yippiekiyeh

So I finally had the chance to visit Europe these past 2 weeks... I think europe has a charm of its own, that's the NSS part. The SS part is the fact that EVERYWHERE, EVERYONE is smoking like a chimney!!! UGH. Smoking while eating, smoking while on the train, smoking while smoking (okay I made that up). But dang. No worries for the tobacco companies losing people smoking in America, Europe definitely smokes enough to make up for it.

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gear02

you haven't seen japan...

guiseppewv

Germany was like that. Smoking =

yippiekiyeh

Which is true, I'll see it first hand when I see it next year. But from what I've heard, it is a little bit better.

Paymaster

Yeah, I had an american friend that got married in Germany. She was appalled when people lit up at the reception. She wanted to stop it but her husband (non-smoker) convinced her that she would have to accept it as it was the German way of life. I think that she really only succeeded in moving the smokers away from the wedding cake.

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InfiniteNothing

I guess the anti smoking campaign here works.

Butch

Most Western European countries have instituted - or are in the process of instituting - national smoking bans in public places (restaurants, bars, offices, stadiums, etc).

Ireland, Italy and Spain (I believe) have already instituted the bans. France has one coming - next year, I think - and Germany is expected to institute one by 2008.

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clutchy

smoking is cool, i don't why people are so blah over it. Don't you remember highschool?

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Houdini

Yeah, I hate being on French trains, even "non-smoking" cars, because it seems everyone smokes. If one person were to smoke, I probably wouldn't mind, but when there is a cloud of smoke 5 feet off the ground, it's really annoying.

Mommypooh

Note to self: Don't ever go to Europe.

I would literally been puking and haveing a severe headache. I can't stand smoke since I quit, makes me totally sick. Guess I will never leave USA.

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Butch

Psst . . . check out my post above . . . soon, there will be less smoke than you deal with in Ohio

Houdini

I doubt it. The French tend to be pretty heavy smokers compared to other countries in the area I've noticed. While restaurants may become less smoky, I really doubt that people will abstain on trains or other long rides, or in public.

One thing cool about France, though, especially in Paris, is that there is a green trash bag on every street at ~100yd intervals. So there isn't any litter, as it's so convenient.

Oh, and MP...don't let the smoke stop you from going to Europe. My fav city is Paris. The benefits far outweigh the annoyance of the smoke, and yeah, I get bad migraines from smoking as well. But it's mainly on the smaller, shorter routes, such as from Paris to Normandy, etc. If you're traveling around the country, such as to the Alps, and can catch a TGV train, there is far, far less smoke as well. And you're going 150 mph+.

One thing cool about the Eurostar Italia is that if you spring for 1st class (~$10 over the regular Eurail pass), there is no smoke. And the food is better. And they kick people to other parts of the train if they light up. Other than that, the Eurostar Italia is pretty much like any other train. Not that fast. But they do enforce a no-smoking ban.

It was funny when I was on a train from Normandy (Omaha Beach, etc) and the people around me were all going to Paris for the weekend/evening/Friday night. All these high school kids were smoking like chimneys. Some were really trashing America and American culture, but were smoking freakin' Marlboros! Others were wearing US baseball/football teams' hats. Hah! The sad thing is that these 18 year-olds had this idea that America hates and has always hated the French. I asked them if they had ever visited the huge cemetary 1 mile from their city. Nope. They were clueless as to what happened on the beach under the blown up German pillboxes where they go to sunbathe and swim.

yippiekiyeh

BTW is anyone going Europe or is in Europe soon?

Houdini

I'm hoping to early next year. I really need a vacation.

Butch

In Europe all the darn time (except for mid-Dec through mid-Jan, when I return to the US for a nice long vacation!)

Jeffbx

I'll probably be in Paris in Feb (unless the meeting is moved to Tokyo).

I also have to say I love Paris - it's an amazing city & I look forward to going every time, even though it's always for business. It's easy to get around, the buildings are amazing, and of course the food & wine are not to be missed. The smoking is an annoyance, but it's not much worse than in the states.

The good news is (for us non-smokers, that is) that the government there has signed a law banning smoking in all restaurants & cafes in France by Feb 1 of 2007.

yippiekiyeh

Butch PM has been sent...