Why do so many Germans SMOKE, and why is it tolerated???

Question

This is the No. 1 complaint I have BY FAR about Germany.

WHY, in the face of overwhelming evidence and an infatuation with fitness, diet and appearance, do so many Germans not only have this absolutely FILTHY habit, but also a tolerance for it that borders on stupidity?

WOMEN seem to be the greater culprits for reasons that have never been adequately explained to me in nearly 23 years here. Last week I saw what appeared to be an otherwise caring mother with two small children -- a toddler and one in a baby carriage -- bent down in at the Hauptwache in Heidelberg toking away right in their faces! Seriously, was this woman completely INSANE?

I ask women why they smoke and the answer I is get most is "Stress." Give me a BREAK!!! What in the world would German women have to be stressed about? Perhaps that Lidl ran out of warpaint?

This NASTY habit is dangerous to many and ruins meals too! When is the German government going to do its JOB and at least ban it in public places???

Answer 1

Well(doch) you certainly have asked a good question! I am sure you will get some wonderful answers. I chalk it up a to a cutural thing. But, it is not only Germany, France, China, India, and other eastern European and Asian countries are the same. But, it is slowly changing. There is talk in the German Parliment about banning smoking in bars&restuarants. But, having lived here for 20 years I accept it, and to be honest at the Oktober Fest I smoke a cigar!

Answer 2

Who made you the judge of all that is correct and holy?

Do you drive a car? What about all that exhaust you pump into the air - two packs a day for 50 years couldn't wreak nearly the havoc to the (my) environment that you probably do daily.

What about all the electro-smog you're producing with your cellphone?

What about the mountains of plastic trash you produce yearly?

Are you really in a position to judge?!

Get off your high horse and worry about yourself before you start judging others and throwing stones.

Don't you have better things to do than being judgmental about people who have different habits and addictions than you?!

Answer 3

I guess cigarettes go well with beer.

Answer 4

I thought your No. 1 complaint about Germany was that people stink or was it that they don't form proper queues or was it that they celebrate when their football team wins or was it.... (quite a long list of complaints about Germans, when you look at your recent questions)

I think in the interest of your mental sanity you should ASAP return to the good ol' US of A, where the people are not like these nasty insane stupid boring (just to name a few adjectives you found for them) Germans.

As a German I do hereby apologize for all the terrible hardships you had to brave during your time in Germany.

Answer 5

I'm currently living here in Germany but I'm from California and yea I've noticed the smoking as well as the 16 age legal for drinking. What I've realized is that they are not crazy about it like Americans. There is machines that sell cigarettes in every corner but you don't see 10 people in a line to get them. I cant explain it, i guess but they are more sophisticated about it. As for the stress my managers are German and they deal with some crazy stuff!! From high bills. to high taxes and crazy bills.

Answer 6

Well, I just came back from China and they have a lot of people who smoke too. None of the resteraunts there prohibited smoking and it irritated my lungs a lot. I really don't know. I guess it's because of the environment. Being a kid and surrounded by adults who smoke, it is most likely that the kid with smoke too.

Answer 7

Same reasons so many Americans smoke. They are addicted to it.

Answer 8

Well, complaining about it here won't do any good.

People have the rights to ruin their own healths. When they dun care, why should you?

If you can't see it or handle it anymore, then move to another country.

And instead of protesting here, have you done anything to against it? If you haven't.. then shut up!

Answer 9

Well said, shollstein. I'm tired of Americans complaining about other countries. "These stupid people can't even speak English!" (that's the most common one, I think) "She's smoking right in front of her kids - the shame!" "haven't they heard of McDonalds'?"

Give me a break. If you want everywhere you go to be like the USA, then don't leave the friggin US of A - we won't miss you. Then, once you're there, you can tell your president to stop meddling in other countries too - the world is not your melting pot.