Vaping in a Retail Store (Plus, input from management!)

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SissySpike

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That is how it should work out. Personally, I think the OP handled it well. This more of a sense of entitlement by the cloud chucker. I was in the checkout line the other day getting a bottle of wine. I got behind this lady that decided she was going to take out her daily frustration on the line clerk ringing up her groceries. Poor young girl did nothing. Finally I asked the lady to either pay up or go somewhere else. I said I better things to do than listen to her tirade. She said I could not speak to her like that. I said sure I can I don't work here and that she is a sorry excuse wasting good peoples oxygen. I walked over and got a manger. She was escorted out. The young lady thanked me and 5 minutes later I went on with my day.

Common courtesy to others is becoming extinct.
Its there it happens all the time its just the douchbags stand out more unfortunately
 
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SissySpike

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One of my favorite little games to play is beat you to the door at the gas station. I pace my self just faster as some one walks to the door at the same time
they usually speed up but not so much as to be noticeable. So I speed up even more. Timing it so I can get my hand on the door just in front of them.
Then I swing the door wide and motion for them to go first. I never get tired of the surprised and grateful look on their face.
Being polite can be fun!
 

Rotowoman

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The OP handled this well. Personally, I don't even stealth when I'm shopping. I didn't do it while I was smoking cigarettes. I see no need to do it when I'm in a retail store. If I can't live without nicotine for the time it takes me to do my shopping, something is seriously wrong with me.
 

jambi

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OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO testy aren't we dose someone need a hug? I would say if you dont want public comments dont post in a public forum and be rude when someone dose what this place is for in he first place.
Lulz, is your keyboard working ok? I think the O is stuck. Also might want to check your ' key, doesn't appear to be working. No hugs thanks, I have all the doses of those that I need. I am dosing on 12 mg nicotine at the moment. What are you dosing on?

Little word + 10 points for the Walmart mentality reply. I'll knock off 5 when you "get a new keyboard".

Anyway, the potential issues here are favoritism and discrimination. If the store policy is "No vaping", and especially if there are signs clearly specifying such, then it needs to be enforced by management. Managers don't set policy, they enforce it. The way it's been described, it's like a manager of a similar store, who happens to be "purple", favoring other "purple" people in their hiring practices. Or a cop, who happens to own a Camaro, letting other Camaro owners slide on speeding tickets just because they're all in the Camaro Club.

Do you see now why that shouldn't happen? Why it can't happen? I understand the spirit and motivation of the OP, and I totally get why people on this forum are inclined to applaud him/her, (we're all purple, right?), but regressing to a "yee-haw" stance on this isn't going to make it right.

Again, I applaud the spirit, but I also see the potential for backlash. All it takes is one disgruntled non-vaper to complain, and it'll be job over for the OP. What's he going to do then, start a campaign about how he was wrongly treated?

If this unnamed store has no policy regarding vaping, then it's at the op's discretion, end of story.

"Wally World changes policy, allows vaping in stores, non-vapers form nationwide boycott"
"Store manager loses job for failing to enforce "No Vaping" policy"

Seriously, what's more likely?
 

SissySpike

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So instead of your silly baited questions why didnt you just come out and say that in the first place. Your opinion is just as valid as the next guys. Even if its conformist , narrow minded in the box, thinking. It takes all kinds to make the world go round.
 

xDarkRelic

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don't take this wrongly but you're job as a "big box" retailer's manager is to enforce THEIR policies and procedures, not your will/agenda.

I get it.."be cool man...vape stealthily" that's your opinion..like Signmaker said..as an individual that's a go..as a manager, it's abuse of power honestly.

Actually upper management (and I do mean upper, people I've only heard of and met once) have said that the policy is at the store managers discretion, and even a store colleague discretion if that have a problem with it, which is almost never the case. However if a person is causing a scene or getting multiplie complaints I'm to control the situation. They mean kick that person out (because in that situation, we have every right to ask you to leave, or so they say), which I figure me starting a nice conversation and getting to know my customers is infinitely better than being negative and trying to ask someone to leave.

Also, abuse of power? Abuse of power would be putting up signs everywhere saying no vaping, or telling everyone to just stop. And you may think that's a bit biased since I'm a vaper but most people who don't vape in this store chain won't even do that. They'll just ask them to be more discreet. There's absolutely no abuse of power with the other 10+ store managers I've talked to in this chain.

I figure me giving the person the green light to keep doing it and getting to know them instead of shutting them down completely (which upper management has said to do if needed) is the best and true way to go.
 

Baditude

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Nice thread. It goes along with this one: An interesting article from a major ecig company

I happen to discretely stealth vape almost everyplace I visit in public and have done so for nearly three years. I make a point to not draw attention to myself. I pick my situations on when and where to vape.

If in a bar or restaurant, I ask an employee there if vaping is allowed and where. If not, I'll vape either in an empty restroom or wherever the smokers are allowed to smoke.

If in a grocery or discount store, I'll pick an empty isle and take a small toot if I need to. I've actually done this a few times in front of a store employee and they have ignored me. Another time, I was stealth vaping in a large furnature store when an employee came up to me and said she saw me vaping on the security cameras, then proceeded to show me her own vape pen from her pocket. She was cool with it.

