Tracheotomy Story: How to Deal With This

I

imp

Senior Member
My wife and I were seated in a self-serve buffet restaurant. A well dressed man was seated, alone, next table over. I noted he had a tracheotomy "fixture" attached to his front neck, taped in place, sutures, or whatever held it in place. OK, guy my own age, much less fortunate than I. We got our food. Presently, we became aware of activity by this guy. He had asked the waitress evidently, for a disposal cup, and was coughing up and hacking out material from his lungs, into the cup, held under the metallic-looking "stub" below his chin.

This display was poorly-suited for a family restaurant setting, I thought to myself. Something to "write home about", and forget. The coughing unmitigated, this sufferer produced a pack of cigarettes, proceeding to light one up, while holding the lips-end to the tracheotomy stub .

We were sickened by this experience. Eating a meal, we felt, ought to be a mutually pleasurable, happy experience. The guy, more's the indiscretion, seemed to be enjoying his effect upon nearby patrons.

What would you have done, given the circumstances? imp
 

In California you can't smoke in a restaurant so that part of the story wouldn't have happened here. As for all the rest, it's unfortunate and I try to ignore people who are having problems (If there is nothing I can do to help) and not embarrass them. To be totally honest, when he started coughing things up I'd probably get a napkin and start discretely wrapping up a chicken leg or something to eat in the car on the way home. I have a weak stomach and probably wouldn't be able to swallow in that environment. I wouldn't complain to anyone but if the place had a patio I'd tell the waitress I decided I'd like to eat out there.


 
It does seem a bit "in your face".

The coughing he could have managed away from the dining area since he asked for a cup before he started.
And the smoking via the tube? Gross, and he knew it.

He's a pig?
 

Smoking and the ban on tobacco, according to legend, myth or fact there have been attempts to ban the use of tobacco in public places starting in the 16th century. Throughout history references and dire warnings were published and outright bans were enacted. In the 1830's the 'Mormons' via Joseph Smith's 'Word of Wisdom' banned any tobacco and it's use. According to some stories the new revelation was because Joe and his leadership group would meet at Joe and Emma's house. Emma had to clean up after them and demanded that they obtain from spitting on her floors, spilling their drinks and generally making a shambles of her house. Bowing to her stand Joe provided his followers with the 'WOW'. No tobacco, no alcohol, no hot drinks (the basis for shunning coffee & tea) and over indulgence in unhealthy eating. It was based upon the then current advice from the medical groups (smoking caused insanity, sterility and the big one, it would stunt your growth).

It hasn't been widely known or noted but one of the attempts to ban smoking in public places was part of a bill presented to the Utah legislators by a state senator from Tremonton, Utah in 1966. I was in Germany with the USAF and the laughable piece of legislation was reported in 'The Stars and Stripes'. Most of my barracks mates and friends were aware that I was a 'Mormon' from Utah and I was forced to endure the good natured cajoling and joking from them. It was further reported that he had been criticized in several major newspapers at the time. He withdrew his bill saying that it was done more as a joke and was embarrassed for the publicity it generated. It wasn't the first suggested ban but was the first to attempt to enact a statewide bill to ban it in public places. Look at it now! It took 500 years to become accepted world wide as something good.

I quit smoking at age 29 for health reasons and never regretted it. I've talked to many that missed it and will probably start again at some point. I don't miss the headaches, heart burn, smell and looks of disdain when I indulged. One of my 3 children has an issue with it and tries to convince me that puffing on those new electronic devices is more healthy. She uses it for weight control, I never understood her addiction, she is intelligent, college educated and should know better, any argument about health with her loses most of it's validity as she puffs away.
 
We have a smoking ban in my city, with no smoking in public spaces such as restaurants, bars and outside patios, subway stations, malls, etc.

Anyone else would have the consideration to go into the washroom when he had a coughing fit.
 
It may be a little far-fetched for this situation, but there are disabled people who work for sleazy attorneys. They are sent out to look for the slightest little infraction in the "accessibility laws" (the bar in the handicapped toilet is 1/2" too low, the ramp is 6" too short, etc.) and any instance that can be interpreted as a disabled person being "discriminated" against. The attorney then threatens to sue on behalf of the disabled person, but is quite willing to "settle out of court". There is one very well-known attorney in Miami who makes a quite nice income out of this.

Perhaps this gentleman was behaving like this and waiting to be asked to leave so that he could claim discrimination against his handicap?
 
jujube said:
.....Perhaps this gentleman was behaving like this and waiting to be asked to leave so that he could claim discrimination against his handicap?
Click to expand...

The event I described happened long before the Americans with Disabilities Act took effect. Late '80s, or so. What disturbed us most was the guy, aside from a disgusting display, seemed to garner perverse satisfaction in some way, by bringing others' attention to his difficulties. It was so gross in nature as to be unforgettable.

I must say that the lawyers bent on "discovering" basic violations of disabilities requirements, and levering funds from business-owners are little more than parasites. imp
 
jujube said:
It may be a little far-fetched for this situation, but there are disabled people who work for sleazy attorneys. They are sent out to look for the slightest little infraction in the "accessibility laws" (the bar in the handicapped toilet is 1/2" too low, the ramp is 6" too short, etc.) and any instance that can be interpreted as a disabled person being "discriminated" against. The attorney then threatens to sue on behalf of the disabled person, but is quite willing to "settle out of court". There is one very well-known attorney in Miami who makes a quite nice income out of this.

Perhaps this gentleman was behaving like this and waiting to be asked to leave so that he could claim discrimination against his handicap?
Click to expand...


That is an interesting thought jujube, you might be right.
 

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