[hooked_on_tonics]

I'm curious if people who don't normally smoke find themselves smoking socially in countries where a large proportion of the populace smokes.

Behavioral studies suggest that when more people around you engage in a behavior, it subconsciously becomes more acceptable to you.

Particularly in the context of meeting women (day or night), sparking a cigarette can be such an easy, nonchalant and instant connection.

I always have a bit of an internal dilemma when I travel to these places because I am trying to prioritize my health more as I progress through my 20s, but I also find it difficult to pass up on such an easy opportunity.

[samsamsam]

I think this depends on you.

What I mean is, you say you value health but you see compromising it as a easy way to meet a girl.

So my question is, are you that desperate to go against what you believe in?

I wouldn't go citing behavioral studies to make you feel better about being weak willed. I am not trying to be holier than thou. I just think men must stick to what they believe in. I am not so much disturbed by smoking as much as your willingness to compromise your beliefs to try and get pussy.

Honestly, just trying to help. When one is willing to compromise one belief, they are often willing to compromise others.

Truth is like poetry. And most people fucking hate poetry.

[Cation]

Remind me, what is this topic about?

If you want to have a smoke, do it. Who gives a shit?

This "instant connection" you're talking about is nonsense. If a girl likes you, she won't judge you on a smoker-non smoker basis.

[Steelex]

Never had a chick turn me down cause I didn't smoke.

[hooked_on_tonics]

(06-16-2017 01:57 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  

So my question is, are you that desperate to go against what you believe in?

I am not so much disturbed by smoking as much as your willingness to compromise your beliefs to try and get pussy.

That was a bit aggressive, but I can appreciate your intention behind it.

I'm well aware that I am compromising my health to a degree in exchange for social benefits.

To be fair, I think many men do this to an extent with drinking alcohol (consuming more than the healthy 2 units per day) or eating out (have worked in more than a few kitchens and the amount of butter most western restaurants use is appalling).

I would be significantly closer to my fitness goals if I didn't have the occasional cigarette, consume empty alcohol calories and only ate my own meal preparations. But what kind of life is that? I've done the "strict gym rat" lifestyle for a period of time and I wasn't as happy as when I allow myself some vices.

In regards to the quoted portion, I am still forming my beliefs on what I find an acceptable trade-off. I am open to re-evaluate them, which is why I'm trying to compare notes with others who have experimented with them.

Of course it is a personal decision. I am not looking for someone to tell me what to do, rather I am interested to hear what others have decided for themselves.

[hooked_on_tonics]

(06-16-2017 02:18 PM)Cation Wrote:  

Remind me, what is this topic about?

If you want to have a smoke, do it. Who gives a shit?

This "instant connection" you're talking about is nonsense. If a girl likes you, she won't judge you on a smoker-non smoker basis.

Fair enough.

[MikeS]

No. I didn't feel an inclination to start smoking when I was in my young teens and half my friends started smoking (and I still had smoking friends, girlfriends and family later - even my current LTR smokes) and living in Eastern Europe for the last four years certainly hadn't increased the urge.
Hell, I barely drink alcohol anymore aside from the occasional beer or glass of wine, but I was kind of fed up with that already before I moved. It was fun to move here and see huge 2 liter beer bottles though, we never had those in my native country and I suspect the level of "mild" alcoholism is also a bit higher here in Bulgaria.

[sterling_archer]

So when the title of thread says EE, here is my take on it. First of all, Croatia is not exactly EE, but the same thing applies like there. Smoking is extremely popular addiction in Balkan and EE and it seems that all ex-communist countries share this. I read some articles that talk in detail why that is, but bottom line it falls down to "media made it cool" and smoking is always prevalent among poor people.
That being said you will see very hot chicks puffing like steam locomotives. To girls here its a sign of culture and that culture thinks its a high class when you smoke cigarettes. Like Allen Carr says, its a complete brainwashing because of media in combination with addiction. Guys who smoke tend to fall into the category of thugs or also high "culture".

My advice is that if that you don't trade health for some "instant connection". That is why the Game is for. I stopped smoking several weeks ago and haven't look back since.

[hooked_on_tonics]

^ Thank you, that is the sort of insight I was hoping for

[Satoshi]

(06-16-2017 02:35 PM)Steelex Wrote:  

Never had a chick turn me down cause I didn't smoke.

I had girls turn me down because I smoked. Happy to not be smoking anymore.

[Uruz]

(06-16-2017 04:04 PM)Satoshi Wrote:  

I had girls turn me down because I smoked. Happy to not be smoking anymore.

Never happened to me, I guess it was more a game thing than smoking.

[hooked_on_tonics]

While I will admit that there may be a bit of hamstering justifying my occasional indulgence, those denying that there are benefits to sparking up in the context of meeting women who smoke either haven't tried it or aren't being completely honest.

I'm not saying you can't achieve similar results with game, but when you find a girl that smokes, it is significantly easier to isolate her and have improved conversation over a cigarette outside.

Also, to put things into context, I am not smoking a pack a day. I do this maybe 3-4 times a month. And honestly, its not always to talk to women. Sometimes I will do it as a supplement to my morning espresso and other times I will enjoy a smoke with a guy that I am having interesting conversation with.

[puckerman]

I don't smoke. I automatically disqualify women who do.

[Pointer]

(06-16-2017 09:52 PM)hooked_on_tonics Wrote:  

While I will admit that there may be a bit of hamstering justifying my occasional indulgence, those denying that there are benefits to sparking up in the context of meeting women who smoke either haven't tried it or aren't being completely honest.

I'm not saying you can't achieve similar results with game, but when you find a girl that smokes, it is significantly easier to isolate her and have improved conversation over a cigarette outside.

Also, to put things into context, I am not smoking a pack a day. I do this maybe 3-4 times a month. And honestly, its not always to talk to women. Sometimes I will do it as a supplement to my morning espresso and other times I will enjoy a smoke with a guy that I am having interesting conversation with.

Depends on your standards. Smoking is not exactly a healthy habit and it usually comes with some deeper underlying issues. If a girl smokes simply because she thinks it's cool she probably needs to grow up.

[debeguiled]

I got smoke shamed by some rolling papers the other day.

[ProGambler]

Sipping becherovka and smoking in bars in Czech Republic is one of the greatest pleasures on European soil one can enjoy.

[Uruz]

(06-24-2017 02:45 PM)ProGambler Wrote:  

Sipping becherovka

Don't know anybody who would drink that shit. Well, besides the President. Get yourself some Zelená, chase it with Radegast and you are set, occasional shot of Jager or Absinth. Plus chain-smoking of course and coins for jukebox.

At least the Beer has masculine commercials.

"Life is bitter, thank god."

[Slam]

It does affect you the longer you stay in the environment. What use to be an disqualifier for the women, now that you see so many of them do it, becomes a non-disqualifier for them. And then you decide it's not a disqualifier for you. So you start. Stuff like this seems to happen.

But the advice by other posters is right. If you really want to hold to your values, have it settled in your mind and resist from day one.