Ridiculous, selfish, stupid, macho, sexy, stupid, cool, classy, stupid, suave, elegant, and still… stupid.

They just don’t get it. Granted, it’s not all that different in Ukraine than in other parts of Europe (and the rest of the world) — but I thought there was some 100th monkey effect with some things we humans do. And I thought that addictively inhaling tar into one’s lungs was one of them — in fact, one of the more obvious stupidities.

Why do so many Ukrainians smoke cigarettes? Oh, maybe it’s the ads. They are everywhere. Billboards, buildings, airports, cars, markets, stickers, signs, etc… Or, maybe it’s because they are dirt fucking cheap. I saw some packs for $0.30 US Dollars. Yes. 30 cents — for a pack of 20. Stupid Americans are paying WAAAAY too much for a pack-o-smokes.

Maybe it’s because it restricts the blood flow to your peripheral structures – namely your skin – and thus, it helps keep your warmth inside during the winter. But wait a second, they smoke year round! Or, maybe it is because everyone does it – and to be cool – you can do it too! And you can kill yourself doing it — WAAAAY COOOOL.

Or, maybe it’s because it make your clothes smell like shit and makes your teeth brown. That’s always attractive. It leaves a great impression, over and over again.
Who knows? But damn it I get pissed off when they so readily throw their wrappers, packs, and butts anywhere and everywhere. Oh wait – they do that with everything, not just cigarette paraphernalia. But, that’s for another post.