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Aggiemom92
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 90,200
June 2003
Posts: 2,694
Layouts: 2
 |  Posted: 11/21/2012 5:25:03 PM
I don't think of it as trash.
I think I'll try this out in other areas. "I don't think of it as cheating since the affair was all online." "I don't think of it as lying since I told the truth but left out critical details." "I don't think of it as stealing since someone dropped their wallet in the parking lot. I just found it." |
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jennifercw
5,000 FINALLY!
PeaNut 52,019
October 2002
Posts: 6,510
Layouts: 50
 | Posted: 11/21/2012 5:34:40 PM
This inconsiderate and selfish habit irritates me as well.
A couple weeks ago I got stuck in a huge traffic backup because some idiot threw a cigarette butt out the window and started a fire alongside the road. The wind quickly spread the fire and it took five engines and a tanker to put it out. I was on a bridge with no way to turn around and was 40 minutes late picking my daughter up from school. |
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yungmom
Just Me
PeaNut 15,437
May 2001
Posts: 28,629
Layouts: 111
Loc: Salt Lake
 | Posted: 11/21/2012 5:35:23 PM
When I started riding a motorcycle I was almost lit on fire from a hot red butt flying out a window at me.
This is the kind of thing that always worries me. When I see one flying I start worrying about about gas an oil leaks and them catching on fire.  |
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Simply_Lovely
PeaFixture
PeaNut 463,295
April 2010
Posts: 3,303
Layouts: 3
Loc: New York City
 | Posted: 11/21/2012 5:35:49 PM
I think I'll try this out in other areas. "I don't think of it as cheating since the affair was all online." "I don't think of it as lying since I told the truth but left out critical details." "I don't think of it as stealing since someone dropped their wallet in the parking lot. I just found it."
Now you're just being ridiculous. OP asked a question, I answered as a smoker to be helpful in her and others' understanding of the issue. I know I took a chance that I'll be talked down to like a child, but now you're just taking it in a completely ridiculous direction. At least wholarmor had the decency to be polite to me, which in turn made me even consider changing my behavior. Childish comments like yours do not help the situation. Thinking you're better than me because I do this one thing doesn't actually make you better, it makes you a clueless fool. I owned up to what I do, now have the same respect and leave me alone if you have nothing constructive to say. |
 
Meow! | |
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purpledaisy
Calm
PeaNut 116,261
November 2003
Posts: 25,157
Layouts: 102
| Posted: 11/21/2012 6:01:29 PM
OP asked a question, I answered as a smoker to be helpful in her and others' understanding of the issue. I know I took a chance that I'll be talked down to like a child, but now you're just taking it in a completely ridiculous direction. At least wholarmor had the decency to be polite to me, which in turn made me even consider changing my behavior. Childish comments like yours do not help the situation. Thinking you're better than me because I do this one thing doesn't actually make you better, it makes you a clueless fool. I owned up to what I do, now have the same respect and leave me alone if you have nothing constructive to say.
I appreciate you answering the question and owning what you do. |
Becca
May we be consumed with the Creator of all things rather than with things created.
6 rings - no cheating! Go STEELERS!
Holding a grudge is letting someone live rent-free in your head. | |
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Dalai Mama
La Pea Boheme
PeaNut 49,641
September 2002
Posts: 24,185
Layouts: 85
Loc: Drunk on the lawn in a nuclear dawn
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purpledaisy
Calm
PeaNut 116,261
November 2003
Posts: 25,157
Layouts: 102
| Posted: 11/21/2012 6:29:06 PM
As someone who was burnt by a stray butt coming through my car window my vote is asshole too.
Oh, my gosh! I'm sorry that happened to you! |
Becca
May we be consumed with the Creator of all things rather than with things created.
6 rings - no cheating! Go STEELERS!
Holding a grudge is letting someone live rent-free in your head. | |
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jenp1024
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 51,697
October 2002
Posts: 5,993
Layouts: 9
Loc: Connecticut
| Posted: 11/21/2012 6:45:18 PM
Simply Lovely,
Please also consider that many dogs like to chew on cigarette butts. I can't tell you how many times I've had to pry cigarette butts out of my little guys mouth. He's so sneaky he snaps them up before I can react. I worry about him eating it, which would obviously cause digestive issues, but I also worry what the chemicals could do to him.
