Things I hate

[mudd]

Ohmigod...I've created a Monster! ;)

Yes, you have.

[GlassMan]

Well, most nonsmoking regulations/expectations cover eateries, not bars. So after the restaurant is closed for the night, but the bar is still open, the owners don't want patrons looking in the windows at a darkened place with a light in the back... so the bar is closer to the door, and hence, the smoking section.

Sorry, it is logical from a business standpoint.

I've never thought of it that way. I guess since I live out in the burbs, when the restaurant closes the bar closes too. I know of a couple places inside DC like that, but none here in the burbs.

[Shay]

Right, but they still build the place with the bar near the door because that's what people expect. If you had to thread through tables to get a beer, it'd be a bit awkward.

(I live in the burbs, too- plenty of places serve food up until 10 or so and then leave on the fryer and are 'bars' for the night)

[cormacmacguardhe]

I need to add, government rules and laws that force people to do things that polite people would do anyway. Here in Washington state they just passed a new law about smoking. There is now no smoking within 25 feet of the door of any building. No smoking in bars or resturants. I am not a smoker, do not like the smell of cigarette or cigar smoke, but really who comes up with these arbitrary rules, why 25 feet, why not 20 or 50? Where is the logic?
Out here where I live the only place open after 10PM is the local bar, it is a converted church, called the "Holy Smoke." Other then that nothing moves out here after 10PM except maybe some wildlife.

[ByDand]

Just one more thing....I really hate intolerance. Reality is that I am very intolerant of intolerance!

[Graham]

Our state, Tasmania, has now a law as from Jan 1st - no smoking in pubs and clubs, at all, end of...

personally, I'm happy.
It will save the state 1000's per year in health costs and will mean more will frequent pubs.

Not all laws are good, but this one is.

[Jerry]

I'm kind of like Bill Engvall. I hate people who ask stupid questions. I was fishing on one of the outer banks fishing piers (North Carolina) . I had just pulled in a nice grey trout,and was just taking the fish off the hook when a lady walked up and asked, "did you catch him here?"

"No, I caught him in Georga and brought him here to take him off the hook.",

"Here's your sign"

[GlassMan]

I need to add, government rules and laws that force people to do things that polite people would do anyway. Here in Washington state they just passed a new law about smoking. There is now no smoking within 25 feet of the door of any building. No smoking in bars or resturants. I am not a smoker, do not like the smell of cigarette or cigar smoke, but really who comes up with these arbitrary rules, why 25 feet, why not 20 or 50? Where is the logic?
Out here where I live the only place open after 10PM is the local bar, it is a converted church, called the "Holy Smoke." Other then that nothing moves out here after 10PM except maybe some wildlife.

Agreed. I may smoke a pipe, but I don't smoke at restaurants or at bars because I try to be polite. I don't like that the government has rules about such things because if it is a law I feel it takes away a bit of freedom, and you are right. People should think about it as a simple matter of courtesy.

It's just like smoking in my home. If there is even a single non-smoker visiting I make sure that he/she truly doesn't mind before anyone is allowed to light up.

I guess a lot of our gripes do tend to boil down to a general lack of courtesy in our society.

[davedove]

I guess a lot of our gripes do tend to boil down to a general lack of courtesy in our society.

You've hit it right on the head. A lot of the laws wouldn't be necessary if people just practiced simple courtesy. Unfortunately, a lot of people are only concerned with themselves.