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Person Snaps At A Stranger Who Says They Shouldn’t Be Smoking, Asks If They’re A Jerk
Person Snaps At A Stranger Who Says They Shouldn’t Be Smoking, Asks If They’re A Jerk
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Person Snaps At A Stranger Who Says They Shouldn’t Be Smoking, Asks If They’re A Jerk

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Thousands of strangers around the world cross paths every day. Usually, though, everyone’s going about their business and it doesn’t lead to somewhat significant encounters. Even in the times of pandemic, when people are mostly staying home, grocery shopping has become one of those rare luxuries to be among others browsing through the aisles.

But on some occasions, running into strangers can turn sour. At least this is what happened to one Reddit user who was approached in a grocery store line while picking up a pack of cigarettes for their grandpa. “The guy behind me in line, middle-aged dude, said, ‘you’re so young, you shouldn’t be smoking.’”

Convinced that this was none of the guy’s business, and since he repeated the schooling again, the redditor clapped back. Read the incident in full right below that divided people online, who strived to answer the key question: “AITA for telling a guy behind me in the grocery store line to mind his friggin business?” Share what you think in the comments!

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    This person shared an incident they had while grocery shopping where they were told they shouldn’t smoke by a random stranger

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    To find out more about the incident, Bored Panda reached out to the person who snapped at a stranger for being told they shouldn’t smoke. “I was initially annoyed because I don’t like it when strangers make small talk with me at the grocery store,” the author of “AITA for telling a guy behind me in the grocery store line to mind his friggin business?”, who preferred staying anonymous, explained.

    It turns out, the person had bought cigarettes for their grandpa before, but this was the only time someone had ever commented on them. “I’ve gotten a couple dirty looks, but I just ignore those.”

    At this point, the person who was there to pick up cigarettes for their grandpa had enough and clapped back

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    When asked whether they think it was the right reaction, the person clarified, “I don’t think I was a jerk, I just wasn’t as nice as I could have been. I think to be a jerk, you have to do something a little worse than that.”

    In the end, the person said that they’d probably do the same if a stranger tried to school them. “I would tell them to shut up, as demonstrated by my post.”

    The people were divided over whether the author of the post was a jerk for cursing at a stranger or not

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    In our hectic lives, we are often confronted with strangers who do (or say) something totally discomforting, or plain annoying. It’s incredible to think how much our mood depends on such seemingly meaningless encounters, and how fast our day can turn from hero to zero in a moment.

    It’s no secret that when we get frustrated, most of the time, we jump to dark conclusions quickly. We may even picture ourselves as a target of mockery and harm, and it may make our blood boil. But sometimes an adequate complaint emerges from the assumption we carry in our heads before we say something back to the frustrating stranger.

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    What if we believe that the irritating person is not deliberately trying to irritate us, and doesn’t have an evil plan to prevent us from feeling happy? What if the stranger wasn’t even thinking about us at all, and just uttered something that was on the tip of their tongue?

    This assumption may help you to calm your nerves down and make sure the encounter you have doesn’t escalate into an inadequate situation. After all, it’s yourself whom you should care about, and whatever random strangers the world may bring us, we should all just try to be a little more sure of ourselves.

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    Liucija Adomaite

    Liucija Adomaite

    Writer, Community member

    Read more »

    Liucija Adomaite is a creative mind with years of experience in copywriting. She has a dynamic set of experiences from advertising, academia, and journalism. This time, she has set out on a journey to investigate the ways in which we communicate ideas on a large scale. Her current mission is to find a magic formula for how to make ideas, news, and other such things spread like a virus.

    Read less »
    Liucija Adomaite

    Liucija Adomaite

    Writer, Community member

    Liucija Adomaite is a creative mind with years of experience in copywriting. She has a dynamic set of experiences from advertising, academia, and journalism. This time, she has set out on a journey to investigate the ways in which we communicate ideas on a large scale. Her current mission is to find a magic formula for how to make ideas, news, and other such things spread like a virus.

    Ilona Baliūnaitė

    Ilona Baliūnaitė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

    Read less »

    Ilona Baliūnaitė

    Ilona Baliūnaitė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

    What do you think ?
    H Edwards
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In case anyone is wondering, as a reformed Reddit addict I can tell you that YTA = you're the asshole, NTA = not the asshole and ESH = everyone sucks here.

    WilvanderHeijden
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Upvote much. Languages do change over time, but they never changed this quick in history.

