Feeling awkward vaping in places...

[joeperson]

I wouldn't do it. I don't think it's worth upsetting anyone by the visual or bringing on a bunch of discussions, many of which may not start friendly or result in the other person getting it. That's just me, I'm not big on welcoming varied conversation from random people

 

[Doomed!]

If perception is reality then the reality is that vaping is smoking. Why? Because you look like you're smoking. You suck on a stick and blow out a white cloud of something that looks like smoke.

Look, the uninformed public only knows what they hear on the local news. What they hear is that PV's are untested, potentially unsafe, marketed to children, and being considered for an FDA ban. If you are blowing plumes of vapor in a family's collective face while you pick out apples at the grocery store, you are going to be a monster in their eyes. Even if you vape in the grocery store as respectfully as you can, if someone sees you and doesn't like you using this dangerous, untested, baby murdering device in the public area that they share, they might push harder to get it banned. The fact of the matter is that people already have the impression that vaping is as harmful as smoking. Some people may even think that vaping is MORE harmful than smoking when phrases like, "contains antifreeze" are used by the FDA, an organization that the public trusts. Walking around puffing on it in a grocery store without a concern for the others around you isn't going to change their opinions on the matter, if fact it may enforce them, and it makes vapers look like inconsiderate jerks. No one is going to say, "oh, well that guy is doing it inside so it must not be dangerous."

There is a big difference between having strong moral character and being inconsiderate. Showing disrespect to the others that are around around you doesn't make you stronger willed or morally superior to those who choose not to vape in public. It just makes you an a**hole.

 

[mlinky]

And the uninformed public is going to continue to be uninformed if vapers act like they are doing something wrong and don't make efforts to inform them. The evening news isn't going to do it for us.

 

[chantress]

I am just getting comfortable vaping in public places. I dont vape in friends homes that have small children but otherwise most of my friends dont have a problem with it.

 

[VAPlN']

I think it is much more simple than going down the "stand up for vaping" road. At this time, there is more misinformation about vaping than there is information.

Let's accept that this is an era of public education for us. That would lead me to the conclusion that we need to be spreading the good news, not causing people to fear it or google it, because they saw us vaping in public.

I decide based upon a simple question:

Have I already, or will I have an opportunity to, explain what I'm doing and what it really is to anyone that observes me vaping?

If the answer is yes:
Co-Workers, Family, Friends, People I Already Know, etc...
I vape away and usually say: "have you seen these yet?" "this is going to add years to my life and the lives of those around me", etc.

If the answer is no:
Crowded public places full of strangers, etc.
I simply wait until I am at a place where the answer is yes.

We need to inform and educate, not intimidate people and send them to places like the FDA, the AHA, and the ALA for information. Because they are sources of misinformation that have a reputation as "protectors of the public". They and the radicals that push for the smoking bans are the biggest obstacle to public acceptance at this time. Ironic that the very people and organizations that should be supporting us the most vocally are the ones that are condemning us openly and without mercy. Follow the money trail from big pharma to the Board members of these organizations and it all starts to make sense though.

Just my two cents worth. But, it's something you should at least consider when making your own decision on this.

 

[wv2win]

THIS!! For several months, I vape everywhere, openly, and when I get a strange look, I walk up to people and explain what I'm doing. Almost everyone has asked for info for themselves, a friend or relative. Only a small few were disinterested, and only one (a former smoker who quit cold turkey) was hostile.

+1. Good for you, mlinky. A positive, educational and open approach will do more to move vaping into the mainstream and acceptance. Letting people know that it is not smoking, instead of letting them assume it is smoking because you act like it is, will present the best impression of vaping.

 

[Caddyman]

I'm stealth vaping inside the gaylord hotel lobby in washington dc right now lol

 

[wv2win]

And the uninformed public is going to continue to be uninformed if vapers act like they are doing something wrong and don't make efforts to inform them. The evening news isn't going to do it for us.

I agree completely. Those who are not willing to respectfully and courteously educate the uninformed through their actions as well as their words will insure that the ONLY voices heard are those who want to ban vaping. So if some who vape think and act like vaping is just as bad as smoking, then in reality they actually validate the "anti's" position that vaping is bad and should be banned.

 

[Doomed!]

And the uninformed public is going to continue to be uninformed if vapers act like they are doing something wrong and don't make efforts to inform them. The evening news isn't going to do it for us.

Agreed. But their are ways to inform people without being inconsiderate. The attitude that I have a problem with is the "To hell with 'em! I'll do what I want," attitude. That doesn't help our cause. It only hurts it.

 

[wv2win]

Agreed. But their are ways to inform people without being inconsiderate. The attitude that I have a problem with is the "To hell with 'em! I'll do what I want," attitude. That doesn't help our cause. It only hurts it.

And I don't believe anyone is suggesting that. Being respectful and courteous, but vaping openly and being prepared to intelligently educate others is what many of us stress. Treating vaping like it is the same as smoking and just "hanging out" in the smoking section does nothing but reinforce that vaping is exactly the same as smoking.

 

[mlinky]

Agreed. But their are ways to inform people without being inconsiderate. The attitude that I have a problem with is the "To hell with 'em! I'll do what I want," attitude. That doesn't help our cause. It only hurts it.

