Everyone in the office smokes except me
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
Calgary, Alberta
June 30, 2011 7:31pm CST
I really don't know but I seemed like the only call center employee who doesnt smoke. We already have free coffee so everyone can stay awake all night but they seem to rely on Nicotine more. I'm glad smoking inside the air conditioned office is not allowed anymore but the moment I get out of the building, I'll be suffocated by smoke not from the cars but from the employees of the call center. I hope I wont have cancer from 2nd hand smoking.
When I'm still an agent , after the shift, there is a 'bonding session' so everyone will be like family. In that bonding session the supervisor will ask everyone to share experiences they have through out the shift,(every agent is obliged) so everyone can exchange tips on handling calls. For sure it sounds sweet but that bonding session is at the balcony and people there automatically lights their cigars the moment they get there.
Ever since I was on a different department, I dont need to attend their 'bonding session.
8 responses
@sjvg1976 (41131)
• Delhi, India
1 Jul 11
Hello CaptAlbertWhisker,
Its great to know that you don't smoke after living in between smokers. I have observed in most of the cases the non smokers who live in the company of smokers start smoking after sometime but you have great resistance to smoking i feel.
"Smoking is injurious for health" its rightly said. It is more injurious to the passive smokers therefore please stay away form smokers as it may increase more risk of getting cancer than the active smokers.
But it is also the fact you cannot easily ask someone not to smoke in situation you described as your bonding session.Rightly said you need not to attend such bonding session which may affect your health.
"Smoking is injurious for health" its rightly said. It is more injurious to the passive smokers therefore please stay away form smokers as it may increase more risk of getting cancer than the active smokers.
But it is also the fact you cannot easily ask someone not to smoke in situation you described as your bonding session.Rightly said you need not to attend such bonding session which may affect your health.1 person likes this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
• Calgary, Alberta
1 Jul 11
since my promotion I was not a part of the bonding session anymore, thankfully. I'm saving money so I will be a land lord in an apartment and retire in a ranch. where the air is fresh as a breeze.
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
• Calgary, Alberta
1 Jul 11
I hope I will rid of them for real , once i have my ranch.
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
1 Jul 11
I had the same experience with you. Good thing i'm working at home now. I used to smoke but i never became addicted to it. It was mere peer pressure when i was in college that lasted only a year. I hate it when people puff their smoke in front of me. I don't really care much if you do just don't be near me.
The office i used to work at had a bonding session as well but it wasn't a call center. It was in an open lobby where the boss as well as the rest of the employees smoke except me. It was really uncomfortable but i didn't have a choice then.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
1 Jul 11
Don't take a jeepney myself. I'd rather spend on gasoline than spend for my hospitalization.
1 person likes this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
• Calgary, Alberta
1 Jul 11
I remember seating next to a smoking diver in a jeepney.
its really the worst ride ever.
its really the worst ride ever.@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
• Calgary, Alberta
1 Jul 11
Usually in Jeepney smokers are notorious too. having my own car save me from belchers. Those bonding sessions...I loathe them with my existence.
@GardenGerty (157674)
• United States
1 Jul 11
So it sounds like you get to miss their smoking sessions at the end of the shift. You know this ties in with your other discussion about saving money. You have more money to save because you do not smoke. You need to hold your breath when you leave work. LOL
1 person likes this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
• Calgary, Alberta
1 Jul 11
the sight of people destroying their lungs or liver still felt sick though.
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
• Calgary, Alberta
1 Jul 11
I don't miss holding my breath for 15 minutes daily at all. before I have no car, so I hold my breath the moment I exit the building. now I exit through the parking lot and no one smokes there.
but in my small soundproof glass room I can still see them do their bonding session.
but in my small soundproof glass room I can still see them do their bonding session.1 person likes this
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
1 Jul 11
I used to be an assistant supervisor at a call center. It felt like I was the only one who didn't smoke as well. I am surprised they haven't made it a "No smoking" work place. Maybe for you they will, some day. For a lot of employees, especially in the call center environment it can be a stress reliever.
1 person likes this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
• Calgary, Alberta
1 Jul 11
all i need is mint tea and my psp to relieved my stress, sometimes I go hear to mylot. I have a feeling a lot of call center agents will have a short lifespan. its hard to be stuck with smokers specially I have lung problems.
@AgentGulaman (3546)
• Philippines
1 Jul 11
Yep, I know a friend of mine who is a heavy smoker. He says that smoking is a way for him to loosen up his tensions. Good thing that you don't give in to peer pressure. Your principles about smoking is firm. Better to be healthy than be sorry, however, you are the most prone to inhale the smoke. You can call their attention if you are having a hard time dealing with their smoke. I think they will understand your situation.
1 person likes this
@chiwasaki (4694)
• Philippines
12 Jul 11
In my former call center company, most of my team mates don't smoke. I guess only 3 agents smoke in our team and the rest are not in to smoking. I'm really glad to be part of that team since I don't smoke as well.
1 person likes this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
• Calgary, Alberta
18 Jul 11
you should also be glad you dont have the bonding session at the balcony, i endured that for 6 years.
@ravisivan (14079)
• India
17 Jul 11
that is good. u do not smoke and u also like no smoking area.
1 person likes this
@ravisivan (14079)
• India
4 Jul 11
I can understand the problems u face in bonding session on account of smoking by others. when that is the custom in your place u have to go by is. I wish you live healthily for a more number of decades. But tolerance is the key for success in groups. U know it.
1 person likes this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
• Calgary, Alberta
7 Jul 11
I graduated from that "bonding session" that is more like "pot session" Its really a relieve that I have clean lungs again.
@sunita64 (6469)
• India
1 Jul 11
This is a situation where no one can help. Thankfully in my office no one smokes so we are free from pollution. As far as cancer is concerned there is no co-relation between smoking and cancer.So your fear is right. But when we are fearless then our immune system is strong so we can handle any disease that comes to us easily. So do not fear unnecessarily about a thing that has not happened.
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
• Calgary, Alberta
2 Jul 11
I have less exposure to smoke now because I have my own room now and thankfully I dont need to join their bonding session. I becaMe friend to some newly hired peoplecwho dont smoke, they were in late teens, I hope they wont be influenced.
@sadafsakhawat (133)
• Pakistan
1 Jul 11
call centre is a hectic job, i use to do online telesales job ,the target is hardly achieved....soo sitting at one place getting to reach target is mind stuffing.......is the employees there might be smoking for this reason as well. you should take juices so that it would work against the inhalation of smoke..
1 person likes this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
• Calgary, Alberta
2 Jul 11
I really want to leave the industry but at this moment I was stuck. I want to build an apartment, and it would be an effort less source of income. If those people only knew that smoking will make them more stressed
