If you have been following Calypso Island Chronicles, you know how much I detest cigarette smoke. Fortunately in California where I currently reside, all restaurants and bars prohibit cigarette smoking. Hooray!

However in many other countries, the laws pertaining to smoking in public places are either nonexistent or less restrictive, so as a traveler, a lot of times, I just have to grin and bear it because let’s face it, many of my fellow travelers - especially from Europe - are dyed-in-the wool smokers.

To illustrate my resolve against cigarette smoke (and smokers), I would like to share a recent experience at the Canton Airport in CHINA. I had a long layover for my continuing flight to Guilin, so I decided to hang out at one of the airport cafes at that offered free WIFI. Sitting myself down at a table in the nonsmoking section, I observed much to chagrin that there were a number of patrons smoking including middle aged Indian couple two tables away.

When I told the couple that this section of the café was nonsmoking – pointing to the nonsmoking sign on the far wall - and that out of consideration they should either stop smoking or to move to the smoking section of the café, the lady got very upset. She told me a very angry tone – it’s not her problem but the management’s as she continued to smoke away.

After digesting her response, I called the young waitress over, and explained to her that this was a nonsmoking section and suggested that she should either enforce the rules or take down the sign. Although her understanding of English was not 100%, she definitely understood me. After some considerable hesitation, she went to all the smoking patrons – including the Indian couple - and advised them to either stop smoking or go to the café’s smoking section

Shortly thereafter, there was a mass exodus of all the smokers – about 7 people in all including the Indian lady. As she left, she gave me a very nasty look as if I was the villain in this situation. Smiling, I responded by saying “Have a Good Day”, satisfied with my triumph!

The following opinion is deemed not to be prejudicial but emphasizes the cultural differences between Chinese and American cultures as seen by a westerner

I learned a lot about Chinese Culture during my brief visit to Mainland China. My education started on the flight between Bangkok and Guangzhou.

Several Chinese people were having a conversation on the plane, however they were a couple of rows apart and their voices were very loud. Unfortunately I was caught in the crossfire so to speak.

Needless to say, their loud, booming voices gave me a headache. On my subsequent flights within China, the same scenario happened.

Lesson 1: Chinese people have very loud voices and having a conversation with someone several rows away on a plane is considered acceptable

My education continued at Guangzhou Airport. I walked inside an airport café and while looking for an empty table, I observed three Chinese men smoking cigarettes at a table by the window. One of the gentlemen had a hacking cough and proceeded to spit on the floor of the café not only once but three times.

As proof this was not an aberration, later on during my trip while traveling on a public bus, the same thing happened. Several men had hacking coughs - I presume they were smokers- and they proceeded to spit on the floor of the bus.

Lesson 2: Spitting in public places is acceptable in Chinese culture

During my 9 days in China, I observed that over 50% of the men smoke cigarettes and most of them are heavy smokers with a couple of packs a day habit. Due to their heavy smoking, many of the men have a hacking cough – symptoms of bronchitis.

Lesson 3: Smoking among men in China is the norm - In Chinese culture, smoking is considered a good way to make friends

Despite the obvious cultural differences and language difficulties, I found that Chinese people are very friendly and hospitable to Western visitors.