To those who have made sweeping and rude generalizations about smokers, come on. I'm the only one in my family who doesn't smoke, and I can assure you that my family is filled with lovely people.
While I don't like it, I do understand why people would flick a butt out the window. My car doesn't have an ash tray, and I assume lots of other cars don't either. | |
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geauxDeb
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 77,992
March 2003
Posts: 2,036
Layouts: 0
Loc: Louisiana girl now in Hong Kong
| Posted: 11/21/2012 7:03:29 PM
I don't think of it as trash.
I am glad you are reconsidering your behavior because of some of the posts here. But I have to ask: What do you consider it to be if it's not trash?
Like the thread about whether a rabbit is an animal. It's not a mineral or plant, must be an animal. If it's something you're finished with and are disposing of it, it's trash. 
Same as a straw, paper cup, hamburger wrapper, grocery list, etc.
Every year the cub scouts here do a beach clean up. The most picked-up item every year is cigarette butts. |
Debbie
Mom to 3 boys (13, 10 & 6)
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batya
Making the WWW better, one post at a time.
PeaNut 59,094
December 2002
Posts: 31,839
Layouts: 24
Loc: up on my high horse
| Posted: 11/21/2012 7:05:23 PM
As someone who was burnt by a stray butt coming through my car window my vote is asshole too.
I'm so sorry! That really scares me! And what about burning pedestrians?  |
OK. Newbie. This is how it works. If your post consists of 80% sanity, 10% stupidity and 10% all kinds of crazy, we immediately focus on the 20% b/c it discredits the 80%.
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scrap4maddie
Sometimes you harm the cause more than you help.
PeaNut 175,985
November 2004
Posts: 12,499
Layouts: 33
Loc: Buffalo NY
 | Posted: 11/21/2012 7:15:19 PM
It is because if they use the ashtray the car will stink. They don't want their stuff to smell bad. |
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batya
Making the WWW better, one post at a time.
PeaNut 59,094
December 2002
Posts: 31,839
Layouts: 24
Loc: up on my high horse
| Posted: 11/21/2012 7:40:49 PM
They don't want their stuff to smell bad.
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OK. Newbie. This is how it works. If your post consists of 80% sanity, 10% stupidity and 10% all kinds of crazy, we immediately focus on the 20% b/c it discredits the 80%.
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Mrs_Tyler
Sorting Laundry
PeaNut 197,836
March 2005
Posts: 24,080
Layouts: 246
Loc: Enjoying the humid continental climate zone.
| Posted: 11/21/2012 7:55:11 PM
It's a big pet peeve of mine as well. Those glowing cig butts flying at you when you're driving are distracting and dangerous. It's littering. I also hate sitting at a red light and having to wait next to a car or truck where someone is smoking and the smell seeps into my own car. Smoking is a bad habit. Not trying to shame anyone, but that's the reality of it. It stinks and many of the behaviors that go with smoking (like throwing butts out car windows and into other people's yards, etc) are bad habits. I have friends and family who smoke and I love them, but not their habit.
But what makes me really livid is seeing someone smoking in their car with children riding along. Poor kids have no choice but to breathe in that nasty second hand smoke.  | |
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Aggiemom92
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 90,200
June 2003
Posts: 2,694
Layouts: 2
| Posted: 11/21/2012 8:03:43 PM
Simply Lovely, you're welcome to make me the bad guy if it makes you feel better. I asked about a gum wrapper because I really wanted to know if it's because cigarette butts are small that you think it's ok. You responded with an eye roll and told me not to try to understand. So that sort of negates your claim that you responded honestly so that OP could understand your perspective. Furthermore, you wrote,
But when it comes to cars I am guilty. No excuses here.
No excuses, and no apology. The closest you got was 'I'll consider it' in reference to stopping, which doesn't convince me that you actually WILL stop.
