Where The National Sport is Smoking Cigarettes
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on
June 18th, 2008
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I was fortunate to spend some time in Germany during Soccer World Cup in 2006. The largest sporting event in the world fittingly took place in a country where soccer is holy. I'm here this summer as well and lucky to enjoy the current 2008 European Championships. Germany is a country with interesting contrasts in society. People believe soccer is the most popular thing in this country but that would be incorrect. What is it? It's actually SMOKING CIGARETTES! It's impossible to walk 20 feet without seeing someone smoking. Young or old, athlete or bum, doesn't matter. It's 2008 but one could easily believe it's 1960 and no one has ever heard of smoking being dangerous (or disgusting).
I'm currently spending 6 weeks playing professional tennis down in Germany. During 6 weekends I fly down Friday night, play during the weekend and return home to Sweden on Monday. Playing tennis is no kid stuff. You better be fit or you might as well stay at home. Last Sunday I practiced an hour in the morning, played a hard 3 hour match in 85 F. degree heat. I got to rest for an hour and then played another 2 hour match. Yet, you know what most German players do as soon as they come off the court of a grueling 3 set match? The light up a cigarette. These are not some crappy recreational players. These are top notch players, some former Davis Cup competitors, who in some cases could still be making a living on the tour.
Smoking in Europe is unfortunately very popular. The largest smoking countries are the borderline third-world countries of Greece and Turkey. Smoking is out of control in these places. People smoke at airport gates, in cabs, cars, buses, homes, and restaurants. It's impossible to escape the thick clouds of cigarette smoke.
Germany is also a place where almost everyone smoke cigarettes. The contrast between smoking and other issues in Germany are interesting. Radio programs warn people of not being outside too long and catch skin cancer because of the strong sun. Never mind that the sun is as strong as being INSIDE an apartment in Florida during an overcast day. But people obey and stay inside.
Sitting inside smoking two packs of cigarettes a day is absolutely no problem and apparently not a bad idea. It's much better than being out in the cloudy weather for half hour. So is smoking around kids and pregnant women. No one thinks twice about lighting up 25 cigarettes 2 feet from an infant. Completely normal.
It think it's mind boggling that people still smoke in 2008. There are of course serious health issues that everyone knows about. But there are also other disgusting issues. Like kissing a smoker. Have you tried it? It's like licking an ash tray. I could never date a smoker, which sadly excludes 90% of European women. The smell is also repulsive, even for a non smoker. A visit to a restaurant, club, or bar means hair and clothes stink of smoke for days. But these issues don't stop smokers. I simply don't get it.
I'm a big fan of Halle Berry and will marry her when/if my wife leaves me for Brad Pitt or Matthew McConaughey (she has my permission). But if Halle starts smoking, it's off. So if Halle is reading this, please don't follow the Germans and start smoking. I think we would make a great couple.
I lived in Germany for a year and was also astonished by the amount of smoking. Even more so by the vending machines on street corners where any kid could pick up a package of cigarettes. I was struck at the time that Germans could be so advanced when it came to recycling and environmental issues (concern for world health) but yet so backward with the smoking (disregard for personal health). That was back in 1995, and in my visits since, I think the situation has improved. But not enough, apparently!
Still, I think there are other countries that are much worse than Germany. At least Germans are pretty darn respectful of rules, like not smoking inside offices, for example. I think it was Spain (but perhaps it was Italy) where we would often sight people smoking inside the trains station - directly in front of a “no smoking” sign.
Hola my favourite swedish non-smoking guy ;o)
isn’t it the same thing everywhere?! People are smoking one cigarette after the other, they are sporty active but have much stress at work or because of their worse time management or they just started to smoke because everybody did it and it was a “cool thing”… but I think - in another point of view - the fact is, that many Germans are also very conservative and they are pretty darn respectful of rules. everyone is allowed to smoke as much as he likes to, but it’s really frightening, how many kids are smoking nowadays…
I never started smoking and i’m a German girl ;o)
The trend of smoking people decreases from day to day.
Our National Sports are Soccer and Tennis!! Enjoy it ;o)
Many greetings from Germany to you and your Family.
Good luck for Sunday!!VAMOS TC Parkhaus & The German National Team
Hugs, Sarah
Yuck! I hate cigarettes. This is one time I feel the US is on the right track. Many cities here are imposing smoking bans on businesses such as restaurants and even bars, and not allowing smoking within so many feet of the door. (Of course this is not always obeyed, but it’s a start.) There are also anti-smoking commercials on TV and the hospital where I work is a non-smoking facility inside (duh) and out. That includes the parking lot! Unfortunately not everyone obeys. I am not concerned with one’s right to smoke in public; I believe all children have the right to fresh air. I can’t count how many kids I’ve seen at work who have reactive airway or asthma and it’s all because their parents smoke in their faces. You can tell who they are–they reek!