Random

First off - happy new years everyone. Hope you all had a safe one.

This last month I have spent alot more time in cafes. Given that i dropped drinking, I unfortunately have begun to smoke a little more that I probably should. Anyhow, all this time outside consuming cancer has got me thinking of a random habit that most smokers have

It is pretty often that if I am smoking outside, someone will come up to me and ask me if I can bum one. I have always wondered how this came to be acceptable. I can't go to a bar, and ask anyone to bum a beer. Neither can I go to a hot lady and ask for a piece of gum. Now dont get me wrong, I have def bummed a good many number of cigs, but I never understood why this is allowed.

Cigs are not cheap - its about $5 a box. There is clearly some value to them, which is further bolstered by the fact the many of SF's homeless find the need to pick up used cigs.

So what the hell is up with it? Is it because they are so addictive that the mere idea of not having one when one wants one is terrifying and thus when a smoker sees another smoker without a smoke, he feels for his pain. Is it because smokers hate smoking alone?

Any ideas?