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    Arieke
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As an ex-smoker I can tell you that remarks from other people about quitting do not help at all. It's not like smokers don't know the risks and need to be reminded of them, not by strangers and not by friends either. It has the absolute opposite effect actually. I quit because I got really sick (pneumonia) and had an epiphany about not really helping myself get better by continuing smoking. In any case, I'd let a 92 year smoke their ciggies too, if it makes them happy.

    Martha Meyer
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Grandpa will be happy for five minutes and then at some later point will gruesomely die in front of your eyes from lung cancer. Those five minutes of "happiness" aren't worth it. Quite aside from the fact that passive smoking is also really harmful.

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    Mad Mar
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm a smoker. When outside having a smoke and some random person tells me I shouldn't smoke, I always say, "you shouldn't talk to strangers".

    Nikki
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Was on my smoke break at work, in an area that is generally out of the way of the public, but still very visible, I'm minding my own business, when a couple, possibly late 40's early 50's walks past, and the man, loud enough for me to hear, says, 'People actually still smoke?' It was clearly meant to be condescending and it pissed me off, he was not close enough to be affected by second-hand smoke, I never asked his opinion and if he wanted to make a comment, he could have done so quietly. Self-righteous people like that really should learn to keep their comments to themselves, because if someone mentions something to them that they don't like, they tend to throw tantrums.

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    Marieke
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    NTA. People should not comment on other people's groceries, whatever it it.

    TheLazyHufflepuff
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I mean tbh I don't support or promote smoking. But, a stranger has no say in someone else's personal lives.

    John Clark1842
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Nicotine junkies and their habit of tossing their garbage often still burning into streets and dry grass (starts forest fires) affect lots of people. I lost my apartment and most of what I owned because a nicotine junkie living in the same building decided to sleep holding a still burning cigarette. He survived but I was left homeless.

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    Truth Monster
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If this man told someone they were fat and shouldn't be buying junk food, its the same situation. While smoking is incredibly harmful, its none of his business until our society goes full socialism. Then its not only the "offender" that suffers, but the entire system as well.

    Seabeast
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I live in a "socialist" country and we don't have this.

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    Pamela24
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Absolutely NTA. Of course, smoking is bad for your health but so are many other things that we do. As long as you're smoking where it's allowed, not leaving litter behind you, go ahead. It's your life, your health. We all already know that and telling that to a stranger without any reason to makes you TA in my opinion. We would all get along much better if we just minded our own business (to a reasonable extent, of course). Keep your unsolicited advice to yourself. And as Arieke nicely points out - it's not like it works. It's not like because you told someone in the line at the supermarket that smoking is bad (which everyone knows), you're going to make them realize this "groundbreaking" fact. And just to be sure - I haven't smoked a single cigarette in my life. I'm just really tired of people telling me what I should be doing with my life when I'm not bothering them in any way. And I'm very protective of my life/body autonomy.

    CrunChewy McSandybutt
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I was a smoker I would get s**t from people all the time. One lady admonished me while I smoked during my lunch break. I was well away from any people, she had to go out of her way to approach me. I told her that obesity was just as deadly as smoking (she was a big lady), to which she recoiled in shock and horror. I'm sure it hurt her feelings, but leave people alone, ffs.

    Curry on...
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Years ago, I was buying a pan that was coated in Teflon, and a woman in line proceeded to tell me all the reasons I shouldn't buy it, in a very pushy way. I just turned away and ignored her. I figured I didn't ask for her opinion and I didn't owe her a response.

    Becca Gizmo the Squirrel
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    NTA. The stranger did not need to be judgy, twice. The dude telling him it was for his grandfather should have been enough. Does the stranger think he gave the guy some top secret info when he said smoking was bad? No. Everyone knows it. Leave people alone.

    thepinkrobot
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How hard is it to keep comments about other people to yourself? Mind your own business.

    Bepina
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, no one should smoke, eat fast food such as McDonalds, eat sweets and pastry, drink alcohol, take too much pain killers etc. imagine if someone lectured you if you wanted to buy a bag of chips, a muffin, a bottle of wine or take another pill for headache etc. It was none of his business and he should have kept the opinion to himself.

    Mewton’s Third Paw
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Nobody should eat sweets? Are you making fun of someone who says that or are you actually saying that?

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    Jill Pulcifer
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a smoker, I am so SICK of those people. Everyone of them has the smug "im gonna school you" look. Like I seriously have no idea that its bad for me, like I have lived 40 years in a bubble and this information is life changing. Like im just gonna toss them out and say "thank you sir, I have been mistakenly ingesting poison for the last 25 years. Like dude, Im standing outside in zero degree weather, 25 feet from the building entrance, let me inhale my poison in peace, please? Honestly, Im just happy someone had the nerve to tell one off.

