Those People

[roxics]

Lately I've noticed a backlash against vaping and vapers. Not the kind I'm used to seeing about how vaping is bad for you and all that from anti-smoking people who lump in vaping. But among some of my "facebook friends" who like to post memes about how vapers are douchebags. Now I'm not personally one of those guys that posts a lot about vaping, it's rare. I was used to the mild teasing about vaping a "Silver Bullet" years ago. Poor choice of names for that mod. But this is different, these are people who genuinely thinking vaping and vapers are a bunch of douchebags. The only thing I can think of is that vaping has gotten more mainstream and anytime that happens, people who are into something get labeled by some people as douchebags. It doesn't really bother that much. I just brush it off. But I'm posting about it because I've been noticing it more and more and wonder if you all have as well?

I guess it does bother me in one way. I'm a afraid these people are going to scare off smokers that might have tried vaping but now won't because they fear a social backlash from these ignorant folks who are targeting vapers rather than smokers.

 

[Hotbox147]

Lately I've noticed a backlash against vaping and vapers. Not the kind I'm used to seeing about how vaping is bad for you and all that from anti-smoking people who lump in vaping. But among some of my "facebook friends" who like to post memes about how vapers are douchebags. Now I'm not personally one of those guys that posts a lot about vaping, it's rare. I was used to the mild teasing about vaping a "Silver Bullet" years ago. Poor choice of names for that mod. But this is different, these are people who genuinely thinking vaping and vapers are a bunch of douchebags. The only thing I can think of is that vaping has gotten more mainstream and anytime that happens, people who are into something get labeled by some people as douchebags. It doesn't really bother that much. I just brush it off. But I'm posting about it because I've been noticing it more and more and wonder if you all have as well?

I guess it does bother me in one way. I'm a afraid these people are going to scare off smokers that might have tried vaping but now won't because they fear a social backlash from these ignorant folks who are targeting vapers rather than smokers.

Things like this

it doesn't really bother me, I just laugh them off. People label me as a douchbag because I'm vaping then that is up to them. However is someone comes up to me and says 'you look like an idiot for doing that', I'll reply well at least I don't look like you or something to that effect haha.

 

[roxics]

I wouldn't call that an example of what I'm talking about. I'm talking about stuff like this:

and this

[Image removed due to language]

The first one is actually pretty funny IMO. But again my concern is that it might turn some smokers away from vaping because they don't want to be viewed like this. People put a lot of weight on their perception. I've seen people avoid things that are perfectly fine simply because pop culture has labeled it in a negative way. Like guys wearing anything pink as another example.

 

[roxics]

I don't know if there is anything we can really do about it but laugh it off. I just hope it doesn't become a common perception.

 

[classwife]

Moved to General Vaping Discussion from The Lounge

 

[Scottitude]

Labeling/stereotyping is a big factor.

Unfortunately, so are real life demonstrations.

Using huge clouds to part a crowd of people like Moses

 

[bloodless2010]

How to annoy anyone who vapes in 5 words.
"We get it, you vape."
A few friends of mine say it jokingly, it doesn't bother me that much as they smoke, I guess I get the last laugh.. That got dark pretty quickly

As for this tend for hating people who vape, I'm unsure of it origins, you can ask them why they dislike people who vape and you'll get a generic response similar too "I dunno, I just do" might as well just blame it on big tobacco propaganda.

 

[YoursTruli]

This has been going on for a while now. Over a year ago when the oxford english dictionary announced vape was the word of the year Conan O'brien made a joke about it calling vapers "douchebags" and I can remember a few threads on here over the past few years with this theme. I was surprised though recently when my 20something adult son and his friend stopped by to help me and his friend said vapers were douchebags, of course I asked my him why and he said vapers are made fun a lot by their friends, but of course it was ok for me to be doing it. but that it's basically a douchey thing to do.... which explains why my son stopped vaping and went completely back to smoking again. I have to wonder how prevalent this sentiment is in the 20something age group.

 

[Rizzyking]

Then I'm happy being a ......... it's still a step up from the days I was a smoker then I was a selfish ......... so it's progress. I think this is just a result of so much negative press that's been heaped on vaping over the last few years, far easier to just accept the rubbish that's spread so much by the media then spend time finding out about the reality of vaping.

