The Smoking Room
Discussion
Stayed for more than one pint in a no smoking pub last night. The first and probably last time I've ever done that. What a stupid idea.
It was pretty dead, even for a Wednesday night, and the people that were there were quiet and sensible types, eating chicken burgers and talking mostly about television from what I could tell.
It didn't help that I was with my girlfriend and someone she used to work with, so conversation naturally tended to be girly tittle tattle about people they worked with and other trivial matters. In happier times this would have presented plenty of opportunities for me to steer the conversation around to matters of high principle. However every time I managed to steer the conversation around to a more a sensible subject all my good work was undone as soon as I had to go out for a cigarette. Worse still I lost my train of thought, depriving them of my wisdom forever.
Outside in the leper colony, most of the smokers were chavs who I suppose are comfortable standing around in the cold watching passers by as this is what they do anyway. There was also an American tourist, presumably filling in a quiet evening with the novelty of a pub. Respectable smokers no longer go to pubs.
This is sad, because it simply wasn't a problem before. Most none smokers were not so bothered about smoking that it put them off going to pubs. Many people who didn't normally smoke would smoke socially when in pubs. Most pubs had none smoking areas, and these were usually empty. As for the idea that it's for the benefit of bar staff - most bar staff smoke anyway, and anyone so averse to smoking that they can't stand to be in a normal pub is unlikely to go for a job working behind a bar.
That's sad, but the ban is inexcusable because a pub isn't just a normal bar like you'd find in America. It's sort of like the smoking room for people who live in small houses. A traditionally male domain where drink flows freely and strongly held opinions are shared in a thick haze of smoke. An adult world where enjoyment of alcohol is expected, and the interfering busy bodies are a topic of ridicule.
What right do they have to say that all pubs everywhere must prohibit their staff, their customers and even their owners who often live there, from something that has not caused them any problems over the previous decades and centuries where pubs had no such law?
However, although the blame for this travesty ultimately lies wtih the government, why on earth isn't there mass disobedience about it? Why are we in this country so utterly spineless on these things? Would we be less so, as some argue, if we were a republic who had thrown off our monarchy in a popular revolt? Is it a mass loss of self confidence caused by our decline as a world power? Or are we just an inherently gutless nation who let ourselves be ruled by these morons?
And more importantly, when are we going to stand up for ourselves and tell them to
off?
It was pretty dead, even for a Wednesday night, and the people that were there were quiet and sensible types, eating chicken burgers and talking mostly about television from what I could tell.
It didn't help that I was with my girlfriend and someone she used to work with, so conversation naturally tended to be girly tittle tattle about people they worked with and other trivial matters. In happier times this would have presented plenty of opportunities for me to steer the conversation around to matters of high principle. However every time I managed to steer the conversation around to a more a sensible subject all my good work was undone as soon as I had to go out for a cigarette. Worse still I lost my train of thought, depriving them of my wisdom forever.
Outside in the leper colony, most of the smokers were chavs who I suppose are comfortable standing around in the cold watching passers by as this is what they do anyway. There was also an American tourist, presumably filling in a quiet evening with the novelty of a pub. Respectable smokers no longer go to pubs.
This is sad, because it simply wasn't a problem before. Most none smokers were not so bothered about smoking that it put them off going to pubs. Many people who didn't normally smoke would smoke socially when in pubs. Most pubs had none smoking areas, and these were usually empty. As for the idea that it's for the benefit of bar staff - most bar staff smoke anyway, and anyone so averse to smoking that they can't stand to be in a normal pub is unlikely to go for a job working behind a bar.
That's sad, but the ban is inexcusable because a pub isn't just a normal bar like you'd find in America. It's sort of like the smoking room for people who live in small houses. A traditionally male domain where drink flows freely and strongly held opinions are shared in a thick haze of smoke. An adult world where enjoyment of alcohol is expected, and the interfering busy bodies are a topic of ridicule.
What right do they have to say that all pubs everywhere must prohibit their staff, their customers and even their owners who often live there, from something that has not caused them any problems over the previous decades and centuries where pubs had no such law?
However, although the blame for this travesty ultimately lies wtih the government, why on earth isn't there mass disobedience about it? Why are we in this country so utterly spineless on these things? Would we be less so, as some argue, if we were a republic who had thrown off our monarchy in a popular revolt? Is it a mass loss of self confidence caused by our decline as a world power? Or are we just an inherently gutless nation who let ourselves be ruled by these morons?
