Question about being thrown out of a coffee shop

[MissKitty47]

Bottom line is we are pioneers. It is imperative to be courteous and compliant when in public. Each one of us is an ambassador for vaping.

That is the best way I've ever seen this sentiment put. We do each have a responsibility to educate those around us and to be respectful when vaping in public...that is, if you want it to ever be accepted mainstream. Look how fast the e-cig world is growing and just hang on. It won't be long before people understand that this is a GOOD thing and welcome us to vape in public. But don't expect that there will ever be 100% acceptance. I've had too many non-smoking friends ask if vaping would be something they could 'get into' that I can see this appealing to kids.

 

[whelanska]

Situations like this just bring a negative light to electronic cigs. Until the public is more educated, and the FDA quits fighting them, folks, PLEASE do not vape where you cannot smoke.

I agree with this. Our (presumably) harmless e-cigs are a great way to deal with and eliminate smoking addiction, but their use is not necessarily comparable to drinking a Coca-Cola while waiting in line at the mall. Maintaining a squeaky clean image for e-cigs is important, in my opinion. Concern for e-cig usage around kids (often found at shopping malls) is very valid. An 8 year old kid isn't going to differentiate between vapor and smoke. I don't really have any desire to be able to vape at McDonalds, Starbucks, the gas station, the post office, etc. E-cig advocates fighting for the right to "smoke" in family-friendly public places is probably not great PR for the product.

What he said.....I vape so I don't have to smoke cigarettes..I didn't start vaping to go around challeging no-smoking rules...If a place lets you vape....fine...if not...don't...Can't see getting so worked up about it....

Well put.

 

[bigtimeweb]

I don't even get why you walked up to the counter with it hanging out of your mouth? Seems like you were asking for a confrontation.

 

[stratus]

Sometimes people don't know what they don't know. I'd calmly try to educate anybody that just doesn't know better. I've found that many people have still have never seen an ecig before. That being said, the guy sounds like he was a tool.

 

[ctourtelot]

I feel the need to toss in my 2 cents here on the point of it appealing to kids. I have kids. When they were younger, they knew I smoked, but I tried to not do it around them. They hated it regardless and it was a big motivator to quit. My kids are older now and understand the difference between smoking and vaping and think it's awesome that I vape. They have NO desire, however to pick up the habit themselves.

Now, as far as being out in public with my ecig. I do not flaunt my ecig around children only because it's not something I would do with my own. However, I'm getting REALLY REALLY sick of feeling pressured to change my lifestyle and habits to keep from corrupting all the innocent little children out there. True an 8yr won't know the difference between vaping and smoking, however if their parents can't keep them from doing either one, why is it my responsibility to do it for them?

Really the only time I've vaped openly with a child close by was during a cookout where the child's parents were chainsmokers and smoked around the child constantly. I'm guessing the kid was around 6 or 7 and asked me what it was. I told him it was to help me not smoke. The kid smiled and immediately ran to his parents and told them they should do that too.

Kids are not as stupid and naive as we seem to think they are. From the time mine were 3 or 4, they knew that smoking was bad.

Sorry to rant. I just get irritated with the assumption that because people can't parent their own kids, I'm supposed to adjust my behavior so i don't influence them. There is a quote about this that comes to mind all the time. I don't remember who posted it, but it was on another forum. The poster had a friend who had a toddler. The friend came over to visit with her child and the child started getting into everything. The friend said "I guess it's time to childproof your house"

The poster replied "No, it's time for you to houseproof your child!"

just sayin

 

[lynleestar]

I personally always have a pv in my hand when I'm out and about. Many times I've set it sown on a counter to count change/ get something out of my pocket. I've never been questioned about it but if I ever would I would attempt to explain. It sounds like this manager wasn't willing to listen and that is his choice competely. Pushing the issue just reflects negatively, and unfortunately this particular manager has now probably assumed that everyone that uses 'those electric smoker things' are arrogant and confrontational.

 

[Copperhead]

I'm a total dreamer. I strongly believe that in 50 years, it could be all vaping an no smoking and no more restrictions.

