got thrown out of a chinese restaurant

[TJQ86]

So I was at a China Buffet here in Chicago enjoying my meal and after I was done I decided to pull out my e-cig and have a few drags..I tried to blow the vape down but the first few warm ups produced a huge cloud of vape.

An attendant immediately rushes over to our booth and YELLS "NO SMOKING!!!" and attracts all this attention to me and my family, I felt so embarrassed that she would embarrass me and my family like this as paying customers. She wouldn't even let me explain what it was and she told us to "LEAVE NOW!" ... Since it was a buffet me and my mom wanted to have some ice cream and we were unable to stay.

I don't know, I tried to explain that it's not smoke but she wouldn't listen she just said that we were not welcome anymore.

I feel very angry right now, I was totally treated like a thief or something and I wasn't doing anything wrong! I will never go to that place again and I will tell all my friends not to go there.

 

[VRubin]

I'm sorry I'd be pretty fired up too.. stupid people!

 

[doots]

although it might be upsetting to you and your family, you really cant blame people that dont know what you are doing and see what they think is smoke coming from a booth that has a no smoking policy.

it might be prudent for you to wait next time until you go outside to vape and abide by the no smoking rules set by the establishment...

it would save a lot of embarrassment.

 

[metapuff]

sorry to hear that happen but they saw smoke and reacted to what they thought they saw. many places aren't aware of the difference between an ecig and a regular cigarette.

you knew this and were trying to be discreet but it got away from you. i feel for you but i also understand the restaurants position. one step at a time my friend.

i've been to places that even when i explain and ask they still won't let me vape.

hopefully more people will be aware of the difference and let vapers vape away but i don't think it will happen soon.

keep on vapin'

 

[DonnaDo]

Wow! My hubby and I were out for Chinese last night. I pulled out my ecig as we were waiting for the check; I didn't actually vape it. The waiter looked and then looked again at the "cigarette" that I was holding in the "traditional" position. He asked me about it. I ended up doing 2 demos for staff members and I got a standing ovation from some of the guests when one of them asked me "did you actually quit using that thing?"

All of that said, I actually planned to wait until I got outside until the waiter asked for a demo. I think I would have asked if it were a vaping establishment if I felt the need/desire to vape prior to leaving. But that's just me!

So I was at a China Buffet here in Chicago enjoying my meal and after I was done I decided to pull out my e-cig and have a few drags..I tried to blow the vape down but the first few warm ups produced a huge cloud of vape.

An attendant immediately rushes over to our booth and YELLS "NO SMOKING!!!" and attracts all this attention to me and my family, I felt so embarrassed that she would embarrass me and my family like this as paying customers. She wouldn't even let me explain what it was and she told us to "LEAVE NOW!" ... Since it was a buffet me and my mom wanted to have some ice cream and we were unable to stay.

I don't know, I tried to explain that it's not smoke but she wouldn't listen she just said that we were not welcome anymore.

I feel very angry right now, I was totally treated like a thief or something and I wasn't doing anything wrong! I will never go to that place again and I will tell all my friends not to go there.

 

[TJQ86]

I understand, but my whole deal is they wouldn't let me explain and there was no other options but to just leave.

 

[kristin]

Always good to call the manager or server over and ask if it's ok to use your "electronic nicotine inhaler" or some other name without the word "cigarette" in it (to avoid language barriers) AHEAD of time and then honor their wishes.

 

[kristin]

Wow! My hubby and I were out for Chinese last night. I pulled out my ecig as we were waiting for the check; I didn't actually vape it. The waiter looked and then looked again at the "cigarette" that I was holding in the "traditional" position. He asked me about it. I ended up doing 2 demos for staff members and I got a standing ovation from some of the guests when one of them asked me "did you actually quit using that thing?"

All of that said, I actually planned to wait until I got outside until the waiter asked for a demo. I think I would have asked if it were a vaping establishment if I felt the need/desire to vape prior to leaving. But that's just me!

