Smoking near kids in beer garden

Afroshack · 17-05-2014 4:45pm #1

Is this socially acceptable? Yesterday I was having after-work drinks and food in a really sunny beer garden with some work friends - around half 7 in the evening. A family with small children came out and sat next to us, then requested that we stop smoking whilst they were there with their kids. In an outdoor beer garden. We agreed to do it, but it was pretty clear we weren't happy about it. Do you think they were right to request that we not smoke and we were right to make our feelings clear? Id' never smoke near a child at a bus stop/ street area but surely a beer garden at 7pm is fair game?

diveout · 17-05-2014 4:45pm

Kids should not be in beer gardens.

orangesoda · 17-05-2014 4:46pm

lady garden you say?

December2012 · 17-05-2014 4:46pm

Kids shouldn't be there. Fair game.

endacl · 17-05-2014 4:47pm

Afroshack wrote: »

Is this socially acceptable? Yesterday I was having after-work drinks and food in a really sunny beer garden with some work friends - around half 7 in the evening. A family with small children came out and sat next to us, then requested that we stop smoking whilst they were there with their kids. In an outdoor beer garden. We agreed to do it, but it was pretty clear we weren't happy about it. Do you think they were right to request that we not smoke and we were right to make our feelings clear? Id' never smoke near a child at a bus stop/ street area but surely a beer garden at 7pm is fair game?

Feck off somewhere else with your kids.

^^

And this from a smug ex smoker.

Greenmachine · 17-05-2014 4:47pm

Afroshack wrote: »

Is this socially acceptable? Yesterday I was having after-work drinks and food in a really sunny beer garden with some work friends - around half 7 in the evening. A family with small children came out and sat next to us, then requested that we stop smoking whilst they were there with their kids. In an outdoor beer garden. We agreed to do it, but it was pretty clear we weren't happy about it. Do you think they were right to request that we not smoke and we were right to make our feelings clear? Id' never smoke near a child at a bus stop/ street area but surely a beer garden at 7pm is fair game?

Beer garden is for smokers. If they wanted a smoke free environment they should have stayed indoors or at home.

Merkin · 17-05-2014 4:48pm

Cheeky feckers. A pub beer garden is no place for children so they were totally out of order.

Muise... · 17-05-2014 4:49pm

Smokers don't smoke indoors in the Winter, do they? Tell the Summer invasion of the beer garden to share it or fcuk off.

*smug ex-smoker #2

endacl · 17-05-2014 4:49pm

Greenmachine wrote: »

Beer garden is for smokers. If they wanted a smoke free environment they should have stayed indoors or at home.

What about those of us who go to the pub for a kid free environment?

AgileMyth · 17-05-2014 4:49pm

Its a smoking area. Beer garden just sounds nicer in the pubs ads.

fussyonion · 17-05-2014 4:50pm

This irritates the hell out of me. You were well within your rights to smoke where you were. The family who asked you to stop smoking were bang out of order. They know smokers congregate outside because, HELLO, we can't smoke indoors. If it bothers them that much, they should have gone INSIDE where there is no smoking.

Billy Connolly once said he was staying at The Four Seasons in Dublin some years back, when you could smoke indoors, and he was enjoying a cigar at the bar when this posh woman approached him and said "Do you mind putting that cigar out? The smell bothers me and I'm expecting company soon."
Billy replied "I don't care if you're expecting twins, I'm smoking in the bar. Go outside and enjoy all the air you like."

I also hate these people who walk past the entrance to a pub, waving their hands at the cigarette smoke and muttering "I wish they'd smoke somewhere else." WHERE?!

Feckin moaners.
*lights a cigarette and blows smoke at all the non-smokers just 'cos*

loalae · 17-05-2014 4:50pm

If they didn't want their children exposed to smoke they shouldn't have sat in a designated smoking area. Idiots!

