Only Non-Smoker in Group of Smokers

by Poissonette89

over 1 year ago

Viewed 733 times

I often find myself in a group of people who all like to smoke cigarettes frequently. I have never smoked in my life and am not interested in doing so, but I never know what to do when everyone goes off to have their cigarette. I am usually awkwardly left alone at the table or go to the bathroom to take up some time until everyone's finished smoking (which feels awkward as well). I could obviously just join the group of people while they smoke, but I hate inhaling all of the carcinogens. I also don't choose to hang out with "smokers." They are usually people that I end up working on an artistic project or something. Any advice to be healthy & not socially awkward?

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  editorNadia replied over 1 year ago:

  That's a great question--and applies to anyone who wants to stay healthy in a group of people making unhealthy choices. Try inviting them to do something social that you do feel comfortable with. Invite them to lunch, a gym class, or an after work drink. Or just invite them to take a 5-minute walk around the building (which will increase your daily activity too). If they're people you're close with, you can also be frank about how you feel. You can tell them that you want to socialize with them and feel a bit left out, and ask them to help you come up with a solution. Of course, if they're temporary co-workers and you don't know them well, that might be much harder. Just take the initiative to suggest activities that appeal to you, then you might have to sit out when they smoke, but you won't miss out on the chance to get to know them.

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  bettyliem replied over 1 year ago:

  Maybe smoking is something you crave doing, so you surround yourselves with people who do it, because you don't want to look like the bad one... Not smoking makes you look like the good one. Do what you want to do.

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