The Vape Community

My answer at the outset is an unequivocal ‘No‘ but that isn’t to downplay the spirit that does exist throughout groups of vapers. Let me explain:

As we’ve grown in numbers we’ve become groups within a collective. Not all supporters of a football club share the same feelings regarding the manager, the tactics or the signings just as no all teams in a league have the same goal. Some board members seek cup glory; some would like to win a championship while others prefer to fixate on the lofty aspirations of midtable mediocrity. But fans of all scarf colours love football.

It’s impossible to expect 2.1million+ people to share the identical values and outlooks. I don’t know if it’s a Christmas hangover, the realisation that life is the same as it was before the country spent a week drunk, but vaping social media appears to be a tad tetchy.

I’ve not seen groups of 18350 enthusiasts rounding and lambasting 26650 fans, but there’s whinging about plenty of other irrelevant topics. It really doesn’t matter if someone prefers cotton to mesh in a genny, at the time of checking no rulebook can be found on the matter. Likewise, if a person gains a huge amount of pleasure from blowing a cumulonimbus in their living room then why should that put anyone else’s nose out of joint?

Some people love politics; they care passionately about this aspect of vaping whereas others (as in life) prefer a back seat. It really doesn’t matter that everyone isn’t engaged in campaigning because the odds are they don’t share the same perspective on methods or objectives. Mechs or 150V regulated devices? Surely the point is simply to not be smoking regardless of the device? Oh, and to be enjoying it. And not to call anyone Shirley unless that is their given name.

The reason for raising this is that I’ve seen so many positive things come from vapers interacting on the Internet. Vapers with broken or stolen kit frequently get offered up loans or free replacements in Facebook groups and on forums. One forum, with a reputation for being a bit of a rough house, raised a fortune for a disabled man and his family who suffered a break-in/robbery with violence – generosity extending far beyond spirit.

The thing is that it isn’t just confined to vape matters. The huge hearts full of compassion on another vape forum have a thread dedicated to mental health issues. Such kind words of mutual support are offered up that you would be hard pushed to find outside of the vape sphere – in fact be slaughtered for on a number of other interest forums I belong to.

We aren’t a community; we’re a cross-section of society and a right mixed bag as a result. There will be chancers and ne’er-do-wells, but likewise there are people and tales to melt your heart. Some of us may never meet in the real world but genuine and fulfilling virtual friendships develop.

And the humour: I can guarantee several full-blown laughing fits every day thanks to my virtual vaping chums. So, we may not be a community in my eyes but we are legion and so many of you make my days the pleasure that they are. So, thank you.