You’re allowed…lol…There is just nothing I see that can give me any hope for that to be the case…The laws of this country have become so lopsided in favor of erring on the side caution..that I don’t see it as being possible….Because of lawyers…no ones allowed the luxury of living and let live anymore…Everything is dumb downed to the lowest denomination so as not to offend, inconvenience…or especially the remote possibility…harm anyone…

Do you really think in a country where parts of it ban soda being sold in school…. is ever gonna let you vape wherever you want…? …Where they pass laws that say you can’t even smoke outside?…

Whether it does or doesn’t…you’re not going to convince everyone that you’re not blowing smoke(pun intended)…i.e. possibly harming them….In today’s society… all the tests in the world aren’t going to matter…Bottom line is there are chemicals involved with vaping…and the vapor can be seen and smelled… As someone else here said…I’m sure someone will be able to find a way to make vaping an affront on their bodies…And hence… at the minimum….pass some laws restricting it’s use…. It’s just way things are dealt with today…and I can’t see anything that’s going to change it..

 

[mfraz25]

Just my opinion but sounds like people are jumping on Doggy for sticking up for himself.
I don't think he 'asked for it.' He tried to explain what it was and the guy didn't listen. Every thread I have read about vaping in public suggests explaining that it isn't a tobacco product and to explain what it is. Which is what Doggy was doing, right? Then the GM started giving him a hard time. He didn't continue to use it or shove it down his throat. He simply asked for the guys name and he refused. I spent some time in Mississippi(Ocean Springs and surrounding area) earlier this year and had no problems when I did use it in public. The GM had no right to with hold his name from a customer wanting to file a complaint.

Do I think all of us vapors should go out and abuse our (at the time) privilege? not at all
Do I think we need to stand up for ourselves when someone gets rude and could possibly become violent? yes
Do I think we should educate people on our e-cigs? heck yes!

anyways, just my honest opinion.

 

[Zal42]

The GM had no right to with hold his name from a customer wanting to file a complaint.

But the GM certainly has that right.

I think the GM was being a real jerk. I'm not jumping on anyone. I understand why Doggy was angry. If I were in the Doggy's shoes, I would certainly not shop there anymore and would encourage my friends to do likewise. However, the business did nothing that wasn't within their legal rights. Everyone has a right to be an .......

 

[JudgeVape]

Just my opinion but sounds like people are jumping on Doggy for sticking up for himself.
I don't think he 'asked for it.' He tried to explain what it was and the guy didn't listen. Every thread I have read about vaping in public suggests explaining that it isn't a tobacco product and to explain what it is. Which is what Doggy was doing, right? Then the GM started giving him a hard time.

That is an extremely inaccurate description of what the OP described. Let's go through it line by line so it is clear why he is being criticized a bit. All subsequent quotes are from the original post:

I was in a coffee shop yesterday in a mall on the Gulf Coast of Misssissippi. I walked up to the counter with my e-cig in my mouth and the man behind counter said, "There's no smoking in here or in the mall, (I had already cleared it with mall security and they said it was fine). I told him that I was not smoking and that it was an electronic cigarette and that what he was seeing was water vapor. He said, "I just saw the smoke, you are smoking and get out of my store." I showed him the device and unscrewed it and he became more belligerent. He said, "I am not going to tell you again, to get out of here of I will have security throw you off the property."

While I do not personally condone vaping in line or at the counter of a store (and a restaurant at that), this is all fine. He was told to leave, he tried to explain himself and was rebuked and told to leave the store a second time. If the OP had left at this point, I doubt anyone would be particularly critical.

I told him to call security, in that they were aware that I was puffing on a e-cig and then I told him that he was being rude and wanted his name. He said that he was the "general manager" and then said, "get off of my property you '....ing punk.'"

He fails to comply with the manager's legal request again. He is now violating the law and probably making a bad impression of vapers for anyone within earshot.

I continued to ask his name and that is when his shoulders rolled back and I could tell that he was getting ready to physically assault me. I said, "are you threatening me"? He gritted his teeth and said, "don't you ever step foot in this store again, you punk."

