting my e-cig in deserted isles as stated earlier in this thread. If I go to a bar or restaurant I just ask one of the wait staff when they come by for the drink orders if they are ok with me vaping there, haven't been told no yet.

I carry around my volcano card that gives a detailed description about what e-cigs are all about and that usually clears everything up for people who are ignorant of vaping.

No need to be rude to hourly workers btw, they're just doing their jobs when they assume you're smoking.

 

[provoked]

In most of the experiences I have had with non-smokers commenting about no smoking, I just educate them on the device and the process of vaping. From my experience this has yielded great results and most people have been very accepting and, in some cases, encouraging of it because some people see the benefits as opposed to smoking.

I fully agree it should not be an in-your-face tactic though. Now a rally of some type is not a bad thing, but walking into a store and vaping in someone's face is not an action that will help with progress.

 

[LST1179]

I worry about someone spotting me vaping in my cube. While there is no smell of cigarettes, someone may see a cloud boiling up out of my cube when I am double or triple puffing to get a large TH. Or if I just happen to get the perfect hit that produces alot of vapor. I often blow it down under my desk and wave my hand around to dissipate the smoke lol! You just know someone is going to be distressed by the fact that I am using a nicotine delivery device in the workplace. They do have a smoking area, but no way I am going there anymore. It is a sweet dilemma because I love to vape at work, all day, without having to take a "smoke break".