That's awesome!

I was at a graduation yesterday and gave 5 people (including the bartender) ecigs demos and wrote down ordering info for them. They were sold when I told them that ecigs will still be legal indoors come July (when the Wisconsin ban kicks in.)

 

[Elendil]

It also creates concerns because many establishments can be fined for allowing "smoking" in states where there is a smoking ban in place. (As there is in IL).

Likely they were as worried about that as much as anything else.

 

[jfdpl686]

two way street... BUT no necessity for rudeness.
One thing is to ask a different one is to yell at customers.
A place I think you should not go back.
I had problems in the past, but most times people have been polite, asking me “not to smoke”…
Now, I normally ask before vaping… and in my regular places I am allowed.

Now, there’s always stupid people; I used to vape at my office but I can’t now (I sometimes stealth-vape) but there is one “…” (I don’t know how to call him/it because he does not act human or has a brain) and he complains that “I’m messing with his lungs” because the odors… go figure. So one more stupid to scratch from the list… there is always one.; so don’t worry and keep on vaping, don’t smoke!

 

[TJQ86]

Call me rude but I guess I felt like I shouldn't have to ask to vape. I mean, sure it's polite, but I am not breaking any laws.. Yes it is a private establishment but I believe this lady was very ignorant and just saw the cloud and immediately thought 'cigarette' even though there is no burning tobacco smell.

I don't want vapers to be looked at bad, but there needs to be more information on this whole thing to separate it from 'smoking'.

 

[lilith79]

Your best bet, in the future, is to step into a restroom or somewhere somewhat private and vape in there. Much safer as no one will see any 'smoke' from the stall. I do that all the time, no problems. I do think it's wrong to yell at a customer like that and not give the customer a chance to explain, but it sounds like you were vaping in a non-smoking establishment and that's just a recipe for disaster.

 

[jfdpl686]

Call me rude but I guess I felt like I shouldn't have to ask to vape. I mean, sure it's polite, but I am not breaking any laws.. Yes it is a private establishment but I believe this lady was very ignorant and just saw the cloud and immediately thought 'cigarette' even though there is no burning tobacco smell.

I don't want vapers to be looked at bad, but there needs to be more information on this whole thing to separate it from 'smoking'.

I ment they being rude.
I don't know the situation in Chicago, but in NYC with the smiking ban and the "look" of vaping it is a problem.
When I started vaping I picked a device looking and feeling as a cigarette; now, the more different the better. Those little details make it to the eyes of common people. And yes, just as mentioned before, I don't call it electronic cigarette; I say it's a personal vaporizer to help me breath better... and voila...

By the way.. love your avatar! Who is the photographer? Whu retouched it? It is great!

 

[kristin]

Call me rude but I guess I felt like I shouldn't have to ask to vape. I mean, sure it's polite, but I am not breaking any laws.. Yes it is a private establishment but I believe this lady was very ignorant and just saw the cloud and immediately thought 'cigarette' even though there is no burning tobacco smell.

I don't want vapers to be looked at bad, but there needs to be more information on this whole thing to separate it from 'smoking'.

Look at this way - what if someone was chewing tobacco and spitting on the floor? what if someone brought in a boombox and was blaring music? What if someone decided to do their hair and spray hairspray all over?

No shoes, no shirt, no service.

None of that is illegal, either.

It's their place and they decide what is acceptable behavior.

Of course you ask permission!

Yes, they were ignorant and they over-reacted to something they didn't understand, but it's they who have to pay the fine if caught, so they were understandably upset and anxious about someone "smoking" in their establishment, which is exactly why you, as a consciencious vaper, should explain it to them upfront.

 

[Wafflestomper]

Look at this way - what if someone was chewing tobacco and spitting on the floor? what if someone brought in a boombox and was blaring music? What if someone decided to do their hair and spray hairspray all over?

No shoes, no shirt, no service.

None of that is illegal, either.