And I in no way think I'm better than you. I don't even know you, but there are few people I think I'm better than. I will say this, though, it's ridiculous to me that a grown-assed adult needs to be persuaded to stop throwing burning trash out of a car window. In fact, I think you DO know it's littering because you said you hated when people wouldn't walk two feet to a trash can, which means you DO know it doesn't belong on the ground. You DO 'consider it trash' when people are standing outside, but it quits being trash if you're driving in a car? |
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He**inWA
*Clever Pea Title Here*
PeaNut 220,816
August 2005
Posts: 8,903
Layouts: 2
Loc: Hidden under a pile of scrap!
 | Posted: 11/21/2012 8:06:06 PM
The same reason some of my neighbors throw them in the yard, and sometimes my yard, when they are smoking outside.
Exactly what reason, I have no clue.
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He**inWA
  
'Where you used to be, there is a hole in the world, which I find myself constantly walking around in the daytime, and falling in at night. I miss you like hell' -Edna St. Vincent Millay | |
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wholarmor
I'm NOT a sack sniffer!
PeaNut 29,699
February 2002
Posts: 24,047
Layouts: 92
Loc: SE Washington
 | Posted: 11/21/2012 8:16:12 PM
Simply_lovely, I'm glad that I could be of help, and glad that you are taking into consideration what people have said. I didn't want to come across as jumping on you. I don't hate smokers. I have family and friends who do smoke. I think people need to really think about what they are doing, though. Thanks for not taking offense to my posts. |
Kris
Mom to Kyrie(9), Isaiah(8), and Jayden(5)
my blog
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angievp
Ideay pues?
PeaNut 143,106
April 2004
Posts: 6,644
Layouts: 36
Loc: Miami
| Posted: 11/21/2012 8:26:38 PM
Because they are inconsiderate assholes who think the world is their ashtray. I see this behavior almost every morning (same car, same driver). He merges into traffic about 5 minutes into my morning commute. He rolls down his window and we all get to see when he shakes the ashes off his cigarettes and then throws out the butt. This is at 6am in the morning. | |
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2goofy
PeaNut
PeaNut 463,272
April 2010
Posts: 66
Layouts: 0
Loc: Valley of the Sun, AZ
| Posted: 11/21/2012 8:27:17 PM
As an ex-smoker, I know that I was guilty of doing it myself. A lot of it had to do with the fact that i saw my parents do it along with every other smoker in the city, county and state.
The other reason was the fact that sometimes you don't get it put out all of the way and it catches other butts on fire which in turn stink really, really bad and those ashtrays sometimes would not pop out too easily.
Now that I'm an ex-smoker, I can't stand to be around any smoke because it makes me feel ill. | |
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MrsKLewis
Will I ever get to Buckethead?!
PeaNut 530,601
November 2011
Posts: 491
Layouts: 0
Loc: Crimson Tide Country
 | Posted: 11/21/2012 8:31:57 PM
Littering is littering. Even if its as small as a cig butt. There's no excuse. It's lazy. It's a terrible thing to litter on our beautiful planet. Even my children know better. No matter where we are, even walking our neighborhood, we pick up any trash we find. It's just sad. Pure laziness.  (and I was a smoker for 12 years.) |
| "Blessed are the children of Scrapbookers, for they shall inherit the Scrapbooks." | |
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huskergal
Shameless Husker Fan
PeaNut 49,249
September 2002
Posts: 49,233
Layouts: 123
Loc: Husker Nation
| Posted: 11/21/2012 8:33:28 PM
Because they can. |
Susan
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writermom1
Thrift Whisperer
PeaNut 114,407
November 2003
Posts: 22,319
Layouts: 66
Loc: At the intersection of Hooterville and Stars Hollow
| Posted: 11/21/2012 8:45:25 PM
I have this presumably irrational fear that the butt will hit the fumes of some vehicle that may have a trace fuel leak of some sort and cause an explosion.
I also worry that the trace tobacco can poison birds and other wildlife.
Putting on my nerd girl panties to say "it just seems unsafe."
I am not a smoker shamer. I have various relatives who smoke and I love them even as I don't love the addiction. I know that willpower doesn't cure all and if willpower did, I'd be at my goal weight now wouldn't I? Hmm...
That said, sometimes it does just make me think that some smokers truly don't realize. I don't think they would intentionally be rude.
