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It looks like my favorite bar has lost a customer

Giraut

Gold Contributor
Member For 4 Years
So here I am at my favorite cafe, having a drink or two with a couple buddies - like quite often. The barmen are usually cool with my vaping inside, although it's not legal here in Belgium, because I usually stealth-vape and don't bother nobody with huge cloud or anything. Also, I usually tip well, so they're not really inclined to be on my case...

But then 5 minutes ago, the cafe owner showed up (he usually never does), made a beeline to our table and started giving me an earful about "this may be an electronic cigarette, but this sort of thing ain't done here, you hear? YOU HEAR ME GOOD?"

Needless to say, I'm finishing my glass and I won't bother to return. I'll go spent my money elsewhere goddammit... It's not his banning vaping in his joint, it's his patronizing tone. Fuck him, I ain't 15 yo and I'm a paying customer, so he best respect me and the money I drop on him. It don't cost nothing to be polite...
 

Fuzzy Bruce

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Sorry to hear of this sort of disrespectful treatment. Shit happens, do not let it bother you or,,, at least vent, move on and spend your money where you are an appreciated customer.

If I find a bar that I like, I make it a point to try and befriend the owner if possible. I do this because of the appearance I present Sort of a long haired biker type, who hangs with other biker types. I can not tell you how many times I have been judged by how I and the folks I hang with look. I have had great success by doing this.
 

Giraut

Gold Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Reviving this old thread, because I am now officially ALLOWED to vape in this place again. Yeah!

What happened is, the joint changed owners a few weeks ago. Every now and then I'd come to down a beer or two, and I'd go vape in the smokers' room. But each and every time, I'd come out of there reeking of stale smoke, and I'd have to throw my clothes into the washing machine and go shower. Needless to say, I didn't patronize the place too much, even under the new owners.

But then this morning, I popped the question: may I vape in the non-smoking section, even though it's not legal? I figured all I risked was being told that I couldn't. Surprisingly, the owner immediately replied "Oh sure! Not a problem, go right ahead!"

I asked him if he really did realize it wasn't legal here, and that he might get into trouble if his establishment was controlled. He replied "Yeah, I know. Law's stupid, but I ain't. I'll just pretend I didn't know if I'm told something. First time offenses carry no fines, and I want to accommodate my customers." and he flashed a big wink.

So I pulled my mod and started vaping. After a few minutes, I overheard one of the patrons 3 tables down asking the owner "Oh, so it's allowed here?" and saw him fishing an Ego out of his pocket.

How cool is that eh? :) This bar will be seeing a lot more of yours truly, that's for sure.
 

Hey! it's just Ray...

Silver Contributor
Member For 5 Years
Reviving this old thread, because I am now officially ALLOWED to vape in this place again. Yeah!

What happened is, the joint changed owners a few weeks ago. Every now and then I'd come to down a beer or two, and I'd go vape in the smokers' room. But each and every time, I'd come out of there reeking of stale smoke, and I'd have to throw my clothes into the washing machine and go shower. Needless to say, I didn't patronize the place too much, even under the new owners.

But then this morning, I popped the question: may I vape in the non-smoking section, even though it's not legal? I figured all I risked was being told that I couldn't. Surprisingly, the owner immediately replied "Oh sure! Not a problem, go right ahead!"

I asked him if he really did realize it wasn't legal here, and that he might get into trouble if his establishment was controlled. He replied "Yeah, I know. Law's stupid, but I ain't. I'll just pretend I didn't know if I'm told something. First time offenses carry no fines, and I want to accommodate my customers." and he flashed a big wink.

So I pulled my mod and started vaping. After a few minutes, I overheard one of the patrons 3 tables down asking the owner "Oh, so it's allowed here?" and saw him fishing an Ego out of his pocket.

How cool is that eh? :) This bar will be seeing a lot more of yours truly, that's for sure.
Sounds like my kind of joint! They book bands? Now that'd be the shit, vaping to some good local llive music.
 

travanx

Bronze Contributor
Member For 4 Years
The first time I saw vaping in public was at a comedy club on the Sunset strip about 3-4 years ago. The guy was in the front row going at it while one of the comedians was trying to bring it into his act. But it was too obscure at the time to make fun of. Still can't forget it was putting out more mist than a cigarette. And no once cared.
 

BigNasty

Diamond Contributor
Member For 4 Years
ECF Refugee
The first time I saw vaping in public was at a comedy club on the Sunset strip about 3-4 years ago. The guy was in the front row going at it while one of the comedians was trying to bring it into his act. But it was too obscure at the time to make fun of. Still can't forget it was putting out more mist than a cigarette. And no once cared.
The newest Venture brothers Brock was using a ecig.
 
I never quite get how people like that are working with customers – how can you be that dense and still make money? Sure, even if it is illegal (or whatever the law is in Belgium) you do not have to be an ass about it. He could have come to you, asked you to take it elsewhere or just put it away. What an idiot…good on you!

Anyone here use www.kandypens.com? Thoughts?
 
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MD_Boater

Silver Contributor
Member For 4 Years
I stopped going to one of my favorite restaurants because instead of just saying, "We don't want people to vape in our bar", they insisted that the county board of health said that it wasn't allowed (no such rule). I pointed out that that was not the case, they kept insisting that it was, and haven't been back since. This is a Baltimore area crab house. Drinks, appetizers, and crabs usually run about $300-$350 for 4 people (including tip), and I always went in parties of 6 or more. We go to a different place now that is more than happy to let folks vape. "Until they make me stop allowing it.", is how the owner of that place is.
 
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