I believe I have mentioned this fact on here before, but during my morning runs I usually run by 2 or 3 bus stops full of teenage kids. Running by large groups of high schoolers tends to be intimidating for me, so I usually avoid eye contact as I pass.
This morning was a little different. As I was passing a particularly large bus stop one of the teenaged boys caught my attention. Not because of his black hooded sweatshirt or his bright green hair, but because of the large puff of smoke coming from the cigarette resting stupidly in his hand. Yuck.
Smoking is the one thing people do that drives me crazy. Its a very disgusting, damaging habit and seeing this skinny kid lighting up just broke my heart. I immediately stopped, coughed, waved my hands, and told the kid that he was in fact just a kid and that the cigarette in his hand was not making him look cooler or older, but was actually making him look like an idiot. I then continued on my way.
The kid probably didn’t give a flip what I said, but it makes me feel better knowing I told the kid what an idiot he was.
Beside that small interruption my run was great this morning. I ran a smooth 8 miles while maintaining a 9:30 pace. Woop Woop!
As I mentioned last night, I have agreed to participate in the Blogger Vegan 4 a Day Challenge presented by Katy and Michelle.
I would like to take a moment to state that I have no intention of going fully vegan or even vegetarian for that matter. I just love food too much to restrict myself to only eating a certain way. I also 100% support all the vegans out there and am always up for a good vegan meal or baked good. 
I truly believe a person can be happy and healthy as a vegan, vegetarian, or what ever other label you want to place on yourself. Being healthy isn’t about eating a specific way, its all about balance, moderation, and eating the way that makes you happy.
This morning I kicked off my attempt at Vegan for today with a Breakfast Cookie I prepared last night.
Cookie Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup Rolled Oats
- 1/4 cup Steel Oats (ran our of rolled oats, gave the cookie an interesting texture)
- Unsweetened Applesauce
- Almond Butter
- Dried Pineapple
- Coconut
- Crushed Hazelnuts
Combine all of the above until you get a crumble consistency, flatten on a plate and place in the fridge over night.
This morning I topped mine with canned pear halves and cinnamon.
I missed my yogurt topping. 
I know there are coconut or soy based yogurts, but they just aren’t the same as my Oikos.
Are you participating in Blogger Vegan 4 a Day? This should be an interesting challenge considering my fridge is rather empty thanks to the Thanksgiving Challenge, but besides that this should be fun..
And in case you missed Robert Pattison on the Today Show this morning…. Enjoy!!!
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97 comments
Comments feed for this article
November 19, 2009 at 10:05 am
Mish
that looks amazing. We hope that you enjoy the day and thank you for the support.
November 19, 2009 at 10:13 am
Leianna
I love your teenager confrentation, iwould have done/said the same. Running through a puff of smoke from a teen who thinks he’s “cool.”
November 19, 2009 at 10:14 am
RhodeyGirlTests
Did he say anything back?
November 19, 2009 at 10:16 am
Emily
What a coincidence! Today is the Great American Smokeout….I’m a health educator and I’m actually heading to a local HS here in NC to try and keep kids from smoking. I agree…NASTY!!!!
November 19, 2009 at 10:19 am
Runeatrepeat
I am on board with the vegan day. I agree, I know there are subs for yogurt and stuff, but it’s not the same.
November 19, 2009 at 10:22 am
Erin
Way to go with the boy — smoking is my pet peeve too. Smokers are killing themselves and, selfishly, hurting everyone around them, too.
November 19, 2009 at 10:27 am
Sarah (from See Sarah Eat)
Good luck on the rest of your vegan day. I didn’t think I could ever go 100% either but I have and I’m loving it. It is about finding what is right for you though, I totally agree.
I hate smoking too, I’ve had several family members succumb to lung cancer and other respiratory diseases thanks to it.
But kids are so used to being called idiots for everything they do, that I don’t know if it does much good (but I am glad you said something).
I think I would ask him why he doesn’t love himself enough to stop putting those awful toxins into his body. Or why he would put his friends (and innocent passersby like you) in danger with the second hand smoke. Hopefully you at least made him think.
November 19, 2009 at 10:45 am
megzzwinsatlife
I walked by Robert Pattinson on the today show!! The crowd was INSANE!!!
November 19, 2009 at 10:55 am
Marissa
I am so amazed that people still smoke even though we know how bad it is. At school we have a cadaver of a former smoker. Smoking does horrible things to all organs of the body!
November 19, 2009 at 10:55 am
Marissa
Oops hit submit too fast
I’m a vegan, but I am still participating
November 19, 2009 at 10:57 am
Evan Thomas
I’m going vegan for a day too after all. I have plenty of tofu and veggie burgers so it shouldn’t be hard.
In a weird way, I think I’m lucky that my grandparents and other family members had such a tough tie with smoking. They’ve quit and made it clear to me it was the worst thing in their life to do and I know better because of their mistake
November 19, 2009 at 11:00 am
Tay
I LOVE how you actually stopped and told him that. Very admirable. Smoking is definitely something that I can NOT put up with and cannot stand at all. Deal breaker for sure!
