I feel like an idiot vaping in public

[Matvyey]

I'm shy about vaping in public too, but fortunately no one has bothered me yet. But i have gotten a friend interested (lent him my spare 510 for a few days, let's see if he orders his).

I order from electronicstix and jason always throws in a few business cards that explain exactly what a pv is. I've started carrying these in my wallet just in case some one asks me what the deal is because I'm really not the salesman type. I don't know if the other vendors have cards as well but maybe you could make your own.

I've been vaping for a week now, no analogs, and I know that I will stick with this. Cigarettes were the norm for me for 16 years of my life so this feels new and different and so I feel a bit conspicuous in public but I'm sure that passes.

 

[redrobin347]

Yeah, i was given some business cards with my order. I've already handed out 2 of them. Going to save one in case the cops question me haha.

 

[Twilight]

Can they make a juice that doesn't produce any visual vapor?

 

[StDoodle]

A lot of it is just the very common fear / hatred of the unfamiliar. Cigarettes are familiar, so while some people hate them, pretty much everyone knows about them. PV's, on the other hand, are strange to most people, and are going to be subject to ridicule, disgust, fear, etc. based solely on this fact. The only way around this is education; the more people who know about PV's, the less we will be made to feel uncomfortable while using one.

Anecdotally, my brother-in-law and I were discussing various things a while back, just before I had started vaping (but after I knew I was going to, I believe while I was in the research phase, or possibly just after I placed my first order), and he mentioned seeing a customer use an e-cig at the bar he works at. He said something along the lines of "guy looked like a total douche." I tried figuring out why he felt this way; why is it that someone who's trying to be a bit concerned over their own health (and the health of those nearby, kinda sorta 'cause I don't really buy into the full "dangers of second hand smoke" spiel), who doesn't want to avoid spending time in public when doing such means not smoking, looks "like a douche?" I really couldn't make any headway on this, which is what lead me to think that some people are just going to have negative feelings towards anything unfamiliar. Facts don't matter. Relative risk doesn't matter. Only the unfamiliarity matters.

 

[d0nj03]

All I've gotten so far was intrigue/interest, so the only thing I can complain about is having to give the same basic information and explanations over and over again.

 

[J-ShaZzle]

My friend asked my if I felt like a douche using a pv at a bar once. I said no. The reason I started wasn't to look cool or be different. Its bc I wanted to quit cigarettes. My other friend has no interest in even trying them for various reasons. I guess he doesn't want to be addicted to something else or it just seems odd.

 

[wyrm1973]

I have no problem vaping in public, get lots of people asking me about my GGTS, have the occasional funny comments but once i explain that it got me off smoking 40 fags a day etc etc, most people are like ah cool, where do you get them.

I do sometimes feel like a ecig salesman, but I feel that ecigs are the best products since sliced bread, and I am happy to tell people how its helped me and how it could help them to.

 

[tedward1555]

I'm seeing more and more people vaping here in Austin. I suppose we'll just have to put up with the weird looks and those who think we are a "douche" for vaping until they are more mainstream.... In the mean time I'm saving my life so all is good.

 

[jude8753]

Can they make a juice that doesn't produce any visual vapor?

That to me is just wrong. I have to see vapor or I don't get satisfaction even if the nic is there, I was the same with real cigs. I don't care who looks at me weird so long as I get my vapor fix. I found most people are cool with it.

 

[coralie]

Google "stealth juice" here or on youtube. Or on Google. You'll hit results. I've never tried any, but it's out there. There's some reviews on youtube that I've seen.

 

[Twilight]

Google "stealth juice" here or on youtube. Or on Google. You'll hit results. I've never tried any, but it's out there. There's some reviews on youtube that I've seen.

Thanks Coralie.....watched the Youtube videos.....appears no one is really sure what's in it (not good).

 

[memphisgurl5]

I'm not bashful , AT ALL, when it comes to smoking my 801 penstyle. Walmart, Best Buy, the mall, and yes...the DMV. I've never had anyone be rude, but staring is pretty common. I find that the less I hide it, the more people are curious and are willing to approach me to ask about it. A quick smile and a polite nod usually ensues in a pleasant conversation. I just feel like when I try to be slick, I just draw more attention to myself.

I work at a hotel, and while I don't do in directly in fromt of the guests, I do it in front of all my coworkers (after asking if they mind, of course!) and they have all been along for the ride after quitting smoking, and have even told some of their friends that I am happy to report have tried and/or quit now, with just a little piece of information and some internet homework.

Even if you are shy, just remember that you've done something completely positive with your life in quitting, and it's not an easy accomplishment, by any means. That's nothing to hide. I play poker several times a week, and showed a guy week after week that I stuck to it, and he saw me quit cold turkey, and be smoke free for the last 7 months. He now owns a Janty and has quit smoking after 40 years.

You certainly don't have to be a spokesperson for the ecig, or even be overtly positive about it if you don't fit that social bill. Everybody's different. But the reason I posted my little soap box rant is that when I saw the title of the thread I thought to myself, "Man, why would you feel like an idiot? It's an accomplishment, truly, it is." All those rude comments and stares and whathaveyou are just conveyed in ignorance.

