I was at the store today and was standing in line with a customer in front of me at the cashier. She was elderly, I would guess around 65 to 70? It was hard to tell as she was very nicely quaffed and dressed but had a pretty wrinkled face. She started some banter with the clerk ringing through her purchase.
Clerk: Nice to see you again. It's been awhile.
Lady: Yes. I haven't been out much lately because I had a heart attack 2 weeks ago.
Clerk: Oh my, I'm sorry to hear that. It's good that you have recovered enough to get out so soon.
Lady: Yes it is and I think it's because I have cut down my smoking from 2 packs a day to 6 cigarettes a day since my heart attack (this said with obvious pride).
Clerk: Well that's good I suppose but you know, those things can kill you.
Lady: Yes, I know. I watched a dear friend of mine die of COPD recently. It was horrible!
With that statement, she picked up her purchase and strolled out of the store.
So, I'm standing there listening to all this and I'm sure the look on my face was one of complete shock or disdain or something because as the lady left the store, the clerk greeted me at the counter and asked if I was alright? I just mumbled something at her, paid for my purchase and left the store, still watching the lady slowly crossing the parking lot toward her car.
Even then (outside the store) I wondered to myself ...... should I approach the lady and speak to her about quitting - I mean; really quitting! Clearly she was fooling herself into believing she could "cut down" and avoid any serious sacrifice and that was good enough to allow her health to improve? You know as well as I do that she'll be back to 2 packs a day by Christmas or sooner.
So, just wondering what you would have done in this situation? Intervene or just stay out of it because, none of my business and she was a complete stranger to me.
I did nothing but go on my way feeling very uncomfortable and sad for the lady because she was clearly fooling herself. I'm not sure I could have confronted a complete stranger in that manner anyway. I don't want to be one of those "reformed smokers" who butts into everyone's lives preaching the no-smoking gospel but, holy cow! This lady needs a reality check if she wants to stick around much longer.