Close Please enter your Username and Password
Reset Password
If you've forgotten your password, you can enter your email address below. An email will then be sent with a link to set up a new password.
Cancel
Reset Link Sent
Password reset link sent to
Check your email and enter the confirmation code:
Don't see the email?
  • Resend Confirmation Link
  • Start Over
Close
If you have any questions, please contact Customer Service
Blogs > Jacqui1000 > Life on the Rock


Jacqui1000 61F
141 posts
9/9/2013 6:59 am
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
I'm a devout, lifelong non-smoker.

I grew up in a household of 5-pack-a-day smokers who were of the mind that if you didn't like it, you'd get a beating with a belt. So, I tend to have a problem with smokers as a general rule. I've yet to meet a polite one.

Why is that?

Is there something in the nicotine or hundreds of other deadly chemicals and substances that turns someone into a bully? Inquiring minds and all. . .

I understand it is an addiction. I simply don't "get" it.

Latest case in point:

The apartments where I live have a shared landing at the top of the stairs. My neighbor--who is a very sweet lady--has a teenage who is a chain smoker (and in trouble with the law a lot, but we won't go there). So are all his friends. The stench on the landing most days is so thick I can't breathe (I have severe asthma). There are cigarette butts everywhere, including on my side of the landing, and they've even killed one of the neighbor lady's plants by using it as an ashtray. My friends have also complained that it's making them sick when they come over and have to walk through clouds of smoke just to get into my apartment.

I mentioned this to the management and a friend of mine actually politely talked to the about it this past week. (The neighbor lady is mentally ill and not really equipped to deal with her and his behaviors.)

The result? The put out a cigarette on the peephole in my front door.

Come on. . .really? What does this accomplish, beyond ticking me off and making an already bad situation ugly? It's obvious being reasonable got us nowhere. Now I'm worried, if I do anything else, he'll slash my tires or something worse. What the heck.

So, Faithful Readers, my question is this: What would you do next? How can this smelly situation be dealt with without further repercussions?

"If the doctor told me I had six minutes to live, I'd type a little faster." — Isaac Asimov
Jacqui1000 61F

9/11/2013 8:21 am

 Thanks Meow for your advice and support.

Things seem to have quieted down. I called the management and reported the incident to them. They, in turn, called the mother and told her about it and suggested she make sure nothing else happens.

A friend and I ran into the son day before yesterday coming down the stairs with that ever-present cigarette burning in his hand. He excused himself and apologized, but couldn't meet our eyes.

I'm hoping that put an end to it all.

Of course, he's still smoking on the landing and there are butts everywhere including on the stairs and around the base of the staircase downstairs. They obviously ignore the rule management has laid down that says no butts left anywhere.

>heavy sigh<

I have witnessed to the Mother, but she is so handicapped by her mental issues that it was a seed dropped upon rocky soil. I feel deeply for her plight and know that it is her lack of parenting skills that has caused these problems.

I've not witnessed to the son. He's very angry, cocky and snotty. I pray and hope God's grace will help soothe his fears and anger issues.
"If the doctor told me I had six minutes to live, I'd type a little faster." — Isaac Asimov