    GC
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have never been a smoker and smokers don’t bother me personally except those who throw their butts on the ground or rudely light up around others without asking first. My mom and brother have severe breathing problems. I actually have a strange nostalgia for cigarette smoke since my uncles smoked when I was a small child. I do understand the 25feet thing though. People are getting better about tossing butts on the ground. Aren’t they?

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    Brett Layton
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a smoker myself keep your health advice to yourself, youre not tellign me anything that isnt on every pack of cigs Ive smoked and have heard a million times before. Its akin to walking up to a chubby person and say you should eat better and exercise more, its like the old bible verse(paraphrased) 'dont worry about the splinter in your neighbors eye when you have an entire plank in your own'

    Jade Lynn - Panda's Brat
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think the stranger should have left this person alone especially after the stranger already gave out unsolicited advice. It's none of your business if some random person smokes. Leave people alone.

    John Clark1842
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Nicotine junkies and their habit of tossing their garbage often still burning into streets and dry grass (starts forest fires) affect lots of people. I lost my apartment and most of what I owned because a nicotine junkie living in the same building decided to sleep holding a still burning cigarette. He survived but I was left homeless and all my multiple generational family stuff was destroyed.

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    Rita Shapiro
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I liken this to someone in line behind me commenting on the gluten in my bread, the cruelty of eating meat, the fat content in my whole milk, yada-yada-yada. Just zip it. This guy failed not just once but twice to control his urge to sound superior, so yeah, swearing at him was brilliant. It will certainly give him pause the next time he feels compelled to demonstrate his smugness.

    Heidi Reynolds
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He got what he asked for, your attention. People should mind their own business and keep their opinions to themselves.

    Mewton’s Third Paw
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I used to smoke. If anyone ever said something like that to me, I would pretend to not hear them. Act like an irrelevant loser, get treated like one. You don’t have to let anyone in your life if you don’t want them. Not even for ten seconds to tell them to fùck off.

    Seabeast
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The guy is "just trying to be friendly"?! What?? No. I'm going to guess this writer is female, because mainly it's girls and women who are expected to view pushy rude behaviour as "just being friendly.

    ⚞ Katniss Everdeen ⚟
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seabeast, you mean well, but that is incredibly misogynistic of you.

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    Marcellus the Third
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In summary, being rude to someone rude doesn't make nice.

    cassiushumanmother
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The "friggin" was too much but sometimes people needs to be smashed. Once there was a huge line at the greengrocer, and an elderly lady behind me repetedly kicked me with her "cartbag", i moved few times and she just continued, over and over. At some point i said to her "are you done yet?!" (something like that in french, meant to misbehaving kids). As if kicking someone will get you a free pass on the line. If she just said "sorry, could you please give me your place on the line, i'm tired/sick..." i would have. The other people on the line saw her game too and no one gave her his place on the line, they just smiled at me. Childish people need to be treated as a child.

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    Carol Lewis
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I watched my brother dying, copd. Smoked most of his life. Laying there gasping and begging to die. It was so freaking horrible to see someone you love suffer like that. Our father died of lung cancer 40 years before that. I never understood how my brother could smoke after seeing dads suffering. I understand the feeling of wanting to tell people not to smoke. But all that said, it is simply none of your business. I will say it is my personal belief that you can convey your displeasure to that person without being rude. This person might have had similar experiences as mine and felt compelled to speak. It wasn't ok to do so but I totally understand it.

    Susan Stead
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Duly noted. Have a nice day." I say that whenever someone butts into my business. And where I'm from, "Have a nice day," is a polite way of telling someone to f*** off.

    ⚞ Katniss Everdeen ⚟
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    NTA. The guy was being really personal, creepy, and kept pushing. After all the stuff the guy said, even once the poster said the cigarettes weren't for him, I'd probably have had a similar reaction.

    Marnie
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A woman at work who is about 300 pounds overweight and who I really liked, gave me grief one day sarcastically about smoking. I looked at her and said, "We can talk about my health issues if it's okay for us to talk about yours." It is absolutely not the kind of thing I would normally say. It was like a demon posessed me. I actually normally don't say anything when someone eays something unexpected. I just think about what I should have said that night. I just went back to work and she never mentioned it again. I felt bad about it.

    GC
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The man in the store was butting in where he didn’t belong. I’d have done the same thing but I hate when people (including the checker) make comments about any of my purchases. Everyone is different. He won’t change. That’s life.

    GC
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I mean I’d have done the same thing regarding the response...I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who would say,”Gosh I love unsolicited advice.”

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    Toast Of Saint Louis
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would say that the man was butting into something that had nothing to do with him. I had a lady tell me that my aunt was gonna to hell for owning a liquor store and I simply said you might wanna relay that to my aunt and not me. I just work there.

