How To Visit The Smoke Shop When You're Feeling Anxious
Do you feel a bit nervous or anxious about visiting a smoke shop? You're not alone. Even though smoke shops are legal and the staff tends to be friendly, many people get a little nervous their first time. Maybe this is just because they don't quite know what to expect, or maybe it's because they're afraid they'll look silly if they ask the wrong questions or don't know the terminology.
Here's the good news: you're still very welcome at the smoke shop, even if your anxiety is telling you that you're not. Plus, there are some things you can do to calm your nerves both before and during your first visit.
Watch Some Videos
Head over to YouTube, and watch some videos that show people visiting smoke shops. You may not find any that show people visiting the exact smoke shop you plan on visiting. However, seeing the inside of smoke shops on video can make you more familiar with how these stores are laid out, what products they carry, and how the staff interacts with customers. You can also pick up a lot of terminology just from listening to the customers and staff chatting.
Invite a Friend
Most people feel more secure when they have a friend going through an experience with them. So, if you have any friends who are interested in smoking, invite one along to visit the smoke shop with you. If you happen to have a friend who has been to a smoke shop before, then they are the logical choice. But even an inexperienced friend can be fun to share this experience with.
Plan on Being Flexible
Don't walk in with an exact list and plan on shopping like a robot. If you do this, you may miss out on the best parts of the smoke shop. Rushing through and trying to fulfill your list may also just make you more nervous. Instead, go in with a general idea of what you want, and then let the staff and the experienced guide your actual purchases. For example, you might know you want a glass pipe. Don't plan on making yourself stick to anything more specific than that. Let the experienced guide you, and you won't feel so nervous about it. Whatever happens, happens!
Smoke shops tend to be really chill places, so once you actually get there, you'll probably find that your nerves and anxiety pass pretty quickly.
Reach out to a local smoke shop if you want to know what sort of products are available.