You ever have one of those days… You know you should get a blog post out but for some unexplained reason your mind is completely blank?
Sometimes the topics for my posts come easily and in waves. Other times it takes some work…but today, a complete blank. Actually for the last several days…nothing was coming up that I felt inspired by.
For awhile I’ve been wanting to write a post that might chaff a few peoples butts…you know, one that has some controversy and will rub some people the wrong way. The kind that will get someones hair up and will stir things up.
So, I was at the local coffee shop hoping I’d find some inspiration with a change of scenery. And, as you might guess…I was getting nothing…nada…zip…zilch.
And then it happened, as I’m looking out the window seeking some inspiration…and then, the guy sitting at a table outside decides to flick his cigarette butt out into the street.
Now, mind you, I’m in the city and there was nothing but concrete all around but this is Southern California. Not that long ago most of this area was under a horrendous wild fire. It’s this kind of carelessness that has caused wild fires in the past.
What gives this guy the right to throw his garbage out into the street? He could’ve gotten an ashtray. Was he too flipping lazy? You tell me.
Not too long ago I was sitting at a stop light wait for it to turn green. The guy in front of me has his arm out the window and his cigarette is placed ever so properly between his two fingers. A couple of last drags and then he just let’s go… The butt innocently dropped to the ground. It looked like he was trying not to be discovered in his act of littering.
Again people, we have wild fires in this area. It’s windy outside. Is the interior of your truck too precious to have the ashtray put to use?
Sadly, I’ve seen this far too often. People showing complete disregard for their surroundings. Leaving trash and cigarette butts anywhere but in the right place it should be disposed. What seems to be the norm is that these people don’t even realize they’re doing this. Are they clueless of their very surroundings?
Don’t believe me?… Take a look around at the ground the next time you’re walking. Observe others…you’d be surprised what you’ll see. We can be pretty scary at times.
So, I’m asking…what gives? What gives you the right to turn our world into your garbage pit? Most people are responsible and clean up after their dogs and pick up their waste.
To me, it’s a bit demeaning but still the responsible thing to do.
Are you trying to tell me that you’re too proud to dispose of your butts properly? That you’re being discriminated against for smoking and this is your way to rebel? It’s careless acts like this that bring your smoking limitations about. Not to mention that it’s really unhealthy for you and anybody near you.
Now, I’m going to give the responsible smokers out there the benefit of the doubt…(I know, kind of an oxymoron but go with it). You know the ones…they’re considerate of others when they smoke. They ask if you’d mind…they step outdoors….and they always dispose of their butts properly. I’m assuming that you too don’t appreciate these type of smokers as they give you a bad rap…simply through association.
So, help me out…any ideas here…why do these types of smokers do this? What is going through their heads? Do they do this at their homes too? Do they just not give a s#*t? Are they rebelling at the cost of our environment? I don’t know…all I know is that it makes no sense and it’s not right.
I’d love to hear your feedback. Maybe somebody can shed some light on this.
Sorry for going off on a rant. Let’s hope that I don’t get writers block again anytime soon. If you’ve taken offense…oh well. I’m human too. I make mistakes and have been known to do some dumb things. Thankfully, I have a loving wife that will help me regain my perspective…rather quickly.
As always, if you feel inclined to pass along this rant please share it with your friends and followers. Maybe we can enlighten those that need a clue.
Until, next time, go out and Live Your Best Life!
Don
I can’t wait to see what the other comments are that you get for this post. I also hate this habit of smokers and often wish I could say to them that they have dropped something and wait to see their response. Is interesting as they probably wouldn’t drop other rubbish, just get into a bad habit I guess.
Belinda
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Don Reply:
August 11th, 2010 at 8:48 am
Belinda,
Thanks for stopping by. Stay tuned… Maybe someone will shine a light on this.
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Don~
I hope I can succeed like you have! To go from a blank (which is where I am today also) to a well-needed post (mine was to resurrect a post from the past)is impressive!
It takes courage to address a norm in our ‘politically correct’ society and say it like it is: offensive and well, wrong! Thank you for speaking out!
This is my husband’s pet peeve, as state trooper, when he sees someone flick a cigarette butt out the window when driving, he pulls them over and writes a ticket for littering (to the tune of $150).
Don’t get me wrong, some of my favorite people smoke (well, most everyone has quit)they simply need to quit littering.
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Don Reply:
August 11th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Thanks Linda,
It was really a challenge to come up with something and to draw a blank the whole time. When this incident happened my writing brain just switched and I wrote the post in a very short amount of time.
I’m glad to hear your husband has taken a stand and is enforcing the law and doing the right thing. Maybe they’ll learn eventually.
