NationStates Jolt Archive

Today at the bust stop, I saw a (clearly) pregnant woman enjoying a satisfying whiff of tar and arsenic*. While my moralfag alert** was off the scale, I didn't have any guts to say anything.

A deformed baby is a burden on society in all cases. Unlike other disabilities, FAS and related diseases can be prevented, which would lessen the burden on the already strained amount of social workers and medical services available. It would also make everybody less depressed when there are fewer people with these unfortunate conditions.

What would have been the right thing to do?

1. mind my own business and accept "these things" as fact of life
2. sternly discourage such negligent behavior even if this is a complete stranger

Where does the burden of negligence land?

1. my conscience where I could have shown a little effort to help
2. only those closest to her who has her trust
3. the mother who is aware of her negligence?

Please discuss

*harmful substances in tobacco used to describe smoking for dramatic effect
**moralfag is a person who imposes their morals on unfunny situations that would otherwise be lulzy to those who have morals that differ from the moralfag's

Today at the bust stop, I saw a (clearly) pregnant woman enjoying a satisfying whiff of tar and arsenic. While my moralfag alert was off the scale, I didn't have any guts to say anything.

I take it she was smoking a cigarette? That sentence makes it sound like she was standing behind the bus breathing the exhaust. Also, what the hell is a 'moralfag alert?'

What would have been the right thing to do?
1. mind my own business and accept "these things" as fact of life
2. sternly discourage such negligent behavior even if this is a complete stranger
Where does the burden of negligence land on, my conscience where I could have shown a little effort to help, only those closest to her who has been invested, or solely onto the possibly ignorant mother?

No. 1. It's not your business if she's smoking. You're not responsible for her actions any more than she's responsible for yours.

Today at the bust stop, I saw a (clearly) pregnant woman enjoying a satisfying whiff of tar and arsenic. While my moralfag alert was off the scale, I didn't have any guts to say anything.

A deformed baby is a burden on society in all cases. Unlike other disabilities, FAS and related diseases can be prevented, which would lessen the burden on the already strained amount of social workers and medical services available. It would also make everybody less depressed when there are fewer people with these unfortunate conditions.

What would have been the right thing to do?

1. mind my own business and accept "these things" as fact of life
2. sternly discourage such negligent behavior even if this is a complete stranger

Where does the burden of negligence land on, my conscience where I could have shown a little effort to help, only those closest to her who has been invested, or solely onto the possibly ignorant mother?

As you live (I surmise) in Canada, you are subject to some of the same sort of commercial media as those of us in the US. She has been informed by this same media of the dangers of her actions - even if she is completely illiterate, the information has been made available - by television, radio, doctors, friends, family, etc. She knows already. Any interference from you would only serve to anger her. At most you might have informed her that you were sensitive to smoke and could she please refrain while you were in her presence. I know that this flies in the face of liberal NSrs, but if some idiot wants to be an idiot, you can't stop her/him.

I'd find it hard not to get into conversation, possibly starting along the lines of...

"It's amazing how hard it is to give up smoking eh?"

Better to initially identify and then slowly just recap the issues.

I see nothing wrong with commenting, much as I might comment to someone strapping a saw to a sex toy and gently question whether it's a good idea.

I take it she was smoking a cigarette? That sentence makes it sound like she was standing behind the bus breathing the exhaust. Also, what the hell is a 'moralfag alert?'

Fixed OP for clarification.


As you live (I surmise) in Canada, you are subject to some of the same sort of commercial media as those of us in the US. She has been informed by this same media of the dangers of her actions - even if she is completely illiterate, the information has been made available - by television, radio, doctors, friends, family, etc. She knows already. Any interference from you would only serve to anger her. At most you might have informed her that you were sensitive to smoke and could she please refrain while you were in her presence. I know that this flies in the face of liberal NSrs, but if some idiot wants to be an idiot, you can't stop her/him.

Would it change anything if she was, hypothetically an immigrant from a poorer country?

Fixed OP for clarification.




Would it change anything if she was, hypothetically an immigrant from a poorer country?