He fails to comply with the manager's legal request yet again. As far as I am concerned, the manager's belligerence is 100% justified at this point. He is also clearly in the wrong legally.

I continued to ask his name to file a complaint and he would only tell me that he was the "general manager."

He fails to comply with the manager's legal request one more time.

I contacted mall security to tell them what happened and they gave me the name of the owner and then I called the owner who apologized profusely, saying he knew exactly what an e-cig is.

Which is what he should have done the first time.

The GM had no right to with hold his name from a customer wanting to file a complaint.

I don't even know where the OP gets this assertion from. The only applicable rule that the GM might have violated here would be store policy.

 

[mfraz25]

Like I stated it was just my opinion, as in what I personally got from reading the story.

and as the daughter of an ex-GM of a restaurant/bar, my mom had to file a police report when someone called the cops because of a similar situation(person not leaving after being asked to) the guy wanted my mom's name and she refused, when the cops arrived they explained to her that when a customer intends to file a complaint with the owner of a business they must give them their name. Maybe it differs from state to state, I don't know. Not trying to step on toes, just wanted to throw in my 2 cents.

 

[JudgeVape]

...the guy wanted my mom's name and she refused, when the cops arrived they explained to her that when a customer intends to file a complaint with the owner of a business they must give them their name. Maybe it differs from state to state, I don't know. Not trying to step on toes, just wanted to throw in my 2 cents.

Heck, it's possible there is a state law or local ordinance to that effect in many places. I worked in restaurant management for several years in and just after college and was not aware of any legal obligation to do so. However, if a customer complained after the fact and it came out that I had refused to provide my name upon request to that customer, I would have been in deep doo-doo with either of the two restaurant chains I worked for.

 

[mfraz25]

true, but I might have misread it. thought he said something to the GM about filing a complaint. Gonna go re-read the OP!

 

[Freddy]

Gotta ask the question ... I've not posted much here myself but ... this was the OP FIRST POST to this form????? Is it a serious request for opion from vapers or is this someone trolling to get "bad press" or something from vapers. Is the OP looking to prove just "how rude" vapers are by everyone agreeing that we have some God given right to blow vapor wherever the hell we please just because it is not smoke? I commend most all replies to this. Seems the majority of vapers are polite and WANT vaping to be accepted as an alternative and not get shot down before it even has a chance to become mainstream.

 

[b4cz28]

Your have to have your license displayed to work in a resturant in Texas......but a quick check of Texas shows no law that states you have to give your name.

 

[b4cz28]

nor do you in Mississippi.....heck you don't even have to give your name to a police officer unless he has pc (you broke the law or he thinks you did) or your a wittness to a crime.

 

[Joey S]

Gotta ask the question ... I've not posted much here myself but ... this was the OP FIRST POST to this form????? Is it a serious request for opion from vapers or is this someone trolling to get "bad press" or something from vapers. Is the OP looking to prove just "how rude" vapers are by everyone agreeing that we have some God given right to blow vapor wherever the hell we please just because it is not smoke? I commend most all replies to this. Seems the majority of vapers are polite and WANT vaping to be accepted as an alternative and not get shot down before it even has a chance to become mainstream.

I was just going to comment on the same thing. Nearly 100 post later and the OP hasn't popped in to say anything.

 

[unsure]

Im too lazy to read all ten pages but imo sue. Find Contingency Fee Lawyer. Nothing to loose and they may settle out of court.

 

[b4cz28]

Im too lazy to read all ten pages but imo sue. Find Contingency Fee Lawyer. Nothing to loose and they may settle out of court.

I see you and the op are from Cali.....both of yall want to sue!

 

[jbblack]

Gotta ask the question ... I've not posted much here myself but ... this was the OP FIRST POST to this form????? Is it a serious request for opion from vapers or is this someone trolling to get "bad press" or something from vapers. Is the OP looking to prove just "how rude" vapers are by everyone agreeing that we have some God given right to blow vapor wherever the hell we please just because it is not smoke? I commend most all replies to this. Seems the majority of vapers are polite and WANT vaping to be accepted as an alternative and not get shot down before it even has a chance to become mainstream.

If that's the case, that idea went over like a lead balloon...