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Good write for some one with writer’s block! My friend in China said it is so bad there that the shopkeepers sweep and wash the sidewalks and streets in front of their store every morning to clean up the butts!
My personal opionion…those who drop their butts are just being butt heads! Maybe we should just smack them upside the head and say “Dude, you dropped something.”
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Don Reply:
August 11th, 2010 at 4:36 pm
Love it! Thanks Barb.
It’s interesting how different some of the other cultures are and how much more they smoke by comparison. Being in a tourist area we see this quite a bit and it’s very noticeable.
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Hey Don, I am a smoker. A considerate one. I don’t flick my buts around, especially if I was in an area that could start a fire! Yikes! I do, however, respect others because they don’t like the smell of cigarettes. If I’m out and about, there are many cigarette but containers around, but if not. I just put it out and put the butt in my cigarette box.
On the flip side: I must tell you that I have tried and tried to stop. My doctor says it is more difficult than heroin. The addiction is a killer.
I tried doing “Chantex” but that put me in the hospital. I took the risks of other drugs, was hypnotized, etc. I am good at quitting because I do it every day.
But let me tell you the hatred that smokers have to take. People yell at me, they treat me like I’m some kind of Sub-human. The anger out there is enormous.
Recently a reporter asked Pres. Obama “Did you quit smoking?” He replied that it is a struggle that he is working on. The poor guy, just as he gets into office, people expect him to quit when he has so much stress on his hands?
I’ll stop my rant. But for all you non-smokers out there, please be considerate to us that are addicted. I’m an old gal, so It is difficult for me. I respect you guys, please give me the respect as an addict.
Thank you,
Donna
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Don Reply:
August 11th, 2010 at 5:52 pm
Donna,
I am well aware of the difficulty people have in quitting smoking. As with any addiction it is never easy. I knew you were a smoker and I also knew you’d see my point. You’re the type of smoker that understands and you THINK about your actions and consequences. You respect others and are aware of them in your surroundings. Sadly, many smokers are not.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of anger in the world and it gets directed at people in so many ways. Ways that are not kind.
I have an open heart to smokers. I’ve known many that have tried to kick the habit. Most failed but a few made it. Their personal experience has revealed that to me just how hard it was for them.
There are drug addicts, alcoholics, wife beaters and child molesters in our society. We revolt at their actions in the throws of their disease. They are doing something that goes against the grain of society. Not all smokers fit into this nice little box. The ones that have complete disregard for something so little as littering is just unacceptable.
Thanks for your openness and sharing your personal story.
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Don,
This is one of my sore points, too. Smokers who drop their butts should be fined, or better yet, forced to pick up litter for several blocks.
I live across from Madison High School. Kids leave food wrappers on my front lawn on a consistent basis. At least it gives me the exercise of picking ‘em up and throwing them in the trash.
Sometimes it’s good to rant. Kinda wipes the cobwebs out … We’ve become a society that has to be so “politically correct” that we dare not say anything for fear of offending someone. Come on guys, get real!
Darlene Davis recently posted..Branding You- Inc
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Don Reply:
August 11th, 2010 at 5:56 pm
Thanks Darlene,
I’m sure you can find more enjoyable ways to get your daily exercise than picking up someone else’s trash. Your example there really illustrates a good point. You have pride in your home and it’s surroundings. You make ever effort to take care of it. You want to live in a clean environment. I guess that must be the missing piece from the gene pool…the lack of pride in where they live.
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Don,
You found something to write about, didn’t you?! Littering of any kind is a slap against everyone. No one has the right to leave their trash laying around for others to pick up. I don’t have the answers to this other than we all need to be considerate of others and our environment. Guess we work on this one person at a time,
Val
Val Wilcox recently posted..The Unexamined Life is Not Worth Living
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Don Reply:
August 11th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
Val,
You raise a good point on working on this one person at a time. We’ve had our fair share of idiotic responses when we asked someone not to smoke where people are eating. Some are understanding and either stop or move away from the area. Others basically say screw you. California has a law that you are not allowed to smoke within fifty feet of a public entrance. I’ve seen signs posted in outdoor food courts stating that smoking in the food court area is not allowed…yet they ignore it and smoke anyway. That’s the part I just don’t get.
Thanks for leaving a comment.
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Yes Don, a rant for sure….but I agree with Barb…not bad for writer’s block!
So while I am compassionate for addicted smokers, as someone who smoked a pack a day for 6 years and quite cold-turkey (yep, I’m sure that one surprises anyone who knows me today! But high school & college were different times, what can i say?!)
….. I am now repulsed by it. I’m more repulsed by people who aren’t conscious about it, like you discussed in this post. I wish more people would get fined for it…it is littering after all.
