Wow, some of the comments IMO show just what’s wrong with so many people’s attitude toward others these days. There is a saying that has been around for many years, “you can’t tell a book by its cover”. Which for me is the reason I have such a diversified circle of friends. I suppose it shouldn’t be surprising given the fact that I have found horse people tend to have a bit animosity of horse people who are involved in horse disciplines other than their chosen. It is disappointing that people feel they need to demean others.
The take away for me. Well, we are thinking of opening up our farm for pleasure/sport horse boarding to the general public. Considering competition is still around here I think I will advertise, “Smoker Friendly”. Plenty of good people at there that smoke and plenty of good people out there that don’t come with a Holier than Thou attitude and don’t care if their fellow boarder does. If they do it’s not the type I want around my barn anyway. Glad I am in at a stage in my life I can cater to who I want and not because I have to.
[QUOTE=Tom King;7895159]
Anyone with a cigarette in their mouth here, will have it shot out of their mouth.
Although, really, that’s only happened once.[/QUOTE]
I can think of a lot better things to “shoot” people for. A pretty redneck statement IMO
[QUOTE=BeeHoney;7892775]
No smoking anywhere on the premises, in or out of a barn. I won’t hire a worker if they are a smoker. Fire risk is the most obvious reason. The risk may be slight, but the consequences are devastating. Plus, not all people are as careful as others. There might be a trainer who smokes in a concrete aisle way and is careful about disposing of butts, but the next smoker might be a careless guest.
Also:
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I don’t like the appearance of people standing around smoking–that’s not the professional image I want people to have of my facility.
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People never clean up after themselves they way they are supposed to and I do not want my property littered with cigarette butts nor do I need one more thing to clean up after.
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Having a smoking area or a smoking policy would be one more thing for me and my other workers to have to monitor. Don’t tell me that in the pouring rain smokers aren’t going to try to sneak a cigarette in one of the farm buildings.
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It has been my experience that workers who smoke take (or try to take) more breaks because they need to smoke. I’m sorry, but being a smoker does not earn you extra breaks/break time.
As far as advantages to allowing smoking on my property, I don’t see any.[/QUOTE]
You can believe what you want to believe but there is no bases in fact that people who smoke are more irresponsible for their actions then those that don’t.
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Some of the TOP professionals I know in the horse business smoke, one’s that get as much as $500 per lesson. Hasn’t seemed to hurt their business. People are lining up. Go figure.
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Pretty gross generalization.
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Provide a comfortable smoking area
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Again a gross generalization. My experience just the opposite. They have been by and large some of my very best employees. I don’t crack the whip around here, I don’t watch the clock making sure to get every dime out of my payroll.
I don’t set break times, I look after my employees and they look after me. Rarely has anyone taken advantage of me not looking over their shoulder. Occasionally I have to explain how I see things. If they feel differently they can work somewhere else. Most go above the call of duty.
The biggest waste of time and or my money, cell/smart phones, Face Book, text messaging. In my formative years we were never allowed personal phone calls when we were at work. Unless it was an emergency. Now employee feel they are perfectly entitled. I give one warning, second time they are told to leave the phone in their car. Third time I present walking papers. Especially if I they are on one of my or client horses.
No smoking anywhere on property - all you have to see is the result of ONE barn fire…
[QUOTE=gumtree;7899807]
Considering competition is still around here I think I will advertise, “Smoker Friendly”. [/QUOTE]
How would that affect your insurance rates? If there was a fire, would you be considered negligent for promoting smoking at your barn?
No smoking past the driveway. If they don’t follow that rule and they’re here to buy or sell, the sale is instantly over and they get the boot.
[QUOTE=gumtree;7899811]
I can think of a lot better things to “shoot” people for. A pretty redneck statement IMO[/QUOTE]
Notice I didn’t say shoot the person, and that it had only been done once here. I was sleeping with the window open, and happened to smell cigarette smoke. There was a guy on our property eyeing one of our storage buildings. I could tell who it was, he had gotten out of jail not long ago, and there had been some thefts nearby recently. We never had any more trouble.
I never claimed not to be a redneck. Our farm is a private farm. We don’t have boarders, or others here unless they are invited guests. Anyone is free to stink up wherever they are, but not here. Obviously, I hate cigarette smoke.
I think cigarettes have absolutely no business anywhere near a barn. Like another poster said, all you have to see is the aftermath of one barn fire…
[QUOTE=gumtree;7899807]
Wow, some of the comments IMO show just what’s wrong with so many people’s attitude toward others these days. There is a saying that has been around for many years, “you can’t tell a book by its cover”. Which for me is the reason I have such a diversified circle of friends. I suppose it shouldn’t be surprising given the fact that I have found horse people tend to have a bit animosity of horse people who are involved in horse disciplines other than their chosen. It is disappointing that people feel they need to demean others.
The take away for me. Well, we are thinking of opening up our farm for pleasure/sport horse boarding to the general public. Considering competition is still around here I think I will advertise, “Smoker Friendly”. Plenty of good people at there that smoke and plenty of good people out there that don’t come with a Holier than Thou attitude and don’t care if their fellow boarder does. If they do it’s not the type I want around my barn anyway. Glad I am in at a stage in my life I can cater to who I want and not because I have to.[/QUOTE]
We don’t smoke in the barn, but there are no rules beyond “put out butt completely and take it with you.”
I have no problem with not allowing smoking in barn or even if a barn had a smoking area, or allowed it in the smoker’s car. Not allowing it in their car would be a deal killer for me.
Smoking is nasty , dangerous and stupid. If you smoke at a show where I’m at or at my barn and endanger myself and my horse, I will make you stop.
In my barn and on our farm - no smoking anywhere. Never ever. We had a friend’s wedding party here a few months ago … a guest started to light up … he was directed to leave the property to smoke. Contractors have been fired for ignoring the ‘law of the land’.
