Suddenly Self-Conscious

[DancingHeretik]

Someone asked me yesterday if I was doing the other stuff when they saw me vaping. She's only seen someone use something that looked like my ego set-up doing that, not vaping.

The person asking was the mother of a child that was over visiting my grandchildren. Apparently the child was concerned about what I was doing! These are very unpretentious people, not smoking/vaping snobs. So, it wasn't someone just having an attitude.

I've suddenly become much more self-conscious about vaping on anything but a cig-a-like in public.

 

[dragonbone]

Hey Dancing! Long time no see. Hope all is well with you. Hey why let other people bother you, and anyway aren't you vaping with your pretty Volts and eGo's? How can that look suspicious?

 

[DancingHeretik]

Hey, dragonbone! I'm doing great, or would be if only I could afford to buy all the goodies I hear about on ECF! What are you up to?

I have 510's and Volts, but usually just get lazy and grab a 900mah Ego so I don't have to think about it too hard. I don't always feel like messing with the little batts. I actually use the little ones more around the house - for fun.

The Egos apparently look suspicious to some people! It had never occurred to me that they would.

But, that may change soon. I was so jealous of the E-roll that I finally got myself a charger for my 510 mega batteries. So, now maybe I'll use them more in public.

I also ordered a few Bloog batteries to try. SI no longer carries the old-style autos. They only carry the sealed autos, which don't work as smoothly as the old, unsealed batteries. So, that should make it more comfortable to use my Volts also.

The little batteries are a lot more fun. But, they are more trouble. If my new PCC and my new Bloogs help like I hope they will, I may soon be able to carry the more fun set-ups in public more conveniently. My fingers are crossed.

 

[jcarabelos]

Happens to me all the time. I had someone yell at me for it once and told me I was insensitive for being so public about it. I tell them all to calm down, and that I'm using an electronic cigarette with nicotine based eliquid. I show them the bottle I'm vaping on, or the tank of juice and take a drag. Tell them it's water vapor and after that spiel they have all apologized for assuming. There will always be people who choose to assume things without knowing the whole story. It would be easy to simply ask. In either case who cares what they think? I say vape away and ignore the haters!

 

[CJB]

Ive even had smokers say stupid things like that... like "looks like a crack pipe". I usually respond "A push button crack pipe with no lighter?"

I dont think people mean to be offensive. They just dont know what it is. As PVs get more popular (and they definitely will) Im sure much of that will fade out.

 

[KarlMatson86]

I have a all chome Zmax, lights my hole shirt up blue with the LED, with chrome plated DiD clone and a huge Chrome snake head drip Tip It's huge I love it More and more people are doing this and I get qwestions about what the hell that is I tell them.and they want one! I see it like this I'm spreading the love that was so freely givin to me becouse to Vape is to love yourself

 

[Petrodus]

I delete this post ...
duplicate post, see reply below

 

[Petrodus]

Long post ... If you're only interested in "sound-byte" posts ...
this ain't one of those. Pardon this ole man's ramblings if what
I say isn't of benefit.


I've been following and posting in the New Members forum and this
forum since I joined. I feel for anyone having issues of any nature
with e-smoking.

Concerns about what other might think or say is on the increase.
One of the primary reasons is more and more of us switched to
Power Vape machines that don't even slightly resemble a cigarette.
We prefer these PVs for very good reasons...Better Vape, better battery life, ETC

E-cigarettes are no longer some big secret to the general public. Many have seen
them advertized, sold in convenient stores and know someone who switched to
e-smoking with an analog PV. The public today can associate an analog with
a blue light on the tip of a plastic tube as an Electronic cigarette.


If you whip out in public a Power Vape Machine that reminds others
of something right our a Star Wars bar ... don't expect the same reaction
as if you are vaping a white analog PV ... No big surprise to us.


We all have to find our individual comfort zones. What works best me ... thing.
The answer is NOT "Get Over IT"
or carry around a prepared speech or pocket full of pass out material.

For many ... the answer is 2 PVs ... Analog PV when in public and
the Power Vape Machine when at home or with those who understand.

We didn't have these concerns (to this degree) in the early days of e-smoking
because we didn't have so many power vape machines with different appearances
and colors. They were a little different in appearance but not as radical as available
today.

I've always preached that everyone should openly vape in public and that
would encourage others to openly vape in public and in time things would
get better ... However, that would apply IF PV's like cigarettes, cigars,
and pipes all looked similar ... the public could more easily adapt to what
has been seen before.

