A Starbucks Vaping Story

[Sa Da Tay]

Hey Peter- did you actually read my entire post? Cause you're basically saying the same thing I did, Constitutional lesson aside.

It's here ill point out that even with Peter apparently being on "my side", even he didn't take the time to read my full post and think about it before posting his knee-jerk reaction. Such is the Natural Law of Teh Internetz.

 

[Vander615]

I refuse to stealth vape.I vape when I want and where I want.I have only been vaping for a little over a month but I have not had one thing said to me about it,or even a dirty look.The only thing that has come of it so far is one lady asked me what it was,I told her and explained how it has helped me.She continued to ask questions and I continued to answer.She wanted to quit smoking and asked where to buy them,I pointed her in the ECF direction and told her to do a little research and gave her some advice as to what to start with.We parted ways and that was that.
If I am ever asked to stop vaping somewhere,I will PROBABLY comply after a quick rundown of what I'm doing.It's easier to ask forgiveness than permission.
I will also NEVER refer to what I am using as an electronic cigarette.What I have is a personal vaporizer,plain and simple.

 

[peakcomm]

This entire horse has been beaten, flayed and set on fire but I can't help but give it one more kick with an analogy.

It's not illegal to talk in a movie theater. The theater owners can set it as their policy and ask you to leave, but they can't have you arrested just for talking in their theater. If you choose to talk in a theater, you are asserting your 1st amendment rights.

However, if you talk in a theater, you, sir, are an ***hole. Not breaking a law and asserting your "rights" doesn't exclude the fact that you lack a common sense of social awareness and decency. But if some people want to continue vaping with a chip on their shoulder, daring anyone to knock it off, I suppose that it is their right.

I appreciate the analogy, but I'm going to address it in a way that may help you see another perspective.

If I talk in the movie theater, I don't affect only myself. I make it difficult for other patrons to hear and remain engaged in the film, so they are prevented from fully enjoying the entertainment they paid for. That's stealing money out of their pockets, IMHO. And I sincerely hope the management has the cajones to bounce me right out of there.

But if I sit in the back row, as I did at the Tuesday matinee, with no one within six feet of me, and occasionally take a short draw on my PV, I disturb no one. My modest plume is invisible in the dark, the aroma doesn't carry beyond my personal space (especially with that AC running like a deep freeze!), and I've put no one at risk. In fact, I likely disturbed everyone less than I would if I were to open the door and step outside to the hall to have a quick vape.

In this circumstance, I suppose some might call me a stealth vaper; I think I'm simply being a considerate vaper. Would you agree? Or do you think I have a chip on my shoulder?

 

[Sa Da Tay]

Hey peakcomm- I appreciate your measured reply. As far as I see it, if someone is -successfully- stealth vaping, making an effort to not call attention, that's fine. It's the "I'm gonna vape in your face regardless if its allowed and you can suck it" attitude that I find annoying, selfish and counter to forwarding public acceptance.

 

[SAG]

Dang it I gotta ask, who the heck are these straw a$$h.... vape in your face people? Personally I've never encountered one. And I pay attention to my surroundings. Unless of course, we're simply discussing people/situations for the heck of it. Come out, come out where ever are! I've gotta a bullybat, lol And I'm totally kidding about the bullybat thingy!

 

[minimalsaint]

Dang it I gotta ask, who the heck are these straw a$$h.... vape in your face people? Personally I've never encountered one. And I pay attention to my surroundings. Unless of course, we're simply discussing people/situations for the heck of it. Come out, come out where ever are! I've gotta a bullybat, lol And I'm totally kidding about the bullybat thingy!

Oh- I'm gonna find you, bring my mech with my .01ohm quintuple coil, stalk your life and yell "WOOOOOOOO" whenever I take a drag....... As long as you PM me your address, that is. We can go to Starbucks.

 

[Butters78]

Dang it I gotta ask, who the heck are these straw a$$h.... vape in your face people? Personally I've never encountered one. And I pay attention to my surroundings. Unless of course, we're simply discussing people/situations for the heck of it. Come out, come out where ever are! I've gotta a bullybat, lol And I'm totally kidding about the bullybat thingy!

