so i don’t understand smokers

What is it with people who are sick, but continue to smoke?

Hm. That doesn’t make much sense, so let me give you an example.

As I was arriving at the gym this morning, I saw a man outside the building lighting a cigarette. While I don’t like the smell of smoke, and prolonged exposure makes my eyes start to water, people who smoke generally don’t bother me. In fact, I know a lot of really nice people who are smokers. I just wouldn’t kiss them. Anyway, back to the man outside my office.

So he’s already puffing away as I’m coming up the steps to the front door, and he starts coughing. And we’re not talking about a little cough here. He sounded like he was hacking up a lung, it was so violent! I asked him if he was okay, and the following conversation ensued:

Guy : Nah, not really. I’ve had a horrible chest cold for almost a month now.
(He takes another puff and hacks some more)
Me : Oh. That doesn’t sound good.
Guy : Yeah, my doctor told me I’ve got a bacteria buildup in my lungs or something. But I don’t think it’s that bad. (he coughs again) Said I should probably stop smoking until it passes.
Me : I see. So –
Guy : Yep, still smoking. (He starts to laugh, then it turns into a lovely phlegmy cough…)

At that point I just tried to smile at him and went inside. I was confused and a little disgusted with the phlegmy…ness, and I also didn’t want to reek of smoke, because lets face it, it ain’t a pleasant scent. Also when I’m around it for too long my eyes start to feel funny.

So why do that to yourself? And right after you’ve been working out at the gym, or god forbid, before?! (He was wearing trackpants and an Addidas top while holding what appeared to be a gymbag so it could be safe to assume…) Smoking is not exactly the healthiest pastime, why would you want to make your lungs worse when you’re already sick? Is this normal smoking behaviour, or was that weird man I met a crazy exception? Blech.

On a healthier note, my yoga class this morning was fantastic. I’m just sad because I might have to start going to a different one in the evenings because I might be starting work earlier for the next little while… sigh. The ones on the weekend just aren’t as challenging.