Busted at Wal-Mart! lol

[Kate51]

Being quite willing to stay in the shadows, I have been pleasantly surprised at how many people are actually being very receptive to these "new" gadgets! In a bar, at the Funeral Home last week could have sold 3 of them! Seriously, be ready to educate, share, and let people in on the benefits, after 44 years of smoking I would have been VERY interested in seeing someone who is actually vaporizing! 49 days and counting with NO analog smoking, never again.

 

[LuckyCharm]

...NO analog smoking, never again.

Unless they get outlawed. Everybody needs to contact their legislators and support the effort to keep e-cigs legal! They've already been banned in Canada -- no imports. Are we next?

See this thread to get started.

vape on!

~~Cheryl

 

[katink]

How many that posted in this thread are going to take part in organizing vaping-circles, and meeting somewhere with public around to both meet each other and meanwhile educate the people around/passing by in a friendly manner? I can't take part in any such thing, being overseas - but it sure seems to me to be something you over there would be wanting to do if acceptance and legality is wanted?
(And seems like fun on the side too, to get to know and meet people in your environment with the same passion as you )

 

[captntripps]

I would love to start one in Bama if anyone is interested

 

[katink]

That's great captntripps!

Maybe best to start a new thread, to get your county-men together then? Good luck! Looking forward to seeing vape-circles pop up all over the place!

 

[wv2win]

How else can we get people on our side if we don't vape publically. I have found that most cig-haters, when given a detailed and friendly explaination, seem to get on my side about it. They ask questions and almost always mention a friend or relative whos smoking concerns them and how they will tell them about me and my e-cigs. If we hide or only smoke on the back patio it seems as good as saying we're doing something bad or unhealthy. While I agree we shouldn't fight with adamant establishments or cause scenes, I think her husband handled the situation in a calm and friendly manner, educating and probably winning over others.

Very good points.

 

[Wynterbourne]

How else can we get people on our side if we don't vape publically. I have found that most cig-haters, when given a detailed and friendly explaination, seem to get on my side about it. They ask questions and almost always mention a friend or relative whos smoking concerns them and how they will tell them about me and my e-cigs. If we hide or only smoke on the back patio it seems as good as saying we're doing something bad or unhealthy. While I agree we shouldn't fight with adamant establishments or cause scenes, I think her husband handled the situation in a calm and friendly manner, educating and probably winning over others.

I agree completely.

I used to be very active in various aspects of Dallas' 'Alternative' communities, working with a community center called Betwixt & Between, an interfaith community catering primarily to the Pagan community. We used to have a repetative issue with people being a little overanxious in their activism. Many would go out and try to make a scene with their Pagan identity, in some cases trying to...and I quote..."force acceptance down their throat."

As you can imagine this caused the Dallas Pagan community to have a bad reputation, even within the larger Pagan community as a whole.

It's almost painfully slow, but the way to induce change of this sort (unless you're part of a REALLY big group), is to just be yourself. Vape openly, but not overtly. Answer questions about your vaping honestly without being defensive. Be considerate of others misconceptions, even if makes no sense to you. Essentially, just do what you do and try to be the best person you can be while you do it.

Make the Anti community the bad guys.

 

[ozrick]

How many that posted in this thread are going to take part in organizing vaping-circles, and meeting somewhere with public around to both meet each other and meanwhile educate the people around/passing by in a friendly manner? I can't take part in any such thing, being overseas - but it sure seems to me to be something you over there would be wanting to do if acceptance and legality is wanted?
(And seems like fun on the side too, to get to know and meet people in your environment with the same passion as you )

We just had a "vaping" party at our house where we educated some of our smoking friends and sold some kits to boot. Was a big success and a lot of fun!

 

[DisMan]

Nice... someone walking around to intentionally get a reaction from anti-smoking people. Way to get the public on our side! Your husband wont be vaping anywhere when we get banned from using them.
For now, maybe your husband can get a job with SmokingEveryWhere, they sell their product in shopping malls, make all sorts of outragous claims, vape right there in the mall and tout the "get around smoking bans" claims.... they are single handedly bringing us down. And always looking for new salesmen with the same attitude.
My best,
-VP

I hope people like this *do* continue what they're doing. I don't know why I should feel ashamed of what I do. But social acceptance is going away from smoking because it's been ingrained.

