Posts by Gary Cox72

So, Rise—which look is sexier: the ones with a cigar or without?

Throughout human history, smoking served a purpose for the greater good only during those specific moments when a "peace pipe" was shared. 😁 Perhaps a few lives were actually saved that way. Nowadays, even that ritual has lost its significance.

So, the conclusion remains: smoking is harmful.

P.S: My avatar has absolutely nothing to do with this conclusion. 😁

Jamie Newman40 said:Aha, so if it makes someone feel good, they think it's tolerable. But what about children's health? Why isn't anyone raising an issue there?

That’s exactly my point—we're looking at blatant discrimination against one group over another.

If cars and smoking are both detrimental to health, then both should be banned; otherwise, we're just talking about discrimination. The only way a smoking ban wouldn't fall under that umbrella is if cigarettes were made illegal entirely—something akin to Prohibition. Now, that would be an interesting movie to watch.

Oh, people definitely complain. Just as more vehicles lead to higher pollution, technology and new regulations try to stay ahead of the curve. We see it through the search for alternative fuels, mandatory catalytic converters in new cars, emission testing during inspections, and even traffic bans in specific zones or on certain days (it's done in places like Italy, for instance).

The bottom line is that vehicle use is unavoidable given how modern life functions. Imagine the impact on the economy and basic human needs if cars simply didn't exist.

And when you weigh the pros and cons of cars versus cigarettes, it turns out there is essentially zero benefit to cigarettes. You can live without them—and certainly better for it—but in this day and age, living without motor vehicles is practically impossible (regardless of their negative impact).

Regarding exhaust fumes, you're right—they're harmful. But then again, vehicle usage has its own "defense" 😁, namely that cars are an absolute necessity these days for moving people and freight. As for smoking, what exactly is the benefit there?

Jamie Newman40 said:Lisa Morales4 div>

Well, they aren't quite the same thing. It’s true that the moment you get behind the wheel, you become a potential participant in an accident; however, people use cars primarily out of necessity—and with the baseline assumption that a crash won't happen.

Smoking is different—it's a pleasure, sure, but it's also an addiction that undeniably harms health, both for the smoker and those nearby (passive smokers).

Jamie Newman40 said:You can live without cigarettes, and you can live without a car.

I, for one, could manage without a vehicle—so what’s the plan now?

Regardless, you probably shouldn't be asking Lisa Morales4 for rides in her car anyway. 😬 🤣

Anthony Kim18 said:And why exactly should they?

Because it’s just common courtesy—you ask the people you're hanging out with if they mind before you light up. It shows a bit of respect for those who might be sensitive to it; some people really can't handle smoke being right in their face.

That said, if you're at a spot where everyone is smoking like there's no tomorrow—say, a dive bar or a club—then there's really no point in asking. You wouldn't even hear the answer over the noise, and besides, half the crowd is likely smoking anyway. 😬

Raymond Kelly44 said:I actually appreciate heading out to the strip because when I get home, I don't reek of smoke. If I just grab a coffee at a cafe in Chicago, I end up smelling like a walking chimney for the rest of the day.

But honestly, if we're being real—especially since I've noticed this in the city—former smokers are way more high-maintenance than non-smokers. When they actually used to smoke, they’d just blast the smoke right in your face and nobody said a word.

I let people smoke in my apartment, but since cigarettes are so expensive now, hardly anyone does it. On the rare occasion someone lights up, it's maybe two cigarettes for the whole evening.

It’s the same deal in Italy, where smoking is banned in most establishments unless they have a dedicated smoking room. It's a world away from what you're describing in America—where, as you noted, the smell clings to you all day long. Over there, the crowds in the bars just smoke like there's no tomorrow.

