How have you made people understand?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Ralikar

Moved On
ECF Veteran
Jul 7, 2011
701
290
In all seriousness, it's a big deal in a work environment of being accused of using illegal things unless it was said as a 100% joke by co-workers. That will get around and not be a positive thing, so the usual glib responses aren't going to cover that. I'm not sure what sort of a mod/bat/carto/tank system you have but if it doesn't look like a cig you may want to tone it down-- "vape gear" that people criticize is an issue right there... Smarmy responses aren't going to cover the gossip which can affect your overall image or promotions. For others, or new vapers, if you're in a standard office environment and are out huffing a box mod with glowing lights, you might not hear all the things said about you but it could affect your reputation. Obviously, it's already having a negative impact on your image and being militant is the wrong way to go. Be discreet and out of sight out of mind it... unless you own the business yourself it's causing problems which will cause you problems one way or another. Most of the time, co-workers are not your friends-- they're people you work with who's gossip/opinions can influence whether you get downsized on a cut. The angry, slighted vaperer is the wrong work approach. You're causing the problem not them. Your vaping habits are causing the hassle and generating issues and stress. They don't have to like it -- it's a workplace, not your home. So you're left looking like a stoner, the confrontational non-team player that doesn't work well with others or the "problem" employee. Hide it.
 
Last edited:

DrNick0143

Full Member
Verified Member
Dec 27, 2008
25
14
Little Rock, AR
I just say, "I like it better than smoking."

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

I think this is the best. If the person is still willing to argue with you after this, you have no hope of anything else convincing them. As long as it remains legal, this is all the ammo you need. That being said, I think avoiding confrontational style arguments will help keep regulation from ruining the vaping community. Every time we make an issue about vaping at work, or in bars/restaurants, we increase the negative attention to our community, and there are large amounts of money at stake in the tobacco and "FDA approved" nicotine delivery systems that already puts our hobby in the danger zone of being banned.
 

DC2

Tootie Puffer
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Jun 21, 2009
24,161
40,974
San Diego
I will patiently point out the reasons that their concerns are not valid, and point out that they have been misinformed.
If they persist after hearing the truth, then I just tell them that they have been brainwashed.

People don't like being told they are brainwashed.
:)

So from that point forward, they know that every time they start with me I'm going to call them brainwashed.
And if they STILL persist, then I just start calling them stupid.
 

Iffy

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Feb 3, 2011
9,626
79,411
Florida Suncoast
In all seriousness... glib... gossip... reputation... stoner... Hide it.

Whaaa... Seriously, that's your contribution?
twitch.gif


What ever happened to educating folk?
popcrn.gif
 

Butters78

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Jan 24, 2012
7,236
10,787
47
San Antonio, Texas, United States
A lot of my coworkers are pretty skeptical and critical of my vape gear. While some have been supportive and interested, others have just told me how bad it is for me.

I try explaining I'm not inhaling the hundreds of cancer causing chemicals in tobacco cigarettes. They ask, "Are you sure?" or have some story like, "Joe was using one of those and got sores all over his mouth, they're worse for you than cigarettes!"

I feel like I've explained myself until I'm blue in the face and it just doesn't get thru. If they're not telling me it's bad for me, they're telling me how ridiculous it looks and accusing me of smoking something illegal.

I don't want to hide it from everyone but I'm really tired of getting the third degree from everyone.

I'm really worried about Joe. I think he has been associating with the wrong kind of women.
 

oxygen thief

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Jun 26, 2012
1,067
1,383
People are more intolerant than ever and they are more aggressive or even hostile to people doing something that they themselves don't understand.

I would ask them to tell me what I'm doing and what does this ecig do? Tell me where this 'smoke' comes from. What are you talking about specifically that's hurting me? Tell me what disease any of the ingredients here are going to kill me and please let me know what disease I'll get. And, explain to me why my doctor is thrilled with this move? Why do I feel 10 years younger?