Leaving the Justin Bieber concert last night we were in a crush of people. As we shuffled down the sidewalk we began to smell smoke. A little girl behind us began to cough and in this innocent little voice said "I smell smoke. It makes me choke." Looking ahead there was an attractive woman, probably in her 50's, walking in a crowd of people - many of them children - smoking. It made me sad for her. How strong is the addiction that lighting up in tight crowd is unavoidable.
I wouldn't say "thoughtless" or cast aspersions on her character but would guarantee this woman simply did not *think* about the consequences of her addiction.
Now, the woman who nearly burned my child who, as a toddler, was eye level with her cigarette held at her side in a crowd, nearly had her arm snapped clean off. |
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Woobster
The Banana Under the Couch Pea
PeaNut 295,941
February 2007
Posts: 6,608
Layouts: 0
Loc: Somewhere over the rainbow...
 | Posted: 11/21/2012 8:55:37 PM
This is the one thing that just pisses me off about some (not all) smokers. Keep your trash in your car!
My dad is a smoker. I can assure you he (like many others who smoke) isn't a lazy, disgusting, selfish a-hole. | |
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squillen
Tier 1 Baking Pea
PeaNut 133,550
February 2004
Posts: 39,550
Layouts: 321
Loc: Hudson Valley, NY
| Posted: 11/21/2012 9:07:40 PM
I remember going on a family vacation to California. Driving down I5 in the LA area, I thought it had snowed because the median area was white! Why? Cigarette butts! There were so many, they completely covered the grass. It was nasty. |
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Simply_Lovely
PeaFixture
PeaNut 463,295
April 2010
Posts: 3,303
Layouts: 3
Loc: New York City
| Posted: 11/21/2012 9:21:48 PM
Simply Lovely, you're welcome to make me the bad guy if it makes you feel better. I asked about a gum wrapper because I really wanted to know if it's because cigarette butts are small that you think it's ok. You responded with an eye roll and told me not to try to understand. So that sort of negates your claim that you responded honestly so that OP could understand your perspective. Furthermore, you wrote,
But when it comes to cars I am guilty. No excuses here.
No excuses, and no apology. The closest you got was 'I'll consider it' in reference to stopping, which doesn't convince me that you actually WILL stop.
I read your post as being snarky. I apologize if that wasn't your intent. I will admit that I get defensive when it comes to smoking and being lectured on it. Like I said, if that was not your intent, then I apologize.
The reason I said I'll consider it, is because it's a habit so I have to work on it. Coincidentally, we just got approved for a lease on a new luxury car and I will not smoke in it. So there you go. Problem solved.
And I was being honest with the OP. I never realized why I do it until another pea pointed out that smokers don't think of it as trash. So I started analyzing my behavior. It's not about the car smelling bad or anything like that. It's a subconscious act that I never gave much thought until today.
So there we go.
And to address another point -- my parents never smoked in the car with me or even around me as a child. And now when they smoke in the car they always have an empty cigarette pack into which they put out their butts. So frankly I don't even know where I learned to throw them out of the car, but it certainly wasn't from them. |
Meow! | |
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wholarmor
I'm NOT a sack sniffer!
PeaNut 29,699
February 2002
Posts: 24,047
Layouts: 92
Loc: SE Washington
| Posted: 11/21/2012 9:38:31 PM
I have this presumably irrational fear that the butt will hit the fumes of some vehicle that may have a trace fuel leak of some sort and cause an explosion.
Mythbusters did this, and there was no explosion with cigarette butts and gasoline. |
Kris
Mom to Kyrie(9), Isaiah(8), and Jayden(5)
my blog
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Shih Tzu Mommy
Million dollar camera, 10 dollar lock!
PeaNut 224,352
September 2005
Posts: 23,525
Layouts: 0
Loc: Right here
| Posted: 11/21/2012 9:44:09 PM
The smokers that do that are as vile as their habit. |
Dog people are a special breed! | |
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Snowballsmom
PeaFixture
PeaNut 166,868
September 2004
Posts: 3,547
Layouts: 243
| Posted: 11/21/2012 10:30:54 PM
I don't know but it freaks me out. I am probably a little paranoid but I am always afraid that someone's gas tank is leaking and that's when a disaster will strike just from that little smoldering butt on the ground.
Even at home, anything that has been on fire(candles, something on the stove that I didn't see or whatever) gets a HUGE water bath so there is no possibility of fire.