I've been around for a while folks.
I'm an old retired Viet-Nam vet with a Type A personality that smoked
2-3 Packs A Day for over 40 years...couldn't care less what others
might think or say. Of course, I hate Political Correctness and the Nanny State.
I'm fully qualified to be a tour director in Hell !! ... I've paid my dues.


I started out vaping an analog appearance PV and switched to an eGo because
I'm a power vaper and got fed up with carrying around a pocket full of batteries.
However ... There's vape machines out there now which even I would feel awkward
vaping public. I see and understand both sides of the coin ... vapers and the general
non-smoking public.

Wish I could come up with "The Fix" ... but just like PVs ...
There's no 1 size fits all.

Friends ... Vaping should be an enjoyable experience ... All I can say is adjust ...
but don't hide and keep on vaping.

 

[JENerationX]

Well said Petrodus. I've gotten over the weird looks for the most part because I'm not doing anything wrong and I love my vape. Home, work, out with friends, I'll carry what I prefer to vape because I have time to explain and everyone that knows me is pretty sure it isn't drugs. If I'm going to an event or somewhere I can't explain it, I'll use my Volts or even the X2 which looks reasonably like a bigger e-cig because most people will figure out what that is and it saves me any hassle.

 

[bineva17]

There are always people staring at me and my PV and if can, they ask "heeyyy watttt dat' thing", then I may explain as simply as possible and the last thing they always want me to do is "heeeey can you perform it I want to take a look"... Sometimes I feel like I am a monkey performing in a circus show.

I would not spend my whole life to spread this "watttt dat' thing" to the whole soceity, so I chose limiting my self vaping in public.

 

[DancingHeretik]

Now that I go back and think about it, I don't think there would have been any questions if I had been out in public. But, I was in my own home where people are more likely to do other stuff that they wouldn't do in public, even 56 year old women like me.

I almost never use big mods in public. It's just easier to carry Ego batts everywhere.

It was just a shock that someone would think that I, a 56 year old woman, would be doing that in front of other people!

No, I will continue to use my Egos in public. Anyone who thinks an Ego battery looks suspicious, especially the pretty green and purple ones, is too ****** to worry about.

 

[Petrodus]

There are always people staring at me and my PV and if can, they ask "heeyyy watttt dat' thing", then I may explain as simply as possible and the last thing they always want me to do is "heeeey can you perform it I want to take a look"... Sometimes I feel like I am a monkey performing in a circus show.

I would not spend my whole life to spread this "watttt dat' thing" to the whole society, so I chose limiting my self vaping in public.

Very good example of why we seldom see anyone vaping in public !!

 

[Petrodus]

Like I said before ...
I vape everywhere and anytime I feel like it

Normally, I pay no attention to others in public, however,
over the years I have noticed some glaring at me.

Personally, I've actually tried, several times, to "bait" those who stare
with disapproval ... to go ahead and tell me they disapprove ...
and Make My Day !! ... no one has taken the bait in 4 years !!


Apparently, what I do WORKS and I'll share it with you'all

Just look at them square in the eye ...
and SMILE and Wave at them as if they are some lost friend !!


For me ... the reaction has been 1 of 2 things

1. Most will immediately look away and refuse to look back at me !!

2. They approach me and very friendly say ... "Do I know you" ??
In those cases ... I say..."No, never saw you before in my life...
but I noticed you staring at me ... and figured you were interested
in my fake cigarette" (if I'm vaping an eGo ... I say fake cigar)
The looks on their faces ... PRICELESS !!

If I want to "bait" a smoker to talk to me ... so I can do the show-n-tell
I will blow a huge cloud and if they stare ... SMILE and WAVE ...
Most smokers will approach me with a smile ... works most of the time.
Smokers are 1000 Times more friendly group than non-smokers.


Yes ... At times, I do enjoy stirring the pot a little !!

 

[jcarabelos]

The answer is NOT "Get Over IT"
or carry around a prepared speech or pocket full of pass out material.

For many ... the answer is 2 PVs ... Analog PV when in public and
the Power Vape Machine when at home or with those who understand.

I believe the answer is sharing information. Ignorance creates these problems and there's nothing wrong with being prepared to answer questions asked of you. I don't like analogue type ecigs and I'll never buy one again, unless they make a huge leap in technological capability. I choose to use my crazy-looking PV wherever I go not because I'm saying "get over it" but because that's the device I prefer. This can easily be explained to those with questions, and I don't see the need to hide what I truly enjoy because some people will think I'm using ........ in public. I have no problem answering questions that random people have for me, and if it means spreading good information then I think that's a better reason to use your power mods in public.

 

[jcarabelos]

Lol I like how the forum blocks the scientific name for mj. Really???