It could go on and on. In the old days people whispered and gossiped. After reality TV they get in your face.

I used to work for state government. You have to be very careful what you say to someone or you will be in serious hot water with HR. They do not tolerate it because people like suing the gov. Your co-workers would be in for an unpleasant meeting.
 

kristlynngirl

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Jun 23, 2012
87
86
41
Pittsburgh, PA
I don't use a mod or anything and try not to draw attention to myself. Usually it's an auto 510 or an eGo with a small tank/clearo or a plain old carto. Reaction ranges from "Where can I get one?" to "What the $&/) is that?"

Some people are quite proud and supportive where others have nothin but negative to say.

I don't make a point to make a spectacle of vaping. If its people around I don't know well, I walk away and talk on my cell phone and try not to draw attention to myself.

I've never had a member of management say anything, just the other pee-ons like myself. I'd gladly explain it to management if it became an issue or take any kind of drug test they requested.

It's just very frustrating being told its bad for me or being accused of smoking something illegal. I work as a 911 dispatcher. Not the best accusation for my career.
 

AuBadge

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Feb 15, 2012
484
190
Antioch, TN
neuronradio.net
A lot of my coworkers are pretty skeptical and critical of my vape gear. While some have been supportive and interested, others have just told me how bad it is for me.

I try explaining I'm not inhaling the hundreds of cancer causing chemicals in tobacco cigarettes. They ask, "Are you sure?" or have some story like, "Joe was using one of those and got sores all over his mouth, they're worse for you than cigarettes!"

I feel like I've explained myself until I'm blue in the face and it just doesn't get thru. If they're not telling me it's bad for me, they're telling me how ridiculous it looks and accusing me of smoking something illegal.

I don't want to hide it from everyone but I'm really tired of getting the third degree from everyone.

An expression from my youth "I can show you better than I can tell you" comes to mind. You don't need to explain your decision to improve your own health. As time goes by and you're looking and feeling better, some will "get it". Those that don't, probably don't matter amyway. Vape on. Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things. :2cool:
 
Last edited:

zuzette

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Jul 29, 2012
645
505
Colorado
You don't need to explain your decision to improve your own health.

Excellent answer of anyone.

To the OP - you never owe anyone an explaination for anything. Just because they are asking does not mean its your problem to make them feel better. If they get upset about what you do they are the only person who has to live with how they feel. cut yourself some slack. its ok to leave people frustrated. they will get over it.
 

Luther

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Mar 5, 2011
218
168
68
Winston-Salem, N.C.
If I am around doubting or skeptical smokers, first I tell them "y,know I never really realized how badly cigarettes made me STINK until I quit them by vaping".
Then I tell them "when you begin vaping the smell of smokers is really quite bad". 'Vaping is odorless for the most part".
And then I take a few steps away from them.
 
Last edited:

cappy24

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Aug 3, 2012
1,151
3,813
76
remsenburg new york
the best is when someone waves the vapor away thinking its real smoke and comments on how badly it smells...When i make them aware of what it really is it shuts them up..There is always a come back for ignorant people..i kinda get a kick out of that..an overweight co worker tried to argue with me that its still not good for your health..my response was..i guess your right and that soda your drinking isn't good for your health either..
 

oxygen thief

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Jun 26, 2012
1,067
1,383
When I get a physical in a few weeks maybe I'll ask my doctor, one of the best people I've ever known, to write a doctors note for me.

"My patients health has improved dramatically in two months by stopping cigarettes and switching to ecigs. There is no burning tobacco in an ecig. While I advocate stopping smoking or anything related completely, I am pleased that my patient has made a positive move to harm reduction. Most smokers cannot quit smoking and this device may be the best method yet to get them off of burning tobacco. Although this is not an ideal solution I'm seeing many heavy smokers improve with an ecig."

I might type up a few versions and see if he will sign it. He's consistently rated the best doctor in Austin. He's smart, he listens, and time after time he has shown me that he cares. We'll see how this goes.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Users who are viewing this thread