Probably not. Just let her know, in as friendly and non-threatening a way as possible, that you are sensitive to the smoke and would appreciate it if she would refrain while you were there. If she gets pissy, get away from her. If she apologises and puts out the cig, then you might engage her in conversation and lead, gradually, naturally and tactfully, into reasons why you're sensitive to them (which, of course, may include health concerns).

As you live (I surmise) in Canada, you are subject to some of the same sort of commercial media as those of us in the US. She has been informed by this same media of the dangers of her actions - even if she is completely illiterate, the information has been made available - by television, radio, doctors, friends, family, etc. She knows already. Any interference from you would only serve to anger her. At most you might have informed her that you were sensitive to smoke and could she please refrain while you were in her presence. I know that this flies in the face of liberal NSrs, but if some idiot wants to be an idiot, you can't stop her/him.

Probably not. Just let her know, in as friendly and non-threatening a way as possible, that you are sensitive to the smoke and would appreciate it if she would refrain while you were there. If she gets pissy, get away from her. If she apologises and puts out the cig, then you might engage her in conversation and lead, gradually, naturally and tactfully, into reasons why you're sensitive to them (which, of course, may include health concerns).

Pretty much this. If nothing else has convinced her at this point, you ain't up for the task. It sucks, but you're in between that crappy place of wanting to do something and being able to do something.

Even if you get her to stop smoking around you, she'll still smoke later.

mind your own bussiness a prego woman is not something to mess with.

you did the right thing. you are not the cig police.

You wouldn't have this moral dilemma if you carried a seltzer bottle with you. :D

Today at the bust stop..

Bust stop? Were you staring at her tits?

You wouldn't have this moral dilemma if you carried a seltzer bottle with you. :D

Reason #7.42198*10^19 that we need more clownery in the world.

I assume this happened on a Monday (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSUC_ldud8w)

**moralfag is a person who imposes their morals on unfunny situations that would otherwise be lulzy to those who have morals that differ from the moralfag's

LOL @ newfag

Bust stop? Were you staring at her tits?

I agree I bet she was totally game for a quickie behind the bus stop

No. 1. It's not your business if she's smoking. You're not responsible for her actions any more than she's responsible for yours.

So, one should not try to protect the unborn child from coming into this world deformed ?

So, one should not try to protect the unborn child from coming into this world deformed ?

Why the hell do you want to care for a child even more than its mother? Doesn't this strike you as even a little silly?

If you're so empathetic and responsible, ask her if you can adopt it.

Bust stop? Were you staring at her tits?

hey pregnancy makes the tits bigger.

So, one should not try to protect the unborn child from coming into this world deformed ?
Eugenics ftw

Why the hell do you want to care for a child even more than its mother? Doesn't this strike you as even a little silly?

If you're so empathetic and responsible, ask her if you can adopt it.

I propose a way to get your message across -

Step 1) You: "Can I adopt your unborn child?"
Step 2) Her: "What???"
Step 3) You: "Well, I clearly care about it more than you do, given you're smoking while carrying it."
Step 4) ??????
Step 5) PROFIT!!!

I'm rather surprised at the response from this thread. I know smoking preggers would probably not stop smoking anyway, but complete apathy? That's a new one for me.

I propose a way to get your message across -

Step 1) You: "Can I adopt your unborn child?"
Step 2) Her: "What???"
Step 3) You: "Well, I clearly care about it more than you do, given you're smoking while carrying it."
Step 4) ???
Step 5) PROFIT!!!

Fixed.

so khan did she have good breast ?? this prego woman.

I'm rather surprised at the response from this thread. I know smoking preggers would probably not stop smoking anyway, but complete apathy? That's a new one for me.
We're pretty jaded.

Fixed.

Altered.

Why the hell do you want to care for a child even more than its mother? Doesn't this strike you as even a little silly?

It was a question. I am not saying that I care (nor that I do not)- just looking if people have actually thought about their position.

And ponder: the mother chooses to smoke. Personal choice. The unborn offspring does not, but will suffer nevertheless.

A good citizen will help fight fires by grabbing the nearest fire extinguisher and spraying it, even if the fire is a very small fire. :p

lAtdree.

scrambled

and


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