And more importantly, when are we going to stand up for ourselves and tell them to
off?My spin on all this?
Until the ban a couple of my colleagues and i would go for a pint after close in Friday. We don't anymore unless it's a warn day and we can sit outside. We used to actually get quite a lot of office management stuff done in that 30-60mins and bounce issues with various matters off each other. We don't get the chance to do that.
Some nights the g/f and I go for a walk to chat, unwind and so on. Often we would stop at a pub on the way back and have a couple. Now we go straight home 99% of the time or take a can or two and pause by the river to sit and drink it. (obviously the darker nights have kerbed this a little anyway though I would concede)
We don't tend to meet up with friends for a drink in the pub much these days. we go round to theirs. Even with non-smoking friends where we pop out the front or into the garden, rather than go to the pub.
I am not the only person who has found this. Sure if a load of us are meeting up it will still happen in a pub as a rule, but most of us will be outside and the evenings aren't as long or enjoyable, until we end up back at another's house.
I do agree that you shouldn't have smoking in restaurants and that there should be efficient air con where allowed but the ban has stopped many impromptu visits to pubs and changed many of our nights out. Hey and guess what? It's getting more and more the case now it's getting wetter and colder outside!
The way this is going I can see pub visits being all but gone in a few months, only to return with the warmer weather.
Yeh I hate it! I need at least one fag with every pint and its so shit having to go outside all the time. A lot of my non smoker friends have also complained as whenever we go out to the pub half the table leave evry so often to have a fag. And dont get me started on the chavs who just seem to now just stay at the smoking area outside and not move all night even if its pissing it down!
IMO they should have a few pubs smoking and a few non smoking then its up to the individual where they go. I wonder how long the non smoking pubs would last then?
IMO they should have a few pubs smoking and a few non smoking then its up to the individual where they go. I wonder how long the non smoking pubs would last then?
FiveStar said:
IMO they should have a few pubs smoking and a few non smoking then its up to the individual where they go. I wonder how long the non smoking pubs would last then?
A number of them tried it.they dived, hence the law to tell us what is best for us.
The truth is that we shouldn't really be smoking, it isn't good for us and many don't like it. that said it's still a free country (just) and if i want to exchange a year extra years of pissing and dribbling over myself whilst being fed something that looks like the results of 2 kebabs and 2 bottles of vodka for a few smokes a day that's my choice. Actually the last sentence is a bit frivolous, I know the real risks I am taking but an prepared to run the risks. I'm a big boy now and will take my own chance; I will only have one person to blame if it goes tits up. Life is too short and you're here for a good time, not a long one and all that.
The difference with flying is that it's an evil necessity, for me at any rate. I HATE it, and if at all practical I would drive everywhere. I'm going to Greece next Friday for about 6 days, and I seriously considered driving there.
In the end I will fly because it's about £150 where as driving there would be getting on for £1000 all in. I'll get some nicotine gum and put up with not smoking for a few hours.
I'm going to New Zealand next month and that will be a killer, but driving there is even more impractical!
Going to a pub is meant to be a pleasure, but when it's a no smoking pub it simply isn't, and msot times I would rather not bother.
In the end I will fly because it's about £150 where as driving there would be getting on for £1000 all in. I'll get some nicotine gum and put up with not smoking for a few hours.
I'm going to New Zealand next month and that will be a killer, but driving there is even more impractical!
Going to a pub is meant to be a pleasure, but when it's a no smoking pub it simply isn't, and msot times I would rather not bother.
Edited by AJS- on Thursday 18th October 12:12
Me and the almost Mrs Hondafanatic go to the pub more often since the smoking ban because we don't stink of smoke when we leave.
However, I'm personally not against people smoking in a pub, because I've the choice not to go...in my case, being a non-smoker in my local put me firmly in the minority, therefore, I don't see why my actions should imped those wanting to smoke..i've a choice to stay at home or put up with stinky clothes.
I know the landlord really well, and he said his wet trade is down a bit, but his food trade is up massively, and he's fine with that...however, he said it's like running a cafe, the atmosphere of the pub has gone and he's stopped booking live bands because everyone ends up outside. So I guess the bands might suffer from lack of bookings...but this is only at my local, don't know about other pubs.
