On The Firefly

Studio practice, news, writings, found things.
By designer and artist James T. Green.

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  Social Interactions 02

  By James T. Green

  2012

  Right across from my computer screen I just witnessed an argument take place between two men at a Starbucks. It made me wonder who is in the wrong in certain situations, particularly human interactions.

  To paint the scene, this a small Starbucks in the suburbs of Chicago. Small patio in the front, open seating, right next to the entrance, roughly five feet away from the door. A gentleman, as I look up still fuming, is on one of the chairs working on a project, typing feverishly on his laptop.

  On the other side of the doorway, a younger gentleman stood taking a phone call. Halfway into his phone call he takes out a cigarette and lights it, beginning to smoke. It’s a windy day today so the smoke lofts in the direction of the man working on the patio.

  The man on the patio asks the smoking gentleman to please put out his cigarette or move further away. The younger gentleman denies and continues to smoke. The two exchange words and curses to the point I can no longer eavesdrop. Eventually the younger gentleman walks to his car to continue his phone call and cigarette.

  It made me wonder, which caused me to write this post, who is in the wrong? Technically a bill passed in Illinois stating that smoking is not allowed 15 feet outside of an establishment. At the same time, when in a public shared area, it is seen as socially unacceptable to call people out on behaviors that are not directly connected to themselves.

  What do you all think?

  2 Oct 2012 / 3 notes