Explaining yourself, over, and over, and over, and over again.

[Algernon]

It gets so freaking old but it does make me realize just how many people have no idea what an e-cig or a PV is.

"ARE YOU SMOKING?"
NO, it's vapor
*insert 15-minute spiel about vaping and its benefits and why I'm not smoking*

^Over and over again into infinity.

I swear one of these days, one person I've already ran into will ask me again if I'm smoking and I'll have to give them the same story all over again.

Are there any business cards that explicitly state, or can explicitly state the fact that:

"The person before you is not smoking, he is vaping via a Personal Vaporizer, or more commonly known, an e-cigarette, etc, etc, etc and so forth and so on..."

I think it would be much more convenient if I could just hand one of those out and go about my merry way, letting the nice little card do all the work for me.

 

[the_vape_nerd]

You have to develop a long apathetic stare. Try it out in the mirror. Play a mp3 of some mong asking you about vaping and then just stare of into the distance. Practice makes perfect.

 

[Uncle Willie]

This is likely one of the most common questions to come up on ECF ..

If you blow what looks like smoke, you're going to get questioned, it's just the way it is ..

 

[YKruss]

Algernon,

You can get all the printable materials from this CAASA page - CASAA Printable Material

 

[stretchpants]

I just say it's my Personal Vaporizer.They usually think it's a medical device for asthma.If someone asks straight out if it's an e-cig.
I say yes and then explain it.Usually they say "I've heard of them I didn't know if they really worked".

 

[Dougiestyle]

I always like, "Does it work?"

I explain that the big cloud of vapor that they are witnessing is just a figment of their imagination. "Yes it works."

 

[Petrodus]

"Its a fake cigarette - Electronic cigarette - No tobacco - Even the smoke is fake"

I never ever refer to the PV in public as a Personal Vaporizer
People look at you like you have 2 heads ...
wondering what medical condition you have.

E-cigs are no big secret anymore ... they're in all the convenient stores

If the one asking is a non-smoker, in most cases, you are wasting your time.

Want to lower your odds converting a smoker ... Call it a Personal Vaporizer.

Yea, I know all the reasons why we say PV in our e-cig circles and why
many started calling them PVs in public. However, e-cigs are not medical
devices. The public knows the name Electronic cigarette ... That name
is no big secret anymore. I say, call it it what it is.

I've been out there vaping in public and converting smokers for 4 years
They only want short sweet answers ... those who wish to debate or
argue (non-smokers) ... I tell them to Google It and turn my back
or walk away.

 

[HawkeyeFLA]

It gets so freaking old but it does make me realize just how many people have no idea what an e-cig or a PV is.

"ARE YOU SMOKING?"
NO, it's vapor
*insert 15-minute spiel about vaping and its benefits and why I'm not smoking*

^Over and over again into infinity.

I swear one of these days, one person I've already ran into will ask me again if I'm smoking and I'll have to give them the same story all over again.

Are there any business cards that explicitly state, or can explicitly state the fact that:

"The person before you is not smoking, he is vaping via a Personal Vaporizer, or more commonly known, an e-cigarette, etc, etc, etc and so forth and so on..."

I think it would be much more convenient if I could just hand one of those out and go about my merry way, letting the nice little card do all the work for me.

Free business cards from ECF themselves. Just pay 4 bux for S&H. ECF Generic Business Cards (FREE) [ecfgenericbizcard] - It's Free! : ECF Store!, E-Cigarette-Forum.com Swag store!

They are very professionally printed, which I think helps with presenting them to someone. They don't look like I printed them off on my ink jet at home etc etc. I carry a few with me at all times, as well as cards for the local Orlando vape store.

 

[Kay1959]

Dang! Hawkeye beat me to it!

 

[Petrodus]

Making eye contact is a form of communication

When I'm vaping in public ...
I am not constantly looking around wondering if someone is looking at me.

Making eye contact in public is a way of saying "Hello"
and or "tell me what's on your mind"

Since I don't act any different in public than if if I were just chewing gum ...
its extremely rare for anyone to walk up to me and start a conversation,
on any subject.

Making eye contact is an "Invitation" ... If I want to talk to someone,
I will start by making "eye contact"

Food for thought

 

[Uncle Willie]

Making eye contact is a form of communication

When I'm vaping in public ...
I am not constantly looking around wondering if someone is looking at me.

Making eye contact in public is a way of saying "Hello"
and or "tell me what's on your mind"

Since I don't act any different in public than if if I were just chewing gum ...
its extremely rare for anyone to walk up to me and start a conversation,
on any subject.

Making eye contact is an "Invitation" ... If I want to talk to someone I will
start by making "eye contact"

Food for thought

Unlikely that avoiding eye contact will get an "Are you smoking" question avoided ..

 

[Petrodus]

Unlikely that avoiding eye contact will get an "Are you smoking" question avoided ..

Works well for me

 

[mommywoman]

You could make your own business cards on your computer explaining it is an e cig, or personal vaporizer. You could briefly tell your reasons for using them, then tell them that they can get a disposable one at any gas station. Give them the website for this forum and tell to google e cigarettes. I think I just may do this myself.

 

[Wolf308]

I work behind a sales counter, and I am allowed to vape at work. So I get asked on a regular basis. I knew it before I started it and accepted the fact. I, however, don't go into a lot of detail unless asked. If someone asks what it is, I tell them it's an e-cig and nothing else. If they continue, I explain. If they ask me if I'm smoking, I say now, show it to them (it looks nothing like a cigarette), say, "e-cig" and move on.

 

[yankeebobo]

I ALWAYS get "I've heard of them but didn't know they worked". Or "I've tried them but...". now granted they've tried the 7-11 brand. I find myself trying to cut my stories shorter and shorter each time so I can move along.

 

[MickeyRat]

As far as I'm concerned, explaining what I'm doing is a very small price to pay for not being thrown out. Even non-smokers usually know someone that smokes. You never know, you might be sowing the seeds of a longer life every time you explain it. You could also be making one more person that will think bans are unnecessary and stupid. If I really minded the questions, I wouldn't do it in public. I actually get less than I expected. Not a problem for me.

 

[mommywoman]

I have already gotten to the point that I say it's a fake cig to help me quit smoking. Then, if necessary, I go into more detail.

 

[izzice777]

Just start vaping for 2 weeks now, and god knows how many times i already have to explain to people i hang out with..

Now learning to make poker face most of the time.. hahaha

 

[juicejunky]

"Its a fake cigarette - Electronic cigarette - No tobacco - Even the smoke is fake"

I like that line, hard to argue with fake. I also have found too much explaining scares smokers away like a sales pitch and just encourages the anti-smoker to preach.

 

[otrpu]

I never tire of explaining what I'm doing and what a difference it's made in my life. Many are averse to doing it everywhere. If approached by non smokers I ask, "don't you know somebody you love that you wish would quit smoking?" Not one has ever said no. I explain, this is the answer for me, and may be the answer for those they care about. JMHO

Cheers,
otrpu