For a smoker, a lighter is much more than a simple tool. A smoke break, which is downtime for smokers, takes just around 2 minutes or so. It begins when the lighter comes out of the pocket, gets picked up from the table, or gets pulled out of the drawer. A smoker knows exactly where it is kept, and the hand automatically reaches for it. Such is the connection between a smoker and a lighter.
The lighter isn’t the only thing, though, that a smoker loves. Several other things make a smoke break a true experience. Not all of them show up in every single break. Depending on the smoker’s mood and what’s around at the time, a few of these usually tag along. Let’s find out what exactly they are.
A quick round of casino games
Smokers light up the cigarette, put the lighter aside, and unlock their smartphones. The purpose – squeezing in a little fun with casino games before heading back to the thing they were doing. A quick round of online casino games provides a quick hit of excitement as much as the smoke does. There’s no planning needed, and no commitment required, so it pairs naturally with the drags. A few unhurried minutes become a source of thrill when smoking and gambling are combined. For many smokers, it’s a routine during smoke breaks.
Go-to cup of coffee
Coffee and cigarettes are a match made in heaven. For generations, they have gone hand in hand, and they continue to do so just as strongly today. Smokers deliberately time their coffee refills around their quick breaks so that the bitterness and overall aroma of coffee combined with smoke can open their senses. It provides a little extra comfort but ask someone who tries that combination — only they can tell how rewarding it is.
A comfortable spot outside
Smokers head out of their offices and homes for the bench, step, or the corner of the parking lot. They automatically gravitate to that place because of the routine it becomes. They are at their most comfortable in that spot because it feels like a tiny retreat. Weather permitting, every smoker will choose these spots over anything inside a building, as they become so fond of them after visiting them regularly over time.
Catching up with coworkers or friends
Smoke breaks serve as a social window in workplaces. Whenever two smokers meet outside a workplace or in a neighborhood, there are friendly chit-chats, which are usually not possible in formal setups. These unstructured meetings that involve casual chatting open doors to new friendships and relationships and even break barriers or clear confusions that typically do not happen in workplace meetings. Many smokers look forward to these opportunities as eagerly as their nicotine or flicking their lighters.
A notebook for the day’s to-do list
Smoking might be making some people productive. If you don’t believe this, then wait until you come across a smoker who is mentally resetting himself with a cigarette in hand and simultaneously jotting down something in his to-do list. It might not look significant because of the little time on hand, but smokers see it as one of the best ways to keep themselves organized. Nicotine lights up their mind, and that makes their ideas flow freely.
Scrolling through their phones
Checking office messages and emails throughout the day does not provide the scope to catch up with the latest news or social media feed. Smokers love the idea of scrolling through their phone during smoke breaks. The excitement to catch up with the latest posts and videos or maybe even messages from close friends or relatives is as close to their hearts as their lighters.
A few quiet minutes alone
Not every smoking session has to translate into an activity. Some smokers see the downtime as the chance to step away from monotony, relax, breathe in fresh air, and clear their cluttered minds. This might not sound too appropriate, but this is their way of focusing on health. It’s more mental than physical, but smokers consider it to be as good as striking the lighter to finally enjoy a few puffs.