November 19, 2009 at 11:07 am
Lauren
I love that you stopped and told him he was an idiot! Smoking is something I HATE and can’t stand at all.
November 19, 2009 at 11:07 am
leslie
i hope i don’t get attacked for this comment, because i can totally see where you’re coming from, and no one should have to run through a cloud of secondhand smoke. but, if you saw a teenager you didn’t know eating a big mac and fries, would you call them out on it? they are doing just as much damage to their arteries as a smoker is to their lungs, but smokers are vilified while fast food is as widespread as ever.
i just wanted to bring up a different perspective and hope it doesn’t come off as harsh. i’d be very curious to hear your thoughts on this!
i love the tropical sound of your breakfast, by the way!
November 19, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Jo
Agreed
November 19, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Anna M
Their fast food habit doesn’t affect MY waistline. But their smoking does affect my lungs. You want to be dumb enough to eat that and hurt yourself, fine, but don’t take me down with you!
November 19, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Adriana
I live in close to my apartment building’s entrance. People tend to want to hang out there and smoke. I am constantly exposed to the second hand smoke. I have repeatedly had to tell them to move somewhere else because it is not fair that their little habit is affecting me. I am known as a “bitch” for this and truthfully I don’t give a damn because it is not fair for smokers to expose non smokers to the grossness that is second hand smoke. I fully agree with Anna M. I am not going to lecture anyone on their unhealthy habits unless those affect me!
November 19, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Sarah
I couldn’t hit reply to the comment below this, so I will just put it here: Adriana, what you say may be true, but your situation is different if you have no choice but to go through the smoke – Meghann could have easily run around the kid/bus stop. Plus, asking people to smoke elsewhere is much different than calling them idiots.
November 19, 2009 at 11:10 am
prettytimepiece
LOL i can’t believe you stopped and said that. you have guts!
deliiisshhh looing b-fast cookie. good luck with the rest of your day of vegan eats!
http://www.prettytimepiece.wordpress.com
November 19, 2009 at 11:13 am
Abby
YAA for a yummy vegan breakfast. Great way to kick start you day.
November 19, 2009 at 11:14 am
Becca
I don’t think it’s admirable to tell some poor kid that he’s an idiot even if he is doing something as stupid as smoking. You don’t know what his life is like and it could be very damaging to hear from strangers that he’s stupid.
November 19, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Kristen
I totally agree. It is shortsighted to think that your comment would provide the light bulb moment needed for him to change his habits. The anti-smoking rhetoric is so pervasive in the media that I am sure he knows exactly what he is doing to his lungs. And another adult telling him he is wrong and shouldn’t be doing something isn’t going to encourage him to stop. It will likely only fuel his belief that no one cares about him or takes him seriously (as we generally don’t ascribe a lot of respect and prestige to “idiots.” It’s fine that you personally choose not to smoke and don’t want to inhale other’s runoff, but I think it’s generally more helpful to keep those thoughts to yourself.
November 19, 2009 at 11:21 am
Kathy
I have to agree with Leslie. Live and let live. It’s not your place to criticize other people’s choices, and your word choice – calling him an idiot – was a bit uncalled for and out of place. I think he probably would have respected you, and your opinion, a bit more if you took a different approach.
Going off the theme of this post – vegan/vegetarianism – I, for instance, think that eating factory farmed meat is an incredibly disgusting, damaging habit. I know you do it – any meat you buy from a grocery store, organic or not, is almost 100% likely to be factory farmed – but I wouldn’t call you an idiot for it. I would instead try to make you understand why you’re hurting animals, the environment, and yourself.
I hope you realize that I’m not trying to be rude or mean. I just think if you see this kid again, you might take a different approach and really help him, rather than belittle him. That’s how change happens.
November 20, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Betty
This is well-written and contains good logic.
November 19, 2009 at 11:23 am
Brandi
Good for you! Did he say anything back?
I’m going Vegan for today, too! I think the same way you do, though. If I say I can’t / won’t have something, it just totally takes me over! I just try to eat balanced and healthy, with more fruits/veggies/healthy grains and try to get local/humanely raised meat/eggs/dairy when I can
November 19, 2009 at 11:25 am
abi
Meghan, I love reading your blog every day, but I completely agree with the above comment. Think about how it sounds when you say you’re proud you called someone an idiot. There are definitely better ways to get the important “no smoking” message across than by doing that. Like you said, it probably didn’t affect him – it just made you feel better…
Sorry if that sounds harsh.
November 19, 2009 at 11:29 am
Nicole
I’ve never had a breakfast cookie! How is this so? I’m going to have to make one soon, it looks delicious!
