Jump to full article: Fairbanks (AK) Daily News-Miner, 2009-09-02
Author: Mary Richards
Intro: Most guests are aware of the no-smoking policy prior to making reservations, but occasionally someone arrives who is a smoker. Such was the case for Kim. Kim was a polite smoker and went outside to smoke no matter the time of day, the weather or the smoke from the fires. One morning after breakfast, Kim scooted out for her after-breakfast smoke. She came back inside with a pack of cigarettes in her hand and rejoined the table group for a second cup of what she referred to as “Mary’s brown water.” Along with her cigarettes, Kim liked the spoon to stand up straight in her coffee.
One of the guests at the breakfast table mentioned to Kim that he was a former smoker.
An employee commented about third-hand smoke, which was a new term to me. She explained that third-hand smoke was under discussion as possibly being hazardous to your health. As a new mom up on such things, she said it was the odor or smoke saturation on clothes, car seats, furniture and carpets.
These simple statements led to other guests joining in with their own smoking tales. As those of us know who grew up during the 1960s and the ’70s, not only did everyone smoke but you could smoke anywhere. Even my high school had a smoking rink for students bold enough to use it. I never know where the table talk will lead, but that particular morning it led to amusement for all. . . .
Part of Richard’s training was with a doctor in the emergency room who was a chain smoker. This fellow had a standing order for the staff that when a patient was put on a gurney there should be an ashtray placed between the patient’s legs so he would always have one nearby.
He said the emergency room was well stocked with old beanbag-style ashtrays that would not tip over. Seems the only thing he ever got into trouble for during his ER rotation was removing an ashtray.
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