 

[Plumes.91]

hahaha that last meme pic's pretty funny... lmao... guess the stereotype is that a lot of us like to show-off our gear out in public, eh? haha

 

[VHRB2014]

Part of life is learning how to let this stuff go, and learning how to chose friends.

Don`t get too discouraged, it also takes a life time to learn.

 

[Chuck64]

I was a douche long before I began vaping.

 

[daviedog]

I don't vape, i pave.
Usually throws the douchbags off my tracks..

 

[Racehorse]

I think many vapers, and the industry itself, has shot itself in the foot.

I think this is just a result of so much negative press that's been heaped on vaping

really?

do you think it's "good for vaping" when ejuice manufacturers are naming ejuice "druggie" names, like:

{Moderated}. {Moderated}. {Moderated}.

I'm often quite embarassed by this nonsense. I can't be "associated" with stuff like that.

I even know some members who left vaping forums because they have the kind of professional jobs, etc. where they can't be seen as druggies, part of alternative culture, etc.

Personally, I had to take all links to vaping off my FB page, because I want it to remain professional...many people who don't want future employers or people they do business with to "identify" them with a subculture that may have shady undertones, have had to do this.
{Moderated} Pie? C'mon!!!

This goes well beyond studies and negative press .... it's self-damage to the industry from w/in the industry itself. Hard to feel any sympathy.....I only feel embarassment.

 

[stylemessiah]

Only mech users are .....

 

[Rizzyking]

Been diy'ing my own liquid for nearly two years so hadn't kept up with the latest but having just took a quick look I'm with racehorse some of the names are bordering on juvenile and certainly wouldn't give a casual viewer a good impression of vaping. For all the complaints about antz and their activities the industry in some quartets has done little to nothing to help our cause, maybe we'll do it better second time round.

 

[pennysmalls]

I think many vapers, and the industry itself, has shot itself in the foot.



really?

do you think it's "good for vaping" when ejuice manufacturers are naming ejuice "druggie" names, like:

{Moderated}. {Moderated}. {Moderated}.

I'm often quite embarassed by this nonsense. I can't be "associated" with stuff like that.

I even know some members who left vaping forums because they have the kind of professional jobs, etc. where they can't be seen as druggies, part of alternative culture, etc.

Personally, I had to take all links to vaping off my FB page, because I want it to remain professional...many people who don't want future employers or people they do business with to "identify" them with a subculture that may have shady undertones, have had to do this.
{Moderated} Pie? C'mon!!!

This goes well beyond studies and negative press .... it's self-damage to the industry from w/in the industry itself. Hard to feel any sympathy.....I only feel embarassment.

Wow, I strongly disagree. I've been vaping for over two years and have rarely come across juices with names like that so I can't imagine the average non-vaping citizen would come across something like that, like ever. I'm very familiar with the hate for vapers, I see it so often in the comment sections of articles that I read and have been verbally attacked for being a vaper myself. The smokers of green stuff receive more tolerance than vapers do. A lot of it is posted by people who have obvious anti smoking attitudes and think vaping is a tobacco industry product. As a matter of fact I'm convinced that the belief that vaping is a tobacco industry product is stronger than the belief that vaping is just as dangerous as smoking. The average person isn't aware of the existence of the vaping industry both online and in B&M's. So I don't see what you're seeing at all, but maybe others who see what you do can chime in.

Perhaps you and your vaping professional collegues could help change the image of vaping in your particular social circle instead of hiding? Or perhaps at least clarify these misconceptions for those in your circle who don't vape? Change has to start somewhere right?

 

[crxess]

A few friends of mine say it jokingly, it doesn't bother me that much as they smoke, I guess I get the last laugh.. That got dark pretty quickly

My response to that has always Been - At the Funeral, would YOU prefer Roses or Orchids .................and I'm older than most of them

 

[BigEgo]

I blame the hipsters with handlebar mustaches. They are the problem, imo.

 

[Douggro]

I blame the hipsters with handlebar mustaches. They are the problem, imo.

Like the ones that are in all the stock photo libraries the media uses for their vaping stories? You all know the ones I' talking about.. sheesh, yeah, those put us in a good light.