I think vaping is like any other behavior one can legally do in public. It all boils down to your level of consideration for others, politeness, manners and class.
For example, cell phones. I am old enough to remember when they did not exist. I am also in IT. I think it is highly inconsiderate to be on your bluetooth while trying to conduct some other transaction...like, in the drive through, at the bank teller, checking into a hotel room, etc. It seems rude to make your priority conversation the cell phone when you are transacting business. It is dismissive of the person who is trying to provide you with service and the people behind you wonder how long you are going to take because you are not fully paying attention to what's going on....Cell phones in restaurants are another huge pet peeve of mine....But I digress.
People do not understand vaping and what they do understand of it is fed to them from alarmist media. I don't see any point in upsetting people. If I want to vape around someone in a public place, I ask them if it would bother them if I vape. Guess what? Most of the time the first question is "...mind if you what?" This opens up a very cool dialogue about vaping vs. smoking. I get an opportunity to educate them with non-alarmist first hand information.
I vape at work (although now I work from home). When I was in a cubicle everyday, all of my cube neighbors got a quick education on vaping and they all supported it. I just blew my little clouds under my overhead compartment and no one was upset.
When I drive people in my car, I ask them if they mind if I vape and drive. I have never heard a "Yes, I do mind."
While I think most of us vapers know that it is completely safe and we should be able to do it everywhere we like; I still think that consideration and common sense goes a long way.
People do rude things all of the time in public like cutting in line, not holding doors for others, not speaking when spoken to, etc.etc.etc. Vaping is not rude but it can be perceived that way due to misinformation.
I try to use common sense and the good manners I was taught as a child.
I usually do not vape where I could otherwise not smoke. Although it would be nice for this to be fully accepted in bars because a nice vape goes well with a beer and some friends...
I also see how Bartenders should not have the extra job of figuring out whether a person is vaping or smoking.
The bottom line is that if you are polite and considerate of the personal space of others, I have found vaping to be well accepted. Asking someone is not for permission but to show that you are considering their presence and granting them respect. It really does go along way to creating good will for yourself and good PR for vaping overall.
