Cigarette smoking

[Gerry Seymour]

I'm sure students did a lot of things I wouldn't approve of. Just as I did some things my instructors wouldn't approve of. I usually stayed out of their lives unless asked not to by someone of importance. Or if didn't approve of their outside behavior. Then they were entered into a behavioral re-education program.

But the only thing I hated more than a guy who smelt like an ashtray - was a guy who reeked of cologne. Once that cologne smell transfered to my gi, I went and showered and changed. - Then beat the snot out of him. But everyone knew that going in - DO NOT WEAR COLOGNE to the DOJO. Or any bling. Any bling worn with gi was confiscated. If you wore a wedding ring, you taped over it. No exceptions.

I know, couldn't get away with any of that now.

We don't confiscate jewelry, but it certainly doesn't make it on the mats. If rings can't come off, or ears are newly pierced, out comes the athletic tape (unless I'm out, then it's gaffer tape).

Smelling strongly of anything means you can't practice with others.

 

[Buka]

We don't confiscate jewelry, but it certainly doesn't make it on the mats. If rings can't come off, or ears are newly pierced, out comes the athletic tape (unless I'm out, then it's gaffer tape).

Smelling strongly of anything means you can't practice with others.

Swear to God - I remember getting invited to a dojo for some sparring. A bunch of us went up. One of the assistant instructors there had more gold around his neck than a bit player on The Sopranos. (My guys were drooling) Couldn't figure why he was wearing it in the first place, but figured for sure he'd remove it before sparring. He didn't. Oh, man, there was shredded gold chain all over the place. His Sensiei, who was an old friend, said to him. "Told ya."

Never really saw a dude all blinged up in gi before. He was linkless within three rounds. Good times.

 

[Zoltan97]

I'm sure students did a lot of things I wouldn't approve of. Just as I did some things my instructors wouldn't approve of. I usually stayed out of their lives unless asked not to by someone of importance. Or if didn't approve of their outside behavior. Then they were entered into a behavioral re-education program.

But the only thing I hated more than a guy who smelt like an ashtray - was a guy who reeked of cologne. Once that cologne smell transfered to my gi, I went and showered and changed. - Then beat the snot out of him. But everyone knew that going in - DO NOT WEAR COLOGNE to the DOJO. Or any bling. Any bling worn with gi was confiscated. If you wore a wedding ring, you taped over it. No exceptions.

I know, couldn't get away with any of that now.

By behavioral re-education program do you mean a literal program or a particularly hard sparring match with the sensei/upper belts?

I find everyone's different takes on here quite interesting. I've taken up smoking (not proudly, just something to help with stress MA and other means can't seem to aid) and a few friends strongly disapprove. I've been warned that if I don't quit the knowledge of my habits will be passed on to our sensei and, well... I guess I conjured up this thread to get an idea of what to expect if and when a little birdy drops by his window.

Seems like the worst I'll get is a lecture or encouragement to quit. I mean, it's not like he can take me over his knee (as a fellow poster recounted on another thread, glad I wasn't born in the old days or my shenanigans wouldn't be letting me sit for months! )

 

[Zoltan97]

Swear to God - I remember getting invited to a dojo for some sparring. A bunch of us went up. One of the assistant instructors there had more gold around his neck than a bit player on The Sopranos. (My guys were drooling) Couldn't figure why he was wearing it in the first place, but figured for sure he'd remove it before sparring. He didn't. Oh, man, there was shredded gold chain all over the place. His Sensiei, who was an old friend, said to him. "Told ya."

Never really saw a dude all blinged up in gi before. He was linkless within three rounds. Good times.

Wouldn't all the bling be a hazard? Wouldn't he be choked the wrong way or someone's fingers get caught and injured? Funny story nonetheless but just curious. I guess cause his sensei was a friend it wasn't enforced.

 

[Gerry Seymour]

Wouldn't all the bling be a hazard? Wouldn't he be choked the wrong way or someone's fingers get caught and injured? Funny story nonetheless but just curious. I guess cause his sensei was a friend it wasn't enforced.

Yes. That's why it shouldn't be worn. That, and some of us like shiny targets.

 

[Zoltan97]

Yes. That's why it shouldn't be worn. That, and some of us like shiny targets.

So you're saying there are barracudas (barracudi?) in our midst... my patronus test on Pottermore gave me a hyena so I'm strictly a land mammal mentally, apparently though I wonder if any land animals are attracted to silver in the same way barracudas are?

 

[lenjee]

Just curious but for you instructors what is your stance on your students smoking? Regular cigs, I mean.

Do you let your students smoke? Do you encourage them to stop? Do you feel differently if it's an adult versus a teenager or borderline adult teen Boss of vapes (as in college?) If you encourage them to stop and they don't, are they punished since they're hindering their performance and not listening?