November 19, 2009 at 11:29 am
Courtney
WAY TO TELL THAT KID WHAT WAS UP. Ugh, why are kids so dumb?! I don’t care what anyone says – Smoking is IDIOTIC – senslessness, insanely irresponsible. (That’s the definition.)
Happy you cranked out a lovely run and maybe said something that could one day save a kids life. Because if you stopped one of his friends from smoking, ad if maybe you were just one more voice that tipped the scale … Thank you.
Have a great morning!
November 19, 2009 at 11:31 am
Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat)
Good for you on the confrontation with the smoker. I HATE smoking!!!!!
Good luck with the Vegan 4 A Day!
November 19, 2009 at 11:31 am
Christine
Mmmm I really have to try a breakfast cookie. It’s such a great invention. I haven’t been feeling to inspired by breakfast lately.
I ALWAYS want to say that to anyone I see smoking. Glad you actually spoke up and said it!
November 19, 2009 at 11:32 am
Caitlin
I think smoking is such a gross habit as well. it boggles my mind that young people still choose to do it (even with the obvious dangers)!
I am going vegan for a day as well..my breakfast was also a bfast cookie!
November 19, 2009 at 11:35 am
Sara
Wow, I’ve been a long time reader of your blog and I never expected to see something like this come from you. It is never ok to speak to someone you don’t know like that. I agree that smoking is a horrible habit, but I would never feel entitled to push my beliefs on a stranger like you did.
November 19, 2009 at 11:35 am
Melissa
I am a grad student and I am amazed by how many clouds of smoke I have to walk through on my way to class everyday. It is amazing in this day and age with proven scientific data that smoking is harmful and can cause cancer that young adults are still smoking. And I have to suffer from their actions breathing in the smoke every day on my way to class. Ugh.
November 19, 2009 at 11:40 am
Meg @ Be Fit Be Full
I totally agree with the whole smoking thing. It absolutely disgusts me. And I don’t get why people dont’ get fined for dropping their cigarette butts anywhere they so choose! How can you be fined for littering but not for throwing your cigarette butt on the ground? Gross. Good for you for saying something to that stupid teen!
November 19, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Chelsey
Uh, you can be fined for throwing your cigarette butt on the ground. In fact, you can get fined for flicking ashes anywhere but an ashtray, as well– at least here in California.
I would know. It was a $400 ticket.
For those of us (like me) who currently smoke but KNOW it is a disgusting habit and wish to God almighty they had the willpower to quit, a lot of you sound a tad righteous and condescending.
November 19, 2009 at 11:46 am
skinnyrunner
cant wait to see the rest of your vegan meals! esp with an empty fridge. thats pretty much my fridge all the time.
November 19, 2009 at 11:54 am
Anne@ the doctor takes a wife
Good for you for telling that kid what’s up!! I wouldn’t have the guts to do that, but wish that there was a different approach to tell younger kids what they’re really doing to themselves so it wasn’t all so after-school special…
Good luck on going Vegan
I thought about trying, and then realized I probably don’t have anything that even comes close to vegan on hand!!
November 19, 2009 at 11:57 am
Katharine
Hi Meghann!
I totally agree with you that smoking is a horrible habit. Not only does it affect the person’s own health, but the health of those around them. I get particularly frustrated because I have a lung disease – smoke inhalation for me is very detrimental.
However, I’ll echo some of the above commenters by saying that I’m not sure calling him an “idiot” is the best way to get the message across – yes, it’s a very stupid thing to do, but teens often do things (such as smoke) as a form of rebellion. Having a stranger call him an idiot might only fuel his fire, so to speak.
Just food for thought
November 19, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Susan
As a former teenage smoker, I feel like I have to say that there were many reasons why I chose to smoke and it was certainly not to look cool. I had a very troublesome high school experience and smoking was just one of many ways I chose to act out. I am by no means proud of it, but it was more of a helpless action for me. I was not into treating my body well back then, and unfortunately have to make up for the damage now.
November 19, 2009 at 12:05 pm
ellie
I rarely comment on your blog but I do read everyday and have to say that this post rubbed me the wrong way. Yes, smoking is dangerous, no doubt about it. But honestly? Who are WE to judge other people for their actions? I am sure that he is aware of the dangers. I am sure that he has his reasons for smoking and am sure that he will regret it at some point in his life. But it’s not for anyone to judge or condemn- his body, his choice. If you were standing at a bus stop and he was blowing smoke in his face, I wouldn’t see anything wrong with asking him to move. But saying he looked like an idiot is pretty offensive. If you were voicing concerns out of his wellbeing, that would be different. But just randomly throwing out a rude comment is completely unnecessary. If someone chooses to be vegan because they feel it is best for their bodies and the environment, does that mean that they have the right to shoot down people who choose not to be vegan? I hardly think so. Yes, smoking is very different from a dietary/ethical choice, but the basic principle is the same: we are all responsible for our own actions and nobody has the right to criticise anyone else for the choices they make.