I googled bullybat and found this lol.

Bullybat

 

[minimalsaint]

I googled bullybat and found this lol.

Bullybat

LMAO

"From the Designer:
Nothin's spookier than a Bulldog in a bat costume."

You got that right.

 

[SAG]

hahahahaha EricHill78!!!!! Remember I said I didn't really have one? Well now, I HAVE to have one!!!
Oh and Minimalsaint, I'm parked in front of YOUR house waiting for the Starbucks run. Hurry up, the dog in the back hasta pee!

 

[rico942]

If you really want to get the ultimate dirty look from a Starbucks "barista" (love the pretentiousness of that title), just attempt to order one of their bottled frappuccino drinks over the counter. It is their product, but apparently bottled by Coca-Cola ...

I'm more addicted to those things than to nicotine. If I could only find a frappuccino flavored juice. Ahhhhhhh ...

 

[yummi4tunekookie]

Lol, hay guyz, I'm one of those "snooty" Starbucks baristas. Nice to meet you!

Sorry if I'm addressing things that have already been stated, but 23 pages is a lot to browse through!

The non-smoking policy on the patio is both a blessing and a curse--at least for me. A blessing because it really pushed me to go back to ecigs (and when I saw all those fancy clearomizers--nothing like the terrible cartomizers from 3 years ago--I almost wept with joy), but a curse because...well, come on. I understand not smoking indoors, etc. But with more and more bars banning smoking, more and more restaurants banning smoking outside, I can understand the frustration of many smokers. It's BULLSHIZ.

I still smoke the occasional analog while on break at work (but now I must do so off in the distance where all the baristas park their cars like a leper), but even when I did smoke on the patio, I was conscious enough to sit well away from non-smokers; and if there were any children nearby, I'd put it out and walk well away. Not good enough, I guess.

Blah, blah, rant, blah. I tend to lean more towards Democratic/liberal thinking when it comes to many social issues, but I call BULLDOOKIE on these lameass laws.

The best news, though, is that I've been seeing more and more PVs everywhere I go--even my other fellow smokers with whom I work are slowly turning. I guess all the bans are pushing people towards ecigs, which I think is grrrrrrreATE! However, the Starbucks non-smoking policy extends to ecigs as well.

What the FAAAAAAARK. All my coworkers agree that the inclusion of PVs is pushing it too damn far--even the non smokers I work with can see it's unfair. Thankfully, whenver my Store Manager ain't around, we vape wherever we damn well please--well, not in the cafe amongst the customers, of course. But we vape in the back room, and on our breaks, we set our keisters right out on the patio to vape away.

There have been a couple of customers who used to vape regularly on the patio. I haven't seen 'em for weeks, but I'm guessing that my ARGHIHATEYOUSTUPID Store Manager told them it was verbotten. It's a shame, 'cause I loved sitting and talking about PVs and juices with those guys.

Shucks.

 

[yummi4tunekookie]

If you really want to get the ultimate dirty look from a Starbucks "barista" (love the pretentiousness of that title), just attempt to order one of their bottled frappuccino drinks over the counter. It is their product, but apparently bottled by Coca-Cola ...

I'm more addicted to those things than to nicotine. If I could only find a frappuccino flavored juice. Ahhhhhhh ...

Lololol, at my Starbucks we love when people pick those things up to buy--less work on our part. Frappuccinos get to be the biggest pain in the A** after few hours of making mostly those non-stop.

To all the customers who order ready-to-drink items, brewed coffee, iced espresso beverages, iced coffee beverages, hot espresso beverages in lieu of a frappuccino, or just order a pastry or two without a drink: You're our favorites.

 

[minimalsaint]

Lol, hay guyz, I'm one of those "snooty" Starbucks baristas. Nice to meet you!

Sorry if I'm addressing things that have already been stated, but 23 pages is a lot to browse through!

The non-smoking policy on the patio is both a blessing and a curse--at least for me. A blessing because it really pushed me to go back to ecigs (and when I saw all those fancy clearomizers--nothing like the terrible cartomizers from 3 years ago--I almost wept with joy), but a curse because...well, come on. I understand not smoking indoors, etc. But with more and more bars banning smoking, more and more restaurants banning smoking outside, I can understand the frustration of many smokers. It's BULLSHIZ.

