[KMitch]

I've been trying to quit, but it's been REALLY hard. I think it is because I've used smoking as a crutch in social gatherings for way too long. I started in college because it gave me an excuse to escape the chaos of parties. It turned the tables of social interaction in more of my favor where I would be outside smoking with 1-4 others, where striking up a conversation was a lot easier than inside a party of 50+ with the music blaring. I also met a lot more people around campus because of cigarettes in between classes, and now at the bar since they passed the smoking ban. For me, it's time to throw away the crutch and learn to walk on my own again.



I know smoking goes against a lot of traditional ISTJ ideals (including my own 5-6 years ago), but does anyone else here smoke or know of an ISTJ who smokes? I'm curious to see if anyone else started for the same reasons I did and if they managed to quit.

[hello317]

No, I don't smoke and I will not smoke.
I think 98% of ISTJs don't smoke either.

I guess smoking gave you a sense of security. A way to escape from reality (to avoid scocialize). Just guessing.....

[NARCO]

I agree with what Hello said, I don't smoke and will never smoke. It's unhealthy and it appears to be VERY expensive!

[hello317]

^^ LOL....relate to the money issue all of a sudden...hahaha....

[MonieJ]

No I don't smoke it's gross no offense meant!!!

[Time to Paradox]

No, I don't smoke. It's expensive and I don't like needing to be physically dependent on something other than the conventional necessities. Not to mention it does horrible things to your health.

[Out0fAmmo]

I don't smoke, but well over half of the people I work with do. I don't hold it against them, they're usually pretty considerate about not leaving butts lying around or something like that. It's when I see a bunch of cigarette butts on the ground 5-10 feet from a trash can that I get really upset . Not sure if it's cause of laziness or a "screw the rules,I do what I want" attitude.

[laura0607]

I smoke! I started around 12 years ago, but honestly couldn't tell you why I did it. Both my parents smoked, and some of my school friends did too - so it was an experiment that I enjoyed. (I think I have quite an addictive personality - I stay away from harder drugs because I know I'd probably end up addicted to those too!)

Why do I smoke now? Purely because I'm addicted to it. I guess there's a social aspect to it too...standing outside at work smoking is better than sitting in the restroom with loads of other people, but it's mainly because I have an addiction. I'll give up smoking the day my boy has grown up and left home - way too stressful to try and do it now!

(Yes, I know the health implications of smoking...no lectures please!)

[Aßbiscuits]

My ISTJ friend's been smoking since she was fourteen, she's eighteen now. I think she did it because her mother was extremely strict with her though.

[Rhee]

I've never smoked and plan to keep it that way, precisely because I know I have an addictive personality much like the one laura0607 mentioned. I indulge in pleasaurable things; IMO being an ISTJ has probably saved me from, say, becoming addicted to booze and/or gambling.

Personally I think your reason for starting is one of the most reasonable I've heard. I can definitely see the advantages that made you start smoking. It's laudable that you've made up your mind to quit though. I've only ever seen ONE person who succeeded, but if you have a strong will dude, you'll make it.