November 19, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Lala
Interesting point, but we must also consider that sometimes it is not only okay, but necessary to judge others for their personal actions. Sound crazy? Think about our entire legal system- it’s a vastly complicated set of rules about how we can and cannot act. While some personal choices our society has deemed very much our own to make, the line is quite blurred, especially when “personal” choices can often impact/negatively affect society as a whole (for example, the smoke, which was a choice of the teenager, was a cause of damage to Meghann’s lungs). Plus, keep in mind that if the boy wasn’t 18, society has already taken away his personal choice by deeming it illegal for him to smoke. While the method of Meghann’s criticism wasn’t tactful, it still begs the ethical question: what type of actions are okay to judge/criticise, and which are truly “personal”? If we saw someone littering, throwing a stone at a cat (vs. hunting), downloading illegally, shoplifting a candybar… would it be okay to call them out? Where is the line between personal choice and social welfare? And Meghann, thanks for having the courage to facilitate such a great discussion! There are no easy answers…
November 19, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Stephanie
On the other hand, maybe Meghann saved this kids life because he realized it was not cool and he decided to stop smoking. Id risk hurting his feelings for that.
November 19, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Christy
I CANNOT stand when people are smoking, either. And it especially bothers me when people smoke in an area known for working out. I run at a lake around town which is known for exercising and people sit on the benches and smoke their cigarettes, blowing out the smoke as I run by! I always make a dramatic coughing noise and/or hold my nose
Haha! That habit does only harm to your body… I mean, you only get ONE BODY so treat it well! Plus I believe that your body isn’t only yours, it’s God’s property, too!!!
I’m glad you stopped and gave that poor boy a piece of your (& mine!!) mind!
November 19, 2009 at 12:17 pm
thebalancebroad
Meghann, I absolutely love you and your blog, so please don’t take this as attack! I 100% agree that this kid WAS/IS an idiot for smoking – at a bus stop of all places. However, when I was a teen I’ll admit I got into the drinking and occasional smoking scene, too. If a “grown up” would have called me an idiot – it would have made me want to do it more! Ya know? Remember how teenagers can be…stubborn and rebellious like that? (Maybe it was just me since I was the youngest child in the family LOL).
Anyway, like I said, I LOVE you and admire you for standing up for what you believe in. That is more than a lot of us can say. Just my 2 cents!
November 19, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Cel
I hate to be the voice of dissent here, but I really don’t find it commendable to call a stranger (and a high schooler, at that) an idiot.
Everyone knows smoking is unhealthy. There are better ways to get that message across than by belittling someone. If anything, those sort of comments and attitudes only reaffirms someone’s desire to smoke.
November 19, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Emily
Good for you, talking to that kid! I HATE smoking. I make no effort to be polite about my distaste and 3 different friends over the years have decided to quit because of me, Yay.
I am not doing the Vegan Day, because I’m actually planning on doing a ‘2week Vegan’ thing next month.
http://eatventures.wordpress.com
November 19, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Traci
Oh I hate smoke too. I just don’t get why people do it. Yuck! I hate labels too. I haven’t eaten meat for 20 years or so but don’t label myself a vegetarian. I just say I don’t eat meat. Works for me. Good luck with today! That would be a tough one for me. love my yogurt, milk, cheese etc…
November 19, 2009 at 12:47 pm
megan
Great post.
I kind of agree with both sets of commenters out there. He has a “right” to smoke if he wants too (although, how old do you have to be to buy cigarrettes? is he even allowed?) and you certainly have a right to share your opinion. How he takes it is up to him. Cetain kids could react well to your up front statement, certain kids could react badly. But you did what you felt like you should, and that’s what matters. maybe you would do it differently in the future or maybe you would do the same thing, but the first step is doing something! great job 
November 19, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Chrysta
Count me in!! Im definently doing the vegan challenge for a week. Super excited about it. I I totally agree about when you said that being healthy isnt about eating a specific way. Just moderation and lifestyle. I completely agree. I think you can be super healthy as a vegan or super healthy eating meat and dairy products. Just moderation, watch what you eat and exercise!
I don’t understand why people smoke either anymore! Theres so much info out that about how harmful it is to your body. We only get one body so gotta treat it nice=)
Have a super day!
November 19, 2009 at 1:01 pm
inmytummy
Did the kid respond to you?
November 19, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Linda
We all have the beautiful gift of free will Meghann and it is his right to choose to smoke. I am a non smoker, hate cigarrettes etc. . .But I don’t believe that we should ever place our beliefs on others, or call someone an idiot like you did. Judgement is a toxic thing and there is a fine line in trying to help someone and placing your beliefs on them. Do you honestly believe that this kid said to himself: “Oh that woman who just called me an idiot is so right, I’m going to quit smoking right now!” Doubt it, when people come at you aggressively, the reaction is to be mad and defend your rights and yourself.
November 19, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Ali
Good Job! I wish there were more people like you when I was smoking on the street corner in high school. funny you mention it, I did a post about my smoking and quitting on my blog yesterday!
