Dear smokers, you’re stinking up the classroom
Ben Garcia
For a good majority of us on campus, what I’m about to explain is something you can most likely relate to.You arrive at your class and take your seat.
About one minute until class starts, here they come walking in.
Who, you ask?
Well, for us nonsmokers, this person is usually referred to as “that guy.”
Now, who is “that guy” and why the name?
Well, “that guy” isn’t anyone specific (unless you know your guilt and have been in my classes), but they are smokers and are typically guys.
Seems normal, right? Ah, but I mentioned that “that guy” is a smoker. Well, it so happens that if you take smoke breaks right before class and then sit next to nonsmokers, you most likely are “that guy.”
You know, as in “that guy” that smells like an ashtray.
Before anyone takes this in the wrong way, hear me out. I’m not trying to be rude. I just want smokers, who might not know otherwise, to be informed of how they smell.
In no way am I saying that you shouldn’t smoke.
If you subject yourself to an activity that killed almost a half million Americans last year, according to the Center of Disease and Control, who am I to get you to stop smoking?
I understand that, as a result of reading this, very few smokers will entertain the thought of quitting just because they now know they smell like ashtray.
And I understand that tobacco use is an addiction that plagues many, and for those trying to quit, it’s a day-to-day battle just like with any other addiction.
What I’m trying to get across is the point that you can do something about the smell you give off.
I mentioned earlier that it’s usually guys that smell like smoke.
By saying that, I was simply noting that most girls who are smokers usually have some sort of fragrance to spray on themselves to mask any smoke odors.
I don’t expect everyone to run out and buy some sort of spray or do something about the smell. Just be warned that YOU reading this could be “that guy.”
Maybe this hits home for you and now you realize what evils you’ve done. Here is a little advice for you: Don’t be “that guy.”
Now what can those of us that have to put up with “that guy” do? Is there really anything we can do about it besides letting that person know?
With smokers being stubborn the answer is no.