 

[Petrodus]

I believe the answer is sharing information. Ignorance creates these problems and there's nothing wrong with being prepared to answer questions asked of you. I don't like analogue type ecigs and I'll never buy one again, unless they make a huge leap in technological capability. I choose to use my crazy-looking PV wherever I go not because I'm saying "get over it" but because that's the device I prefer. This can easily be explained to those with questions, and I don't see the need to hide what I truly enjoy because some people will think I'm using ........ in public. I have no problem answering questions that random people have for me, and if it means spreading good information then I think that's a better reason to use your power mods in public.

The "Get over it" ... comment
Had nothing to do with choice of PVs
Those with issues vaping (any PV) in public ...
the fix to help them no longer feel uncomfortable
is NOT just to tell them to "Get Over It"

Those who would vape in pubic if they had an analog PV
Suggestion: Get One for vaping in public

I probably shouldn't have made that comment
about a Star Wars bar.

My main go-to vape machine isn't an analog PV.
I really couldn't care less what PV anyone prefers.
If you're happy with an analog PV ... Great
If you're happy with a large MOD ... Equally Great

The Important thing is we ain't smoking anymore !!
I just wish everyone felt comfortable vaping in public.

 

[jcarabelos]

Perhaps I misunderstood you, then. I couldn't agree more though; more people should be comfortable vaping in public. But I understand the fear. I mean you go out to have a nice vape and suddenly you're being approached by anyone who sees what you're using. It can be annoying sometimes, especially when I just want to vape and get back to class or work!!!

 

[Petrodus]

A very good suggestion for those sensitive to what others might think or say ...
When vaping in public ... Don't be curious about if anyone is looking at you.
Don't be constantly looking around at strangers to see if they are looking at you.

Just the act of constantly looking around at others ... is suspicious looking in of itself.
No one does that ... Well, those that have something to hide and shoplifters do ...

Ya don't want conversations with strangers??
Don't make eye contact ..
Making eye contact is a form of communication
Says HI I'm available for conversation

Notice someone looking at you and ya wish to avoid them ???
Turn around and show them your back.

It works folks !!
It takes Kahoonas to walk up to a stranger with their back to ya
and tap them on the shoulder. Most will not do that ... but if you're looking
at them ... its more likely.

Ever watch The Dog Whisperer on TV??
Turn around and don't look at the dog.

If you're sensitive to vaping in public
Maybe the above will help?? Maybe not.

 

[tidegirl]

Excellent advice as always, Petrodus. I have a mod, and I got a Volt kit after 6 months with it because I was a little tired of people staring at me like I was an alien. Don't get me wrong- I really don't give a flying flip on a rolling donut what people think, especially strangers. But sometimes it gets old, if that makes sense. I also don't look around to see who may be staring at me, thereby looking suspicious, but I will catch people in my natural line of sight sometimes. I will still use my mod in public too, just depends on my mood. And I use my volts at home and work, depending on my mood. I am really just as happy with my volts as I am my mod. Sometimes, even after so much time, I like the cig feel of them. I have a purse, so carrying extra supplies doesn't bother me. I will happily explain to anyone who asks, and I do carry cards from whoever has sent them with my orders to pass out if someone is brave enough to ask and seems interested.

A side note- for those who are just itching to try to convert people, the volts in my experience have generated more conversations than the ego and mod together and in less time.

Dancing- It's not funny that you were questioned, but it is kinda funny that with all the concern about our image in public you were questioned about the use in your own home. At least it's ironic.

I am pretty dense in all things illegal, except knowing to avoid them, so I had never heard of other uses for things that look like ours until I saw it posted here. I did just have a friend see me vaping my I pro last weekend and jokingly comment "That's the smallest {insert slang for paraphernalia} I've ever seen." He didn't mean it of course, so I just laughed along with him.

 

[dragonbone]

Ya don't want conversations with strangers??
Don't make eye contact ..
Making eye contact is a form of communication
Says HI I'm available for conversation

Notice someone looking at you and ya wish to avoid them ???
Turn around and show them your back.

It works folks !!
It takes Kahoonas to walk up to a stranger with their back to ya
and tap them on the shoulder. Most will not do that ... but if you're looking
at them ... its more likely.

Good advice! I may even try that out when I'm not vaping, since I often have complete stangers trying to get a free English conversation lesson from me! Yesterday I went to a large famous park to photograph the fall leaves... To make a long story short, I ended up proofreading some parts of an old gentleman's Japanese History book (written in English) that will be published next year.

I was sort of OK with it since he was so friendly and polite, but I only had two hours to view the park and more than one hour was taken up by him .