Social stigma of being a "Stoner"

Hell, I fit the stereotype before I started smoking.
I do live in my parent's basement, but I'm only 16, so it's okay :)
Grades aren't doing too well, but I am starting to get my act together, hoping to go into programming as a career.
Honestly though, my life has become better since starting to smoke weed, I've become a lot happier. But I only smoke on the weekends... knowing when it's alright to smoke is the key ;)
Maybe I've drifted away from the topic too much... I'm not going to deny that I smoke weed, but I'm not shouting it in the streets... I know that there are people that will have nothing to do with me if I admit to using marijuana... but it's a risk that I take :)

I don't really hide it too much. I am just not the stereotypical stoner so most people who dont know me have absolutely no idea that i smoke. And when they find out they are like no way he smokes wee?!?!

One little problem for you kids. When you're in the business world on really any level, what do you think would happen if they knew you smoked weed? If you don't get fired, (and thats a big if), you are instantly looked down upon. Not too many workplaces take kindly to those who partake.

So what do you do? You stay quiet about it. Bite your tongue when it comes up in conversation. Sure, you may find a few people here and there who smoke or used to so they are cool to you, but the majority don't see it that way. They just see "Pothead", "Loser", etc.

I hate to say it, but its not even so much the pot itself they dislike. You see, most out there in the real world (especially older folk) don't expect every employee they hire to the perfect hire. They assume most people do have a past of some sort. The problem is, they mostly assume stuff like staying out partying all night or smoking weed is something you should have gotten it out of your system when you're young and in college. After that you are supposed to have grown past all that they see as "immature" and be "responsible".

I know most of the younger crowd on here will disagree with this and think you should always speak your mind and not care what others think. But others do think. And therein lies the problem.....

I think the negative attitude towards stoners is more prevalent in America than over here. Sure some people (like my mom, and my best friend in uni) dislike the fact that I smoke, but they preach the health issue to me. I know my uncle used to smoke pot and I know he dropped out of uni, and when my mom found out I smoke she said I'd mess up like he did, but she's kinda given up on that line of argument now cause I'm in uni and still doing well. I know a few stereotypical stoners, but they're not my friends. I wouldn't enjoy being friends with someone who's devoted their life to weed, it'd be boring!

I talked to a neighbor of mine, about late 40's. He said that he used to date a woman and told me about how used a lot of other drugs, at the time, also.

"Pot made her stupid. She needed it."

All ill say is, in my eyes drink is alot worse then smoke.. and if a piss head sits in a pub all day drinking beer or vodka or what ever they are just having a good time.. being socialable.
Why do people see "stoners" as outcasts and dropouts? cause we cant sit in a nice pub with a big telly watching football whilst puffin.

Alot of stoners I know, are smart as fuck.. and I dont consider myself stupid.
I didnt do well in school.. but always had a hunger to learn (just what I choose to learn)

I am lazy, but i was long before I smoke weed.

Maybe one day.. being a stoner will just be the norm.. maybe not.

But for now, fuck them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sks1

All ill say is, in my eyes drink is alot worse then smoke.. and if a piss head sits in a pub all day drinking beer or vodka or what ever they are just having a good time.. being socialable.

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I nominate "piss head" as the official "label" to stigmatize those who drink alcohol and say that Pot makes you stupid.

There will always be something about yourself that someone might consider bad or negative. Smoking pot is just another thing someone can use to label you. Whenever someone does this to me I chalk it up to ignorance and move on with my life. Spending time analyzing the close-minded words of others is a complete waste of time.

<3

I never really concerned myself with the social stigma of being a 'stoner'. Quite frankly, I don't feel I've ever fit into the strerotype of a stoner.

In highschool, people liked to put me in that category b/c I was one of a few that smoked. Alot of it was jeaolusy and hatred because half the people that gave me a hardtime, their parents bought dope from me. So I was like the kid that knew everyones dirty little family secrets. No wonder I wasn't well liked.

As I grew up, it just became about doing my own thing. I go to work, I make excellent money, I'm active in my community, I mentor kids, I volunteer. Certainley not what many people would think as 'stoner' activities. Then again, I'm not a 'stoner'.

I was once sitting in my car smoking a blunt parked up at the river. This old lady who was walking came over and said that stuff smells in a posh stupid acent, so i just said, what, you got a problem, and she said its disgusting so i moved the blunt over to her and said, here, have some.

I hate being called a stoner or a druggy or an adict. When someone in here calls me a stoner, its a complement, but when someone who doesnt smoke does it it become an insult.