Fear of being lit on fire is exactly why I hate lighting the grill and/or pilot light. |
In Memory of my mom, who passed January 21, 2007
In Memory of my Uncle, who passed away January 21, 2008
***********************************************************]
NEW BLOG: www.paperika.blogspot.com
myetsy: paperika.etsy.com | |
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Scraptologist
Princess Pinkness
PeaNut 2,163
December 1999
Posts: 9,733
Layouts: 76
Loc: I'm So Canadian Even My Blood Cells are Red and White
 | Posted: 11/21/2012 10:38:32 PM
Because they are idiot!!
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khazlett
BucketHead
PeaNut 231,422
November 2005
Posts: 756
Layouts: 0
Loc: USA
| Posted: 11/21/2012 10:41:52 PM
I never realized why I do it until another pea pointed out that smokers don't think of it as trash. So I started analyzing my behavior. It's not about the car smelling bad or anything like that. It's a subconscious act that I never gave much thought until today.
I respect those that have the self awareness to actually consider the feedback of others. You are being very honest and you didn't have to be. | |
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obsidian
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 300,909
March 2007
Posts: 2,154
Layouts: 1
Loc: Waikato
| Posted: 11/21/2012 11:13:00 PM
It has absolutely nothing to do with size. It's a psychological thing, don't try to understand it. And I don't throw out gum either, I put it in a gum wrapper which is in my pocket because I don't throw them out of windows.
It sounds like a bad habit you have never thought much about. I hope knowing it's creating litter and is harmful might now be helpful. | |
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princesslasertron
PeaFixture
PeaNut 273,273
August 2006
Posts: 3,753
Layouts: 16
Loc: omaha, nebraska
| Posted: 11/22/2012 3:17:11 AM
People aren't shamed enough for it. |
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sharonmnc
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 39,386
May 2002
Posts: 6,863
Layouts: 28
Loc: Charlotte, NC
| Posted: 11/22/2012 4:32:32 AM
Here in Florida I find piles of cigarette butts on the beach. How can people foul something so beautiful unless they're lazy, selfish a$$holes? That's the mentality that allows someone to throw a cigarette butt out the window with no regard for the consequences. They're the same people who fought for their "right" to make everybody else in a restaurant go home smelling like their filthy habit. Glad common sense prevailed. |
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child of grace
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 274,600
August 2006
Posts: 7,252
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 11/22/2012 6:23:53 AM
One of my husband's pet peeves. He always comments, "Do they not consider it trash?" | |
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purpledaisy
Calm
PeaNut 116,261
November 2003
Posts: 25,157
Layouts: 102
| Posted: 11/22/2012 11:49:16 AM
Here in Florida I find piles of cigarette butts on the beach.
That is just sad! |
Becca
May we be consumed with the Creator of all things rather than with things created.
6 rings - no cheating! Go STEELERS!
Holding a grudge is letting someone live rent-free in your head. | |
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kmoller
PeaNut
PeaNut 567,623
September 2012
Posts: 86
Layouts: 0
Loc: Windsor, Ontario
| Posted: 11/22/2012 12:29:36 PM
Please don't paint all smokers with the same brush. Yes, there are some out there that have no consideration for others, and can perhaps get a tad ignorant over the issue if someone says something. But there's also plenty of people that are inconsiderate and rude over any issue (ie why can't one hold the door open when entering a shop for others, or say excuse me when it's crowded (a la Black Friday shopping)...
I'm a casual smoker when I have a few cocktails, and when I visit my friends in the Caribbean we'll sometimes have a cold beverage when on the beach. A cup or bottle always comes out for cigarette butts to go into, and it always gets put in the trash when we leave. I'm horrified when I see butts left in the sand by others, nothing spoils a pristine beach more than that (or other pieces of garbage left behind). I also won't smoke if there are other people around me, simply as a matter of courtesy. So please don't paint us all with the same brush. There are indeed some responsible caring considerate smokers out there, and yes there are some plain old ignorant ones too. | |
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Andrea~
PEAlicious
PeaNut 398,306
November 2008
Posts: 326
Layouts: 0
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia
 | Posted: 11/22/2012 4:09:53 PM
I am a smoker. I consider myself to be one of the more considerate smokers out there. I don't smoke in my house, I won't smoke in a crowd, I stay the required distance away from doors and windows when I'm out in public, I won't smoke in my car when my children are there or when there are other people in my car. When in public, if there is no ashtray around, I put out my cigarette and throw the butt in the garbage. You get the idea...