As an instructor, my stance on students smoking regular cigarettes would be straightforward. While I respect personal choices, smoking can impact health and academic performance negatively. I would encourage all students, regardless of age, to consider quitting smoking for their well-being. However, I believe in supportive and educational approaches rather than punitive measures. If a student continues to smoke despite encouragement to quit, I would focus on providing resources and support to help them make healthier choices, rather than punishing them for their personal habits.

 

[geezer]

As an instructor, my stance on students smoking regular cigarettes would be straightforward. While I respect personal choices, smoking can impact health and academic performance negatively. I would encourage all students, regardless of age, to consider quitting smoking for their well-being. However, I believe in supportive and educational approaches rather than punitive measures. If a student continues to smoke despite encouragement to quit, I would focus on providing resources and support to help them make healthier choices, rather than punishing them for their personal habits.

Reviving an 8 year old thread?

Well, I smoked for a couple of years on and off in high school and college.The majority of young people did back then (early 70s). I firmly quit about the same time I began martial arts. I also began running, some biking, and did a little yoga. Cigarettes just don't help with any of that.

Today young people smoking tobacco is less common where I live. Smoking weed is probably about the same, except here it's legal if you are over 21. The head of the association I formerly belonged too was really negative about that. If he smelled marijuana on anyone, he kicked them out of his school, because unlike responsible use of alcohol, he maintained that marijuana was immoral. A religious thing.

I myself prohibited people coming to class and training stoned or drunk, of course, Some of my students (all adults) used weed outside of class. If they used it responsibly and legally, how's that my business? Same as drinking alcohol, IMO.

Back to cigarettes. As a teacher, I might remind students how harmful tobacco is and that the last grandmaster of our system sadly died from tobacco caused throat cancer ...otherwise, who knows how much more knowledge he could have passed on had he lived another ten or fifteen years. other than that, again, it's their own decision.

 

[Rich Parsons]

Reviving an 8 year old thread?

Well, I smoked for a couple of years on and off in high school and college.The majority of young people did back then (early 70s). I firmly quit about the same time I began martial arts. I also began running, some biking, and did a little yoga. Cigarettes just don't help with any of that.

Today young people smoking tobacco is less common where I live. Smoking weed is probably about the same, except here it's legal if you are over 21. The head of the association I formerly belonged too was really negative about that. If he smelled marijuana on anyone, he kicked them out of his school, because unlike responsible use of alcohol, he maintained that marijuana was immoral. A religious thing.

I myself prohibited people coming to class and training stoned or drunk, of course, Some of my students (all adults) used weed outside of class. If they used it responsibly and legally, how's that my business? Same as drinking alcohol, IMO.

Back to cigarettes. As a teacher, I might remind students how harmful tobacco is and that the last grandmaster of our system sadly died from tobacco caused throat cancer ...otherwise, who knows how much more knowledge he could have passed on had he lived another ten or fifteen years. other than that, again, it's their own decision.

As someone allergic to THC, throats closes up, sinuses drop, stomach comes up, ...
I cannot tolerate in class.

So, no one drunk or high in class, for safety reasons.

What they do on their own legally is their business.

My concern is that Smoke - Tobacco or Marijuana are AoE (Area of Effect) that means you and everything in some range of you smells like it. I also have a similar comment to people who over dose on body spray or perfume. It affects others then just themselves.
Deodorant is fine, I have not seen anyone overdose on that to the point it impacted others.

Be considerate of others.

Practice good hygiene and remember starting the class with BO is not a good thing. Ending class with BO means you earned it,

 

[Bill Mattocks]

"It's my body and I can smoke if I want to."

Yup. And I can say "Man, you stink," if I want to. And I'll say it. Out loud. A lot. Your name in the dojo will be Smokestack, or Smokahontas, or Old Stinky. Hope you're OK with that.

Just kidding. I don't care if you're not OK with it.

 

[HighKick]

"It's my body and I can smoke if I want to."

Yup. And I can say "Man, you stink," if I want to. And I'll say it. Out loud. A lot. Your name in the dojo will be Smokestack, or Smokahontas, or Old Stinky. Hope you're OK with that.

Just kidding. I don't care if you're not OK with it.

I grew up in a region with full on summer/winter climate changes. We had no A/C and heated with wood. I had no idea is 'stunk' from the wood smoke (or honestly, from B.O. in the summer) until it was strongly pointed out to me. As a teen, it was quite embarrassing but there was not much I could do about it.
Both my parents smoked pretty heavily, thankfully I never picked up the habit. I am sure I emanated that smell as well.