Nathan Kern77 said:They aren't my people, they're his. Most of his family too. He smokes, and to them, it’s perfectly normal for everyone to light up. What are they like? Some of them probably smoke right in front of their kids and then wonder why they can't get rid of bronchitis... I don't know. It's fine by him, and I guess it's fine by them, but if he won't tell them, I will. In my house, there's no smoking. Period. I hate it when everything smells like cigarettes for five days straight—when the scent gets trapped in the clothes, the carpet, the curtains, the couches... Not to mention having to repaint constantly because the corners near the ceiling turn black. Disgusting. Like I said, plenty of people here still don't get it—they lack any empathy for non-smokers since they're the majority—so it wouldn't take much for someone to take offense if you told them smoking isn't allowed indoors.
My biggest fear is being the lone voice against the majority while he... well, I know he'd just say "let it go." I'm worried I won't be able to hold my ground alone. And what happens in the winter when it's freezing on the balcony? But they insist on doing it inside because they have to burn through two packs a day? Just pathetic, really. My friends don't smoke. Now that I actually think about it—not a single one of them.

If that's the case, your only move is to tell them you might just invite Sarah James4 over too, "so they can get handled that way". 😬 🤣

Nathan Kern77 said:👍

One thing has been weighing on me lately. My partner smokes—not much, and rarely right in front of me since he knows it bothers me—but we're moving in together soon and I've already 😈 😈 made it clear there’s no smoking in the house, period. His response? "What if people come over?" Fine. I'm totally okay with no smoking inside; you go out to the balcony or the backyard. That's standard. I don't want to be the neighborhood killjoy, but honestly, the smoke is starting to choke me. What am I supposed to do here?

Looks like I might end up being the old hag with an empty house after all.😢

Moving in with the wrong crowd, I see. 😁

But in all seriousness—what kind of friends are they if they find it difficult to step onto a balcony when the craving hits? Just ask them nicely. That's it.
For instance, my partner isn't a smoker, and neither am I (she's particularly sensitive to it), yet our smoking friends always respect our space when they visit. Our house isn't empty because of it.

I don't smoke.

Fair enough, it’s a good idea. 🙂

Actually, now that I think about it, back when I first started using this forum, I turned that option on—but only to get the email alerts. Eventually, I realized it was just too much noise, and I never really bothered to dive deep into those kinds of forum settings. 😁

Yeah, yeah, thanks. 🙂 I figured things out in the meantime and everything cleared up—I saw you posted.

Hey. 🙂

Actually, I just tried that myself—but it isn't working for me, specifically regarding this thread. It didn't show that you posted. Any idea what the catch might be?

Alright, you might catch this response over there as well. 😉

It’s pretty standard—it makes for a rather interesting page when it keeps pointing back to my posts. 🙂

Charles Ramirez59 said:Why not just hit settings menu instead of jumping straight to a private message? 😁

It presents a much more interesting interface. 😁

It’s easiest if you just follow this:

1. Click on "private message"
2. Open the "settings menu"—you'll find the link on the left-hand side
3. You will see a checkbox labeled "Use Incognito mode"

Gary Harris6, an individual in the US doesn't pay capital gains tax on investment funds—provided they realize those gains by exiting the fund. In Italy, for instance, you do pay it, just like everywhere else in the West. When it comes to investing and banking services, things are significantly less favorable over here.

Kyle Nelson2 said:Yeah—the issue arises when, say, a friend working at a bank tells you that if she takes out a mortgage, her monthly payment will be $0.93 for 30 years—assuming she’s making maybe 5-$$2000k a month. The real problem is having 40% of your paycheck swallowed by a loan for the next three decades...

True; it isn't easy to shell out that much every single month. But what’s the alternative? As much as it sucks, it’s still smarter to pay toward a mortgage than to throw money away on $0.83 rent or, worse, living with your parents.

What were your options 7 or 8 years ago? I know firsthand—I was practically turning the country upside down back then just trying to qualify for a loan. Getting approved was nearly impossible, and interest rates were significantly higher than they are today. The only saving grace was that housing prices were lower—but even then, good luck actually getting the loan.

Linda Morales said:No, because of good looks? What kind of question is that even supposed to be?

They gave them to me. I mean it, seriously...

It's a logical question—it helps measure the length of one's nose. 😉