November 19, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Anonymous
I think it’s really harsh to call someone an idiot and tell them they look uncool. Obviously smoking is harmful, but insulting someone, embarrassing them, & putting them on the defensive is rarely the best way to get them to change their behavior.
We watch people make poor or misguided health choices everyday. Overeating, choosing foods high in saturated fat and sodium for the majority of their meals and snacks, undereating, binge drinking with friends on the weekend. Would you call someone an idiot for walking into McDonald’s? Or call someone you’d never met or seen before an idiot for getting too drunk? Smoking is not healthy by any means but I don’t like how smokers are vilified and get a rap as being “stupid” or even “disgusting.”
People should feel free to express their beliefs, but I do not agree with berating others who don’t share the same perspective.
November 19, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Matt
Yeah that kid is an idiot. I seriously hate smoking!
I am not doing the vegan 4 a day thing. I think it is just one of those blog fads that people do just because someone else is doing it. Bloggers should be blogging because they are express THEMSELVES. No offense
November 19, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Lauren
I really enjoy your blog, Meghann, but I have to agree with the posters who voiced concern over you calling a high-school kid an idiot. I don’t think it is anyone’s place to so harshly criticize someone they don’t know. Yes, smoking is disgusting and dangerous, but calling someone out on doing it – especially when surrounded by his peers – strikes me as very inappropriate.
November 19, 2009 at 1:13 pm
runningaroundnormal
Good luck today! Nice job on the 8 miler. Your breakfast cookie sounds delish!
November 19, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Julie
I’m not going vegan for a day
Had I thought about it and planned more I would, but I’ve been looking forward to my grilled cheese all week!!
I’m glad you said something to that kid. It amazes me how many people still smoke, and how many kids start up. It’s no secret that it’s bad for you and can KILL you in many different ways, yet people continue to light up. My mom almost died a few years ago from smoking, yet 2 of my cousins smoke. Brilliant, really.
November 19, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Little Black Dress
Meghan,
I truly love your blog- I think you are a healthy, balanced, and inspirationsal person. However, I was surprised by the way you spoke to that child this morning. If you saw a college student or someone your age smoking, would you say the same thing to them? Because I don’t think any adult would have reacted to your message with the same class that teenager did. Did this person’s age give you the right to relay your message in a condescending, curel way?
Kids face a lot of challenges these days- many of us are twenty-somethings, and it wasn’t so long ago that we were going through our high school years experimenting with all kinds of dangerous things, possiboly including binge drinking, drugs, eating disorders, unsafe sex, skipping school, cheating (?), lying to our parents, crash diets, etc. etc. etc.
I can say from my standpoint that I experimented with every single on of those things listed above and I am a healthy, happy, and successful person today. All of the above behaviors are destructive and horrible and poisonous to society, but if I hadn’t experimented with them as a young person, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Intelligent, good-hearted, hard-working people experiment with unhealthy behaviors. How many times have we seen our fellow bloggies (myself included) admit to a night of too much booze, too many cookies, or blatant restriction? How many of your friends had one-night stands in college? How many college students that are in strong leadership positions at their school smoke socially? Good people make mistakes, and calling someone an “idiot” is definitely one of them.
I never comment on almost any blogs, but I felt especially inspired to speak about this particular post.. Everyone comes from different walks in life. Just because you don’t smoke doesn’t mean that you don’t ever make unhealthy mistakes in life too. Everyone needs to make their own decisions and learn in their own way. It is certainly counterproductive for a stranger to insult a random teenager on the street in hopes of “helping.”
Still love you, still love your blog.
Anna
November 19, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Laura
And you want people to vote for you to be the good mood blogger? I guess we should ignore your brief moment of moodiness this morning by calling a complete stranger an idiot. Act like an adult
November 19, 2009 at 1:54 pm
joanna
meghann,
i am sure this boy knows how dangerous smoking is. nobody could possibly not know unless they live under a rock. calling him an idiot seems really pointless and honestly, really mean. i didn’t expect that from you.
November 19, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Joy
I wasn’t going to comment but I guess I feel the need to. Coming from someone who is only a few years past the “stupid teenager phase”, your comment did absolutely nothing to change his behavior. Do you care what strangers think of you? Probably not a great deal. We all do things that are bad for us, whether it is excessively drink, think badly about ourselves, eat badly, etc. It is a free country after all and cigarette smoking is not the most awful thing he could be doing.
When I was in high school i smoked about 2 cigarettes a day, purely for control and attention due to my horrible home life. Obviously not the correct way to deal with it, but it was all that made me feel better at the time. Maybe this kid had similar circumstances.. probably not.. but it’s unnecessary to call him an idiot.
ANYYYYWAY, I too have chosen to go vegan for a day, it should be interesting!! I had a bfast cookie as well.