Very cheeky of them to ask and wouldn't have had a legitimate reason to complain if you hadn't complied with their request.

eviltwin · 17-05-2014 4:51pm

Kids shouldn't be in a beer garden but just because you only have the beer garden to smoke in doesn't make it your area, its communal, lots of people don't want to be stuck indoors on a nice evening but don't want to have to breathe in smoke either. A bit of compromise on all parts goes a long way.

endacl · 17-05-2014 4:51pm

AgileMyth wrote: »

Its a smoking area. Beer garden just sounds nicer in the pubs ads.

True. If you actually did a bit of gardening you'd be fecked out of the place.

fussyonion · 17-05-2014 4:52pm

eviltwin wrote: »

Kids shouldn't be in a beer garden but just because you only have the beer garden to smoke in doesn't make it your area, its communal, lots of people don't want to be stuck indoors on a nice evening but don't want to have to breathe in smoke either. A bit of compromise on all parts goes a long way.

Yes so they should sit AWAY from the smokers.

If I go out into a beer garden and see loads of people sitting around who don't smoke, I won't stand directly beside them.

But it works both ways. Sit away from me. Other than that, I cannot control where the smoke goes. The wind does that.

Holsten · 17-05-2014 4:53pm

No they were not right at all.

Children shouldn't be anywhere near a beer garden.

Why you would stop I have no idea.

Quazzie · 17-05-2014 4:53pm

It's a beer garden, not a smoking area. Put the cigarette out and be considerate of other patrons. If you wanted to smoke you should've went to the designated smoking area.

fussyonion · 17-05-2014 4:54pm

Quazzie wrote: »

It's a beer garden, not a smoking area. Put the cigarette out and be considerate of other patrons. If you wanted to smoke you should've went to the designated smoking area.

And what if the beer garden is the only designated area?

endacl · 17-05-2014 4:54pm

Quazzie wrote: »

It's a beer garden, not a smoking area. Put the cigarette out and be considerate of other patrons. If you wanted to smoke you should've went to the designated smoking area.

You're messing, right?

Grab All Association · 17-05-2014 4:54pm

You should have told them to **** OFF they got their smoking ban indoors 10 years ago if they don't like smokers then go back indoors. Let me guess mid 30s to early 40s. Country girl smell of silage looks like your one Grainne from Bosco?

fussyonion · 17-05-2014 4:55pm

endacl wrote: »

You're messing, right?

One would hope so.

Pwindedd · 17-05-2014 4:55pm

Afroshack wrote: »

Is this socially acceptable? Yesterday I was having after-work drinks and food in a really sunny beer garden with some work friends - around half 7 in the evening. A family with small children came out and sat next to us, then requested that we stop smoking whilst they were there with their kids. In an outdoor beer garden. We agreed to do it, but it was pretty clear we weren't happy about it. Do you think they were right to request that we not smoke and we were right to make our feelings clear? Id' never smoke near a child at a bus stop/ street area but surely a beer garden at 7pm is fair game?

You're a smoker, with no rights whatsoever, despite all that extra tax you pay. Go and stand in the gutter where you belong

Seriously though I think it depends on the garden, if it's designed to attract families (slides, swings etc) then yeh maybe they should just have a couple of smoking tables away from the others. A normal beer garden then no - the smoking ban has enabled more families to visit pubs and restaurants. The evicted smokers should still feel comfortable to smoke outside without being hassled. You did the right thing, you stopped smoking because you are considerate but you made your feelings known because you were technically within your rights.

Captain Chaos · 17-05-2014 4:56pm

fussyonion wrote: »

I also hate these people who walk past the entrance to a pub, waving their hands at the cigarette smoke and muttering "I wish they'd smoke somewhere else." WHERE?!

Feckin moaners.
*lights a cigarette and blows smoke at all the non-smokers just 'cos*

In fairness the smoking law does state, though rarely enforced, that you are not allowed to smoke outdoors within 2-3 meters of any doorway or open window.

