Feels strange vaping in public

[tastyjuice]

First off I want to say that I thoroughly enjoy vaping, probably more so then I ever did smoking analogs and its a shame because I feel extremely odd and out of place vaping in public. I get weird looks from strangers and even family, like I'm doing something wrong. I live in a smaller town (20K population) and I don't think most of the people know what Im doing. All they see is some guy smoking out of huge metal tube exhaling giant plumes of smoke LOL. For instance I was out at my daughters soccer tournament last weekend and I walked back to my truck during halftime to have a quick vap. I look to my right and I notice 3 women pointing and looking right at me with looks of hate and disgust. I didnt even try and explain myself as I knew they wouldn't care. But this isn't the first time this has happened. Does anyone have similar stories and how did you handle the situation? I just wish people knew what we know and excepted it as me trying to improve myself and my lively hood....

 

[TTK]

When in public, I always stealth vape. That's just my preference. Others may feel differently.

 

[tastyjuice]

When in public, I always stealth vape. That's just my preference. Others may feel differently.

But WHY, why do we feel this way??? Did we feel like this when we smoked cigarettes? I know I didnt, I was very open about it.

 

[Deacon Aegis]

You know, I was sitting in the car at a grocery store the other day and kinda felt the same myself. Like I was being a druggie or something. I do a lot of conventions, such as anime, sci-fi, and steampunk cons and I doubt I'll really feel out of place at any of those, though we're all kinda strange there. So I know what you mean. Oh well, I figure I'll get over it some day and maybe even convert a few folks still on analogs to vaping along the way.

 

[YKruss]

I am off the closet from day one and proud of it!

 

[vsummer1]

I don't feel that way and if someone had pointed at me I would looked around to see what they were pointing at and asked them what was wrong. It was the perfect opportunity for you to educate them. They may have thought you were doing "something else".

I feel perfectly fine vaping wherever I am. I vape in the restaurants I eat at, and don't hide it at all. I have never been asked to stop, and turns out I am far from the first person who has vaped anywhere I have been. They aren't that new really, and there are ads all over the TV for them as well. Most people just ask me about my REO and I let them know what it is.

 

[Big Screen D]

I just vape in a nonchalant way and make no attempt at stealth whatsoever. People may not know what it is I'm "smoking", but I find that not being sneaky about what I'm doing tends to allay suspicion. Great conversation starter too.

To damn old to care what others may think anyway.

 

[solace.discord]

"I've never seen anything like that!"

my family thinks it's cool and they like to try the flavors I happen to have on me- if only I could convert a few of them!

I use a 510 battery and tankomizer while out and about in public- unless I'm in my car and then I use the Inferno.. either way, I get weird looks from those that don't know. if they are curious (and not being snotty), I'm happy to answer questions.

my MVP just arrived, but I think that will stay in the house until we go on a long drive or something.

I don't vape in places that ban cigarettes, I just don't feel the need- I'm happy to wait, or step outside like I used to. or in a "situation" stealth in the bathroom! thankfully, e-cigs are catching on at work and they let us vape in the break room, lobby and hallways as long as we're not bothering anyone.

 

[Rocketpunk]

Give it time. I felt that way, too. Now I can't be bothered. You'll get used to it.

Remember, you're doing nothing wrong. You have just as much a right to vape as smokers' have to smoke. I say, vape proudly and confidently.

 

[Iffy]

Feels strange vaping in public

Quite the opposite for me!

 

[juicewah]

I feel the same way... Even in my car, I get questions from people walking by assuming I'm {edit} lol. I mean I guess I'll get used to it eventually.

 

[Dj tank]

People. F'em. someone will always find fault with anything someone does. I vape where appropriate and don't ever look around to see who's watching. Try doing that till you feel more comfy. Pretty soon it'll feel natural.

 

[DummyMe]

I've been vaping for over a year & a half. I felt funny at first vaping in public. Now I don't care what others think. I pull my ProVari with a big ol' cartotank on top out & vape until I'm satisfied. Of course, only in areas where vaping is allowed. I am at the age (60) where I'm starting to really not care what others think. If people ask about my PV, I explain it to them, but I don't let stares stop me from vaping in public.

 

[Rocketpunk]

People may look at you funny, but you'll probably find no one will confront you in public. Unless you're in a place of business or in someone else's house who doesn't approve.

I vape like crazy in the designated smoking area on campus, and I get looks all the time. But no one has approached me except one kid who asked me, "Whatchoo smokin'?" I showed him my device and he just sauntered along.

It will take time, but you'll be just fine with it eventually. What I have to stress: you are doing nothing wrong. Vape without fear.

 

[Ferrel1134]

I got stink eyed at the store the other day by a older lady in her car and a cop but I just stared right back. I'm tattooed and just don't care. But I might shop at a different store. But I've always been a outcast in life so stares don't really bug me anymore. Vape on.

 

[Rocketpunk]

All this talk of vaping in public and fearing confrontation reminds me of the scene in Fight Club where they're given "homework": start a fight with a stranger, and lose.

(sorry for the poor quality, this was the only version of the scene I could find)

Part of this scenario? People almost always want to avoid confrontation. Even when they feel threatened. I'm not comparing vaping in public to punching a stranger in the face, but look at it this way:

You'll get funny looks, the stink eye, fake coughs... but I seriously doubt anyone will come up to you and forcibly tell you to quit, or in any way intimidate you.

Most likely they'll want to get away as fast as possible, especially if they've never seen an ecig. People fear the unknown.

EDIT: Or they'll be curious and ask questions.

 

[Ryan1888]

I completely agree - feel like a weirdo who is doing something wrong. I know this is irrational but it is what it is. Saw a girl at my university vaping on what looked like a vamo and she too looked nervous of the fact that it is different.

 

[DuffyA2Z]

I don't hide it but still do not vape in restaurants. I will however vape at the grocery/department stores. If I get asked about what I'm "smoking" I educate them, if I get the stink eye I smile, wave and chain vape.

 

[legaldisaster]

I just vape in a nonchalant way and make no attempt at stealth whatsoever. People may not know what it is I'm "smoking", but I find that not being sneaky about what I'm doing tends to allay suspicion. Great conversation starter too.

To damn old to care what others may think anyway.

Same here, except I am young and fit "the profile." The way I see it, if I'm hiding it people, or police, will think something of it, but if I'm just casually taking vapes like it's an analog people will look right on past. I went out to the ballgame and vaped casually, leaving we got rear ended and I vaped more heavy, in front of a cop, fire crew, nobody cared to even ask. I Only stealth vape if I really feel the need to stealth vape, which is what the OP was doing at his girl's soccer game, only difference is I do it closer to people and don't take such lengthy toots to not blow as much plumes. Basically when I stealth vape I just take a few to get my nic intake, which can be done in 3-4 three second toots.

 

[Rocketpunk]

I think it's safe to say most cops know what an ecig is now. What they may not know is what it can look like these days. But the biggest thing (and I hate to sound like a broken record here) is, you're not doing anything illegal or wrong. They can stop you and ask you questions, but the worst they can do is waste your time (and their's).

There is nothing to fear but fear itself. And this is appropriate. The more scared and shady you appear, the more attention you'll get. If that is enough to freak you out, you'll have a ways to go. But you'll get there.