November 19, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Paige
I agree that it was totally inappropriate to call the boy an “idiot” and tell him that he is uncool…for more than one reason.
First of all, if the boy is smoking; that is between him and his parents. His smoking really had nothing to do with your run….
You also need to think about your own safety. As far as you know, you made your comments, felt like you had made a point, and went happily about your day. Now, you have made yourself a target. If you have to run by this stop again, you don’t know if the boy will say something or do something! One thing is for sure, if he sees you run by, he will not have forgotten what was said.
I work with teenagers every day, and they really need all of the support that they can get. Derogative comments never help the situation. If you could have put a positive spin on it by giving him a big smile and saying something like, “Come on now, you know smoking is bad for you!” that would have been more appropriate.
In any case, it would probably have been better to say nothing at all.
November 19, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Cat
I agree! Cutting down a kid is never the right answer. You just never know where a stranger is coming from. He might have a seriously broken home and being called an “idiot” by a very pretty stranger lady is probably really embarassing and only worsens how he feels about himself. Maybe not. But you just never know.
If I were you, I’d try to avoid the bus stops as much as possible. If it’s a trigger, why not run on the other side of the street? Or run along another street?
Also, I might say something to him like: “Does your Mom know you’re smoking that?” in a spunky way, maybe even wink and keep on my way. It gets your opinion across, isn’t rude and maybe it might make him think for a split second about what he’s doing.
November 19, 2009 at 2:23 pm
DiningAndDishing
yogurt was what i missed when i went vegan for a day too! can’t beat a good yogurt mess breakfast in the morning :O)
- Beth @ http://www.DiningAndDishing.com
November 19, 2009 at 2:40 pm
kbwood
AMEN about the smoking thing..discusting..so many girls smoke here at college and it is sick..that breakfast cookie looks GREAT! def voting for you
November 19, 2009 at 2:55 pm
jenn k
meghan – love the blog and i totally feel you on the dangers of smoking. that said, i work with teenagers and feel pretty certain that aggression is a poor way to communicate. when we do things like that we are reinforcing the “us against them” culture that many teenagers and adults feel. step in their shoes for a moment and consider how you (especially your teenage self) might react to an adult, a stranger approaching you and telling you you look like an idiot – i doubt that you would take what they had to say to heart.
November 19, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Emily
I hate to jump into the fray, and I do beleive that those of you who think she was wrong every ever right to say so. However, grow up! She didn’t use a racial slur, ‘idiot’ is not that strong of a word, he’ll be ok. And to everyone who says that he ‘obviously’ already knows about the dangers – where do you teach? I can promise you, many my students last year (13-18) did NOT know that smoking was dangerous. They thought those commercials were ‘jokes.’ Several of them wanted to discuss the topic more with me after they had a health class about smoking and many of them were surprised to learn about the amount of damnage cigarettes can do.
http://eatventures.wordpress.com
November 19, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Emily
*damage, whoops!
November 19, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Caitlin in MD
Wow, people sure have a lot of opinions on this one! Leaving mine out of it, I just want to say Meghann, I hope you don’t let all of this criticism get you down. You have a lot of loyal readers and even they, as evidenced by the comments on this post, still love you and your blog.
November 19, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Katherine
It is incredibly rude to force your beliefs onto a complete stranger, and incredibly inappropriate. How do you feel when people say that you should eat more or criticize how much you work out? I understand they are completely different things, and smoking is very harmful to one’s health, but we all should be able to choose what we do/do not put into our bodies.
November 19, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Christy
I have always loved your blog, but I have to admit I was a little taken aback by how you handled the smoking situation. As a smoker (gasp…how awful…I know!), I know how bad it is and how bad it stinks and how hard it is to quit. Yes, I should never have started in the first place, and I’m quitting in December. However, when someone tells me I need to quit (especially in a rude way), it just makes me want to keep on smoking. Smoking is bad, but so is not wearing your seatbelt, overeating, drinking too much, etc. I do understand how rude it is for a smoker to smoke in a crowd. I’ve always hated that. If I smoke, I make sure no non-smokers are around. I’m sorry you had to experience that.
November 19, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Alison
This is to Christy: I am a former smoker. I quit 4 months ago and have never been happier or felt more peaceful. I read Allen Carr’s book, “The Easyway to Stop Smoking”. It changed my life. I read it in one day and quit right after having very few withdrawals. Check out his website http://www.allencarr.com. Just trying to pay it forward!
November 19, 2009 at 3:29 pm
girltweetseats
I think in hindsight Meghann it sounds like you wouldn’t have said it, however we are all sometimes so pulled by something we just act, perhaps not thinking, and THAT’S OKAY!!! More than okay it’s human. I applaude you for sharing it. You live, you learn. Love your blog Meghann.
November 19, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Kristine
Meghann,
I totally understand where you are coming from. I think your words were just spontaneous and if you had the chance to do it over, you wouldn’t. I know how upsetting it is to see young kids smoking and essentially throwing their life away. You spoke with your heart, not your brain. Don’t beat yourself up over it!