The thing is that there is nothing inherent in vaping that is inconsiderate. I don't start vaping in tightly packed crowds, but if I am in a public place I vape, and I look for people that notice. It's an opportunity, and, like I said, about 99% of people are interested. I have gotten very good at taking my pv apart and putting it back together again

 

[sea]

I have no problem vaping in public, and I do it proudly. People either ignore me or ask questions. I have an eGo, so it obviously does not look like a cigarette. My mother who hates smoking even lets me vape in her car. I vape in my office at work, but not when there are many people in because it is small. I have vaped in two restaurants, but have been discrete about it.

 

[fouldoc]

I vape everywhere. When I am work I use the bathroom. I tried the subway and got funny looks. I just smile.

 

[camperman]

i get some real funny looks when im sat at the traffic lights using my screwdriver and its got to the point were people are even hanging out of their cars asking me what it is

 

[Samd621]

I have been vaping for about 2 months now.

At work I still go where smoking is allowed to feel comfortable. Although it is really funny if someone asks me for a light and I don't have one. that was funny...I had to explain I was vaping not smoking.

In my small office I share with three others..I have stealth vaped quick and short to avoid issues. I am starting to get more comfortable and co-workers are asking questions and getting more informed.

I am trying to get more into the fact it is a whole new thing and not smoking at all. I don't refer to it as my e-ciggarette, as soon as the word ciggarette comes out people turn off. I call it my vaporizer..

I now have the ego-tank and have even taken it appart to explain it to my co-workers.

I don't know yet about trying it in restaurants or stores..I couldn't smoke there before don't think I need to vape for the short time I am there now. But it is nice to get back in the car after dinner and be able to vape and not set anyone off in the car.

Here os to hoping that someday enough information will be out there we son't have to feel like closet vapers...

Sam

 

[Kams Cats]

Right now with Health Canada's stance against it, I don't vape in areas that smoking is not allowed unless I have permission.
All I need is some nut job screeching about second hand vape causing:
1. Asthma
2. Nicotine Poisoning
3. Hives
4. Arms and Legs falling off
5. Alien abductions

I do vape a little at work. They are fine with it after i showed them and explained it to them. In fact whenever anyone is interested I show them. Smokers are very interested and many non-smokers have friends or family that they want to tell them about it.

I am careful because we do have the "smoke police" running around business doing checks and I want to be careful. It's the no nicotine thing that could cause a hang up here in Canada.

 

[Astronomer]

I have been vaping for about 2 months now.

At work I still go where smoking is allowed to feel comfortable. Although it is really funny if someone asks me for a light and I don't have one. that was funny...I had to explain I was vaping not smoking.

In my small office I share with three others..I have stealth vaped quick and short to avoid issues. I am starting to get more comfortable and co-workers are asking questions and getting more informed.

I am trying to get more into the fact it is a whole new thing and not smoking at all. I don't refer to it as my e-ciggarette, as soon as the word ciggarette comes out people turn off. I call it my vaporizer..

I now have the ego-tank and have even taken it appart to explain it to my co-workers.

I don't know yet about trying it in restaurants or stores..I couldn't smoke there before don't think I need to vape for the short time I am there now. But it is nice to get back in the car after dinner and be able to vape and not set anyone off in the car.

Here os to hoping that someday enough information will be out there we son't have to feel like closet vapers...

Sam

and you are right Sam

A restaurant is a private property, heck Wal Mart is private property.

we will do more by being respectful of private property and the rights of others than we will by demanding our own rights.

I now vape in quite a few places where I did not before... with the proprietors knowledge and permission.

 

[bander68]

+1 on this. If everybody had this attitude we would all be better served. Acceptance comes first from those that already accept us.

I think it is much more simple than going down the "stand up for vaping" road. At this time, there is more misinformation about vaping than there is information.

Let's accept that this is an era of public education for us. That would lead me to the conclusion that we need to be spreading the good news, not causing people to fear it or google it, because they saw us vaping in public.

I decide based upon a simple question:

Have I already, or will I have an opportunity to, explain what I'm doing and what it really is to anyone that observes me vaping?

If the answer is yes:
Co-Workers, Family, Friends, People I Already Know, etc...
I vape away and usually say: "have you seen these yet?" "this is going to add years to my life and the lives of those around me", etc.

If the answer is no:
Crowded public places full of strangers, etc.
I simply wait until I am at a place where the answer is yes.

We need to inform and educate, not intimidate people and send them to places like the FDA, the AHA, and the ALA for information. Because they are sources of misinformation that have a reputation as "protectors of the public". They and the radicals that push for the smoking bans are the biggest obstacle to public acceptance at this time. Ironic that the very people and organizations that should be supporting us the most vocally are the ones that are condemning us openly and without mercy. Follow the money trail from big pharma to the Board members of these organizations and it all starts to make sense though.

Just my two cents worth. But, it's something you should at least consider when making your own decision on this.

 

[SVKing9001]

When I SV, it's for fun. I have started vaping nearly everywhere, and people don't care that much. My kr8 does have a red light, so it kind of looks like smoking - however, if you hold it by the end people immediately realize that it's not a cigarette, because if it was you'd be burning your fingers.

I occasionally go out to where people are smoking to vape, but just because I want to convert any smoker that is interested. I've only been doing this for a week or so, but I have already gotten a few people interested in getting one.

The key is explaining it to all who are curious.

 

[Moonflame]

I gave a lot of people info who asked about it when my Hubby was in the hospital. I was vaping away going in and out and folks who were smoking were looking everywhere for security to keep from getting caught. So many people asked about it that I ran out of cards and had to carry paper and a pen to jot down websites for them. I don't know if any of them switched, but I hope some did. That's the only place anyone ever approached me about them. Usually I get glances, but noone approaches me.