Smoking is bad, but good

This is the third place I've worked at now where there are other smokers. And here, as before, I find that I am way more plugged into office gossip once people know I smoke.

It seems like the majority of restaurant-industry types, in particular, have this habit. They emerge from the kitchen or whatever, all stressed and angry from some mishap, and light up in a corner or against a wall. Huddled together, they find relief in a soothing circle of smoke and friends. They exchange news -- who's getting fired, who got promoted, what the health inspector said -- commiserate about a bad boss or an incompetent co-worker. Then they go back to work, lungs a bit heavier but with lighter hearts.

So, yes. Smoking is bad. But it's good for some things.