That being said, I do smoke in my car when I'm alone, with my window down so I don't smoke myself out. I ash out the window, and I throw my butts out the window. I'd like to be able to say that I've never considered it, but I guess I have...somewhat. Because if there is someone on a motorcyle behind me I will neither ash nor throw my butt out the window (when I was younger a guy on a motorcyle pulled up alongside my car and asked me nicely to not do that - and since then I haven't). Also, when it's been dry around here and if I'm driving on the highway, I will hold on to the butt until I can throw it out somewhere that there's a concrete barrier to prevent it from rolling on to the dry grass.
The only reason I can give is that I don't have an ashtray in my car and throwing it out the window is just another habit - just like ashing it out the window. It is a mindless action.
It's certainly not with the intent of pissing a bunch of people off behind me, or with wreaking environmental havoc because I'm inconsiderate, entitled, rude and disgusting.
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slicksister
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 115,093
November 2003
Posts: 2,696
Layouts: 60
Loc: NorCal wine country
| Posted: 11/22/2012 4:17:56 PM
I will go out on a limb here and say I almost NEVER see it living here on the west coast. The littering aspect of it aside it's just has too much potential for wild fires here. However, I lived in Ohio for 4 years and I saw it all. the. freaking. time there. It made me crazy. I asked people about it and very few people saw a problem with it. their answer? We don't have forest fires here. It rains in the summer. UMmmm ...ok... |
| "One of the reasons I never had children is because I loathe children. They are as over rated as chicken soup." Harry Corn Harry's Law | |
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handle
PeaNut
PeaNut 532,844
December 2011
Posts: 442
Layouts: 0
Loc: Australia
| Posted: 11/22/2012 4:23:28 PM
I love all the indignation and self-rightousness whenever smoking comes up. Because only a smoker could ever do something like that, because they're all dirty and stupid, right?
Seriously, everyone does things like this. It might not be littering. Maybe you let the water run when you don't need to, or rinse out containers with chemicals in them down the drain. Maybe it's something else.
I've never smoked a cigarette in my life. I do think it's gross (and I'm around it enough, my boyfriend's a smoker). But I don't think I'm better than those who do smoke, because I know I'm not perfect and I have things I really shouldn't do. Because I've never realised I'm doing it, or I don't even realise I shouldn't, whatever the reason is.
But what makes me really livid is seeing someone smoking in their car with children riding along. Poor kids have no choice but to breathe in that nasty second hand smoke.
That's illegal here, as it should be. | |
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jodster70
To the right, To the right
PeaNut 51,257
October 2002
Posts: 5,567
Layouts: 28
Loc: Usually NSBR, an un"pea"dictable place :)
| Posted: 11/22/2012 4:26:10 PM
The butts out the window make me angry, and the people that I see just drop them on the ground and grind them with their heel make me angry too. Why should someone else have to clean up or potentially get hurt because of your bad habit?
For me, the worst place for smokers to drop cigarette butts is the playground. My friend's toddler was playing on the playground and we saw he had put something in his mouth. We ran over there and it was someone's nasty cigarette butt.
It's simple. Just throw away your own trash. It's not hard! |
**Jody**
"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government -- lest it come to dominate our lives and interests."
Patrick Henry | |
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CupcakePea
PeaNut
PeaNut 465,236
April 2010
Posts: 192
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 11/22/2012 4:31:17 PM
Once when my oldest was a baby in a stroller I was pushing her into Target when a lady threw one out of her window- she was waiting in front of Target. It just missed the stroller. Needless to say, I ripped her a new one. I didn't notice she had small kids in the car until after my rant. Oh well, too late by then. Those poor kids probably had to tolerate her incessant smoking day in and day out . | |
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anorviel
PeaNut
PeaNut 417,187
March 2009
Posts: 216
Layouts: 3
Loc: California
| Posted: 11/22/2012 4:39:33 PM
I'm a smoker as well and I can honestly say I've never thrown a butt out a window or on the ground. I'm not trying to be self-righteous or hand-slappy, I've just never done it. I keep a receptacle in my car and if I can't find an appropriate trash receptacle when I am out I put the butt somewhere in my purse, usually wrapped in an old receipt or gum wrapper. I'd be too self-conscious to do otherwise.
