Love is . . . hanging outside the pub smoking in hope of meeting Mr Right

Sunday Independent (Ireland0 ^ | 29 August, 2004 | MELANIE FINN

[Happygal]

THEY might not want to tell their children how they met. But the smoking ban has sparked a flurry of new romances as men and women have the dreaded weed to thank for bringing them together.

Pub owners and dating experts across the country say the smoking ban has turned courting rituals upside down as hundreds of couples get to know each other over a smoke.

Instead of trying to make light conversation in noisy bars, men and women say that stepping outside for a fag and chat has made getting to know the opposite sex much easier.

The introduction of the smoking ban led to grim predictions that our social fabric would be ruined. But observers say the outdoor smoking areas are the new hunting ground for single smokers everywhere.

Even non-smokers are pretending they smoke just so they can nip outside in case they miss something.

"There's a great social scene among smokers outside the pub. Irish people love moaning and with the ban, they all have a common grievance to start talking to each other about," said Sandra Burke, 28-year-old Dubliner last week. "It's a much easier situation to strike up a conversation in because you have the usual smoking banter about asking someone for a light.

"Also, it's less intimidating talking to a guy on his own than to a big gang of guys huddled together inside a pub. It's basically just a good excuse to talk to a stranger!"

Burke said she actually left a nightclub last Saturday to take her chances on meeting someone interesting outside: "I immediately started talking to someone."

David Dunne, 25, from Wicklow, agreed. "I'm seeing a girl at the moment whom I met outside a pub in Waterford. When she came outside to have a smoke, we got chatting and just hit it off."

He added that his non-smoking friends have even starting to come outside with him for a cigarette, "just to make sure they're not missing out on anything".

Dating expert Michael O'Donnell of Circles Club said smokers had clearly found a way around the difficulty of meeting people with similar habits. He said: "It's one of the preferences people would express: whether they would meet a smoker.

"Some people are open to it and would say they don't mind but others would express a preference. About 20 per cent would express a strong view on it, generally that they don't want to meet a smoker," he said.

The smoking ban has also led to a surge in the popularity of city-centre pubs with large outside areas such as Cafe en Seine in Dublin, and Eyre Square in Galway. "A lot of chatting up goes on outside and we've seen a huge improvement in sales because we have the seating and the covers outside," said Patrick Reddy of Bruxelles pub in Dublin.

"But it all depends on the weather of course. In my opinion, the effects of the ban will only really kick in when it starts getting cold. But we have outdoor heaters to deal with that so I can't see anything really changing."

A spokesman for the Bailey said that because they had always had outside seating, it was always a popular spot. "There's a lot of action going on outside. This Christmas is certainly going to be interesting!" she said.

This new trend of outdoor hunting has not escaped the watchful attention of the man responsible for it, Minister Micheal Martin.

While on a trip to Norway last May, he pointed out how the ban has had "other side effects," noting how people are striking up conversations while they smoked outside. He said: "The major social phenomenon arising from this, I'm told, is a new type of dating. Outdoors is apparently the place to touch base, to make contact."

[Happygal]

Watch your love life go up in smoke! ;-)

[Happygal]

When I'm out, and some non-smokers come outside the pub, to join in the craic outside, I tell them 'Go on, get back inside. You thought you'd never get fresh air in the pub, go back in and enjoy it'.

Drives 'em nuts! *L*

[aculeus]

Lung cancer, our newest venereal disease.

[Incorrigible]

Yep, my relatives are concerned about the winter as well. Right now, they have a cover over the open area where the smokers congregate but they're trying to figure out what to do in the winter.

I informed my MIL that NYC has the same ban and that people congregate outside the bar (pub) even below freezing temperatures routinely. She felt sorry for the smokers even though she's a non-smoker.

I should mention that this type of congregating of smokers also makes spying easier at the workplace. That's how that double agent a few years ago got access to information he was not authorized for. He became friendly with other smokers outside the office.

[Colosis]

I fear the novelty of smoking outside is wearing off now. Depends what pub your in - it's OK for Dublin superpubs who can afford lavish heated outdoor facilities, but it's not so nice standing on the street outside Cruises on a wet Wednesday night. It's amazing how many non-smokers come outside with the smokers, and some still have the gall to complain about the smell of my cigars! Someday, I'll give one of them a right good kick in the arse - give them something to complain to Michael Mullah about.

[mikrofon]

Hanging inside the public zoo smoking in hope of meeting Mr Right

[Irish_Thatcherite]

I told you last night; I met Miss Right (Wing), in a pub that actually breached the smoking ban, so that theory is flawed - SWEET LIBERTY, WHAT IT CAN DO!!!!!!!!