Dr Turk Turkelton · 17-05-2014 4:56pm

Never mind children not being in a beer garden, they shouldn't be in a bar at all.
Was out to watch the soccer last Sunday and kids everywhere. Disgraceful.

fussyonion · 17-05-2014 4:57pm

Captain Chaos wrote: »

In fairness the smoking law does state, though rarely enforced, that you are not allowed to smoke outdoors within 2-3 meters of any doorway or open window.

Oh sorry but I don't normally carry a measuring tape with me in my handbag on a Saturday night.

Quazzie · 17-05-2014 4:57pm

fussyonion wrote: »

And what if the beer garden is the only designated area?

Well then it's a smoking area, not a beer garden. Two different things

endacl wrote: »

You're messing, right?

Not in the slightest. If I call into somewhere for some food after a family day out, the last thing I want is someone smoking all over my kids.

csallmighty · 17-05-2014 4:57pm

Should have blown smoke in their face like this

fussyonion · 17-05-2014 4:59pm

Quazzie wrote: »

Well then it's a smoking area, not a beer garden. Two different things

Not in the slightest. If I call into somewhere for some food after a family day out, the last thing I want is someone smoking all over my kids.

If you don't want someone smoking all over your kids, move away from them.
Any smokers I know don't intentionally stand beside children to have their cigarette.

endacl · 17-05-2014 4:59pm

Quazzie wrote: »

Well then it's a smoking area, not a beer garden. Two different things

Not in the slightest. If I call into somewhere for some food after a family day out, the last thing I want is someone smoking all over my kids.

Better call into the indoor bit so.

Captain Chaos · 17-05-2014 4:59pm

fussyonion wrote: »

Oh sorry but I don't normally carry a measuring tape with me in my handbag on a Saturday night.

Common sense in fairness. Everyone should have an idea of what 2 meters is anyway. A 6ft man is 1.8m. There you go.

fussyonion · 17-05-2014 5:00pm

Captain Chaos wrote: »

Common sense in fairness. Everyone should have an idea of what 2 meters is. A 6ft man is 1.8m. There you go.

I have absolutely no concept of size.
This has gone against me before but the less said about that the better.

gumbo1 · 17-05-2014 5:01pm

Not a hope would I have stopped smoking in the only designated area I can when out socialising at the request of anyone at any time. Would I be right in thinking that there was a licencing law at one time where minors had to be gone from a drinking emporium by 6.30? Or was that just at the discretion off the licence holder?

endacl · 17-05-2014 5:01pm

Captain Chaos wrote: »

Common sense in fairness. Everyone should have an idea of what 2 meters is. A 6ft man is 1.8m. There you go.

Absolutely. I'm 2m. I just lie down with my feet against the wall. If you're standing on my face, you're too close. Also, stop standing on my face.

Muise... · 17-05-2014 5:01pm

Captain Chaos wrote: »

Common sense in fairness. Everyone should have an idea of what 2 meters is anyway. A 6ft man is 1.8m. There you go.

Lie down outside the door there Captain, fussyonion is gasping.

TOO LATE! aboy endacl!

fussyonion · 17-05-2014 5:01pm

endacl wrote: »

Absolutely. I'm 2m. I just lie down with my feet against the wall. If you're standing on my face, you're too close. Also, stop standing on my face.

:D

johnnyskeleton · 17-05-2014 5:02pm

Have some consideration for the kids and let them drink their Bacardi breezers in a smoke free environment

DEFTLEFTHAND · 17-05-2014 5:04pm

It's perfectly acceptable, people need places where they can smoke without interference.

bumper234 · 17-05-2014 5:04pm

I would have politely told them that it is the outdoor section and i am fully entitled to smoke, If they didn't like this then it would have been their problem not mine, smug ex smoker #3

Orion · 17-05-2014 5:06pm

Quazzie wrote: »

Well then it's a smoking area, not a beer garden. Two different things

Not in the slightest. If I call into somewhere for some food after a family day out, the last thing I want is someone smoking all over my kids.

They sat down beside someone who was already there smoking then complained about it? I'd have ignored their request - some cheek tbh.

brummytom · 17-05-2014 5:07pm

It's stupid, kids shouldn't be in pubs at all, the beer garden's for smokers.

