"Can I borrow a fag?"

[rerant]

Depending on my mood I'll either say a flat out no, or tell the person I don't smoke.
Note that I'll even do the latter while smoking.

My friends and I will always freely give cigarettes to one another because there's always the day where one person won't have any cigarettes and you'll toss them a few during the day, but then on the day YOU'RE the one without they do the same for you.
It works out just nicely.

I really need to quit, though.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

I am breathtakingly, mind-bogglingly rude to such people.

I don't really even give them a chance to ask me anything, either. Bumming smokes, panhandling, it's all the same. People who don't know me acting like I owe them something. I don't think so.

I dont' even let them get the point of asking, if I can help it. Most of them preface their asking with "Can I ask you something?" or "Can I talk to you a minute?" To which I usually just say "No."

And, of course, I get called rude. Which I am, so, I hardly have any defense. I just say "Yup."

Works most of the time.

They dumfounded that anyone would be so rude as to just say "no" and they're downright flabbergasted that I don't mind being branded as "rude."

[Iced Coffee Man]

Someone asked me for one the other night while I was at work. When asked on the street, occasionally I help people out.
But when I'm at work? Fuck off.

[draftermatt]

I don't smoke and never have, but I've seen some odd things from smokers.

*A guy who couldn't have been over 16 walking around downtown (on my way to work). He sees a guy light up in his car, kid runs over to the guy to get a light, hanging into the dudes window. He had the smokes, but needed a light.

*Same intersection, warm day I've got my window down. 2 teenage girls walking down the street (keep in mind I was 16 at the time). I glance at the girls, notice they are looking at me so I smiled. I am then promptly asked if I have a cigarette.

*My first job (age 14) was at a carwash. I seemed to be the only non smoking teenager. I was constantly getting bugged by my coworkers to go and buy them cigarettes because "they don't card if you look 18, and you look at least that". I never did buy since I didn't want the trouble. One of these guys once thought it was a good idea to light up in front of a cop. Then got pissed when the manager knocked the cig out of his mouth. So he walks in front of the cop, picks up the cigarette, knocks the cherry off, and puts it in his pocket.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

I will hand a hungry stranger my lunch and go hungry myself, but fund your vices for you? I dont freaking think so.

I have to pay for and obtain my booze myself. You can freaking well do the same for your smokes or whatever or do without.

[SilverOrb]

Just make sure you return me in the same condition you found me. :-)

I thought the POINT was to return you in used condition?

[Rapscallion]

Last week I went to dinner with my parents for my birthday and I saw CL walking down the street, still in that heavy jacket and boots. I pointed her out. My mom thought she was a hooker. I can't imagine anybody paying her for sex, but then again there's always someone as horny as one is ugly.

I'm torn between asking if it makes a difference in the dark, or saying that ugly girls need negotiable affection too.

Rapscallion

[Sheldonrs]

I thought the POINT was to return you in used condition?

There's a difference between BEING used and LOOKING used.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

I'm torn between asking if it makes a difference in the dark, or saying that ugly girls need negotiable affection too.

Rapscallion

Well, all cats are grey in the dark.

[Lace Neil Singer]

I will hand a hungry stranger my lunch and go hungry myself, but fund your vices for you? I dont freaking think so.

I have to pay for and obtain my booze myself. You can freaking well do the same for your smokes or whatever or do without.

Agreed. Tho, it always seems to be teenage chavs with me, rather than poor people. It gets on my nerves, cuz I will never give my smokes to random strangers. And if that makes me a bitch, then guess I'm proud to be a bitch.

[Chromatix]

I make a distinction between busking and begging. I never give to beggars, but I will sometimes give to buskers if they have some talent. There's a third class of street "artist", which is the pushy sales merchant - I never buy if the other party initiated the transaction.

Here in Helsinki, there is a minor problem with Romanians who have come (or been brought) to make small amounts of money - and they are almost universally either begging (in the traditional Romanian way, kneeling with head bowed), or doing the pushy-sales trick. I've never seen one busking. The city and some organisations are trying to guide these people into doing the right things, though.

[Primer]

In Lace Neil Singer situation it was a total stranger - my reply was always "Sure for $1.00 . . .and then I will even let you smoke it"

Previous times, when I tried to quit smoking, anybody I asked for a cigarette, I'd make them take $1 for it. This was when the brand names were still under $3 per pack. When prices went up, I started buying the cheap stuff, and sold my cigarettes to others for 25 cents each. NOBODY got them for free.

Previous times, I'd have extremely vivid dreams where I'd light up a cigarette, and while puffing away, would say, "Yup, I quit smoking!"

This time, I had my last cigarette the morning of May 27, right before my hip surgery. The doctor said I had to quit while the incision was healing, but afterwards, I could start up again if I wanted. I've wanted, but I haven't started back up. Wish me luck!

[Fenrus]

*sigh* no one ever wants to borrow me...

on topic -
I never understood that. When I was smoking (underage), I always got people who'd get really pissed when I wouldn't give them one. They didn't understand that I couldn't just go out and buy more.

But the "borrow" a cig is just strange... I used to tell people "Sure, but I have to get it back in the same condition I loan it to you"

Usually got them to leave.

[smileyeagle1021]

*sigh* no one ever wants to borrow me...

well, I could borrow you, but considering how much trouble we could get in with you buying gas half a mile from the hotel I have no idea just how much trouble would be caused by borrowing you...

[Becks]

Family and coworkers that I like: free, no strings attached OR even exchange.

Strangers and coworkers I don't like: at least 75 cents.

People who try to bum a smokey treat AND ask to use my lighter? I ask if they want me to smoke it for them, too.