I have called the non-emergency line when I've seen lit cigarettes thrown out while driving, particularly when I've seen it done on the road to and from my town. I live in a highly flammable area and we see wildfires every year. I figure that if a fire should happen to start soon after that butt goes out the window, someone should have a license plate number.
I don't know why people do it, but I can tell you that not all smokers do and contrary to some of the opinions on this thread, smokers have an addiction. It doesn't make them bad, ugly, or gross.
Ann | |
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Aggiemom92
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 90,200
June 2003
Posts: 2,694
Layouts: 2
| Posted: 11/22/2012 6:30:35 PM
This-
The only reason I can give is that I don't have an ashtray in my car and throwing it out the window is just another habit - just like ashing it out the window. It is a mindless action.
is contradicted by this-
Because if there is someone on a motorcyle behind me I will neither ash nor throw my butt out the window (when I was younger a guy on a motorcyle pulled up alongside my car and asked me nicely to not do that - and since then I haven't). Also, when it's been dry around here and if I'm driving on the highway, I will hold on to the butt until I can throw it out somewhere that there's a concrete barrier to prevent it from rolling on to the dry grass.
I love all the indignation and self-rightousness whenever smoking comes up.
I only saw one post that seemed to criticize smokers for smoking. The rest are criticizing the smokers THAT THROW BUTTS out the window for that specific act. They don't get a pass on littering just because you consider them a persecuted group. |
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e_doe
PeaNut
PeaNut 525,528
October 2011
Posts: 306
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| Posted: 11/22/2012 8:23:49 PM
I think it's because they don't think of it as litter, just like I never thought of banana peels and apple cores as litter, because they'd break down so fast. Then one time, I dropped a peel in a parking lot that I walked through. It was still there, 6 months later. What in the WORLD?? But, I stopped tossing those out the window!
I also used to toss gum out the window until I was with a woman once who stepped in hot gum in a parking lot. It was a huge mess!
I honestly think it's just that people (all of us!) don't always realize what we think will happen is not the same as what actually happens. | |
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batya
Making the WWW better, one post at a time.
PeaNut 59,094
December 2002
Posts: 31,839
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Loc: up on my high horse
| Posted: 11/22/2012 8:37:11 PM
OK. So some smokers posted and some I'm sure read but maybe didn't post that they didn't think about the environment, didn't look at butts as trash, didn't think about the dangers to passers-by or others in cars who could or have been burned. I hope this means that when you know better you do better.
No need to be indignant and insist it isn't trash, when you realize it is, or that you can't hurt someone else as Dalai said she was burned by an airborne butt.
Ignore the peas saying all smokers are filthy and selfish. We know tat isn't true. That's like saying all peas are harsh and post with no filter.
Please let this be one of those threads that makes you reconsider. Don't toss the butts out your window. |
OK. Newbie. This is how it works. If your post consists of 80% sanity, 10% stupidity and 10% all kinds of crazy, we immediately focus on the 20% b/c it discredits the 80%.
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Andrea~
PEAlicious
PeaNut 398,306
November 2008
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Loc: Beautiful British Columbia
| Posted: 11/22/2012 8:43:30 PM
I also said that I somewhat consider it.
I guess it only goes as far as considering someone on a motorcycle and trying not to start grass fires. Not enough to where I'm considering the littering aspect of it.
Yes - this thread is making me consider it now. And hope one of my butts has never errantly made it into someone's open car window. | |
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Sukkii
PeaNut
PeaNut 539,967
January 2012
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| Posted: 11/23/2012 3:29:13 AM
I'm a smoker but I never smoke in the car, it is dangerous, you cannot be concentrating properly on driving with a cig in your hand also even if you dont have an ashtray the whole car stinks horribly.