It's their place and they decide what is acceptable behavior.

Of course you ask permission!

Yes, they were ignorant and they over-reacted to something they didn't understand, but it's they who have to pay the fine if caught, so they were understandably upset and anxious about someone "smoking" in their establishment, which is exactly why you, as a consciencious vaper, should explain it to them upfront.

This.
And remember, vaping looks like smoking. For some people a smoke is a smoke is a smoke.

They probably all went home thinking "The nerve of her smoking in a restaraunt"

Even after a good explanation and a persuasive argument, a certain percentage of these people aren't going to budge... to them you are still a smoker.

Some of them will go so far as to think "E-cig smokers are worse than regular smokers because they think they can get away with anything".

Right now we have to pick our battles. We are kind of in a war for our rights. And the public needs to be saturated with knowledge of ecigs, but in a very conservative and considerate manner...or they will hold a grudge.

 

[Kirssstens]

I have worked in the hospitality industry off and on for many years. I have seen it all, fights, yelling, sexual assault, public drunkeness, paramedics, the police, on and on.

Most "not normal instances" will first be noticed by another guest, who will then inform (complain to the) waiter, who will then inform (complain to the) manager, etc.

I would say in 98% of circumstances the incidences are worked out amicably and everyone gets back to what they we're doing.

I am very, very surprised she asked you to leave as opposed to just stopping, it just goes against everything I have experienced in this industry. Perhaps when she asked you to stop, you appeared to her 'unwilling' and that resulted in your eviction?

 

[The Wiz]

One would think the Chinese would be more understanding...being they are the ones who put these things in our mouths to begin with!!

Just a thought!
The Wiz!

 

[TJQ86]

I have worked in the hospitality industry off and on for many years. I have seen it all, fights, yelling, sexual assault, public drunkeness, paramedics, the police, on and on.

Most "not normal instances" will first be noticed by another guest, who will then inform (complain to the) waiter, who will then inform (complain to the) manager, etc.

I would say in 98% of circumstances the incidences are worked out amicably and everyone gets back to what they we're doing.

I am very, very surprised she asked you to leave as opposed to just stopping, it just goes against everything I have experienced in this industry. Perhaps when she asked you to stop, you appeared to her 'unwilling' and that resulted in your eviction?

Nope, I was told to get out, no questions! I was trying to explain, I even had VPL business card on the back that says this is not real smoke. She would not hear it.. Not being racist but she barely knew english.

I ment they being rude.
I don't know the situation in Chicago, but in NYC with the smiking ban and the "look" of vaping it is a problem.
When I started vaping I picked a device looking and feeling as a cigarette; now, the more different the better. Those little details make it to the eyes of common people. And yes, just as mentioned before, I don't call it electronic cigarette; I say it's a personal vaporizer to help me breath better... and voila...

By the way.. love your avatar! Who is the photographer? Whu retouched it? It is great!

It's Taylor Swift.

Look at this way - what if someone was chewing tobacco and spitting on the floor? what if someone brought in a boombox and was blaring music? What if someone decided to do their hair and spray hairspray all over?

No shoes, no shirt, no service.

None of that is illegal, either.

It's their place and they decide what is acceptable behavior.

Of course you ask permission!

Yes, they were ignorant and they over-reacted to something they didn't understand, but it's they who have to pay the fine if caught, so they were understandably upset and anxious about someone "smoking" in their establishment, which is exactly why you, as a consciencious vaper, should explain it to them upfront.

I acknowledged that. My complaint was the treatment I received.

 

[jfdpl686]

I feel your pain. Listening someone saying that "I'm messing with their lungs" is close...

It's Taylor Swift.

Ha, ha, ha... I didn't know who she is; my wife can't stop laughing at me... but well, google my friend just gave me answers... the photog is Joseph Antony Baker, his work is amazing!
And yeah.. vaping is hard sometimes… so forget about it, and enjoy it.

 

[sl1pg8r]

fear leads to hate... - yoda