    Dan
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nah mind yo biz cuz, in the wrong neighborhood that S$&%%# can get you jumped or stabbed. He should've shut up after the 1st and people can smoke if they want. MIND YO BIZZZZZ.

    Demi Zwaan
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    There was no need for the swearing. He could just tell the guy in a normal way that it was none of his business. It doesn’t hurt to be polite, especially not in a situation like this where you want to teach the other person what isn’t polite (telling a stranger he shouldn’t smoke). So, ESH.

    Zaza Pheuteu
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Is there really an entire post about this? 🤔

    WilvanderHeijden
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    All of the involved people are wrong. The guy giving the advice and the person being " assertive". Why don't we learn to keep our mouths shut and let people be. As my father always said: " It's not your circus, they are not your monkeys, so just let them monkey around."

    John Clark1842
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Nicotine junkies and their habit of tossing their garbage often still burning into streets and dry grass (starts forest fires) effect lots of people. So as you put it, it is our circus.

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    Aragorn II Elessar
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Personally, I can comprehend him warning OP about smoking, but the grandpa? No.

    Florencia Debernardi
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    this is so fake, who needs a trowaway acount for this? is karmafishing

    Stille20
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited)

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    No he shouldn't comment, but also, check your anger. His offense was minimal but you were looking for a fight. "Not shy about public confrontation" sounds like this is not a one off incident.

    GC
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It’s not always so easy. I am a VERY confrontational person when someone says or does something towards me. It’s something I have worked very hard to control but I struggle with it. If this had been me I would have said something. I’m interested to see how others would have dealt with it or that some think the man was trying to be decent because that’s not how I think and it gives me perspective.

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    Wilson Pickett
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    You shouldn't smoke.

    Dorothy Parker
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Keep in mind that it's often reformed smokers who feel they need to say something, especially if they've suffered serious illness due to the habit. Trying to be the bigger person in these encounters lets you walk away feeling pretty good, not having to ask if you're a butt.

    Don't Look
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    This is too much nonsense about nothing. Wow.

    John Clark1842
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Smoking Nearly Doubles the Rate of COVID-19 Progression https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2020/05/417411/smoking-nearly-doubles-rate-covid-19-progression Does Smoking Increase the Risk of Severe COVID-19 Illness? YES https://www.cedars-sinai.org/newsroom/does-smoking-increase-the-risk-of-severe-covid-19-illness/ That means that smokers (nicotine junkies) are more likely to spread the disease to others. Just another reason that strangers are impacted by smoker's choice. Another reason that strangers have a right to voice their concerns. Reproducible science wins everytime.

    Tiffany Weathers
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Maybe it wasn't his business but really, he wasn't wrong. Stop doing that s**t to your bodies. If you want to smoke, smoke weed. Then at least you'll feel good and won't be literally killing yourself with harsh chemicals and s**t. 🤷🏻‍♀️

    Pamela24
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Stop telling people what to do. We all make choices that are more or less unhealthy. The important thing is that they are *choices*. If people decide to slowly kill themselves by smoking, it's still a choice. A wrong one? Possibly. But that isn't really that important.

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    Penny Kemper
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    This just shows the different interpretations or attitude differences in people. Are you going to get make and think the person is a jerk? or are you going to think the person was trying to help, thought the words of a stranger would help? His dad my feel this was also because us older people don't care what others think so we just shrug off intrusive behavior from others. But being angry about says more about who you are than how the strange is... are you angry a lot? Is it because you don't like being told what to do?

    Pamela24
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't mind being told what to do at work by my boss. I do mind being told what to do by a stranger in a grocery store. Really don't think that makes me an asshole.

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    Minh Le
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    It could be that the 'nosy' man just lost someone close to him who was a smoker, and it affected him to the level that he felt the need to warn others about smoking. You never know what he'd been through

    Becca Gizmo the Squirrel
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Because a stranger in the store is going to keep a 92 year old man from smoking? No. The old man knows it is not good for him. Let him be.

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    Julius Martin
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    um, so hes gross for saying she shouldnt smoke, yea it wasnt any of his business, that doesnt make him a creep or gross, the world is so soft, he was just trying to help

    Seabeast
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Funny how it's only women who are expected to take this kind of "help".

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    Solrac
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited)

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Everything you say to a stranger is unsolicited. But I couldn't think of a more harmless unsolicited advice than that. And if he answered back telling the stranger that the cigarettes were for his grandpa, then he allowed the conversation to start and go on. An "ok" or "thank you" was enough to leave it there. Completely overreacted.