Heck, I've even stealth vaped in a movie theatre. I always sit in the back row, wait until the lights are turned down, and do double inhales to eliminate any exhaled vapor.

But I'm ALWAYS mindful to respect others. If asked to not vape somewhere (its never happened), I'll comply.
 
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Bad Ninja

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don't take this wrongly but you're job as a "big box" retailer's manager is to enforce THEIR policies and procedures, not your will/agenda.

I get it.."be cool man...vape stealthily" that's your opinion..like Signmaker said..as an individual that's a go..as a manager, it's abuse of power honestly.

Are you seriously " telling someone else what their job is?"
Really?


what I'd do? (having been in middle management/upper) is run that one past your manager/and find out what the company's policy is..enforce THAT.
:)

The OP didn't mention the name of the store.
"Upper management" usually doesn't have to run store policy by their superiors.
That's why they are "upper management". They are usually charged with making the call.
That's why they make the big bucks.
;)
 

bluecat

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Anyway, the potential issues here are favoritism and discrimination. If the store policy is "No Vaping", and especially if there are signs clearly specifying such, then it needs to be enforced by management. Managers don't set policy, they enforce it. The way it's been described, it's like a manager of a similar store, who happens to be "purple", favoring other "purple" people in their hiring practices. Or a cop, who happens to own a Camaro, letting other Camaro owners slide on speeding tickets just because they're all in the Camaro Club.

There are some stores where the manager establishes some policy or they are left to their own in regard to some matters. The owner does not dictate every line item that has to be followed. That would just be cost prohibited and they would not have a need to pay a mangers salary.

Eeerily, cops are left to their own discretion in handing out tickets. Some could use the option of writing a warning or saying slow down this is your lucky day.
 
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Iffy

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I am dosing on 12 mg nicotine at the moment.

Have you considered bumping that nic level up a lil' bit?
whistle.gif



OP, great 'job'!
thumbsup.gif
 

jambi

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There are some stores where the manager establishes some policy or they are left to their own in regard to some matters. The owner does not dictate every line item that has to be followed. That would just be cost prohibited and they would not have a need to pay a mangers salary.

Eeerily, cops are left to their own discretion in handing out tickets. Some could use the option of writing a warning or saying slow down this is your lucky day.

Yes, discretion is used, and necessarily since there are always extenuating circumstances. But it needs to be applied tactfully.

Based on Op's description, it seems tactful. Just trying to weigh discretion against the policies (if any) that are already in place. The masses don't necessarily take "discretion" into account. If they are led to believe something's prohibited, especially something that has a public health stigma attached (vaping), people tend to jump to the conclusion that their rights are being violated, even if they're not directly affected, and only see it from afar. Example would be someone observes vaping (stealth or otherwise), then observes manager speaking to vaper, then observes vaper continuing to vape. Many people won't care that they don't know exactly what's going on, or that they aren't directly affected. They'll make assumptions and jump to conclusions, and this could cause negative repercussions for the manager if they decide to complain. Having been raised in this particular culture we're referring to, I know there a lot of people in it who are not only prone to being overly sensitive to "their rights being violated", but actually consider it their duty as citizens to report incidents they've been led to believe are "unlawful, against policy", or however you want to describe it.

Whether or not there are advertised policies in place is key, and that was my question. Didn't want to get into an argument over enforcement. I just don't want to see the guy lose his job over "causes". Survival before crusades.
 

xDarkRelic

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No worries Jambi!

It's not common knowledge that a lot of stuff in retail is left up to discretion and not policies now a days. It really depends on areas and customer base.

It's really dependent on the customer, both the person vaping and the potential worrisome. Most of the time the customer doesn't care, they just bring it to my attention. A lot of the times, they also ignore it. But if I can tell they are being annoyed or negative about the other customer, I try to make sure everyone is having a good experience, which is why I talk to the person vaping. Like I said, it's really dependent on where you go, but most places aren't as strict as most people seem to believe.

That was one of the motives of this thread, that I was worried that people felt intimidated by taking a small toot here and there in a store. Like I said, my other 2 great buddies are managers at 2 other stores, and I guarantee that one of them is a store most of us shop at on a regular basis.

I just wanted to put some peace of mind to some people, and I'm sure other people were interested in opinions of the retails world of vaping

:)
 

GinnyTx

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Yup Ninja ..I seriously was :pervy:

in that for HIS protection...I live in the 'burbs with some women that have nothing better to do with their days that narc to "corporate" on some good guy just doin' his job (note the part where I told him at the end I agree wholeheartedly with what he'd doing..I like "good think outside the box" kind of employees..they're happy ones):thumbs:
 

ScandaLeX

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So instead of your silly baited questions why didnt you just come out and say that in the first place. Your opinion is just as valid as the next guys. Even if its conformist , narrow minded in the box, thinking. It takes all kinds to make the world go round.
Love ya Buzz but I disagree. It wasn't a silly baited question. It was a question specifically asked & directed to the OP that you (not OP) insisted on responding to.

