Yup, smoking was "normal" at that time. None of us smoked, but (in the 70s) we always had an ashtray on our coffee table (though we didn't drink coffee either, come to think of it), for the convenience of any guests who might want to smoke in our apartment. Of course it was also for our own benefit, in the sense that having an ashtray handy would likely keep anyone from dropping ashes on the furniture.
Why didn't we simply not allow smoking in our home, you might ask. Well, some people would just light up without even asking. And if someone did ask permission, it was considered a bit rude to say no after they'd been thoughtful enough to ask.
Thank goodness that's largely changed now, and it's possible to breathe in restaurants and on airplanes. I do feel sorry for the current crop of nicotine addicts, though.
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strntz (12231)
3 years ago
Thank goodness that's largely changed now, and it's possible to breathe in restaurants and on airplanes.
I'm old enough to remember when far more people smoked than didn't - we had several ashtrays around the house (only dad smoked then) for guests, and had a large glass amber stand up monstrosity that was de rigueur for the times.
But, although I never smoked, cigarette smoke only started bothering me when smoking was removed from most places. We were definitely used to it. I remember going to a seminar with my dad when I was a kid and we got there late so our seats were in the back. We could barely see the lecturer through the haze.
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