No idea why I've typed all that up...so to keep it within the SP&L theme, I was in a club/bar the first day of the smoking ban. It stays open until 8am. It was 7:30am, so technically the ban had come into affect (or effect?) therefore, the bibs walked around from HQ two streets away, fined some of the people still smoking and whacked a fine on the bar itself...I never understood why they just didn't warn people and not get everyone's back up...good community policing?
However, I'm personally not against people smoking in a pub, because I've the choice not to go...in my case, being a non-smoker in my local put me firmly in the minority, therefore, I don't see why my actions should imped those wanting to smoke..i've a choice to stay at home or put up with stinky clothes.
I know the landlord really well, and he said his wet trade is down a bit, but his food trade is up massively, and he's fine with that...however, he said it's like running a cafe, the atmosphere of the pub has gone and he's stopped booking live bands because everyone ends up outside. So I guess the bands might suffer from lack of bookings...but this is only at my local, don't know about other pubs.
No idea why I've typed all that up...so to keep it within the SP&L theme, I was in a club/bar the first day of the smoking ban. It stays open until 8am. It was 7:30am, so technically the ban had come into affect (or effect?) therefore, the bibs walked around from HQ two streets away, fined some of the people still smoking and whacked a fine on the bar itself...I never understood why they just didn't warn people and not get everyone's back up...good community policing?
I'm sorry you miss the pubs for the atmosphere.
I as a non smoker never enjoyed going into smokey pubs and would often turn straight around if on opening the door the atmosphere was really smokey.
However I have a plan. I am currently in negotiation with a mojor brewery chain to install dry ice machines into their chain of bars.
This along with a new brand of alcohol free 'alcopops' well its bottles of cola actually will make pubs safe and full of atmosphere.
There is one problem this smoking ban has created though.
When I go clubbing now I can actually see how grubby the surroundings are I am sat in , I can also see how unnatractive , sweaty and wrinkly the ladies are and for that reason I too have lost some of the 'joi de vivre'
I as a non smoker never enjoyed going into smokey pubs and would often turn straight around if on opening the door the atmosphere was really smokey.
However I have a plan. I am currently in negotiation with a mojor brewery chain to install dry ice machines into their chain of bars.
This along with a new brand of alcohol free 'alcopops' well its bottles of cola actually will make pubs safe and full of atmosphere.
There is one problem this smoking ban has created though.
When I go clubbing now I can actually see how grubby the surroundings are I am sat in , I can also see how unnatractive , sweaty and wrinkly the ladies are and for that reason I too have lost some of the 'joi de vivre'
oldsoak said:
Before the smoking ban came into force, how long did you spend (per night)in a pub...1,2... 3hours?
Do you still go abroad for your hols? How long a flight?
Ah but if you want to go to America, aus, etc you all but have to take a plane. I can happily (well put up Do you still go abroad for your hols? How long a flight?
) with not being able to smoke for 16 hours or whatever if i am on a plan. that is what vodka and orange juice and chewing gum was invented for On the other hand in the choice between spending 3-4 hours at £2.50 for a pint in a pub where I can't smoke or £8 for 8 Peronis in a mates house where I can't smoke where do you think I am more likely to go? Even better I don't have to play 'avoid the nutter chav', 'hold your breath for the time it takes you to have a pee', p'ull you phone off the sticky table' and all the other old games
Even more of a no brainer if it's a friend who smokes in their own house (I don't unless I'm under the extractor fan 99.99% of the time)
mark69sheer said:
I'm sorry you miss the pubs for the atmosphere.
Being 100% honest it's about the only thing I miss it for.I have a g/f I love so not the the eternal hunt for...
All but one of my friends has their own house.
Sometimes it is nice to be about with others who are out granted, but then if i want to do that now i'll go out for a meal, not a drink.
I too hate smokey enviroments and would walk out of one pub to go to another if it was badly ventilated.
Even as a smoker I hated pubs that didn't have adequate ventilation - there's nothing worse than breathing in someone else's smoke so I feel the non-smoker's pain.
The ban in pubs doesn't really bother me - whereas upon getting pissed with mates one would adopt a chain smoking policy to make the Marlboro man proud, getting up and going outside for one does reduce the amount I smoke. Also, it's quite a jovial atmos outside among the smokers - a couple of my non-smoking mates come out too for the social side.
