Smokers

Background:

I've never been fond of smokers. I've always detested the smell and it's been one of the things that bothers me A LOT about people.
I don't like the smoke in my face.
I don't want second hand smoke.
I don't like the smell.
I don't understand the why.
Why would you risk getting lung cancer?
Why?
I told myself I would never marry a smoker. Smoking was a definite deal breaker.

Korea:

Notice the past tense sentences used above... I was in Korea last spring and guess what?! A grand majority of people smoke!! Smokers everywhere! Cafes would even have smoking areas! At first I was completely annoyed and bothered by this. People would be walking in front of you, behind you, next to you, past you, all while smoking. I would have smoke coming at me left and right. I spent a lot of time being annoyed by this because people had no sense of "courtesy" in the sense of blowing smoke your way. I put quotations on that because I'm pretty sure it was a culture thing. (Like a lot of things were). However, things turned around when one of my classmates who I spent a lot of time with outside of class, turned out to be a smoker.  He didn't have the "smoker aroma" on him and he was pleasant to be around with. I would've never guessed he was a smoker if it wasn't for the fact that he carried a box of cigarettes with him whenever we hung out. Sometimes we would be walking together as he smoked. Sure I would ask him not to smoke around me but I also became tolerable of it.
It wasn't such a detestable thing anymore.
I didn't need to pretend I was dying when smoke was blown my way.
I realized it was possible to like smokers.
It was possible to spend good quality time with them too.
No, I wasn't convinced to smoke myself but I could be around people who smoke with a pleasant attitude.

Smoking in the Workplace:

All was dandy with my relationship with smokers until I started working... Smoking is allowed where I work which means that those who smoke.. smoke. And smoke they do! If you want to smoke by all means go ahead. It started going downhill when people constantly need to go on a "smoke break" and it becomes social hour for the smokers. Meanwhile those who don't smoke continue working without that break. It might be silly or whatever but it can also be annoying. I don't know maybe I'm just rambling but these are simply my thoughts.

Now:

Now I have no general category for smokers. I've experienced the good and the bad. I have nothing else to say except I won't judge you but I'll be quietly annoyed haha.. just kidding. Everyone has small battles to face daily and I guess this might be one of mine. Learning to work with all sorts of people and loving them anyways.

Have a good day!! :)