Nowhere in the original post did it state the store has a no smoking/no vaping policy so when you said "you know the answer" that would leave us to assume facts not in evidence (I always like saying that line). :p

I for one agree with the poster you're baiting as well as what @GinnyTx said. Said manager is there to manage policy already in place. Allowing vaping merely on the merits of being a fellow vaper is great but not the norm.

In every job I've worked enacting my own policies because I "do it too" wouldn't go over well with the powers that be.

Now if ya'll are done comparing sizes ;) .... Let's move along & get back on topic instead of the verbal battle no one is winning!
 

SissySpike

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Love ya Buzz but I disagree. It wasn't a silly baited question. It was a question specifically asked & directed to the OP that you (not OP) insisted on responding to.

Nowhere in the original post did it state the store has a no smoking/no vaping policy so when you said "you know the answer" that would leave us to assume facts not in evidence (I always like saying that line). :p

I for one agree with the poster you're baiting as well as what @GinnyTx said. Said manager is there to manage policy already in place. Allowing vaping merely on the merits of being a fellow vaper is great but not the norm.

In every job I've worked enacting my own policies because I "do it too" wouldn't go over well with the powers that be.

Now if ya'll are done comparing sizes ;) .... Let's move along & get back on topic instead of the verbal battle no one is winning!
the fore mentioned was dropped yesterday.Thank you for your thoughts.
 
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Robino1

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Actually upper management (and I do mean upper, people I've only heard of and met once) have said that the policy is at the store managers discretion, and even a store colleague discretion if that have a problem with it, which is almost never the case. However if a person is causing a scene or getting multiplie complaints I'm to control the situation. They mean kick that person out (because in that situation, we have every right to ask you to leave, or so they say), which I figure me starting a nice conversation and getting to know my customers is infinitely better than being negative and trying to ask someone to leave.

Also, abuse of power? Abuse of power would be putting up signs everywhere saying no vaping, or telling everyone to just stop. And you may think that's a bit biased since I'm a vaper but most people who don't vape in this store chain won't even do that. They'll just ask them to be more discreet. There's absolutely no abuse of power with the other 10+ store managers I've talked to in this chain.

I figure me giving the person the green light to keep doing it and getting to know them instead of shutting them down completely (which upper management has said to do if needed) is the best and true way to go.

No worries Jambi!

It's not common knowledge that a lot of stuff in retail is left up to discretion and not policies now a days. It really depends on areas and customer base.

It's really dependent on the customer, both the person vaping and the potential worrisome. Most of the time the customer doesn't care, they just bring it to my attention. A lot of the times, they also ignore it. But if I can tell they are being annoyed or negative about the other customer, I try to make sure everyone is having a good experience, which is why I talk to the person vaping. Like I said, it's really dependent on where you go, but most places aren't as strict as most people seem to believe.

That was one of the motives of this thread, that I was worried that people felt intimidated by taking a small toot here and there in a store. Like I said, my other 2 great buddies are managers at 2 other stores, and I guarantee that one of them is a store most of us shop at on a regular basis.

I just wanted to put some peace of mind to some people, and I'm sure other people were interested in opinions of the retails world of vaping

:)

So, bottom line: There is no rule that vaping is specifically banned in the store. Act like a jerk and you get thrown out.

Sounds reasonable. :)

Thanks for this insight to retail management. I think you handled this whole thing very well. Common sense people will comply with common sense and discretion. Jerks will always be jerks. No matter what the situation be it vaping or others.
 

mcclintock

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    My advice would be, dont bring up other complaining customers when asking someone to tone down the vaping. Make the request come from you as a person, and not a big-chain manager who only sees people as potential dollar amounts. You seem to do that pretty well already with the vaping issue, with showing them you're a fellow vaper and you understand.

    The main thing is that businesses don't want a war between vapers, non-vapers, and for that matter, smokers. Seems reasonable to state that there were multiple complaints or that there was a complaint and you do think someone was being excessive and rude. It might would have been good to say "while we normally allow vaping in the store, I've already had 4 complaints from customers in the short while you've been here, so unfortunately I have to ask you to stop or leave". (also, why would someone intentionally blow vapor in your face unless they wanted to annoy -- can't have it both ways -- perhaps in this case the OP was being too kind.)

    I do think if you're going to really enjoy (fully use) your vape, you need to make sure it's allowed and not do that where space does not permit it being reasonably courteous. Big clouds are just simply bigger, they need more real estate. I don't vape in stores because I'm fairly quick, but can imagine cases where a little bit is warranted. I stealth vape a place where it's not really allowed but there's a lot of walking time and sometimes no one is close by. I include in the definition of stealth that it doesn't really look like smoking, it's too quick.

    Seems like this thing of people not knowing what vaping is will eventually end. There may be new complaints but that one's about played out.
     

    freeall

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    Am I the only one who never feels the need to vape in public stores? This whole 'stealth' Vaping thing inside stores and such, it's bizzarre. I've been doin this stuff for over 5 years and not once have I ever vaped in these places.

    I feel like an outsider with this topic. Pun intended. It's amazing how many people do all this 'stealth' stuff lol. Oh you sneaky thing, you.


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