The atmosphere of many hookah bars are weird. It's almost always really dark with some kind of light show reminiscent of disco balls, usually blasting hip hop/rap songs. Don't get me wrong- I legit like most of the music- it's just that I have sensitive hearing and don't like to have to shout to be a part of a conversation. I'm already an introvert, so I tend not to talk unless I have something somewhat relevant. Having to shout doesn't help encourage me to join in.
Ok, that's a minor inconvenience.
The real issue is that I don't smoke. I have no idea why that's an issue, but it quickly becomes one. My friends know I'm not going to smoke and don't care that I'm not. They either offer once (maybe twice) out of courtesy or they don't ask at all. People who don't know me ask multiple times, usually in a nagging kind of way, as if it's inconceivable that anyone wouldn't want to smoke.
If there's a group, that's when they gang up on me and repeatedly ask (demand to know) why not? They say it's fun/ tastes good. Then they keep telling me it's not a drug, it's not even nicotine or it's not addictive. I know. I don't give a shit. It's not going to happen, kindly shut the fuck up. Thanks.
It's at that point I'm either so uncomfortable I want to (or actually do) leave or I've made them uncomfortable by being the wet blanket. Again, I don't give a shit about their feelings. I'm pissed that they won't drop the subject that I don't want to smoke. If they offered a cigarette and I said "no thanks," would they keep asking? No. From that moment on everyone would accept that I don't smoke. Life would go on.
The last time I went to one I assumed it would only be one, maybe two people I didn't know. There were five. I went with three of my friends and met up with another person I halfway know and his friends. EVERYONE asked multiple times, including my closest guy friend who knows just how uncomfortable I am.
The mood instantly changed when the group collectively realized that I absolutely would not bend. I was suddenly the lamest person on the planet, like "who the hell invited her?" I was incredibly pissed that my friend didn't stand up for me. It got worse when the new people (not my people) started talking about their various drug stories. I have never had the desire to do any drug, so... I was even farther outside of the cool kid's group.
The only saving grace that brought me out of the loser zone was that I had some of whatever alcohol another friend brought (I guess that proved I'm not a saint?). I drink occasionally, maybe two or three times a month, stopping when I get to a nice level of tipsy. When I get to the stage where I think more alcohol = more fun, the still sober-ish part of my brain cuts me off. I have really bizarre, unsettling dreams when I drink too much.
The moral of the story? So long as you partake in one of those aforementioned vices- smoking, drinking, various drugs- you'll be accepted by the cool kids.
Oh wait. No, that's a shitty moral.
Stick to your guns? I don't know. That's the best advice I have.
[Sidenote: I'm so sick of hearing why pot shouldn't be illegal. I've heard everything so many times I could scream. Seriously, SHUT THE FUCK UP! I couldn't possibly care less.]
