How are those within your circle perceiving your change from analogs?

[Auntie Mame]

I live in Southern California. Yes, the land of fruit and nuts etc. vaping and good vape shops are around the universities and in the beach cities and are becoming a haven for the young and hip crowd. I was honestly shocked by the reaction of many in my neighborhood and within my circle of friends when I elected to stop smoking and start vaping. Many seem to think I am trying to relive the 60s-as if what was being smoked, inhaled, swallowed or consumed back then was this benevolent. Others seem to think it's a joke or fad. Locally most vape shops are located in less than sterling neighborhoods and are combined with smoke shops where you can not only buy analogs but things like small glass pipes and tiny fine mesh screens to use with them, sold for use with tobacco products only. Right.

Even my husband, an analog user who sees no reason to switch because "it's not like I could stick that in my pocket and I'd have no use for my lighters" seems to think this is a throwback to my much younger years. Perhaps he's expecting me to suddenly start wearing tie dye and and flash peace signs. He does agree with me that no matter what i decide to buy, I'm spending much less on my habit than i did as a smoker. And thankfully, he'd still love me if I did start wearing tie dye, he's used to me. This morning while out front watering, one of my neighbors who was puttering in her flower bed asked me if I was smoking cookies, I guess she could smell my vapor from my Pecan Pie vape. Seriously.

So I am curious about how it is in other parts of the US or even around the world. Is this the norm? Or do i need to find more open to new idea friends? (I'm keeping the husband no matter what!)

 

[reddead]

This is interesting. I'm also from SoCal, but I'm a recent college grad, so our social circles are likely significantly different. My friends knew I smoked even though I tried to be somewhat discrete about it. But now that I vape exclusively I feel the need to do it in private. Even with my roommate, with whom I used to smoke analogs, I only vape in private in my room. Maybe it's all in my head, but I just feel strange vaping in front of people who don't vape too.

 

[Elseer]

Hiya,

I just started vaping a few days ago and have not had a a real Cigarette in 4 days. However I have now spilled e-juice everywhere a few times. I'm grateful my cat hates the smell of the e-juice.
While I am really enjoying the new experience, My husband has noted how fussy and messy vaping with my device is(at least until I get the hang of it). He's also noticed that Vaping smells way better then my old cigs; he likes this and appreciates the lack ash everywhere. All in all He's not impressed with this whole vaping thing but after I assured him I would not expect him to change his habits he is feeling less worried. however he remains concerned about being forced to change so it will take time.
In my relationship with him so far, there is noting like repeatedly assuring him I don't expect him to change. Like many guys, the only thing scarier then change is suspicion that I would try to force him to change. But so far it's all good, aside from my husband repeating "I like my real cigarettes just fine!" every so often ^_^

 

[Talyon]

Everyone that I personally know, think its fantastic that I quit smoking.

 

[SingedVapor]

We'll down here in South Georgia I get the weirdest looks. Most people don't have any idea what I'm holding in my hand (usuallyy Segelie 20w). My grandma thinks it's the worst thing eve invented, so does my father. My mother loves it and is glad I found something to help quite with. My brother (who is shipping out to the navy in September) came to me randomly one day and was like,

"Dude you smoked twice as much as I do, and just... Quit. Help me get one"

Which was a great feeling to say the least.

There is currently 3 b&m shops where I live. Two are crap but the third is awesome. So yeah I get mixed reactions here


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Vaslovik]

Well my own circle is pretty small, and those in it know what vaping is about and some are thinking of coming over. I see people around town all the time with their eGo rigs, vaping at stop lights, in bars, at bus stops, etc. So vaping is well known and common here, but you don't see many people with mods of any kind, and fewer with mechs. As far as how vaping is perceived, well most are okay with it, but there are a few quite nasty people out there who look to make trouble for you if they see you vaping, even where it's explicitly allowed, and all too often they are successful in this.

 

[Singaw]

I've been vaping for about 6 years and most of the people I know, with the exception of my wife, wonder why I just don't smoke. Cigarettes in Philippines are less than $1 a pack and they see the cost of vaping as unnecessary. Fact is other than the mods vaping is cheaper than smoking for me but hard to convince them that spending a couple weeks wages on a mod, battery and charger is worth it. Most of the people I know make between $.50-$3.00 USD per day so spending even $25 on a cheap mechanical clone is a lot.

 

[Sue1971]

My kids and husband thinks its great.

Went to a graduation party over the weekend, and I did have to do alot of educating about PV's to the smokers, A few of them were like well why do that, isn't that the same as smoking,

I did have one woman who is an ex smoker of many years come up to me and was very interested in how my MVP set up worked

 

[Margie123]

I live in a small town in Washington state. Three smoke shops in town that sell a limited amount of juices and vape gear. I don't see many vapers in there when I go in. I don't know any other vaper personally. A few weeks ago I showed my ecig to a group of friends who had never seen one before. They found it a novelty but I don't think they understood it could be an alternative to cigarettes. My husband loves it. He sees that I have cut down to one cig a day from a pack a day. Every time I get a package in the mail (which has been quite often lately) he takes it in good humor and hasn't complained about the cash out lay.
But I vape in the privacy of my bedroom and I do feel funny about doing it in front of anyone.

