I’m hanging out with some friends at a party, and I excuse myself to step outside and smoke a cigarette. I step back inside, and I receive a multitude of insults.

“You smoke cigarettes?!"

"Ew! That is so disgusting why do you do that?”

“You’re such a pretty girl, but that definitely makes you ugly.”

Here’s the thing. If I had been blowing smoke right into your face, that’s one thing. But I chose to seclude myself because I was polite enough not to give you my second-hand smoke. Yes, I know cigarettes are disgusting. I’m 20 years old. My whole life I’ve seen the ads, I’ve taken health class, I know that cigarettes are bad for me. I know that you know the risk factors of cigarettes are nothing new to me. I smoke a cigarette and some people act like I just punched a small child. And I have seen scenarios like this happen to so many people.

Never give someone a hard time for his or her personal choices or beliefs, especially if it isn’t affecting anyone.

If it is going to cause harm to others, then maybe give them a hard time. Other than that, think before you speak.

Another one I hear a lot is tanning beds. People hear you like to use the tanning bed; they lose their marbles.

“Oh my gosh, you’re going to get cancer!”

“You’re going to look like your 60 by next year.”

Am I tying you down and forcing you into a tanning bed? I didn’t think so. I know all the risks of tanning, they make you sign a waiver saying you understand all the risks. Smoking, tanning, eating fast food, whatever it is, everybody knows the damage that it causes, we do not need to hear it for the millionth time from you. So save it, please. If someone is making a personal choice that is unhealthy, they probably know it is unhealthy. Why choose to make them feel horrible about something they already know is bad? Again, unless you are somehow harmed by someone else's actions, just leave them be.

People seem to forget that bad habits don't make you a bad person, just like going to church doesn't make you a good person.

All of this doesn't just go for health. Someone's education, hobby, etc. is not going to take any days off your life. So, let that person major in what they want and be happy. A degree is better than no degree. Let them eat what they want, do what they want, be who they want. Whatever, you get the idea.

Moral of the story: don’t be condescending to people for their choices and beliefs.

Judging someone for their life choices only makes you look like the a-hole.