How do you feel about SQ girls smoking openly?

[Datex Ohmeda]

I'm refraining from posting pictures - not a very nice thing to do.
Is it me or have others noticed it too? - on regular occasions, SQ girls smoking quite openly especially along the T3 driveway/kerbside.
How do you feel about SQ girls smoking openly to the public eye?

Before I get flamed, let me say that everyone is entitled to personal space and freedom - I mean no offence to smokers. I have been one myself and it must be a great relief to take that puff after getting off a long-haul. Sadly, it's just incongruous with the campaign SIA has been branding the Singapore Girl to be.

What are your thoughts?

[Pinkfloyd]

I don't see anything wrong with it as long as they are doing it in the right place. If they were cursing an swearing while spitting on the floor in public.. well, that's another thing.

[B727]

I personally have never seen it.

Lung cancer awareness has pretty much sucked any coolness factor in smoking these days, but nicotine addiction is very real for some individuals.

I know some hospitality companies that forbid their employees to be seen in uniform while smoking.

[jhm]

If they were cursing an swearing while spitting on the floor in public.. well, that's another thing.

... as opposed to cursing and swearing in the galley (within earshot of the pax)!

[concept|infinit]

Should be strictly disallowed. Would be terrible for image.

Maybe SQ should follow what the Singapore Army does, have "yellow boxes" in hidden areas where they can smoke out of view

In Police (where I served my NS) we don't have such a system though. Smokers would have to change out of their uniform when they smoke before/after their shifts or during lunch breaks.

[zvezda]

Since smoking is more addictive than heroin, kills more people than heroin (by about 100,000 to 1), and kills more non-users than heroin (by over million to 1), the punishment for smoking in public should be more severe than the punishment for injecting heroin in public.

I realize that some people will disagree with me, but it is my honest answer to the question asked.

[feb01mel]

You will have less chance of seeing them smoke overseas in their kebaya as they will smoke at the hotel lobby area just before setting off to the airport.

So you will see them often at the Singapore Changi Airport T3 driveway/kerbside at basement 1 as their control centre is just right there. Right after their briefing normally they will take a puff before boarding the aircraft.

I personally do not find it offensive as everyone is entitled to his or her own privacy. And at that moment, is their rest/break time. Not like they are smoking in the galley, which is of course not permitted.

[SQJunkie]

You will have less chance of seeing them smoke overseas in their kebaya as they will smoke at the hotel lobby area just before setting off to the airport.

Actually I've often seen them light up at foreign ports upon arrival, while waiting for transport. The SQ guys don't seem to smoke as much.

[mr_botak]

I actually firmly believe smoking in public should be illegal, so uniform or not I find it unacceptable.

[feb01mel]

Actually I've often seen them light up at foreign ports upon arrival, while waiting for transport. The SQ guys don't seem to smoke as much.

Agree, for example in Seoul and Tokyo, they will be smoking while waiting for their transport.

Yeah, it seems the ladies smoke more than the guys.

[sumitsan]

Only time I seen an SQ girl smoke was actually in an SQ aircraft, but this was 1991 when smoking on flights was permitted (I think). It was in the first class deck!!

[bmchris]

As a prior shareholder of Altria, I'm all for it. Plus I see it all the time at airports, from airport personnel to crews on other airlines.

Personally, as long as it follows SQ policy, I see no problems with it. What's next - stop them chewing gum or going to a casino? I'd likely draw the line at smoking and chewing gum at the same time.

[SINFJ]

I am saying this on the premise that we are talking about upholding an esteemed image, not whether it is legally or morally right of such an action.

The SQ Kebaya has become somewhat an icon depicting the Singapore brand. The person wearing it speaks of an illustrous culture. EOD, it boils down to wearing it with pride, so I would not foresee smoking by the kerbside. No, smoking is acceptable but perhaps away from the public eye.

[zvezda]

I see no problems with it. What's next - stop them chewing gum or going to a casino?

Chewing gum and gambling do not kill children. Yes, children die from leukemia caused by second-hand smoking. It's a very, very unpleasant way for a child to die.

[MAN Flyer]

Folks, can we please keep the discussion to peoples thoughts about the 'image' of the girls smoking while in uniform rather than the morality and issues of smoking in general.

Going back to the question raised by the OP, while I am not a fan of smoking I don't see a problem here, and if they are not breaking any rules I don't think SQ will either.

It may be worth remembering than underneath the pretty looks and classy Kebaya's are regular people who do normal everyday things like the rest of us, despite what some seem to think.