    John Clark1842
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited)

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Considering the fact that nicotine junkies regularly toss their garbage in the streets and in the forests it is the business of other people. Additionally, since nicotine junkies have more health problems that require hospitalization that taxpayers must fund, it is other people's business Nicotine junkies have a habit of blowing the stink into other people's faces. The nicotine junkies are making it everyone's business. And of course if the nicotine junkie lives in a multi-family dwelling, falls asleep and starts a fire, it becomes the business of all the people that are left homeless.Yes, that is a thing and happened to me when the apartment building I was living in experienced a fire because of a selfish individual. I lost most of my stuff and I had no where to live since I did not have enough money to put down a new deposit for an apartment.

    cassiushumanmother
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So much HATE! Maybe the fire in your building was a revenge from one of your (numerous i guess) hate victim and was not caused by a "satanic child molester killer of kitten nicotine junkie" ? You just forgot to add that the coronavirus was created in a lab by some "nicotine junkies" because they wanted all the non smoker to die!

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    Maria Ivanilova
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Have you thought about raising your self-esteem and confidence? Because letting every remarks from every random person get to you is just stupid. Instead of asking everyone one if you were right to be offended, ask why on earth were you offended by a random person's random comment.

    Pamela24
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Because it's annoying. Because people should primarily mind their own business. Because people, in general, get so much unsolicited advice all the time and it can get exhausting having to feel guilty, having to deal with that in any way. Let each live their own life and take care of your own. I understand that close people, family, friends can do to a certain extent do this and I'm not saying that's wrong (it can be but it's a grey area and I don't feel like going into specifics in a simple BP comment) but why should a stranger tell me what I should be or shouldn't be doing with my life when I'm not bothering them in any way, not doing anything that's not allowed (like I have no issue with people telling smokers to go away from a children's playground, for example), I don't understand. I have never smoked a single cigarette in my life but I can perfectly understand why that guy was offended/annoyed.

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    Eric Mac Fadden
    Community Member
    5 years ago

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    Smokers are a burden FOR EVERYONE. The guy was right.

    H Edwards
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In case anyone is wondering, as a reformed Reddit addict I can tell you that YTA = you're the asshole, NTA = not the asshole and ESH = everyone sucks here.

    WilvanderHeijden
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Upvote much. Languages do change over time, but they never changed this quick in history.

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    Arieke
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As an ex-smoker I can tell you that remarks from other people about quitting do not help at all. It's not like smokers don't know the risks and need to be reminded of them, not by strangers and not by friends either. It has the absolute opposite effect actually. I quit because I got really sick (pneumonia) and had an epiphany about not really helping myself get better by continuing smoking. In any case, I'd let a 92 year smoke their ciggies too, if it makes them happy.

    Martha Meyer
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Grandpa will be happy for five minutes and then at some later point will gruesomely die in front of your eyes from lung cancer. Those five minutes of "happiness" aren't worth it. Quite aside from the fact that passive smoking is also really harmful.

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    Mad Mar
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm a smoker. When outside having a smoke and some random person tells me I shouldn't smoke, I always say, "you shouldn't talk to strangers".

    Nikki
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Was on my smoke break at work, in an area that is generally out of the way of the public, but still very visible, I'm minding my own business, when a couple, possibly late 40's early 50's walks past, and the man, loud enough for me to hear, says, 'People actually still smoke?' It was clearly meant to be condescending and it pissed me off, he was not close enough to be affected by second-hand smoke, I never asked his opinion and if he wanted to make a comment, he could have done so quietly. Self-righteous people like that really should learn to keep their comments to themselves, because if someone mentions something to them that they don't like, they tend to throw tantrums.

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    Marieke
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    NTA. People should not comment on other people's groceries, whatever it it.

    TheLazyHufflepuff
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I mean tbh I don't support or promote smoking. But, a stranger has no say in someone else's personal lives.

    John Clark1842
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Nicotine junkies and their habit of tossing their garbage often still burning into streets and dry grass (starts forest fires) affect lots of people. I lost my apartment and most of what I owned because a nicotine junkie living in the same building decided to sleep holding a still burning cigarette. He survived but I was left homeless.

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    Truth Monster
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If this man told someone they were fat and shouldn't be buying junk food, its the same situation. While smoking is incredibly harmful, its none of his business until our society goes full socialism. Then its not only the "offender" that suffers, but the entire system as well.

    Seabeast
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I live in a "socialist" country and we don't have this.