I still smoke the occasional analog while on break at work (but now I must do so off in the distance where all the baristas park their cars like a leper), but even when I did smoke on the patio, I was conscious enough to sit well away from non-smokers; and if there were any children nearby, I'd put it out and walk well away. Not good enough, I guess.

Blah, blah, rant, blah. I tend to lean more towards Democratic/liberal thinking when it comes to many social issues, but I call BULLDOOKIE on these lameass laws.

The best news, though, is that I've been seeing more and more PVs everywhere I go--even my other fellow smokers with whom I work are slowly turning. I guess all the bans are pushing people towards ecigs, which I think is grrrrrrreATE! However, the Starbucks non-smoking policy extends to ecigs as well.

What the FAAAAAAARK. All my coworkers agree that the inclusion of PVs is pushing it too damn far--even the non smokers I work with can see it's unfair. Thankfully, whenver my Store Manager ain't around, we vape wherever we damn well please--well, not in the cafe amongst the customers, of course. But we vape in the back room, and on our breaks, we set our keisters right out on the patio to vape away.

There have been a couple of customers who used to vape regularly on the patio. I haven't seen 'em for weeks, but I'm guessing that my ARGHIHATEYOUSTUPID Store Manager told them it was verbotten. It's a shame, 'cause I loved sitting and talking about PVs and juices with those guys.

Shucks.

Let me just say that I don't envy your job at all. Dealing with uppity soccer moms and douche business men on the daily can't be a walk in the park. I admire your ability to refrain from spewing hot frappawhatevers at those people while keeping a smile on your face. And for what it's worth, I may or may not have "accidentally" spilledy drinks on a few of those types on behalf of you and the people in your profession.

 

[Discord]

I'd totally stop going to starbucks due to their vaping policy if I actually ever went to starbucks to buy terrible coffee products.

 

[Mozzer]

I see that argument mostly from people in California. I think they have been abused so hard for their smoking habits in the past that they are literally brain-washed into believing they are bad people and don't deserve to be with the 'good' people.

California is in the process of passing legislation that will make vaping exactly like smoking. It passed the initial hearing. There's a video around of the hearing. It was amazing that the panel passed it. The arguments against the bill were more scientific, and eloquent. There was a huge line of people giving testimony about their positive experience with vaping.

One of the most compelling arguments against the bill was that it's one of the most successful smoking cessation / reduction methods ever. Further, by making vapers go outside to hang out with the smokers, you are subjecting them to the harmful 2nd hand smoke, as well as tempting them to return to the actual harmful substance.

Some in the panel voiced their reservations about the bill making it like smoking, and said more research is required. I found that encouraging, but I was still dumbfounded that they went ahead and passed it. I'm not sure what the next steps are to make it law.

 

[Alyssasmama]

California is in the process of passing legislation that will make vaping exactly like smoking. It passed the initial hearing. There's a video around of the hearing. It was amazing that the panel passed it. The arguments against the bill were more scientific, and eloquent. There was a huge line of people giving testimony about their positive experience with vaping.

One of the most compelling arguments against the bill was that it's one of the most successful smoking cessation / reduction methods ever. Further, by making vapers go outside to hang out with the smokers, you are subjecting them to the harmful 2nd hand smoke, as well as tempting them to return to the actual harmful substance.

Some in the panel voiced their reservations about the bill making it like smoking, and said more research is required. I found that encouraging, but I was still dumbfounded that they went ahead and passed it. I'm not sure what the next steps are to make it law.

My husband just had a bad experience at the Dodger stadium. He wasn't even seated yet and they stopped him because they saw his vape in his hand and they told him "those things are not allowed here" he said "well security let me in but if I had a pack of pack of cigarettes would you kick me out" they let him stay but he had to vape in the smoking section. Never had a problem at the angel stadium...they just have more knowledge on vaping

 

[yummi4tunekookie]

Let me just say that I don't envy your job at all. Dealing with uppity soccer moms and douche business men on the daily can't be a walk in the park. I admire your ability to refrain from spewing hot frappawhatevers at those people while keeping a smile on your face. And for what it's worth, I may or may not have "accidentally" spilledy drinks on a few of those types on behalf of you and the people in your profession.