I’ve gone to an extreme I suppose, but I personally think smoking should be something only done in one’s house! People can’t walk down the street drinking, which doesn’t even cause any second-hand consequences (ok, well maybe it does!), but you get my point.
A rant of my own, clearly.
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Don Reply:
August 11th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Beth,
Thanks, I’m sure you know know how it is when you get on a roll and it just flows.
We all have our demons in the closet. It’s very difficult to overcome them but when we do it’s not uncommon to be repulsed by others doing what you’ve beaten. Especially if they do it without regard for others.
You live in CA. It’s got some great laws prohibiting smoking in a lot of places but I’m guessing just like here people do whatever they can to beat the system…often to the harm of others.
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Hey Don
Now I understand what the others were talking about. I think it is very okay for you to go on a rant about this. I think it applies to garbage in general not just to cigarette butts.
I am appalled when people leave soft drink cans on the road and other trash. I often ask myself the same question you asked – do they do it at home?
I am not sure about where you live but where I am there are trash cans everywhere so there are no excuses.
I think we should all play our part in looking after the environment we live in.
Great rant Don,
Sue
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Don Reply:
August 11th, 2010 at 7:43 pm
Thanks Sue,
California is often a state that is way ahead of the rest of the US. We’re known as a state that has a bunch of old hippies and tree huggers living in it. The state is on the forefront on environmental issues. All that being said… yup there’s trash cans up and down both sides of the street I was on. The coffee house could’ve given him an ashtray. For that matter, he could’ve put in his empty coffee cup that went in the trash.
I just don’t get it…
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This is so prevalent in our lives, It’s not just the littering of butts, but ( I just said butt but…teehee)But…in every aspect of human interaction. It is precisely that we ARE human beings that we meet with this lack of awareness, of which we are all at varying levels. I feel that most people are not trying to be ‘rebellious’, I think it just comes down to ignorance,and I mean this in the true sense of the word; they simply are not aware of there actions or of how it affects others.It would be wise, for our own sanities sake, to find a way to accept that ‘people happen’ and the only power we have is to become more aware ourselves.
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Don Reply:
August 12th, 2010 at 6:12 am
Hi Kim,
I’d agree as this seems to be the only thing that makes sense so far. Maybe they themselves are just not aware of what they’re doing. I know there’s times when I don’t always realize what I’ve done until it’s too late. Creating that awareness within ourselves is vital and yet sometimes hard to do as some things are habits and habits can be hard to break.
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You know what Don….. I just don’t think they “think” (people who do that). They are just so self absorbed in themselves. Sadly there are just too many people who walk around without a care for the environment or people who also share the planet with them……. its all about them.
Oh dear….. I think you’ve brought out the ranter in me now.
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Don Reply:
August 12th, 2010 at 6:15 am
Hey Anna,
It seems like I’ve triggered a few other rants by some of the comments that have been left. A “devil may care” attitude is one thing but a “who cares it doesn’t bother me” is another. People should realize that the world does not revolve around them.
Thanks for stopping by.
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Nancy Burke Barr, JD Reply:
August 16th, 2010 at 12:51 am
Hi Don,
I don’t think that it has much to do with smokers or kids or any other specific demographic. It is about respect or rather a lack there of. The people that throw butts on the ground, probably litter in other ways as well. If they didn’t smoke, they would be disrespectful of their enviroment by dropping paper or wasting water or whatever.
How do you teach respect if it is not taught in the home? Several times recently, my son decided to throw something out the car window. I stopped the car and made him get out and pick it up. All of his friends were standing around and they heckled him, but I didn’t care. I was not going to tolerate that behavior.
Well, I guess that I got to ranting too! LOL!
It is a legitimate concern.
Mentor Mama
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Don Reply:
August 16th, 2010 at 9:59 am
nancy,
I agree with what you’re saying here. I believe it’s a lack of respect…often respect for themselves. Too many parents these days let their kids run rampant and do whatever they want. They aren’t taking the time to teach them the “rules” of life. Things like common courtesy, the consequences of their choices, and respect for others.
Thanks from all of us for teaching your son a valuable lesson.
Don I agree, i’m in the navy and everybody smokes, but in the navy everybody is very considerate about there smoking habits.
But what i realize is civilian smokers aren’t courteous.
On the other hand at business events and seminars i attend the smokers are very considerate and smoke respectively.
So what i believe is it is the person, you give a dirtbag a cigarette they will act like a dirtbag.
You give a responsible citizen a cigarette they will be responsible.
Be Blessed & Have Success
Arthur Bernier Jr.
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Don Reply:
August 16th, 2010 at 9:55 am
Hi Arthur,
This does seem to be the case and follows many things I have witnessed. Human behavior is a very funny thing. Unfortunately, we can’t always hide form the “dirtbags” in the world.