Anyway, I am happy to read stories like this. It makes me think of a lesson a learned a long time ago. A lesson that stuck with me for awhile but I also ignored for a good time. A lesson that we all should keep in mind and always remember. And a lesson that people will need to start learning again.

The lesson?

Never judge a book by it's cover.

 

[bigeyes]

I think you hit that issue spot on... although the women that Do bathe themselves in perfume smell much stronger, and much worse to me than even a hog farm ! When I think of them driving to the store in their cars, all the windows rolled up... I can't help but to think that they HAVE to know how powerful their perfume is !

Not only that, if you google 'toxic perfume' you will see there are many more dangerous chemicals in perfume than are in your e-cig, or even in a regular cigarette. I can't even go shopping or eat in a restaurant because people make me sick all the time with their overuse of nasty perfumes and colognes. I get deathly ill from just a few seconds of exposure, sometimes for several days. I can't remember the last time I saw a movie anywhere other than at home. The perfume in the soap in most public restrooms makes me sick, the air fresheners that go off in public places gives me a headache...you name it. Leaving my house is like running a gauntlet.

Sometimes I can even smell a trail of some toxic funk outside where someone has worn so much of something they think smells good it won't even go away in the wind! Yet there are no laws against that kind of pollution? Unreal.

Then someone wants to piss and moan about my e-cig? I'm a virtual prisoner in my home already because of unregulated funk and they want to go after the only thing that gives me pleasure? Forgive me if I wish them a slow painful death surrounded by cigarette smoke and cow manure.

 

[Vapor Pete]

I hope people like this *do* continue what they're doing. I don't know why I should feel ashamed of what I do. But social acceptance is going away from smoking because it's been ingrained.

Anyway, I am happy to read stories like this. It makes me think of a lesson a learned a long time ago. A lesson that stuck with me for awhile but I also ignored for a good time. A lesson that we all should keep in mind and always remember. And a lesson that people will need to start learning again.

The lesson?

Never judge a book by it's cover.

Thank you for quoting me, and ignoring my point. Seems that happens alot around here. No where have I said we should be ashamed of vaping. I for one am putting up with all kinds of comments from smokers, to non smokers. The bottom line for me now is, I know Im doing something better for myself. End of story.
My points have nothing to do with acting ashamed, hiding in the corner, being afraid, or any number of spins people have put on it. I like your lesson Dis... but unfortunatly, judging the book by its cover is what this whole e-cig debate is about. Like or not. And unfortunatly, judging books by their covers is what society does best. My point is, lets not give the cover a bad title.
My best,
-VP

 

[RsL]

Wow...interesting reading here, and since we are all stating our own opinions here are mine.

I don't flaunt my vaping just to get reactions from people.

I don't vape in public places where smoking has never been accepted, like grocery stores, Walmarts, whatever. Geez, if I can't spend 30 minutes buying groceries without having a nicotine hit, then I'm worse off and more addicted than when I was an analog smoker!

I do however vape at my desk at work....which I used to be able to do. It took the longest time for anyone to even notice me vaping and then when noticed I simply explained the whole concept and nobody cared, because it wasn't bothering anyone. The reaction was quite positive actually. But at the same time I don't walk past the HR office flaunting it, because flaunting it would probably lead to a knee jerk reaction by HR to prohibit the use of it. And obviously if I'm ever asked to stop vaping by my boss or HR I will certainly do so.

I also vape in places where it was once normal to smoke in. Restaurants, bars, etc. I don't attempt to hide it at all, but I also vape in a way which makes it pretty obvious that I'm not smoking a real cig. I'll vape, then maybe casually scratch my forehead with the 'burning' end of my e-cig. I'll twirl it around in my fingers like some people do as a nervous habit with a pen. Anything which quickly shows anyone looking at me that I'm not smoking a real cig.

If I'm asked to stop 'smoking' I'll show them what I really have, if after that they still want me to stop, I will do so without a fight. Hey, if a bar/restaurant wants to bar people from wearing hats for example, it is within their power to do so, no matter how ridiculus it is.