Ahhhh, a kindred spirit! I appreciate your kind words and "accidents," lol! I've only ever work in customer-service based industries (Spencer's, McDonald's, SunCom (extinct, lol!), and now Starbucks). I've been here over 6 years and am DYYYYING for a new job.

I've learned to let most nasty customers not get to me. While most of the people we get can be douchebags or snotty, pretentious jerks filled with unwarranted self-entitlement, there are just as many customers who are sweet and awesome. It's just that the jerks tend to stick with you mentally for a longer time. I just go into work with a positive attitude and try to stay happy and upbeat--I've learned that the attitude or face you portray usually gets reflected in the customers I deal with, so folks who are usually sourgrapes tend to soften up a bit and leave with a smile.

Then there are some folks who are determined to be unhappy and to make you unhappy as well. I deal with them as best I can, trying to make them leave happy, but if they don't.... Well, that's that.

Working there for 6+ years has really thickened my skin--the last time a customer made me upset was when she (an "uppity soccer mom") refused to be happy with anything--turned out she was racist and wanted "that ASIAN GIRL FIRED!!!!" I admire one of my coworkers to no end--she cooly handled a situation in which an angry teenaged customer threw her frappuccino at my coworker--I'd have cried and stormed out. Oh, and one time a woman smeared poop on the walls of our restrooms, lolololol*sobs*. Guess she was having a sh**ty day

I guess what truly bugs me is the fact that the customer-service industry has in themselves created the monstrous customers we deal with today. Why wouldn't they feel entitled when "the customer's always right?" And we at Starbucks have a "just say yes" policy that covers just about everything--even when we sometimes get ripped off. It's no excuse sometimes for the excessive actions of some customers, but it's why many such clientele feel that they can treat us like absolute trash--sometimes it's like we aren't even people with lives and problems of our own. Just automatons that must smile and nod, even when taking abuse when we forget to read certain customers' minds about their order (i.e., "Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't realize your bevarage was iced! (becuase you never said it was) Let me fix that!" then, "Oh, no! You wanted a frappuccino! I apologize; I'll make it right away!") I've learned to just ask whether one wants their drink hot or cold--if the latter, over ice or blended. Oftimes customers aren't paying attention when they order, so I find such questions necessary----and it avoids further confrontations.

 

[DC2]

My husband just had a bad experience at the Dodger stadium. He wasn't even seated yet and they stopped him because they saw his vape in his hand and they told him "those things are not allowed here" he said "well security let me in but if I had a pack of pack of cigarettes would you kick me out" they let him stay but he had to vape in the smoking section. Never had a problem at the angel stadium...they just have more knowledge on vaping

You're lucky Dodger Stadium still has a smoking area, because Petco Park does not.
You have to exit the stadium to smoke or vape.

Needless to say, there is no way in hell I'm going to exit the stadium to vape.
I stealth vape, all game long, and nobody has ever noticed.

 

[yummi4tunekookie]

I'd totally stop going to starbucks due to their vaping policy if I actually ever went to starbucks to buy terrible coffee products.

Hahahaha, I don't blame you. I probably shouldn't be saying this....but to me, much of our coffee tastes "burnt." I think the beans themselves are fine, but they seem to be waaaay over-roasted at the plant. It kills me; Starbucks is the largest buyer of Fair Trade coffee, and they work at and and with the farmers worldwide for sustainability, etc., etc. But then they BURN THE BEANS.

...And set up unrealisticly ridiculous policies at their stores. Le sigh.

 

[gayhalo]

Note from UK. I went to see Bon Jovi at a football stadium last month. Open air, there was no smoking in the stadium so I had to go out with the smokers.... Not being brave enough to challenge the staff. When the main act came on they started up two huge smoke machines.... Yes vaporised propylene glyco..... Well if all 30000 in the audience had vaped they could not have made clouds like that.