Does smoking make you look cool?

Cadaverous Pallor · 06-15-2006, 11:38 AM

I'm posting a poll - this just popped into my head. I'd like smokers and non-smokers alike to be honest.

My response later.

ETA - The question should be "Does smoking make you look cool and/or sexy?" I think the sex appeal question is an integral part of this.

Ghoulish Delight · 06-15-2006, 11:45 AM

Since sexy was thrown in, I voted no. I'm neutral on the coolness factor...but for some reason a girl with a cigarette in her mouth is decidedly unattractive to me.

katiesue · 06-15-2006, 12:17 PM

I used to think so and when I lived in Germany for a year I smoked,. The smoke didnt' seem to bother me as much in clubs if I was smoking too. I quit when I got home. Now I just find it gross and very unsexy. Who wants to kiss an ashtray?

Snowflake · 06-15-2006, 12:42 PM

I answered only if you're in a movie. I'm a lifelong non-smoker, the only one in my immediate family, and I cannot bear being around smoke. Funny thing is, if I am with friends who do smoke, we're outside, the wind will change constantly and the smoke will follow me, only.

BarTopDancer · 06-15-2006, 12:47 PM

I used to think it makes you look cool and guys sexy but now, only in old movies and certain actors does it have that effect. I quit almost a year ago and my perceptions changed once I did.

I do think that there isn't enough being done to squelsh the "cool and sexy" image though. A friend of mine, who is in her late 20s has Downs Syndrome. She had a pack of smokes with her and we were trying to find out why she wanted to smoke. She said it made her look cool and fun. She was trying to hide them because she knew that we don't smoke and she also knows that smoking is bad for you (why are you hiding them if it's cool? Becuase they are bad for me). But the cool and sexy factor outweighs the health issues still

Cadaverous Pallor · 06-15-2006, 12:58 PM

Smoking never looked cool to me because my parents smoked constantly. It makes their breath/clothes/house stink, annoys people, and costs a ton of money. When we were at someone else's house they had to go outside in order to smoke. Even in the movies it never looked good to me.

I never understood why this would look cool (or sexy? wtf does inhaling smoke have to do with sex?) to anyone. Why would I be tempted to kiss someone who tastes like that?

I have never felt tempted whatsoever to try it. I've done other stuff as you guys well know, but I've never thought the actual smoking itself looked good, or made anyone appealing. I find it intriguing that smoking gets PR for how it looks while you do it, rather than the buzz it gives you.

I'd like to hear from smokers about why it looks cool. I really want to understand this - it's way over my head.

Snowflake · 06-15-2006, 01:02 PM

Well, I've never smoked, never been tempted, based on my family experience, and CP I'm with you, it's foul and stinky.

That said, I've always felt, at least with movies, only three or four people really looked great smoking, it must be in b/w and doing so added a mystique, or look, the smoke shimmering in the light and dark of a good cinematographer. Others may add or dispute my choices, but those who looked great smoking, Valentino, Fred Astaire, Bogart and Bette Davis.

Alex · 06-15-2006, 01:18 PM

I'm a non-smoker and have never been a smoker (the last cigarette I smoked was when I was 7. My mom caught me and made sure I didn't try it again for a very long time).

That said, yes it can make you look cool. But the cigarette itself is not inherently cool or sexy. It is more about how a person interacts with it. I have a friend who, when he is out standing on his back porch, all by himself, having a cigarette somehow looks very cool doing it.

That said, most people do not look cool or sexy smoking.

Prudence · 06-15-2006, 01:23 PM

I chose only in classic movies. To me, it's cool and sexy in that limited context and part and parcel of the whole aesthetic or whatever.

In reality, not only is it smelly, but it's just messy. If I can't stand that lollipop stick ends get a little damp and unravel-y, how could I possibly smoke? It leaves nasty residue, makes such nasty disgusting garbage that I nearly vomit just thinking about it, and stale smoke is possibly one of the nastiest smells on the planet.

BT used to smoke (I kind of made him quit) so maybe he can say more on the cool factor. I know there's a whole ritual element to it.

Motorboat Cruiser · 06-15-2006, 01:27 PM

When I was younger, I did think that it made you look cool, probably because all of the people that I thought were cool happened to smoke. All of my musician idols certainly did. Of course, in the late 70's, quite a few more people smoked and it was far more acceptable.

Do I think it looks cool now? Of course not. It is a vile disgusting habit that I have tried to quit many times and will someday succeed at. It's a pain in the ass, it's expensive, and it sucks. It is also by far the most addicting substance I have ever encountered.