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Don, I understand the dilemma, however it is my personal belief that this phenomena is found in man because of his free will. Animals act because of their instinct and born traits. Man is the opposite, he act according to his own set of values developed because he thinks and can reason. How else can we explain the actions of a Hoarder vs the person who subsist on meager needs. The good news is man can change if he wants and that leads to a whole new topic on how to influence him. It is not the smoking causing the problem because drinking, candy wrappers, and a whole list of polluting stuff damages the planet also. As long as man has a “free Will” this will exist. And frankly the alternatives to free will are frightening. “That’s my rant and I’m sticking to it.”
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Don Reply:
August 16th, 2010 at 10:02 am
Thanks Nelson,
We are blessed to have Free Will. This gives us the ability to make choices…good or bad. Now if we can just get everyone to realize the consequences of their actions maybe we’ll see a shift in the global environment.
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Thank goodness for your wife! LOL Us woman are good at keep our guys on track.
I have to say that I find this particular habit pretty gross. It don’t understand it. It’s easy for me not to though because I have never smoked and never wanted to. Now I have my girls, who I do everything I can to keep away from it..
Ultimately what I think it comes down to is that some people litter and some people don’t. The type of people who litter are the ones who don’t care much about anything. And not to stereotype(Donna in particular
)but for most smokers I don’t think they even care about themselves. It might be a lot to expect them to care about the environment too. Cigarattes are not a convenient thing to dispose of. If people just threw them away we would have lots of garbage can fires(my husband being a fire fighter, I don’t think they’d be to happy about that). They just take the easiest way out.
Great topic to bring up Don! Most of us think this but just don’t ever talk about it.
Danielle
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Don Reply:
August 17th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Danielle,
Like you, I was never a smoker either but I have had my vices in life and I can relate and understand the struggle someone goes through when attempting to quit.
The consensus seems to be so far that most smokers just don’t respect the environment. I’ve seen conscientious smokers put their cigarette out in very unique ways and put their butt someplace with them for disposal later. While I don’t foresee ashtrays on every corner something has to be done to address this. Time will tell.
Thanks for stopping by.
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Hi Don…..this is one of my pet hates too. As you know I spend a lot of time in ski resorts and in spring, when the snow melts, they have to send out parties of people to clear up the rubbish and cigarette butts that people have dropped from the chair lifts into the snow. I don’t know what goes through these people’s minds.
Louise
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Don Reply:
August 17th, 2010 at 10:34 pm
Louise,
That’s amazing…it’s hard to believe that has to happen.
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Hi Don,
I concur with everyone re awesome post for someone who had writers block! Oh and I totally relate to those days (or even weeks!) of drawing a total blank.
After living through Black Saturday here in Melbourne, I totally get the disgust of watching people throw an ignition source out the window in an already vulnerable environment. Having said that, in reality, most of Australia’s devastating bushfires have been deliberately started by firebugs. That to me is far more deadly than any carelessness.
But I get that your main point is about consideration and respect no matter what the habit. I agree with Sue Price that its about garbage in general.
Here’s my rant >> Syringes & Chicken bones!
I live in a supposedly hip suburb but if you walk 2 blocks in the other direction, it’s almost a different country. There is a fairly large Heroin problem and there is nothing more distressing than Summertime, when I’m no longer wearing solid shoes. If you think smokers are too lazy to throw butts in the right place, we actually have lots of syringe disposal facilities! And I spend some of my spare time gathering essentials like toiletries, for the addicts involved with needle exchange program. But no, it’s just easier to leave them lying around on the ground at every point where someone can step on them. Major GRR!!
Now in comparison, the chicken bones might seem like a minor rant. But… If you own a Labrador aka stomach on legs, cooked chicken bones can be fatal. The habit around here seems to be sit outside your local fast food chicken place, munch away and throw the bones on the footpath. WT, am I living in China? I say that in a nice way as apparently in China, a sign that the restaurant has tasty food is the number of bones tossed on the floor lol. But I live in Australia! << End rant!
So do smokers throw butts on the floor in their own home, I doubt it. Do heroin addicts throw syringes in the path or their friends.. I would say not consciously. Do the idiots tossing cooked bones onto the street realize that they can be fatal to a dog. I'm guessing not. This is about human awareness gone wrong!
I loved this post Don and look forward to more of your drawing a blank days
Michaelé
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Don Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
Michaele,
I’d hate to be a crack addict hanging out in your neighborhood. I don’t know who give me the worst…you or your dog LOL!
Thank for venting your rant. I quite enjoyed it. I’m glad we’re on the same page with this one.
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