But overall, most places allow me to continue and are quite fascinated by the whole thing! More and more I notice people looking at me and simply recognizing that it's one of those new electronic cigarette things that they have heard about.

My opinion is that it is up to us vapors to educate the public on these devices and we can't do that if we are lurking in the shadows sneaking puffs as if we are doing something illegal like smoking a joint! So just be cool about it, don't flaunt it, don't act like we have a God given right to vape anywhere we damn well please and be respectful of the owners of the establishments you vape in. If we all approach it in that manner perhaps eventually vaping will become a normal, accepted part of our society.

I'm doing my part and I hope all of you will as well!

 

[trollmonger]

Is fun blowing a big cloud of vapor as my boss walks by at work every day... he just smiles now

 

[LuckyCharm]

Is fun blowing a big cloud of vapor as my boss walks by at work every day... he just smiles now

I love it! This is what we need! I love walking in the park and letting out a nice big vapor cloud right before I pass people coming the opposite way. They're expecting to be grossed out by breathing smoke. But no! No smoke, no smell, no butts... How could they oppose such a wonderfully pleasant product?

~~Cheryl

 

[pipe6078]

the alarm bells are ringing. i really needed to stop the analogs and i really think this works. i am not going to vape as i smoked. i am using a nicotene replacement vaporizor for as long as it takes and the people who have ask love to here no cigs since may 6 this really works.

 

[LuckyCharm]

I don't flaunt my vaping just to get reactions from people.

Neither do I.

I don't vape in public places where smoking has never been accepted, like grocery stores, Walmarts, whatever. Geez, if I can't spend 30 minutes buying groceries without having a nicotine hit, then I'm worse off and more addicted than when I was an analog smoker!

I'll vape in a store if I'm stuck at a display waiting for someone to come open it up, or in line if it appears to be endless.... In short, whenever I need relief. I've never had anyone give me any grief about it.

And obviously if I'm ever asked to stop vaping by my boss or HR I will certainly do so.

I hear ya, but wouldn't you at least try to evangelize them on the concept? All of our lives hang in the balance on this, and your bosses might just be the few voices that WON'T be raised in the objections against.

~~Cheryl

 

[RsL]

I hear ya, but wouldn't you at least try to evangelize them on the concept? All of our lives hang in the balance on this, and your bosses might just be the few voices that WON'T be raised in the objections against.
~~Cheryl

'Evangelize'. I like the way you used that word. But yes, I would certainly talk to them about it great detail. But I guess I'm not worried about even having to do that. I just vape occasionally at my desk and since all my nearby fellow employees are aware of it and aren't bothered by it, it's no big deal....and yes, ALL of them are non-smokers!

Plus, I still go outside to vape with my analog smoking friends because I'm not going to abandon the social interaction aspect of smoking. I've met some of my best friends and eventual ex-girlfriends that way. haahaa

 

[gnsmith]

I love vaping in public, I'm not pushy, or rude. I use an 801 and it's silver. it looks nothing like a cigarette. I have found out, most people are curious and not upset. (this is because it doesn't look like a cigarette)
I smoke in grocery stores, bars, restaurants, and just walking down the street.
I have had no negative reactions after explaining to people what it was, YET, if anything I am getting writers cramp from writing down addresses for websites.

Positive note: I write it on the back of my business cards so it's a good way to get business cards out .

I feel we need for people to see them, not hide them. and we do not want to be rude or pushy.
If somebody is offended, apologize and try to explain the product after you put it in your pocket.
You will be surprised how many people that started off upset, ended up asking me to take it out of my pocket and demonstrate to them.

 

[LuckyCharm]

I sometimes do it without even thinking. Just walking around, browsing the store, absent-mindedly pull out my pen-style and take a drag... No big deal.

~~Cheryl

 

[RandallFlagg]

I love it! This is what we need! I love walking in the park and letting out a nice big vapor cloud right before I pass people coming the opposite way. They're expecting to be grossed out by breathing smoke. But no! No smoke, no smell, no butts... How could they oppose such a wonderfully pleasant product?

~~Cheryl

I've had tobaccophobes coughing and waving their hands around like they're swatting at an invisible bee....from UNLIT cigarettes.

It has nothing to do with smoking. It's about power and control.
Smokers are the last safe group who can be discriminated against and bigoted towards.