When I feel pushed past the edge, I act out. -> Back story
This morning, I arrived earlier than usual and was worried I wouldn't see the usual band of rude smokers.
Instead, I was greeted with a new batch.
Clustered around the four Presto machines (shown in my illustration below) near the only entrance to the train platforms at Oshawa, several men and women were enjoying their cancer sticks, oblivious to my agenda.
I handed out my cards and with my face buried in my scarf (to ward off the smoke and also to mask my identity), I politely asked one of them to move so I could tap my Presto card and in turn, said, "This is for you ... and you ... and you ... and you." I gave out six. I had printed eight. I did it very quickly.
I admit my heart was racing and I didn't turn around to see if any of them actually read what was printed, but I hopped on a coach proud of my attempt to make a point. If any of these smokers boarded the train with me, I wouldn't know. No one tried to confront me.
I doubt I made a difference.
18 comments:
As a I fellow non-smoker - I appreciate your effort. It should be GO employees enforcing the rules, not GO customers.
Commuter justice.
It's not like I haven't tried to engage GO Transit, its safety division, MPPs, Metrolinx and other bureaucrats. This fight, along with one being conducted and waged out in Oakville has been going on for a year.
The problem with smokers not obeying the by-law speaks not only to a lack in enforcement but a lack of manners in society.
These people are adults.
It's a fucking shame.
THERE ARE NO SIGNS SAYING NO SMOKING AROUND ANY OF THE PRESTO MACHINES SO IF I HAD BEEN THERE I WOULD HAVE SHOVED YOUR STUPID CARD DOWN YOUR THROAT. BUY A SURGICAL MASK. BITCH.
Hi Dave
You've missed the whole point.
I'm sorry, are you saying that signs would make a difference? Because they don't. Visit any GO station and you'll see how well some smokers obey the by-law.
We can't legislate common courtesy in this country.
You don't need signs telling you to be a decent human being.
Your momma should have taught you that.
Clearly, she taught you nothing.
Cajones... you gots them!
And Dave. Whoa. Chill before you stroke out. And if you are smoking like a chimney that will happen sooner rather than later.
Dave,
What does a by-law have to do with it? It's called commone effin' courtesy.
People HAVE to use the presto machine, therfore, they HAVE to wade through your cancer-causing crap.
On the other hand, you DON'T HAVE to smoke right near the machines.
Of course, common courtesy isn't something I'd expect you to have, I mean, you don't even have the common courtesy to your own body.
As to your by-law comment, it is illegal to smoke on GO property...so shove it.
Nice comment, Dave S. Why don't you shove a light cigarette in your ear - lit end first!
@Dave
Actually, i'm going to by a knuckleduster so that when i see you self-righteous ignorant fucks whose intelligence is in direct proportion with their genetic deformity like yourself i can make you re-think your smoking near non-smokers.
Signed
Anti-Smoking Defence League
@Dave S
You can hit the comment button all day. I am not publishing your vitriol criticism of how I chose to take a stand.
Good bye.
Yesterday, Gary McNeil, the president of GO Transit, broadcast a five-minute message across the fleet via radio. He stated that it was the second anniversary of the Passenger Charter and how successful it has been. Based on this article, and the ensuing comments, the delivery of promised safety at GO Transit requires a reality check by senior management.
LOL @ Dib. I bett Dave S is stupid enought to try it!
I have no sympathy for smokers. If one is 80 years old, say, and became addicted as a teenager before the risks were fully known, that's one thing. Or maybe if one grew up in France. But for anyone who made the choice to begin smoking in North America after 1980, there's no excuse. That's a deliberate thumbing of the nose at basic social codes. Smokers constitute one of the most stubborn groups apparently determined to engage in a destructive behavior despite repeated attempts at education and subtle and not-so-subtle hints from society that this is an activity best relegated to the trash heap of history.
The choice to smoke and to allow oneself to become addicted to nicotine and to persist in the behavior into adulthood seems to be rooted in nothing more adult or sophisticated than "You're not the boss of me!". In fact, I find that many inconsiderate smokers use some variation of "You're not the boss of me!" As their go-to response when told their childish behaviour is irritating others.
Grow up and read the signs of the times. Smoking is an activity whose social appropriateness is history. If you must do it to prove that the rest of us aren't the boss of you, then I don't want to know about it. I don't want to breathe in smoke. I don't want to smell it's residue. I'd much prefer my tax dollars were used to cure cancer, not to treat end-stage, utterly preventable cases of lung cancer.
If you are permitted to engage in a destructive, dangerous activity in public, then it's only fair I be allowed to engage in my preferred activity: shooting. I find it relaxing at the end of a long day to perch beside the Presto machine and fire a handgun at random intervals. I certainly don't intend to maim or kill anyone, but what the hell? I enjoy shooting, and if you and your loved ones wander into the path of my stray bullets, that's tough luck for you, isn't it? I'm not going to stop firing my gun just because it bothers you. Why should I confine my activities to a dedicated firing range? Shooters aren't second-class citizens, you know. We have rights!
Two emails sent to Mr. McNeil were never acknowledged.
I will continue my style of commuter justice until I get the attention I want.
The traditional avenue of complaining no longer works in today's world.
The blog only alerts people something is amiss.
YouTube is next.
I want to make it clear that I had not yet heard of the school shooting in Connecticut when I submitted the above posting. The analogy wasn't intended to make light of gun violence, and the timing is unfortunate. I hope I haven't added to anyone's distress with the gun reference. My thoughts and prayers are with the students and their families.
There is no way Jack could have predicted the shooting in Connecticut today.
He's making a broad statement that isn't meant to make light of the tragedy.
Your comment was read but there's no need for vulgarity so it won't be published, but thank you for your concern.
It's all good Jack.
Me and the haters hugged it out.
Such an awful situation there right now.
But your analogy is fitting. Dangerous habits and all that...
I feel it necessary to point out GO Transit by-law 2, 3.33: No person shall smoke on Corporation property, except in areas designated
as smoking areas.
So for Dave and other smokers: you don't need a sign telling you not to smoke, you need a sign telling TO smoke. And frankly I have never seen such a sign at my station (Whitby).
Latest this morning at Moakville GO. Young nic-wit smoker standing between bus I was exiting and a prominent no-smoking sign. When asked what the no smoking sign meant to him he replied:
"Everyone smokes here, so fuck off."
Actually, there is no arguing with that logic. He has a point.
Post a Comment