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Path: utzoo!watmath!watdcsu!dmcanzi
From: dmcanzi@watdcsu.UUCP (David Canzi)
Newsgroups: net.misc
Subject: Re: Re: Why Smoke?
Message-ID: <323@watdcsu.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 27-Jul-84 01:48:41 EDT
Article-I.D.: watdcsu.323
Posted: Fri Jul 27 01:48:41 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 28-Jul-84 20:19:53 EDT
References: <1546@zehntel.UUCP>, <1694@seismo.UUCP>
Organization: U of Waterloo, Ontario
Lines: 22

> Why not just
> say, "Pardon me, would it bother you if I smoke?"  and if the answer is "No"
> or "Go right ahead" then fire that Camel up.  

For a short while several years ago, many smokers *were* asking other people
if they minded.  I don't know what suddenly possessed them to do this after 
years of just presuming nobody minded.  For a little while I could easily
let them know I *did* mind.  It didn't take long for the majority of
smokers to stop asking.  Any behaviourist could explain what happened.
When they asked, the answer was often "yes".  When they went ahead 
without asking nonsmokers seldom objected.  They were punished for being
considerate and rewarded for being inconsiderate.

If nonsmokers were to object when smokers light up without asking, then those
smokers who didn't ask first would be inconvenienced by having to put out
a partly burned cigarette, while those who did ask would be spared this 
annoyance.  So smokers would have a reason to be considerate.  

But most nonsmokers are afraid to object unless the smoker asks them if
they mind.  In fact some are afraid to object even then.

Why are nonsmokers such wimps?