I'm pretty proud of myself. Unless otherwise posted, I'm gonna enjoy my cigarette out in the open, and bask in the newer, nicer, healthier me.

 

[howudo1]

my girlfriend & I started vaping because she noticed someone at her work using an e-cig. She asked sme questions, came home, we discussed & figured why not! We were buying cigs on the res so not as expensive as some others but what we paid for 2 Joye 510 kits + 25 ml of juice cost the same as 2 cartons of Camels. It's been about a week for us now - we quit analogs right off the bat - and I haven't felt better! Point being: we owe it to her co-worker! I let everyone at my job know about it - think interest is peaking!

 

[Twilight]

I quit cold turkey too after getting my Vapor King...it's been a week. I read an article about it and feel really lucky that I happened to read it. Don't even want an analog. Hope it gets more attention.

 

[Kbauerctu]

I quit cold turkey too after getting my Vapor King...it's been a week. I read an article about it and feel really lucky that I happened to read it. Don't even want an analog. Hope it gets more attention.

There are places I wont vape, because I feel its not appropriate. Work, parties, or at home are all good. People do stare, but its not as bad as the real thing. Hope it catches on!

 

[Twilight]

There are places I wont vape, because I feel its not appropriate. Work, parties, or at home are all good. People do stare, but its not as bad as the real thing. Hope it catches on!

I agree, it's just not appropriate at this point in time to vape in places that analogs aren't allowed...we don't want to piss people off, not good for our cause. Hopefully in time, things will change. But, at this point, others think we are smoking analogs and will difinitely look at us assuming we are smoking analogs and rightfully look at us like we are doing wrong. I don't want to piss people off....I'm a considerate person...and I wish we all were.

 

[J-ShaZzle]

My favorite place to vape is my room. I no longer have to deal w/ 100 degree weather and when winter hits, 30 degree weather.

I say give vaping in public a shot. Have a freind along that is cool with it and if someone ask, just explain it to them. Having business cards handy is good too.

 

[radicaljd]

I agree, it's just not appropriate at this point in time to vape in places that analogs aren't allowed...we don't want to piss people off, not good for our cause. Hopefully in time, things will change. But, at this point, others think we are smoking analogs and will difinitely look at us assuming we are smoking analogs and rightfully look at us like we are doing wrong. I don't want to piss people off....I'm a considerate person...and I wish we all were.

I disagree. While there are definitely places where vaping is probably inappropriate (e.g. hospitals, churches, courtrooms), there is no reason to presume that rules proscribing smoking should apply to the use of a PV. If people get offended, it's out of ignorence, not any real intrusion on their space.

Of course, if someone becomes confrontational even after I've explained that I am not smoking, I will not press it. But this has NEVER happened to me, even though I routinely vape openly in grocery stores, malls, restaurants, department stores... wherever. Sure, I sometimes get funny looks, but who cares?

This is analogous to situations my gay friends face. Many gay couples get nasty looks from people when they openly hold hands or walk arm-in-arm in a similar manner as heterosexual couples do. Yes, they could avoid getting people "...... off" be refraining from such behavior, but most gay couples I know choose to ignore the nasty looks in the hopes that, eventually, people will get used to the fact that gay people are here to stay.

Of course I am not implying that being a vaper is like being gay, but I think the same idea applies. Once people see more and more vapers using their PV's in public areas, they become "desensitized," and it becomes no big deal.

radicalJD

 

[DemonCowboy]

I agree, it's just not appropriate at this point in time to vape in places that analogs aren't allowed...we don't want to piss people off, not good for our cause. Hopefully in time, things will change. But, at this point, others think we are smoking analogs and will difinitely look at us assuming we are smoking analogs and rightfully look at us like we are doing wrong. I don't want to piss people off....I'm a considerate person...and I wish we all were.

you realize that's like asking someone not to use the patch or gum where you can't smoke - right? i wholeheartedly disagree with you on this.

e cigs and cigarettes have almost nothing in common other than:
1) they have nicotine in them
2) you inhale from it

everything else about it is more like a fog machine than it is a cigarette

i will agree however that you shouldn't blow all kinds of vapor in the air or at people . (though letting a tiny bit out to tease the smokers is ok because there's no way it can travel far b4 it dissipates)

I for one am NO LONGER a smoker and WILL NOT be treated as such - if i wanted to be treated that way i would still be a smoker!!

 

[catsclaw009]

Hi Everyone: New here and to vaping. Only been at it for 6 days and definitely going through an adjustment phase. I was rolling my own analogs (American Spirit). I purchased the KR808 starter kit and am just now experimenting with juices and refilling techniques.

I went to my first social engagement with my e-cig last weekend and despite a few stares it wasn't as traumatic as I thought it might be. There were a few weird looks but mostly curiosity was the norm and minimal questions.

I am open to all suggestions and am looking forward to learning more about this.