View Poll Results: Does smoking make you look cool?
Yes!	3	6.98%
No!	20	46.51%
I used to think so but the health info changed my outlook.	5	11.63%
Only if you're in a classic film.	15	34.88%
Voters: 43. You may not vote on this poll

06-15-2006, 11:38 AM	#1
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	Does smoking make you look cool? I'm posting a poll - this just popped into my head. I'd like smokers and non-smokers alike to be honest. My response later. ETA - The question should be "Does smoking make you look cool and/or sexy?" I think the sex appeal question is an integral part of this. __________________ The second star to the right shines in the night for you
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06-15-2006, 11:45 AM	#2
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Since sexy was thrown in, I voted no. I'm neutral on the coolness factor...but for some reason a girl with a cigarette in her mouth is decidedly unattractive to me. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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06-15-2006, 12:17 PM	#3
katiesue Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 4,678	I used to think so and when I lived in Germany for a year I smoked,. The smoke didnt' seem to bother me as much in clubs if I was smoking too. I quit when I got home. Now I just find it gross and very unsexy. Who wants to kiss an ashtray? __________________ My life is so exciting I can hardly stand it.
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06-15-2006, 12:42 PM	#4
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	I answered only if you're in a movie. I'm a lifelong non-smoker, the only one in my immediate family, and I cannot bear being around smoke. Funny thing is, if I am with friends who do smoke, we're outside, the wind will change constantly and the smoke will follow me, only. __________________ Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. - Oscar Wilde
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06-15-2006, 12:47 PM	#5
BarTopDancer Prepping... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here, there, everywhere Posts: 11,405	I used to think it makes you look cool and guys sexy but now, only in old movies and certain actors does it have that effect. I quit almost a year ago and my perceptions changed once I did. I do think that there isn't enough being done to squelsh the "cool and sexy" image though. A friend of mine, who is in her late 20s has Downs Syndrome. She had a pack of smokes with her and we were trying to find out why she wanted to smoke. She said it made her look cool and fun. She was trying to hide them because she knew that we don't smoke and she also knows that smoking is bad for you (why are you hiding them if it's cool? Becuase they are bad for me). But the cool and sexy factor outweighs the health issues still __________________ Spork is the new MacGyver Postcards From My Edge
	Submit to Quotes

06-15-2006, 12:58 PM	#6
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	Smoking never looked cool to me because my parents smoked constantly. It makes their breath/clothes/house stink, annoys people, and costs a ton of money. When we were at someone else's house they had to go outside in order to smoke. Even in the movies it never looked good to me. I never understood why this would look cool (or sexy? wtf does inhaling smoke have to do with sex?) to anyone. Why would I be tempted to kiss someone who tastes like that? I have never felt tempted whatsoever to try it. I've done other stuff as you guys well know, but I've never thought the actual smoking itself looked good, or made anyone appealing. I find it intriguing that smoking gets PR for how it looks while you do it, rather than the buzz it gives you. I'd like to hear from smokers about why it looks cool. I really want to understand this - it's way over my head. __________________ The second star to the right shines in the night for you
	Submit to Quotes

06-15-2006, 01:02 PM	#7
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	Well, I've never smoked, never been tempted, based on my family experience, and CP I'm with you, it's foul and stinky. That said, I've always felt, at least with movies, only three or four people really looked great smoking, it must be in b/w and doing so added a mystique, or look, the smoke shimmering in the light and dark of a good cinematographer. Others may add or dispute my choices, but those who looked great smoking, Valentino, Fred Astaire, Bogart and Bette Davis. __________________ Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. - Oscar Wilde
	Submit to Quotes

06-15-2006, 01:18 PM	#8
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	I'm a non-smoker and have never been a smoker (the last cigarette I smoked was when I was 7. My mom caught me and made sure I didn't try it again for a very long time). That said, yes it can make you look cool. But the cigarette itself is not inherently cool or sexy. It is more about how a person interacts with it. I have a friend who, when he is out standing on his back porch, all by himself, having a cigarette somehow looks very cool doing it. That said, most people do not look cool or sexy smoking.
	Submit to Quotes

06-15-2006, 01:23 PM	#9
Prudence Beelzeboobs, Esq. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Gavel - I haz it Posts: 6,287	I chose only in classic movies. To me, it's cool and sexy in that limited context and part and parcel of the whole aesthetic or whatever. In reality, not only is it smelly, but it's just messy. If I can't stand that lollipop stick ends get a little damp and unravel-y, how could I possibly smoke? It leaves nasty residue, makes such nasty disgusting garbage that I nearly vomit just thinking about it, and stale smoke is possibly one of the nastiest smells on the planet. BT used to smoke (I kind of made him quit) so maybe he can say more on the cool factor. I know there's a whole ritual element to it. __________________ traguna macoities tracorum satis de
	Submit to Quotes

06-15-2006, 01:27 PM	#10
Motorboat Cruiser Cruiser of Motorboats Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: So Cal Posts: 3,665	When I was younger, I did think that it made you look cool, probably because all of the people that I thought were cool happened to smoke. All of my musician idols certainly did. Of course, in the late 70's, quite a few more people smoked and it was far more acceptable. Do I think it looks cool now? Of course not. It is a vile disgusting habit that I have tried to quit many times and will someday succeed at. It's a pain in the ass, it's expensive, and it sucks. It is also by far the most addicting substance I have ever encountered.
	Submit to Quotes