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    Pamela24
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Absolutely NTA. Of course, smoking is bad for your health but so are many other things that we do. As long as you're smoking where it's allowed, not leaving litter behind you, go ahead. It's your life, your health. We all already know that and telling that to a stranger without any reason to makes you TA in my opinion. We would all get along much better if we just minded our own business (to a reasonable extent, of course). Keep your unsolicited advice to yourself. And as Arieke nicely points out - it's not like it works. It's not like because you told someone in the line at the supermarket that smoking is bad (which everyone knows), you're going to make them realize this "groundbreaking" fact. And just to be sure - I haven't smoked a single cigarette in my life. I'm just really tired of people telling me what I should be doing with my life when I'm not bothering them in any way. And I'm very protective of my life/body autonomy.

    CrunChewy McSandybutt
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I was a smoker I would get s**t from people all the time. One lady admonished me while I smoked during my lunch break. I was well away from any people, she had to go out of her way to approach me. I told her that obesity was just as deadly as smoking (she was a big lady), to which she recoiled in shock and horror. I'm sure it hurt her feelings, but leave people alone, ffs.

    Curry on...
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Years ago, I was buying a pan that was coated in Teflon, and a woman in line proceeded to tell me all the reasons I shouldn't buy it, in a very pushy way. I just turned away and ignored her. I figured I didn't ask for her opinion and I didn't owe her a response.

    Becca Gizmo the Squirrel
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    NTA. The stranger did not need to be judgy, twice. The dude telling him it was for his grandfather should have been enough. Does the stranger think he gave the guy some top secret info when he said smoking was bad? No. Everyone knows it. Leave people alone.

    thepinkrobot
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How hard is it to keep comments about other people to yourself? Mind your own business.

    Bepina
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, no one should smoke, eat fast food such as McDonalds, eat sweets and pastry, drink alcohol, take too much pain killers etc. imagine if someone lectured you if you wanted to buy a bag of chips, a muffin, a bottle of wine or take another pill for headache etc. It was none of his business and he should have kept the opinion to himself.

    Mewton’s Third Paw
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Nobody should eat sweets? Are you making fun of someone who says that or are you actually saying that?

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    Jill Pulcifer
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a smoker, I am so SICK of those people. Everyone of them has the smug "im gonna school you" look. Like I seriously have no idea that its bad for me, like I have lived 40 years in a bubble and this information is life changing. Like im just gonna toss them out and say "thank you sir, I have been mistakenly ingesting poison for the last 25 years. Like dude, Im standing outside in zero degree weather, 25 feet from the building entrance, let me inhale my poison in peace, please? Honestly, Im just happy someone had the nerve to tell one off.

    GC
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have never been a smoker and smokers don’t bother me personally except those who throw their butts on the ground or rudely light up around others without asking first. My mom and brother have severe breathing problems. I actually have a strange nostalgia for cigarette smoke since my uncles smoked when I was a small child. I do understand the 25feet thing though. People are getting better about tossing butts on the ground. Aren’t they?

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    Brett Layton
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a smoker myself keep your health advice to yourself, youre not tellign me anything that isnt on every pack of cigs Ive smoked and have heard a million times before. Its akin to walking up to a chubby person and say you should eat better and exercise more, its like the old bible verse(paraphrased) 'dont worry about the splinter in your neighbors eye when you have an entire plank in your own'

    Jade Lynn - Panda's Brat
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think the stranger should have left this person alone especially after the stranger already gave out unsolicited advice. It's none of your business if some random person smokes. Leave people alone.

    John Clark1842
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Nicotine junkies and their habit of tossing their garbage often still burning into streets and dry grass (starts forest fires) affect lots of people. I lost my apartment and most of what I owned because a nicotine junkie living in the same building decided to sleep holding a still burning cigarette. He survived but I was left homeless and all my multiple generational family stuff was destroyed.

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    Rita Shapiro
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I liken this to someone in line behind me commenting on the gluten in my bread, the cruelty of eating meat, the fat content in my whole milk, yada-yada-yada. Just zip it. This guy failed not just once but twice to control his urge to sound superior, so yeah, swearing at him was brilliant. It will certainly give him pause the next time he feels compelled to demonstrate his smugness.

    Heidi Reynolds
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He got what he asked for, your attention. People should mind their own business and keep their opinions to themselves.

    Mewton’s Third Paw
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I used to smoke. If anyone ever said something like that to me, I would pretend to not hear them. Act like an irrelevant loser, get treated like one. You don’t have to let anyone in your life if you don’t want them. Not even for ten seconds to tell them to fùck off.

    Seabeast
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The guy is "just trying to be friendly"?! What?? No. I'm going to guess this writer is female, because mainly it's girls and women who are expected to view pushy rude behaviour as "just being friendly.

