Pav Explains... European Smokers

You cannot escape them, they are everywhere. Where things in the states are headed towards watching out for non-smokers, things here are aimed at protecting your right to chain smoke 9 packs a day, anywhere. Although studies show that somewhere around 40% of Germans smoke, when you walk around town, you'll swear it's 90%. I think the funniest story I have to demonstrate this is at the gym. When I first got here, I joined a gym in the armpit town of Offenbach, outside of Frankfurt. There was this huge steroid-monkey meathead named Axel who worked at the gym. Well, one day I saw him rip off a set of squats with about 400 lbs on the bar. Obviously winded, he walked around a bit, eventually ending up outside the gym in a little courtyard. Through the window, I watched him light up, smoke a cigarette, and then come back inside and do another set of squats. Wow.

I have a Spanish colleague who told me at his last job in Seville, the people smoked at their desks. I've worked in buildings where people are allowed to smoke in the tiny coffee kitchens, and no matter where you go on the floor, you can't escape the smoke. The smoking age in many countries in Europe is 16, but it really doesn't matter because there are vending machines all over town that sell to anyone. So, all I can tell you is that if you're a non-smoker, time to practice your tolerance.