Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site watdcsu.UUCP 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?