Business Smoke Breaks...Trashy?

[mrburns918]

Last night while sitting on the patio of a downtown restaurant late afternoon, I noticed a couple of employees sitting at the bar smoking. It didn't really bother me, until they got up and retrieved their own chips from the bin. I just felt that they should at least wash their hands.

It reminded me of an even bigger pet peeve of mine. Employees who take smoke breaks in front of their stores. It bothers me seeing employees lingering around smoking near the entrance of say an Office Depot. I have noticed this with several businesses. It makes a place look downright trashy.

Don't get me wrong, even though I detest cigarettes and prefer instead a good Dunhill pipe or Ashton VSG cigar, I whole heartedly support the rights of someone who wants to kill themselves with cigarettes, liquor, food, etc. etc. I just wonder if retail businesses realize it might be in their best interest to allow a back door exit with a smoking area. Sure the issues with stealing, code, etc. etc. are a problem, but the exterior of your store's appearance makes the first impression.

Maybe this isn't a big deal to most people. I taught customer service to new dealers for a major company for over fifteen years, maybe it's me that's being overly sensitive.

What do you think?

Mr. Burns

[Gold]

I'm opposed to smoking in front of all downtown buildings.  It makes myself and others sick.  It's a disgusting habit and needs to be banned outright.

I've noticed a lot of downtown businesses send their employees to back alleys to smoke.  Others don't care, but I question certain businesses that are fine with the 50-something year old secretary looking like she's in her late 70's while stopping outside to smoke six times a business day.

[carltonplace]

Whatever the occupation, the smoke break should be out of sight of the customer with a trip to the WC to wash your hands after.

[Hometown]

I quit about 12 years ago when my company made a $2,000 contribution to the charity of my choice if I would quit.  I directed the money to an immigrant assistance group.

But something about the antismoking crusade smells like Puritanical obsessing to me.  When I turn 75 I'm going to go out and buy a carton of Camels and a bottle of Scotch and forgot all about self-improvement.

Meanwhile, there's something more disturbing than cigarette smoke and that's the princess that feels like the unpopularity of smoking gives her license to be very rude to smokers.

[RecycleMichael]

Cigarette litter pisses me off.

Nobody wants to see your butt.

[waterboy]

You have a keen eye Mr. Burns. I also think it looks kind of trashy and I especially don't like seeing restaurant employees with dirty smocks on by the back door. But I don't let it bother me. If I saw everything they do I would never go out to eat. McDonalds used to have glass panels around their cooking area so that customers could see how clean and well operated their stores were. It made us work harder to keep things clean since customers were watching. However, the quality of employees is different now. Can't do that.

Security wise most retailers won't let employees go in and out of the back door without pass setting off an alarm. They have to smoke out front and usually look pretty guilty doing it. At only $8.75 hr they shouldn't think twice.

[inteller]

the area around city hall has become a lot more trashy looking and smoke filled.  before, companies in there would make employees cross the street to smoke.  Now the Ceetee Wurkers go the minimum distance from the door and smoke.

[guido911]

quote:Originally posted by Gold

I'm opposed to smoking in front of all downtown buildings.  It makes myself and others sick.  It's a disgusting habit and needs to be banned outright.

I've noticed a lot of downtown businesses send their employees to back alleys to smoke.  Others don't care, but I question certain businesses that are fine with the 50-something year old secretary looking like she's in her late 70's while stopping outside to smoke six times a business day.

I would like those smokers to also take the stairs after they smoke. Who really likes standing in close quarters with someone smelling like a monkey's donkey and having that smell get absorbed into your clothes.

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by guido911

quote:Originally posted by Gold

I'm opposed to smoking in front of all downtown buildings.  It makes myself and others sick.  It's a disgusting habit and needs to be banned outright.

I've noticed a lot of downtown businesses send their employees to back alleys to smoke.  Others don't care, but I question certain businesses that are fine with the 50-something year old secretary looking like she's in her late 70's while stopping outside to smoke six times a business day.

I would like those smokers to also take the stairs after they smoke. Who really likes standing in close quarters with someone smelling like a monkey's donkey and having that smell get absorbed into your clothes.

AMEN TO THAT!  What makes the matter worse is you see these women that look hawt, and then you ride back up the elevator with them after a smoke break and suddenly they look disgusting.  it reminds me of that movie Shallow Hal where the hot chick in real life looks completely gross to Hal.

[Gold]

One day I went down to my building's snack bar to buy a granola bar because I was starving.  On the way back, this woman, smelling of cancer sticks, comments on my "healthy breakfast."  I told her I'd take bets on who lives longer.

[danno]

How's the view from your high horses guys?

[carltonplace]

My horse stinks of cigarettes, he might be high...I haven't asked him.

[guido911]

quote:Originally posted by danno

How's the view from your high horses guys?

Healthy and not smelling like a monkey's donkey.

[Ed W]

I was waiting for someone outside a business when I noticed what appeared to be white mulch or marble under all the landscaping out front.  It was cigarette butts - thousands of them!  

My employer intimated that unless the outdoor smoking areas were kept clean, smokers could be required to leave company property for a smoke break.  That would mean going through security and leaving a record of your gate time in and out.  People got much better at cleaning up after themselves.

[mrnotducks]

Just out of curiosity, guido911, how do you know what a monkey's donkey smells like?