Author Topic: Smokers 3 / Non Smokers 0 (Read 4066 times)

280plus · « **on:** January 12, 2008, 03:28:06 PM »

This should warm a few cockles, and raise a few too. laugh

BERLIN (Reuters) - The owner of a small German computer company has fired three non-smoking workers because they were threatening to disturb the peace after they requested a smoke-free environment.

The manager of the 10-person IT company in Buesum, named Thomas J., told the Hamburger Morgenpost newspaper he had fired the trio because their non-smoking was causing disruptions.

Germany introduced non-smoking rules in pubs and restaurants on January 1, but Germans working in small offices are still allowed to smoke.

"I can't be bothered with trouble-makers," Thomas was quoted saying. "We're on the phone all the time and it's just easier to work while smoking. Everyone picks on smokers these days. It's time for revenge. I'm only going to hire smokers from now on."

(Reporting by Sarah Roberts; editing by Giles Elgood)

jefnvk · « **Reply #1 on:** January 12, 2008, 04:16:30 PM »

Nice.

TMM · « **Reply #2 on:** January 12, 2008, 04:23:11 PM »

i like that! takes some balls, which no one here in the US, so far, seems to have!
~tmm

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #3 on:** January 12, 2008, 04:32:37 PM »

So he wouldn't hire me. But if it's his company, he gets to make the rules. Good on him for standing up for personal property rights.

gunsmith · « **Reply #4 on:** January 13, 2008, 12:57:48 AM »

LOL!
I don't smoke. But I find that funny.

Fly320s · « **Reply #5 on:** January 13, 2008, 05:14:40 AM »

Way to Mr. Hamburger!! grin

I support his decision 100%.

Sergeant Bob · « **Reply #6 on:** January 13, 2008, 06:27:21 AM »

I wonder if he lets people work there who never bathe? Or are they too stinky?

Mabs2 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 13, 2008, 07:10:43 AM »

So if I, a person with a lot of respiratory problems, happen to work next to a guy who chain smokes, I'm just sol?

280plus · « **Reply #8 on:** January 13, 2008, 07:56:18 AM »

Sure does sound that way... cheesy

Sergeant Bob · « **Reply #9 on:** January 13, 2008, 08:10:15 AM »

Quote from: mbs357 on January 13, 2008, 06:10:43 AM

So if I, a person with a lot of respiratory problems, happen to work next to a guy who chain smokes, I'm just sol?

Don't be silly. Second hand smoke doesn't really affect you, just ask a smoker. undecided

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #10 on:** January 13, 2008, 09:41:00 AM »

Quote from: mbs357 on January 13, 2008, 06:10:43 AM

So if I, a person with a lot of respiratory problems, happen to work next to a guy who chain smokes, I'm just sol?

Yes and no. If you worked for that guy you would be out of a job, or he wouldn't have hired you in the first place. But most employers are not going to lose a good employee just so another employee can smoke all day. They would work something out where he had to smoke in a smoke area, or they would separate the two of you, whatever. Or you could always find a new job with a no-smoking policy. On the other hand, if you aspire to be a cock-tail waitress at a gentlemen's club, then yeah, your employer might find it more profitable to let his customer's smoke and find a new girl who doesn't mind so much.

In any case, when you enter someone else's private property, you have a right to leave at will, with your property and your body intact. And that's pretty much it.

never_retreat · « **Reply #11 on:** January 13, 2008, 10:03:37 AM »

Good for him, he's standing up for his rights as a business / property owner.
I'll say I do smoke sometimes. But I think it should be up to the person that owns the business not the state to make demands that effect there cash flow. Here in NJ you can't smoke anywhere either. It truly has hurt bars and restaurants near me on the pa boarder. People can drive 200 feet across the river into America and do as they wish. FYI you can still smoke in the casinos, which are run by the mob that runs the state. Go figure.

Mabs2 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 13, 2008, 10:28:10 AM »

I just can't stand it when a smoker comes along, lights up, gets pissed off at the people who can't deal with it, and start belching "IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT GO OVER THERE."
But I think it's clear that's not what's happening here...

RadioFreeSeaLab · « **Reply #13 on:** January 13, 2008, 10:29:04 PM »

Good for him! His company, his rules. Love it.

BlueStarLizzard · « **Reply #14 on:** January 14, 2008, 01:16:36 PM »

"I just can't stand it when a smoker comes along, lights up, gets pissed off at the people who can't deal with it, and start belching "IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT GO OVER THERE.""

smoker chiming in on this one. i've said this before. at the community college i used to go to, we had one really good smoking area with a roof and picnic tables. i came out one day and lit up. a non smoker began to complain. i told her to shut up and move. now, for the record, this was a designated smoking area, big sign and ashtrays all over. i don't smoke in the no smoking areas then they can expect to be told off for complaining in the smoking area.

i don't patronize places where i would want to smoke but am not allowed, don't see why a non smoker can't refuse to patronize a place were people do smoke.

what i really don't understand is airports and the like. they hide the smoking areas. i'm not asking to smoke on the plane. i understand why thats no good. i'm not asking to bother you with my smoke. non smokers have ever right to breath smoke free air. and being that they seem to be the majority, then sure they get the prime spots. but hiding the smoking areas is not nice. i really hate flying now. i don't really want a nicotine fit in the middle of the airport.
and i know, someones gonna say "just quit". unfortuantly saying it and doing it are two very diffrent things. it is an addiction, and as such, is not always easy to just give up.

Strings · « **Reply #15 on:** January 14, 2008, 01:22:38 PM »

I had a problem like that outside of a store. I was standing downwind from the doors, when this guy walks out: he sees me take a puff, and stops his conversation to immediately start coughing loudly. I just shook my head...

Warren · « **Reply #16 on:** January 14, 2008, 01:27:28 PM »

HAHA.

Even his attitude is unfiltered.

It would be even better if he insisted everyone smoke Lil' Hitler brand cigarettes.

BridgeWalker · « **Reply #17 on:** January 14, 2008, 02:44:47 PM »

Quote from: Strings on January 14, 2008, 12:22:38 PM

I had a problem like that outside of a store. I was standing downwind from the doors, when this guy walks out: he sees me take a puff, and stops his conversation to immediately start coughing loudly. I just shook my head...

Yeah, he may have been trying to make a point. But how strong was the wind? Sometimes just a whiff is enough, and being "downwind" doesn't necessarily that no smoke touched his lungs. Honestly, coughing can be psychological, and can be sparked by the feeling that one is going to have difficulty breathing.

I get a lot of dirty looks from smokers because I tend to cough a lot in their vicinity. I've developed a touch of asthma in the past few years and I often cough a little when I walk out of a store--the sudden switch to cold air causes it. A touch of cig smoke does the same thing.

It's really irksome, because I'm on the smoker's side in the whole anti-smoking/smoke-banning debate. But I can't regulate my cough to suit them.

Mabs2 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 14, 2008, 02:50:09 PM »

Quote

smoker chiming in on this one. i've said this before. at the community college i used to go to, we had one really good smoking area with a roof and picnic tables. i came out one day and lit up. a non smoker began to complain. i told her to shut up and move. now, for the record, this was a designated smoking area, big sign and ashtrays all over. i don't smoke in the no smoking areas then they can expect to be told off for complaining in the smoking area.

Yea I agree, that's a smoking area.