As an instructor, I feel it is not within my control how a person smells. Believe me, it gets bad sometimes. But I can control how a person presents themselves in class as far as their uniform and decorum are concerned.
Being considerate to others is regularly discussed, and yes, I have had 'the talk' with a few people about their odor. It is awkward to say the least.
We are in a town with a Lot of industry and there are two foundries. If you know the smell, you know it is quite strong and hard to wash off. Way worse that cigarette smoke. We get more than a few come in after work to train and the smell does hang around for a while.

Never would I poke fun at them.

 

[Hot Lunch]

They can't force you to do anything outside the club.

Unless they're your "master:" Then they can.

 

[skribs]

My BJJ buddies got me into smoking cigars. My TKD Master got me into drinking. My BJJ buddies are trying to get me into gambling now. Martial arts has been horrible for me in this regard.

 

[Prince_Alarming]

Back when I was doing judo, I once sparred with a guy who stank of cigarettes and told me he was into 'streetfighting', it was an amazingly crappy experience. Then, I became a smoker myself at the age of 19, and I became 'that guy' who lit one up after karate class myself. Now I've quit I can't believe I would do something so stupid and inconsiderate.
My top tip for quitting smoking? In the UK, ring the damn number on the damn packet. They help.

 

[Badhabits]

I grew up in a region with full on summer/winter climate changes. We had no A/C and heated with wood. I had no idea is 'stunk' from the wood smoke (or honestly, from B.O. in the summer) until it was strongly pointed out to me. As a teen, it was quite embarrassing but there was not much I could do about it.
Both my parents smoked pretty heavily, thankfully I never picked up the habit. I am sure I emanated that smell as well.

As an instructor, I feel it is not within my control how a person smells. Believe me, it gets bad sometimes. But I can control how a person presents themselves in class as far as their uniform and decorum are concerned.
Being considerate to others is regularly discussed, and yes, I have had 'the talk' with a few people about their odor. It is awkward to say the least.
We are in a town with a Lot of industry and there are two foundries. If you know the smell, you know it is quite strong and hard to wash off. Way worse that cigarette smoke. We get more than a few come in after work to train and the smell does hang around for a while.

Never would I poke fun at them.

This is one of my pet peeves. I smoke. I also work construction. If I can't get home to shower and brush teeth immediately prior to class I don't go. I really really hate having to partner up with people who have terrible breath and/or unwashed. I'd be the stinkenest person there if not for shower/brush teeth/mouthwash. It's rude to expect people to just deal with it. Others may feel differently. Understandable if it's some type of smell that just won't come off, but for someone like me it would be rude to not wash before hand.

 

[skribs]

This is one of my pet peeves. I smoke. I also work construction. If I can't get home to shower and brush teeth immediately prior to class I don't go. I really really hate having to partner up with people who have terrible breath and/or unwashed. I'd be the stinkenest person there if not for shower/brush teeth/mouthwash. It's rude to expect people to just deal with it. Others may feel differently. Understandable if it's some type of smell that just won't come off, but for someone like me it would be rude to not wash before hand.

It's tough for me, because I can't smell. I'm anosmic. I just err on the side of caution and make sure I shower directly before leaving for class.

 

[Bill Mattocks]

Never would I poke fun at them.

I'm specifically referring to the people who know they stink, refuse to do anything about it, and stand on their rights to do as they please. I agree they have those rights. But sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. If they can say how smoking is their absolute right, then I can say they stink.

 

[Gyakuto]

They can do what they want, it’s a free country.

I broke up with woman once because her cigarette breath was such a turn off…in fact I broke it off a few times

 

[Badhabits]

Smoking definitely makes you stink. No doubt about it. I put the butts in my pocket so they're not just thrown on the ground at work. Those really make your pants stink.
A little irony for everyone - I sometimes get used as an example in class when people start whining about planks or running- "look at this guy, he smokes he's drenched in sweat and he's not complaining!"
It's probably twisted, but I like to smoke....I exercise more so I can continue to smoke without falling out when training.
That being said, smoking is a dirty, stinking, disgustingly bad habit. So don't smoke kids.

 

[Gyakuto]

Smoking definitely makes you stink. No doubt about it. I put the butts in my pocket so they're not just thrown on the ground at work. Those really make your pants stink.

Smokers also have reduced olfactory sensitivity, so they don’t notice that they reek! It makes. ev laugh that they think that sucking a mint masks the odour.

A little irony for everyone - I sometimes get used as an example in class when people start whining about planks or running- "look at this guy, he smokes he's drenched in sweat and he's not complaining!"
It's probably twisted, but I like to smoke....I exercise more so I can continue to smoke without falling out when training.
That being said, smoking is a dirty, stinking, disgustingly bad habit. So don't smoke kids.

My ex-girlfriend denies it’s her habit that is damaging her lungs and blames moving hazardous chemicals around when she was in the Navy. Last time I spoke to her she said she was going on the lung transplant list. She still smokes.