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Peggy M. Parks, AICI CIP, CPBS

Ambassador of Corporate Civility

The Parks Image Group

Business Etiquette and Corporate Civility Experts
serving company, leadership and staff
Peggy M. Parks, AICI CIP, CPBS
Contact The Parks Image Group today and let us help you:
  • build corporate credibility and staff confidence; and
  • ensure that your employees at every level of the company represent your corporate brand and message, both internally and when they interact with the public.

Lights Out: Smoking Etiquette

by Peggy M. Parks, AICI CIP, CPBS

Remember when you couldn’t go to a bar without coming home reeking of cigarette smoke? Now that many cities have banned smoking in bars and restaurants this is less of an issue, but occasionally I do encounter a smoker who insists on puffing away right in my face. While I feel that smoking is a personal choice, I do believe that smokers should be mindful of their etiquette so that their bad habit doesn’t infringe on other people. A few tips:

-No smoking means no smoking. Abstain from smoking in areas—hotel rooms, bars, airplane bathrooms, etc.—that are clearly marked as “non-smoking.” You’re almost certain to be caught. Remember that guy who caused an air terrorism scare because he lit up in the bathroom mid-flight?

-Take it outside. If you are visiting a friend, you should excuse yourself and go outside if you need a cigarette. Don’t assume that because you are among friends you will be free to stink up their home or car with smoke. In fact, I know quite a few smokers who don’t smoke in their own homes as the smell lingers on the furniture. Also, if smoking outside be sure to dispose of your cigarette stub. I once had a guest who left my driveway littered with cigarette butts!

-Be aware of other people. How many times have you walked down the street and been hit with a cloud of cigarette smoke courtesy of a passerby? Or had ashes flicked on you, or been dangerously close to a cigarette burn because a smoker was waving his or her arms around carelessly? If you’re a smoker, try to maintain a safe distance and be conscious of your actions — and avoid smoking near children.

-Carry around your own matches or lighters. This isn’t true of everyone, but barely a week goes by when someone doesn’t approach me or a friend and asks for a light or even a cigarette—and then gets upset when I have neither.

-Don’t take advantage of smoke breaks. I once worked in an office where several people smoked, and they stepped out every hour or so for 10- to 15-minute smoke breaks. But the non-smokers in the office couldn’t take the same liberties. Consult your employee handbook to see how your company treats personal breaks, and heed the rules.

Filed Under: Etiquette Tagged With: etiquette, Image, image consultant, parks image group, peggy parks, smoking, smoking etiquette

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