The other day, I was having a smoke while waiting for a bus. I wasn't at the actual bus stop, despite it being empty, but maybe 6 feet away or so. A woman came and stood next to me, and asked me to move. Standing next to a very busy, very polluted road.

F*cking pontificating non-smokers

poundapunnet · 17-05-2014 5:09pm

eviltwin wrote: »

Kids shouldn't be in a beer garden but just because you only have the beer garden to smoke in doesn't make it your area, its communal, lots of people don't want to be stuck indoors on a nice evening but don't want to have to breathe in smoke either. A bit of compromise on all parts goes a long way.

I don't think you really understand what a compromise is. It's not "I want to bring my kids to a pub on a Friday evening, AND I want to sit outside AND I don't want anybody smoking near them"

Maphisto · 17-05-2014 5:11pm

Afroshack wrote: »

Is this socially acceptable? Yesterday I was having after-work drinks and food in a really sunny beer garden with some work friends - around half 7 in the evening. A family with small children came out and sat next to us, then requested that we stop smoking whilst they were there with their kids. In an outdoor beer garden. We agreed to do it, but it was pretty clear we weren't happy about it. Do you think they were right to request that we not smoke and we were right to make our feelings clear? Id' never smoke near a child at a bus stop/ street area but surely a beer garden at 7pm is fair game?

I think I'd have told them no - nicely to start with.

Unless of course they all arrived in a couple of white vans, in which case I'd have probably gone elsewhere.

Reformed smoker too, though my wife still smokes and feckin loves every last dirty drag.

Pumpkinseeds · 17-05-2014 5:18pm

It's ridiculous having kids in a pub environment in the evening, frankly I'd rather not have kids in pubs at any time but that's a whole other thread. They had a cheek asking you to put out your ciggy, I'd have told them to stick it up their arse and take their child home. I'm another ex-smoker.

rotun · 17-05-2014 5:20pm

I'd have ignored their request - some cheek tbh.

Yeah the parents have a cheek. But you wouldn't smoke in the kids faces, not their fault their folks are tossers.

Muise... · 17-05-2014 5:24pm

rotun wrote: »

Yeah the parents have a cheek. But you wouldn't smoke in the kids faces, not their fault their folks are tossers.

If I still smoked, I wouldn't see any harm in smoking outdoors at a table beside a table that some children were sitting at. It wouldn't be "in their faces".

rotun · 17-05-2014 5:26pm

"Ok"

AmberGold · 17-05-2014 5:28pm

Children shouldn't be in pubs.

17-05-2014 5:30pm

I suppose they can ask if they want and you can say no if you want

Ghekko · 17-05-2014 5:30pm

You were there first. They should have sat elsewhere. Neither Dh nor I smoke so We would never sit in a smoking area, let alone have our kids sit in one! If someone outside smoked near us we would probably move but would never ask them to.

eviltwin · 17-05-2014 5:30pm

poundapunnet wrote: »

I don't think you really understand what a compromise is. It's not "I want to bring my kids to a pub on a Friday evening, AND I want to sit outside AND I don't want anybody smoking near them"

I completely agree with the OP in this case, I'm talking more in general. When I was smoking if I went into a beer garden that was fairly busy and had a lot of kids around I would usually go out the front to have a smoke, it wasn't that big a deal to do it. I would have friends who smoke who think they have more of a right to be there than non smokers though who would think the beer garden was their area and everyone else can piss off back inside but on sunny days who wants to do that. Of course if someone came in and made a point of telling me to stop after sitting beside me I'd say no.

Ihatecuddles · 17-05-2014 5:32pm

We were in the pub today, just having lunch. There was a girl in a communion dress, having a party with maybe 30 guests.

One lady asked a table of guys to be quiet, her toddler was trying to sleep in the corner.

They laughed in her face basically, more in disbelief than rudeness. They weren't even being loud!!

Smoking near kids in beer garden

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