I remember from my childhood that good manners requires to be nice when you visit friends and respect their way of life. In most European contries people are free to do whatever they like, if that is being behind US,I would agree, we are far behind. So, I have an advice for you smoke sensitive people, if you dont like it stay the hell home! Have a nice vacation!

There's a big difference between complaining to people's face, expecting them to change to suit you, versus complaining in private after you've left. Francine, one of the prime joys of traveling is to come home and complain to your friends and neighbors (and that includes online friends) about how primitive other cultures are. So allow the travelers their private ciriticism of your smoking habits. Don't you complain about Americans when you get home -- perhaps their eating habits? <BR><BR>I, for one, was indeed horrified by all the smoke we were exposed to last year and will be staying in the US this year. Happy?

Francine, you sound like one of those very "rude" Parisians!<BR><BR>How does it feel to be "hopelessly" addicted to nicotine? Surely, a very "dirty" habit!

Francine--are we supposed to stand by and respect your way of life even if it kills us? <BR><BR>We will not stay at home --Europe exists so that we can look at our roots and enjoy the old show that you put on for us. You need our almighty US dollars or your economies will die.<BR><BR>It is our god-given duty as the master race to help you stop spreading evil, the way you did for most of your existence and until we stopped you in the 20th century.

You won't feel that way for long after seeing someone die of lung cancer.

Unfortunately Francine, smoking is not a way of life, it's a way of death.

I remember from my childhood that people had good manners.

To complain about smoking is not the same as complaining about cutural differences. It would be silly to complain about the fact that the British have tomatoes for breakfast ( which I am looking forward to experiencing that - I love vegetables). <BR><BR>But cigarette smoking is a health threat recognized by health professionals around the world. As a matter of fact, the World Health Organization met in Switzerland last year to discuss the enforcement of anti-smoking laws in Europe and other countries.<BR><BR>Decent people should complain about public smoking just as we should complain about child labor violations in other countries, or how teenage girls in Africa are sexually mutilated becasue of &Ograve;custom&Oacute;. <BR><BR>I agree that smokers have the right to smoke. But no one in a democratic society has every had the right to have behaviors that intefere with the rights of others. Just because we have drunk driving laws - doesn&Otilde;t mean we are anti-alcohol. Just drink responsibly.<BR><BR>I think that as enough people continue to demand non-smoking facilities, non-smokers will be accomodated. I have heard reports that things are slowly changing in Europe and there are more non-smoking accomodations in hotels and restaurants.<BR><BR>Europe does have non-smoking laws. I think that people should report violations to the World Health Organization and to the governments of the countries you plan to visit.<BR><BR>So Francine, I am going to Europe, I am staying in non smoking hotels, a plan to ask politely not to sit next to smokers, but I REFUSE to suffer in silence. So put that in your "pipe" and smoke it!!!

and when I was a child I believed in Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy

I think I'd be more concerned about someone doing something for which there is no verb! (comming, compaline? what are they?)<BR><BR>btw, have you seen the new exhibit BodyWorlds?<BR><BR>www.bodyworlds.com<BR><BR>yikes ! they show what a real lung looks like, on a smoker.<BR><BR>enough to make you stop!!

not any--good manners means not spreading your waste onto others, right?

compaline? How do you compaline about smoking? and how do you comm to Europe? Can someone help me out here?

Smoking gives atmosphere to a place. When I went to the US, I found all bars, restaurants, discos and cafes sterile. Like vacationing in a hospital all day. You in the US need our tourist euros to keep your economy afloat, but you won't see me at your side of the pond again.

NON-SMOKERS:"SMOKERS ARE DIRTY SMELLY INCONSIDERATE ADDICTS!"<BR><BR>SMOKERS: "HOW DARE YOU COMPLAIN. STAY HOME NON-SMOKERS!"<BR><BR>THERE I"VE SAID IT ALL---AGAIN!<BR>STOP WITH THE SMOKING THREADS!!

We need your tourist euros to keep our economy afloat? Surely you jest. Golly, I certainly hope you won't be back; we have enough dumbasses here already.

European-that is atmosphere. I guess a urinal and a toilet really do it for you then.. <BR><BR>Mr. "STOP IT" --Did we hit a raw nerve. You seem to be at your wit's end and about to have a breakdown!! Maybe you need help with your nasty addiction? Get some, but do not spew your waste on us anymore!

Hey, remember, Francine is likely smoking stuff that puts money in Americans' pockets! Smoke up!

Ujurk: just like Europe doesn't need the tourist US$$. (which I read about once every day on this board)

So, Francine, I gather that if the country's custom was to put arsenic in it's coffee, then you would drink it! By the way, hosts are also supposed to be polite, which would include not getting their guests sick, especially when the guest is paying. Being polite is a 2-way street, and certainly making a fellow human being sick from your smoke is about as impolite as I can think!

Excellent analogy !! I like that