 

[Bob Chill]

Overall, very well received. Some odd reactions over the last year from strangers. I'm sure we've all been there. The interesting thing is that now that they are becoming so well known, odd reactions are becoming few and far between. Those closest to me love that I'm not smoking and most could care less and allow me to vape in their house or car. Some request flavors. lol.

 

[Bunnykiller]

My "circle" luv my change from smoking to vaping.... but my circle consists of my wife, and my wife...

 

[Blindtarm]

Where I live, a town called Bergen in Norway, there isn't many vapers seen in public, so kids point at you and people stare, but you get used to it. My friends are very supportive, I was a heavy smoker and in the end I had trouble breathing properly. My friends see that it's good for me, and some has also started vaping. Some are however concerned about me spending a lot of money on gear, and I usually just comment how they didn't concern themselves on my spending on tobacco, which was much more (about 100$ a week).
Bottomline: except from the glares I get at outdoor serving areas, seldom allowed to vape indoors in Norway, and in the streets, I get positive reactions from most people.

 

[twgbonehead]

I work mostly from home, but occasionally have to travel to attend meetings with clients.

My biggest client is in New Jersey (stooopid state that has declared that vaping is the same as smoking). But I asked, and they all said "Go for it, no problem" including the president of the company. Technically, they broke NJ state law to allow me to vape in their workplace.

There is a history, though. In earlier years I converted several of their employees over to RYO tobacco, and they've expressed their gratitude several times. I think one of the main reasons they let me vape was that they hoped I would bring my converts down the next (and huge) step of the process. In fact, the president HATES smokers, but had no problem with me vaping. (I've worked with this company for a long while!)

So it's not all bad news. Sorry if that wandered off-topic.

 

[Lurch]

I live in a beach tourist area along the coast of Florida. While I am starting to see more and more people vaping, it isn't extremely common yet. Sunday, while on the beach I noticed a lady about 20 yards away vaping. Neither, she, my wife or I seemed to garner any unusual looks from others on the beach while we vaped, so I guess people have seen it before.

 

[Sandylp]

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. I only have one acquaintance that smokes regular cigarettes and none of my friends smoke, and I don't think they know anything about vaping. I've only seen one person vape outside a restaurant. I've never smoked regular cigarettes, but enjoy vaping because of the flavors. I only vape at home and haven't told anyone about it except for the one person that I know who smokes regular cigarettes. She views it as too much trouble. Wish I knew more people who vape. I think that's why I like reading this forum.

 

[JustB'nMe]

My circle mainly consists of family and a few friends. The ones that are non-smokers seem to think it's great because I no longer smoke. I even converted a couple of smokers in the family but it didn't stick with them. They complained about the experience but honestly I feel it takes a person who wants to quit to make it work. Others are just intrigued with my devices. No one has really said anything to me except congrats for quitting.

Frankly, I don't care what others think. I dance to the beat of my own drum. If anyone wanted to express his/her opinion about me vaping, I'd say he/she is entitled to said opinion but it's my life to lead however I choose.

Live well, Love hard, Laugh often & Vape on!

 

[curk]

I work with 3 other dart hackers. 1 has shown a sincere interest. The other 2 make jokes, and think there're funny... Cause "we mock what we don't understand" I think ill get at least one of them to make the switch to vapour by the end of the summer!

 

[Buggainok]

My "circle" luv my change from smoking to vaping.... but my circle consists of my wife, and my wife...

I'm with you, Bunny, my circle is also exceedingly small, but very positive about my change from smoking to e cigarettes!

 

[topgun0254]

they all think its weird, but they all smoke and at 1st i tried to preach to them.. i hate people preaching to me about ...., so i backed off.. but they make fun of it (we all clown each other, nothing out of the ordinary) but then those same peeps ask me to try it? and when they do try especially my mechs with sub ohmage, they really like it or they cough for a while lol

 

[CDinNM]

Well, after reading the first 18 posts to this thread, I feel totally comfortable being a newbie here on this forum.

I live in New Mexico, in a small little town that is basically in a nowhere place. I have not seen anyone else vaping here in my little town, I could be a one-of-a-kind. After smoking one pack a day since 1967, so bout 6 months ago, I decided that it was time to add a little change to my life, so I got an ego. I kind of thought it would be nice to add some flavor to my life, maybe back off that pack a day to less or maybe nothing at all. I started with 18%, and have really had no issues at that level, now doing half that, but I really like vaping, and obviously the health benefits are a plus. BTW, I do not have any health problems that I am aware of from smoking all those years.

I picked up my ego in Albuquerque, and I have basically gotten all my juice at the same place since I am in that area about once a month. A friend told me about this forum this morning, and I decided to join my fellow vapers, time to learn a few things, time to maybe upgrade to a bigger tank or something better than the stock cartomizer.

CD