I remember even as a kid hearing about all the backlash from restaurants about smoking bans. How they’d have no customers, etc. And none of that happened. It’s the first time I realized that a lot of business owners are idiots, that having a seemingly successful business doesn’t even require understanding the business or customers.
I can at least understand why a pub owner would be concerned - smoking and drinking often go hand-in-hand. I can see why they thought people would be less likely to stay and drink if they had to leave to smoke. But restaurants got no such sympathy from me, keep your nastyass smoke away from my food
I remember even as a kid hearing about all the backlash from restaurants about smoking bans. How they’d have no customers, etc. And none of that happened. It’s the first time I realized that a lot of business owners are idiots, that having a seemingly successful business doesn’t even require understanding the business or customers.
Then came Kitchen Nightmares and the like on TV to erase any doubt that these were well run businesses behind the scenes.
Pubs were also whining a lot about how they would be on the breadline before the year was out.
Don’t know what it’s like round your way, but the pubs in my town are still pretty busy.
I can at least understand why a pub owner would be concerned - smoking and drinking often go hand-in-hand. I can see why they thought people would be less likely to stay and drink if they had to leave to smoke. But restaurants got no such sympathy from me, keep your nastyass smoke away from my food
“Do you mind if I smoke?”
No, do you mind if I fart? It’s . . . just a habit I picked up.
-Steve Martin
Reminds me of this episode of Nathan for you; https://m.imdb.com/title/tt5199634/
The bar owner basically does exactly that and blames anti smoking laws on her failing bar
Such an incredible show.
My local dinner has taken a bigger hit after installing a bunch of tvs playing Fox News constantly than they did from any smoking ban.
Actually I believe in some places the opposite happened and a lot of non-smokers started coming more.