November 19, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Rose
This is a touchy subject for me, as the friend of MANY MANY smokers (and always being labeled “the healthy one”). What I’ve found is that smokers hate being told to stop smoking. They hate being told they’re killing themselves. They know all that. They’re not smoking to kill themselves. It’s an addiction. For them to quit, it seems like there has to be a consequence, a bigger picture thing (usually health-related). I hope you helped the teenager today (especially because he’s so YOUNG). I wish it was easier to help people quit their addictions.
November 19, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Madeline
Having been a vegan for a few months, I can’t tell you how many people I offended by simply turning down their offer of, well, anything containing eggs/dairy/meat, etc. I was never rude, but food has such an emotional element in our society that simply declining to eat something someone else had taken the time to make was often seen as personally insulting. However, being vegan was a personal choice I made for my body, the environment, and animals, and I never tried to force other people to see things my way.
Is it ironic that on the day you’re being vegan, a choice you are making for yourself, you go out of your way to tell someone else how to live their own life?
November 19, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Madeline
Also, you now have 1900 votes for Sam-E. Good luck! I loved your video.
November 19, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Gena
Good luck on your vegan day!
This strikes a chord, since I was a smoker for many, many years. It’s a tough habit to break, a tough weakness to surrender, and for many addicts, it begins to feel like an emotional necessity. Quitting was one of the best things I’ve ever done, but it was a struggle, day in and day out.
November 19, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Jen
Hi Meghann,
I found your blog a few months ago, and have since gone back and read every word since the first post and continue to check back everyday. I love your blog! I just recently ran my first 10k(Finishing in 1:03:09!!) and you and a few other influential bloggers are the reason I keep pushing myself to do better and live a healthier lifestyle.
I wasn’t going to comment but have been thinking about this post all day… so here goes.
I am a smoker. I’ve been smoking since I was 15. I did not start, nor do I continue to smoke because I think it’s ‘cool’. Me starting smoking had something to do with stress, the fact that my father smokes and it being a way to act out. I am often embarrassed by the fact that I smoke and don’t often like to admit it, especially to my fellow runners: because I fear reactions like the one you had to that boy today. I have elderly people approach me on a daily basis and tell me I’m going to grow up ugly, with wrinkles and die sooner rather than later. None of these comments help.
To successfully quit smoking you need to be mentally and physically ready to do it. Otherwise all your attempts will fail. I’m not there yet, and this boy may not be there yet either.
I appreciate your apology post, and I know you never meant to offend anyone. Smokers are people too, and we don’t need to be told how stupid we are, WE KNOW! But it’s an addiction. The best thing people can do is be supportive when someone decides its time to quit.
Honestly, I don’t mean this to come across as criticism. I just wanted to get my opinion out there. I am a smoker. But I am also at the gym 6 times a week, running 10ks, eating healthy, dropping the excess poundage and trying to live a healthy lifestyle: which one day will include quitting smoking.
November 19, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Kim
I think a lot of you, but this has totally changed my opinion. Mind your own business and who are you to call anyone an idiot – esp a vulnerable high school kid. Get off your high horse.
November 19, 2009 at 4:47 pm
The Pancake Girl
As someone who’s grandma literally just got diagnosed with empheseyma (sp?) due to her smoking habit, I do understand your frustration with the kid at the bus stop, although there was probably a better way to handle the sitch if you were going to approach him.
On a happier note, good luck staying vegan today- I’m already having some trouble staying away from yogurt haha.
http://www.joelygolightly.wordpress.com
November 19, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Samantha
I absolutely HATE when adults treat kids/ teens differently. You never would have said that to an adult I’m sure. And trust me, I’m not just saying this bc I’m young, I’m in fast over 20. You were definitely out of line.
November 19, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Anna M
Ok, wait, so Meghann shouldn’t tell this boy he is stupid, and have an opinion on his behavior, but it’s fine for all these people to call her cruel and immature, and harsh, an judge her?! Glass houses, my friends.
And please, did she really FORCE a BELIEF on the kid? Hardly. She stated factual information about smoking. Calling him an idiot does not make her cruel….It is far more cruel to cause vast amounts of oxidative stress to others because you are too selfish to smoke far away from other people.
I hope the smokers on here are able to quit, but keep in mind it is not a “will power” issue. It is an addiction. Like quitting anything else, when you make the decision, there are medical professionals to help. You just have to decide.
November 19, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Alison
wow, so what you’re saying is that if you disagree with something someone is doing – it’s totally fine to blow up at them in public in front of their peers? hella no. i love Meghan’s blog (and read it quite often just like a ton of other people do) but by putting her thoughts and daily activities here, in writing, to the public – she is INVITING comments and discussion. i think her post, whether she meant to or not probably made a lot of people think pretty hard about their beliefs. bravo to Meghan!