    ⚞ Katniss Everdeen ⚟
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seabeast, you mean well, but that is incredibly misogynistic of you.

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    Marcellus the Third
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In summary, being rude to someone rude doesn't make nice.

    cassiushumanmother
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The "friggin" was too much but sometimes people needs to be smashed. Once there was a huge line at the greengrocer, and an elderly lady behind me repetedly kicked me with her "cartbag", i moved few times and she just continued, over and over. At some point i said to her "are you done yet?!" (something like that in french, meant to misbehaving kids). As if kicking someone will get you a free pass on the line. If she just said "sorry, could you please give me your place on the line, i'm tired/sick..." i would have. The other people on the line saw her game too and no one gave her his place on the line, they just smiled at me. Childish people need to be treated as a child.

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    Carol Lewis
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I watched my brother dying, copd. Smoked most of his life. Laying there gasping and begging to die. It was so freaking horrible to see someone you love suffer like that. Our father died of lung cancer 40 years before that. I never understood how my brother could smoke after seeing dads suffering. I understand the feeling of wanting to tell people not to smoke. But all that said, it is simply none of your business. I will say it is my personal belief that you can convey your displeasure to that person without being rude. This person might have had similar experiences as mine and felt compelled to speak. It wasn't ok to do so but I totally understand it.

    Susan Stead
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Duly noted. Have a nice day." I say that whenever someone butts into my business. And where I'm from, "Have a nice day," is a polite way of telling someone to f*** off.

    ⚞ Katniss Everdeen ⚟
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    NTA. The guy was being really personal, creepy, and kept pushing. After all the stuff the guy said, even once the poster said the cigarettes weren't for him, I'd probably have had a similar reaction.

    Marnie
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A woman at work who is about 300 pounds overweight and who I really liked, gave me grief one day sarcastically about smoking. I looked at her and said, "We can talk about my health issues if it's okay for us to talk about yours." It is absolutely not the kind of thing I would normally say. It was like a demon posessed me. I actually normally don't say anything when someone eays something unexpected. I just think about what I should have said that night. I just went back to work and she never mentioned it again. I felt bad about it.

    GC
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The man in the store was butting in where he didn’t belong. I’d have done the same thing but I hate when people (including the checker) make comments about any of my purchases. Everyone is different. He won’t change. That’s life.

    GC
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I mean I’d have done the same thing regarding the response...I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who would say,”Gosh I love unsolicited advice.”

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    Toast Of Saint Louis
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would say that the man was butting into something that had nothing to do with him. I had a lady tell me that my aunt was gonna to hell for owning a liquor store and I simply said you might wanna relay that to my aunt and not me. I just work there.

    Dan
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nah mind yo biz cuz, in the wrong neighborhood that S$&%%# can get you jumped or stabbed. He should've shut up after the 1st and people can smoke if they want. MIND YO BIZZZZZ.

    Demi Zwaan
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    There was no need for the swearing. He could just tell the guy in a normal way that it was none of his business. It doesn’t hurt to be polite, especially not in a situation like this where you want to teach the other person what isn’t polite (telling a stranger he shouldn’t smoke). So, ESH.

    Zaza Pheuteu
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Is there really an entire post about this? 🤔

    WilvanderHeijden
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    All of the involved people are wrong. The guy giving the advice and the person being " assertive". Why don't we learn to keep our mouths shut and let people be. As my father always said: " It's not your circus, they are not your monkeys, so just let them monkey around."

    John Clark1842
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Nicotine junkies and their habit of tossing their garbage often still burning into streets and dry grass (starts forest fires) effect lots of people. So as you put it, it is our circus.

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    Aragorn II Elessar
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Personally, I can comprehend him warning OP about smoking, but the grandpa? No.

    Florencia Debernardi
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    this is so fake, who needs a trowaway acount for this? is karmafishing

    Stille20
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited)

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    No he shouldn't comment, but also, check your anger. His offense was minimal but you were looking for a fight. "Not shy about public confrontation" sounds like this is not a one off incident.

    GC
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It’s not always so easy. I am a VERY confrontational person when someone says or does something towards me. It’s something I have worked very hard to control but I struggle with it. If this had been me I would have said something. I’m interested to see how others would have dealt with it or that some think the man was trying to be decent because that’s not how I think and it gives me perspective.

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    Wilson Pickett
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    You shouldn't smoke.

    Dorothy Parker
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Keep in mind that it's often reformed smokers who feel they need to say something, especially if they've suffered serious illness due to the habit. Trying to be the bigger person in these encounters lets you walk away feeling pretty good, not having to ask if you're a butt.

