Moving to a new country means falling in love with a new way of life. It can also mean, missing the little things... like designated smoking areas. You see, many Swiss people smoke and without designated smoking areas it can be hell. Hell for people like me; a nonsmoker who despises cigarette smoke.
In Switzerland, smokers have no qualms lighting up in shared areas...bus stops, train stations, outdoor cafes, park benches, lakefront picnic areas... If there is a crowd, large or small, you can guarantee several people will light up without consideration of the people around them. Smokers in Switzerland don't care if the person next to them is a baby in a stroller or a fetus in a uterus; a crowd of spectators or a crowded outdoor market. They will smoke anywhere. I'm over this!
FYI- It has only been one year since a nationwide smoking ban prohibiting smoking in public places such as restaurants, bars, cinemas, and schools (YES, SCHOOLS) has been in effect.
- Crazy is walking past a school and witnessing teachers and students gathered together smoking outside of the building.
- Crazy is having people light up two inches from you at a bus stop.
- Crazy is having people blow cigarette smoke in your face while you order a sandwich from an outdoor sandwich stand.
