nick007 wrote:
I think considerate people are less apt to smoke or get noticed smoking a lot less than inconsiderate 1s.
"Smokers tend to be impulsive, arousal-seeking, danger-loving risk takers who are belligerent towards authority, They drink more tea, coffee, and alcohol, and are more prone to car accidents, divorce and changing of jobs' [Royal College Of Physicians, 1977]
http://tobaccodocuments.org/rjr/5195655 ... t_page=481
I guess that set of traits could come over as inconsiderate, so yes I can see how you might have arrived at your conclusion. I gave up tobacco after using it for 40 years, but my clear proneness to smoking would suggest I have those traits regardless of my abstinence. Do I?
I can be impulsive but since I found out (from studying Aspie traits), I make it a rule to sleep on things before doing anything too risque, and I'm known for reliability. My general approach to risk tends to be over-safe, and I have a very high regard for the rule "take
reasonable risks." I do find the idea of risk-taking rather sexy, but judging by the popularity of action films and thrillers, I think that's just being human, and I'm not going to act any of that stuff out.
I'm somewhat belligerent towards authority (another Aspie trait), but it's more a feeling than a behavioural thing, as I've always known that some of these authorities are simply too strong for me to overthrow. And even the feeling has mellowed with time....parenthood and a bit of authority in my workplace gave me a good insight into how it feels to be an authority figure, so I have more respect for it now, though it's not extended to David Cameron etc.
I drink a lot of tea but not much coffee (it stains my teeth) or alcohol (it numbs the part of the brain that says "I'd best not do that in case I annoy somebody."). I have driven without having an accident but I don't trust myself driving....I've cycled all my life and I did go through a reckless phase but it was self-correcting. Divorce - got me on that one, but again, undiagnosed Aspies and relationships - The Aston school of counselling proclaims Aspies to be a waste of matrimonial space, but I doubt there's a counsellor anywhere who would say "oh well, if he smokes, he's not likely to make a good husband!" Changing of jobs - 3 jobs in 41 years of virtually continuous employment is almost depressingly risk-averse, though I admit the pressure to walk has been massive at times, which suggests I'm loathe to cut and run.
CONCLUSION: Tobacco smoking is not a useful tool for the psychometric testing of potential partners.
The document I cited and linked to gives a fascinating insight into the psychological and social benefits of smoking as they were observed before the world changed its mind:
"Its importance in lending order to people's lives cannot be overestimated."
Who would have thought it?
"tobacco use as a ritual of inclusion"
It did use to be a powerful social bonding thing. And one important thing - if they smoke cannabis, that will very likely define their social circles quite markedly, and if it's illegal locally, then there will be a lot of distrust between them and non-smokers, and you could end up like Romeo and Juliet, unable to share your friends and families with each other very much. There's more to consider than the drug's pharmacological effects when you're choosing a partner - they don't just buy it like alcohol and fags at the local supermarket, there are underground transactions going on.......that could feel spooky.
24 Jun 2012, 7:00 am