P.S. If you think addiction is just about “will power” and seeing a professional – you are very sorely mistaken.
November 19, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Sammi
I’ve been reading all these comments and it kind of bothers me that people are scolding you for being yourself. This is YOUR blog.. you don’t have to pretend to be someone you’re not in order not to offend others. Whether or not they agree with your behavior, they are also not one to judge other people’s actions. I don’t think the kid is trying to blend in anyway if he has bright green hair.. and i’m sure he has heard it all before anyway. You’re allowed “imperfect” moments in your life and you are DEFINITELY allowed to rant on your own blog and state your honest opinions.
I respect that you stood up for something you believe in.. and you shouldn’t have to apologize to anyone. I wouldn’t read your blog if it was all daises and rainbows all the time because that is dishonest.
November 19, 2009 at 6:05 pm
janetha
WOW quite the commotion from this post, no? meh, i don’t really have an opinion on the whole comment you made either way. you were just being honest. with him regarding your opinion and then with your readers when you typed it. i used to smoke, i despise it now. i probably wouldn’t call someone out on the stupidity of smoking but i definitely hate it! but, alas, i think many of us have had a smoking stage.. or still do smoke. lots of my friends do. now, that is a different story. every time they go to light up i give them my two cents. anyway, love your face!
November 19, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Amy C.
I just got home from work so I’m a little late on this. While I too think smoking is a horrible habit, I think it’s the kids’ actions are what are stupid not the kid himself. By calling him an idiot, you’re saying that he is an overall idiot. For all we know, he could be the next Bill Gates or President (we all know he smokes too, right? Would you run up to Obama and call him an idiot?) Do you see what I’m trying to say? I doubt it’s the first time that he’s heard that but I think as a stranger it would be better to word it differently. I work in healthcare so I see the after effects of what smoking can do to people and I personally am a nonsmoker. I think your intent was good but just for the future, try to think if you’d want some random person to come up to you and call you an idiot when they don’t know a damn thing about you or your life. I think saying something was a good thing because we want to get kids to stop risking their health (and no doubt the health of the other kids at the bus stop) but try to think of a better way for next time. Obviously we can think of other things to say now that it’s in the past but it’s not easy on the spot so I can understand completely why you’d word it that way. I just think it’s more effective to put a positive spin on not smoking rather than just putting someone down.
November 19, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Judie
I dislike smoking too, but I dislike alcohol even more. Would I walk up to someone who was drinking alcohol and call him/her an idiot? No, I would not, even though alcohol abuse endangers more people than smoking (think drunk driving).
November 19, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Kim
Well the name-calling showed a lapse in judgement and, I’d say, a lack of maturity…but it happens to the best of us. However, I would suggest focusing a bit more on improving your grammar and spelling before calling anyone an idiot.
November 19, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Sammi
What is wrong with her grammar? That is quite a rude reply. Don’t read Meghann’s blog if you have such an issue with her “grammar and spelling”
November 19, 2009 at 11:35 pm
Kelly
I see that you don’t have a blog since your name does not hyper link to one. Honestly writing posts, especially writing them 3 times a day, is VERY time consuming. Bloggers with real lives write and post quickly without trying to find every single mistake. I know while I was writing my blog I had many spelling and grammar errors. It’s just a fact of quick writing, not intelligence.
November 19, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Jenna
i am with ya meghann, i really hate smokers!
jenna
November 19, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Karla
I definitely missed my yogurt this morning too
Good for you for telling that boy smoking is no good!
November 19, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Monica C.
I love Meghann and her blog; I just think her actions reflect a general feeling of superiority that non-smokers have towards smokers. People love to go on and on and ON about how much they hate smokers. I just don’t get it, except maybe that smokers are an easy target? Why not go on and on about overeaters? Or better yet, rapists or pedophiles?*
Meghann, your apology showed what a class act you are. You’re human, you did not have to apologize, but you did, and that is yet another reason why you would make an AWESOME GOOD MOOD BLOGGER!
*p.s.: I smoked for many years, but was blessed enough to be able to quit 8 1/2 years ago.
p.p.s: Many non-smokers act like they just cannot understand the addiction to nicotine, but would LITERALLY have a nervous breakdown without their mega-dose of caffeine every day. Or they eat a dozen donuts in one sitting. Or they are are an adulterer. Or they haven’t paid their taxes in 10 years. We *all* have our crosses to bear – stop judging!!!
November 20, 2009 at 10:03 am
caffeinerd
I probably wouldn’t have said anything in this situation, but I certainly am with you re: smoking…can’t stand it. In IL, where I’m from, the bars/restaurants are awesomely smoke-free. I’m currently visiting my boyfriend in TN, though, and just hopped in the shower at 6:45am on my “sleep in” day because I couldn’t stand the smell of myself anymore after eating out last night. Ick. I hate when other peoples’ smoke makes me feel disgusting.
November 20, 2009 at 11:42 am
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