I do object to banning it in venues like work. We used to have a small smoking room in our work building. Out of a 25,000 sqm building we had a room, 12ft x 12ft for the smoker tucked right in the corner away from everyone. This did not affect any non-smoker - if you didn't want to go in it, you didn't and it didn't affect your life. The poxy government have taken this away now and I'm reduced to standing out in the pissing rain twice a day out the front
The ban in pubs doesn't really bother me - whereas upon getting pissed with mates one would adopt a chain smoking policy to make the Marlboro man proud, getting up and going outside for one does reduce the amount I smoke. Also, it's quite a jovial atmos outside among the smokers - a couple of my non-smoking mates come out too for the social side.
I do object to banning it in venues like work. We used to have a small smoking room in our work building. Out of a 25,000 sqm building we had a room, 12ft x 12ft for the smoker tucked right in the corner away from everyone. This did not affect any non-smoker - if you didn't want to go in it, you didn't and it didn't affect your life. The poxy government have taken this away now and I'm reduced to standing out in the pissing rain twice a day out the front
Up here in Scotland we've had the smoking ban for ages now. I'm a non smoker, but people smoking in pubs wasn't something that particularly bothered me.
However a year and a half after the ban coming into force, I think it's the best thing that ever happened, and the only good thing the hopeless Scottish Executive have ever done.
The pubs, on a Friday night anyway, are just as busy as they always were, and there's no loss of atmosphere. The only difference now is, at the end of the night you don't have to come home and have a shower, and put every item of clothing you were wearing into the wash to get rid of the smell of smoke.
Most people seem ok with the ban up here, and I've never seen anyone flouting it.
However a year and a half after the ban coming into force, I think it's the best thing that ever happened, and the only good thing the hopeless Scottish Executive have ever done.
The pubs, on a Friday night anyway, are just as busy as they always were, and there's no loss of atmosphere. The only difference now is, at the end of the night you don't have to come home and have a shower, and put every item of clothing you were wearing into the wash to get rid of the smell of smoke.
Most people seem ok with the ban up here, and I've never seen anyone flouting it.
Going outside can be quite fun depending who else is there. Surrey is usually pretty dull on stuff like that as everyone thinks a stranger talking to you means trouble.
Actually most of my friends from university were the ones who would be outside smoking in all weathers. The difference again though, is that I did actually want to be at university and want to get a degree. I accepted that the lecture theatres were none smoking and put up with that. With pubs though, drinking and smoking, and being generally relaxed about that is part of the pleasure of going there.
Actually most of my friends from university were the ones who would be outside smoking in all weathers. The difference again though, is that I did actually want to be at university and want to get a degree. I accepted that the lecture theatres were none smoking and put up with that. With pubs though, drinking and smoking, and being generally relaxed about that is part of the pleasure of going there.
Haha, funny you should say that, I also ordered a meal in this pub - chicken and bacon thingy, and the girl behind the bar, unquestioningly following her computer's prompts, asked if I wanted that rare, medium or well done.
Not a very good idea to eat chicken there, especially not if it's rare...
Not a very good idea to eat chicken there, especially not if it's rare...
The smoking ban is just another example of the nanny state knowing better. There is absolutely no reason that the ban had to be absolute or apply to members clubs. It is purely down to the anti-smoking nazis who want to stop others doing it because they don't like it. There is certainly room for non-smoking and smoking pubs. The fact that the only place it doesn't apply is the Houses of Parliament speaks volumes.
Well nanny has been busy.
If she can ban smoking then what else can she ban.
we have had
fox hunting
smoking
so far
and no riots in the street
Every telephone text or phone call is now kept on a database for any one of 750 govt agencies to pry on for whatever reason.
What is the next ban?,
Living in your own house when you retire . .er they have banned that too.
As far as Mr Brunstrom goes I hope he is not stupid enough (well he is but) to think that legalising drugs is a simple affair.
Would they then be:-
allowed to drop dirty needles
shoot up in public
leave drugs eqpt in refuse bins or be subject to controls on hypodermics.
If she can ban smoking then what else can she ban.
we have had
fox hunting
smoking
so far
and no riots in the street
Every telephone text or phone call is now kept on a database for any one of 750 govt agencies to pry on for whatever reason.
What is the next ban?,
Living in your own house when you retire . .er they have banned that too.
As far as Mr Brunstrom goes I hope he is not stupid enough (well he is but) to think that legalising drugs is a simple affair.
Would they then be:-
allowed to drop dirty needles
shoot up in public
leave drugs eqpt in refuse bins or be subject to controls on hypodermics.
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