I also never smoke indoors, keep the required distance away from entrances and if there is no ashtray or bin to be seen I just wont smoke. I am a very considerate smoker and while it is a pretty nasty habit, I am not a vile, nasty, dirty, ignorant nor lazy person as some here have said. I hate dirty, overflowing ashtrays - mine are always emptied and clean but my biggest disgust has to be cigarette butts on the beach  If you have to smoke use an empty drinks can or plastic cup then dispose of it in the bin, I have come close to vomitting when I see cigarette butts in the sand. Obviously I dont like any litter but a stray tissue or wrapper does not rile me up nearly as much as cigarettes. An adult has thrown a nasty thing away where kids and dogs can eat them
All smokers should think that the butt is litter and is offensive to many people and dispose of it properly. | |
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gar
Whoopea!
PeaNut 172,235
October 2004
Posts: 12,499
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Loc: England UK
| Posted: 11/23/2012 3:42:17 AM
I can't work out why people don't think of butts as litter?
I can understand thinking an apple core thrown onto a grass area will rot away but a cig butt isn't 'organic' so I find it odd that a smoker would truly think it wasn't litter.
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"I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours."
Stephen Roberts
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katethecatlover
PeaNut
PeaNut 458,516
March 2010
Posts: 396
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Loc: Australia
| Posted: 11/23/2012 5:31:47 AM
If you smoke in your car, deal with it IN YOUR CAR. I am always stunned by people who smoke, and who wish to smoke while driving, but god forbid they should use their car's ashtrays.
I'm a cynic. I think it's because they want to have a (relatively) smoke free car for sale / trade in. And the rest of us have to put up with their selfishness as they treat the whole world as their ashtray. | |
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myboysnme
one of those "entitled" peas
PeaNut 69,081
February 2003
Posts: 6,737
Layouts: 1
| Posted: 11/23/2012 8:41:16 AM
I think smoking can become a kind of 'culture,' smokers gravitate toward each other on smoke breaks, it can become a social kind of thing. They gather around the butt can or whatever area has been designated. Many might see a butt as biodegradable, made of dried plant and paper. What others are doing they will do, so if there is no butt can you'll see them on the ground.
I also think it comes from the idea of what to do with it. They don't want to have a lit butt in the car, and where are you going to put it out if you don't have an ash tray? If you just toss it, it will go out and rain will desolve it. I know that doesn't happen as evidenced by all the butts on the side of the road, but I'm sure many people just see it as harmless.
I don't smoke, never have, but I see butts on my driveway from my son's friends - I don't offer ashtrays because I don't want smoking in my house, so it seems they step outside for a quick smoke and then step on the butt. I would prefer they step on it, dip it in liquid, like a soda or water, and put it in the trash. But they don't, so I guess they don't know what else to do with them.
I think when smokers realize they are not biodegradable and really do cause problems, most will stop doing it. Just like far fewer people litter than used to when I was a kid. People used to think the paper will desolve and the animals will eat the leftovers. Now we know that plastic is forever. |
My choice is to not take it personally - people have opinions. Particularly people here.-Peabay 12/29/11
I know this is assuming, but I'm really starting to think you are one of those "entitled" peas - Dalayney 4/2/12
profile pic courtesy of GreenEyedLady Designs at Scrap ARt Studio.
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Simply_Lovely
PeaFixture
PeaNut 463,295
April 2010
Posts: 3,303
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Loc: New York City
| Posted: 11/23/2012 8:54:05 AM
I only saw one post that seemed to criticize smokers for smoking. The rest are criticizing the smokers THAT THROW BUTTS out the window for that specific act
That's your perception of it. If you see some of the adjectives used in this thread it's clear that the posters using them hate smokes in general. Spitting out gum on sidewalks is also gross, dangerous, and littering. But I hardly doubt that anyone would say that those who do it are "vile, disgusting, dirty scum." They'd just say they are rude assholes.
And I don't feel persecuted in the slightest, I know there are people who don't like smokers and that's fine by me.
I can't work out why people don't think of butts as litter?
And I can't work out why people use paper plates every day, or text at 2am, or not wipe their pee from the toilet seat, or shoot up heroin. A few of us have given or at least tried to give an explanation and yet it's not enough. If you don't smoke you can't even begin to understand any of their thought processes. Just accept that some smokers are assholes and that's that. |
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