    Don't Look
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    This is too much nonsense about nothing. Wow.

    John Clark1842
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Smoking Nearly Doubles the Rate of COVID-19 Progression https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2020/05/417411/smoking-nearly-doubles-rate-covid-19-progression Does Smoking Increase the Risk of Severe COVID-19 Illness? YES https://www.cedars-sinai.org/newsroom/does-smoking-increase-the-risk-of-severe-covid-19-illness/ That means that smokers (nicotine junkies) are more likely to spread the disease to others. Just another reason that strangers are impacted by smoker's choice. Another reason that strangers have a right to voice their concerns. Reproducible science wins everytime.

    Tiffany Weathers
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Maybe it wasn't his business but really, he wasn't wrong. Stop doing that s**t to your bodies. If you want to smoke, smoke weed. Then at least you'll feel good and won't be literally killing yourself with harsh chemicals and s**t. 🤷🏻‍♀️

    Pamela24
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Stop telling people what to do. We all make choices that are more or less unhealthy. The important thing is that they are *choices*. If people decide to slowly kill themselves by smoking, it's still a choice. A wrong one? Possibly. But that isn't really that important.

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    Penny Kemper
    Community Member
    5 years ago

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    This just shows the different interpretations or attitude differences in people. Are you going to get make and think the person is a jerk? or are you going to think the person was trying to help, thought the words of a stranger would help? His dad my feel this was also because us older people don't care what others think so we just shrug off intrusive behavior from others. But being angry about says more about who you are than how the strange is... are you angry a lot? Is it because you don't like being told what to do?

    Pamela24
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't mind being told what to do at work by my boss. I do mind being told what to do by a stranger in a grocery store. Really don't think that makes me an asshole.

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    Minh Le
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    It could be that the 'nosy' man just lost someone close to him who was a smoker, and it affected him to the level that he felt the need to warn others about smoking. You never know what he'd been through

    Becca Gizmo the Squirrel
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Because a stranger in the store is going to keep a 92 year old man from smoking? No. The old man knows it is not good for him. Let him be.

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    Julius Martin
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    um, so hes gross for saying she shouldnt smoke, yea it wasnt any of his business, that doesnt make him a creep or gross, the world is so soft, he was just trying to help

    Seabeast
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Funny how it's only women who are expected to take this kind of "help".

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    Solrac
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited)

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Everything you say to a stranger is unsolicited. But I couldn't think of a more harmless unsolicited advice than that. And if he answered back telling the stranger that the cigarettes were for his grandpa, then he allowed the conversation to start and go on. An "ok" or "thank you" was enough to leave it there. Completely overreacted.

    John Clark1842
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited)

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Considering the fact that nicotine junkies regularly toss their garbage in the streets and in the forests it is the business of other people. Additionally, since nicotine junkies have more health problems that require hospitalization that taxpayers must fund, it is other people's business Nicotine junkies have a habit of blowing the stink into other people's faces. The nicotine junkies are making it everyone's business. And of course if the nicotine junkie lives in a multi-family dwelling, falls asleep and starts a fire, it becomes the business of all the people that are left homeless.Yes, that is a thing and happened to me when the apartment building I was living in experienced a fire because of a selfish individual. I lost most of my stuff and I had no where to live since I did not have enough money to put down a new deposit for an apartment.

    cassiushumanmother
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So much HATE! Maybe the fire in your building was a revenge from one of your (numerous i guess) hate victim and was not caused by a "satanic child molester killer of kitten nicotine junkie" ? You just forgot to add that the coronavirus was created in a lab by some "nicotine junkies" because they wanted all the non smoker to die!

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    Maria Ivanilova
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Have you thought about raising your self-esteem and confidence? Because letting every remarks from every random person get to you is just stupid. Instead of asking everyone one if you were right to be offended, ask why on earth were you offended by a random person's random comment.

    Pamela24
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Because it's annoying. Because people should primarily mind their own business. Because people, in general, get so much unsolicited advice all the time and it can get exhausting having to feel guilty, having to deal with that in any way. Let each live their own life and take care of your own. I understand that close people, family, friends can do to a certain extent do this and I'm not saying that's wrong (it can be but it's a grey area and I don't feel like going into specifics in a simple BP comment) but why should a stranger tell me what I should be or shouldn't be doing with my life when I'm not bothering them in any way, not doing anything that's not allowed (like I have no issue with people telling smokers to go away from a children's playground, for example), I don't understand. I have never smoked a single cigarette in my life but I can perfectly understand why that guy was offended/annoyed.

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    Eric Mac Fadden
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Smokers are a burden FOR EVERYONE. The guy was right.

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