Confrontation with my neighbor

[CubanoLou]

Being Cuban I respect the cigar laws we have in restaurants and out door events. But in my house hold or apartment balcony I have the right to smoke when ever I want as long as it ain't illegal. Now what I would have done I can't say due to being probably wrong. ( like putting doo doo on their car handle or door knob). but like I said it would be wrong. Keep your stand and smoke away. We don't have many rights left and I consider most cigar smokers to be considerate and respectful. Great job with your letter response.

[havanitascigars-cl]

These are the kind of people who push for stupid laws restricting freedom and liberties. They are the reason the Constitution has become nothing more than a piece of parchment.

[baba]

Rob - you handled it very well. Firm and to the point. I believe, if you given a less mesured responce, then anger would be the result - not compromise. When I get angry with someone, then they remember the anger and not the issue. They still are your neighbors, you can't get away from them - so you might as well try deplomacy.

[bobbyg29-cl]

For those that are interested here was my thought process:

-My immediate response was anger at the fact I had been personally attacked and my rights were being stomped on. My first thought was to do nothing at all and to continue smoking as normal (if not more) until they had the guts to come and talk to me about it in person. Alternatively, I thought about running upstairs and having an all out argument with them. I decided against these options for several reasons:
1)First and foremost, cigar smoking for me is an incredibly positive experience and I did not want to have a black cloud constantly hanging over it. If I did nothing or had a big fight then every time I went out to smoke I would be thinking about that instead of the normal peaceful, relaxing thoughts I have when I smoke.
2)As someone mentioned, I have to live below these people. If I get angry with them and refuse to do anything then what happens next? They start stomping on their floor, I retaliate by smoking more and playing loud music, they go to the building manager, so and so on. With one young child and another on the way I did not want to go through all this just to make a point.
3)If I did nothing then I would be guilty of the main problem I had with them in the first place: lack of communication about a probem.

Personally, as smokers I believe that we have to be sensitive to others concerns. Cigar smoke is very offensive to others. If there is a way that we can adjust our smoking behavior to relieve this without any major infringement on our rights to light up then I think it is the decent thing to do. In my case this amounts to slightly altering the times that I go out to have a cigar on my patio which is really no big deal to me and is well worth it to make my neighbors happier. Beating one's chest and saying "this is my right and I don't care whether you like it or not" is not decent human behavior for cigars or anything else in life.

In the end this has actually made me closer to my neighbors. Like most apartment dwellers we were completely indifferent to each other just giving the polite "hi" as we walked by. Yesterday, we stood outside and chatted about football for half an hour.

[jitzy]

thats awesome to hear hopefully one day he'll share a smoke with you

[SMOKING HANDSOME DUDE]

I Had A Simular Experience A Few Years Ago At My Apartment. I Was Smoking Outside And The Person Above Me Complained About My Cigar Smoke And How Unhealthy It Was. I Replied "your Right My Cigar Smokeing Is Bad It Will Make Me Get Up Out Of My Chair, Walk Up The Stairs And Throw Your Ass Off The Balcony" Never Heard A Complaint Again

Have A Nice Day

[shrtcrt-cl]

People are just non confrontational these days. People need to speak up when something bothers them. I have no problems voicing my concerns to others. I have a neighbor who puts notes on peoples doors when she does not like something. I wish she would just talk to them.

I am glad your situation worked out. Some people just need to relax!!!!

[Avs Fan]

Originally Posted by SMOKEING HANDSOME DUDE

I Had A Simular Experience A Few Years Ago At My Apartment. I Was Smoking Outside And The Person Above Me Complained About My Cigar Smoke And How Unhealthy It Was. I Replied "your Right My Cigar Smokeing Is Bad It Will Make Me Get Up Out Of My Chair, Walk Up The Stairs And Throw Your Ass Off The Balcony" Never Heard A Complaint Again

Have A Nice Day

I like that response

[tx_tuff]

It worked out great Rob thanks to you! And you did it for all the right reasons.

[Doc Stogie Fresh]

Originally Posted by BigBuddha76

leave a big flaming bag of poo on their doorstep, Billy Madison Style

Or maybe a poo-filled burrito. hoohoo:

[Doc Stogie Fresh]

Glad to hear there were some positives that came out of this situation. That's probably the best you could have hoped for. Now, introduce the guy to cigars and you guys can become smoking buddies.