It depends.In a commercial setting, absolutely not. Never. Not under any circumstances. You have a duty to the guest not to serve it. You have a duty to the owners to not put their reputation and investment at risk. You have a duty to those employed by the restaurant not to put their livelihood at risk by serving it. And you have a duty under the law as codified in the health department regulations not to serve it. If it hits the floor, it’s trash if it’s not something intended to be washed.In a private setting, knock yourself out. Just make sure that in the process you’re not dragging someone else’s reputation through the mud. Don’t brag about being the Executive Sous Chef at some highbrow restaurant as you pick that food up, wash it, and keep preparing it. There are many who will not be impressed, and you can hurt the business’ reputation. Don’t drop an establishment’s food on the ground and serve it while letting everyone know that this came from so-and-so’s. You don’t have the right to put their reputation at risk.If you’re at home and your family is okay with it, at least let them know. By the way, you may be surprised to learn that they probably aren’t okay with it. There are plenty of things you do which bother your family which they don’t tell you about, especially if you’re the kind of cheapskate who will pick food up off the floor and serve it.If you are dining alone, then you can do whatever you want to your food. Season your prime rib with dog hair and grit if you want. But if you’re preparing food for someone else, then show some courtesy and professionalism please.
I doubt that Doctors (or nurses) have an immune system much different than the restaurant workers and retail cashiers in their respective localities. Both Nurses and Doctors have immense respect for keeping their HANDS CLEAN, not picking their nose, and keeping the areas in which they work wiped down if the area is visited by patients. They wash their hands upon entering a bathroom, and upon departing for example. From about age 23, everyone's immune system begins to decline, crossing the line perhaps at around age 43 where vigilance for tumor cells (non-self antigens), and tumors are seen to grow beyond any possible control by the patients immune system. (This is a mass the size of a large grape for example). Doctors and nurses have a life expectantcy slightly better than general population in the West, perhaps due to their respect for NOT becoming obese. X-ray medical workers in China: the data is not so good.
It is unfortunate that you ask for a diplomatic solution while referring to your e-cigarette smoking colleagues as "fat lady", "bitch" and "assholes". You sound angry -- which is understandable if you are suffering all those effects that you mention. Sorry to hear you are in this situation. That said, if these colleagues are able to smoke these e-cigarettes in the workplace, chances are it is legal to do so where you live. That doesnt work in your favour at all. In the UK, the employer is required to provide a healthy work environment to the employees. That is how our no-smoking-in-enclosed-public-spaces law is enforced -- through the employer. I don't know where you are but in my view, your first formal option -- assuming discussions with these colleagues to be considerate about your health issues aren't going anywhere -- would be to raise a formal concern with your manager and your company's HR (using the correct process). In the UK, we have a slow surge in public opinion against e-cigarettes. Many see "big tobacco" behind e-cigarettes and are unhappy about the control exerted on consumers by those firms and their sneaky bypassing of all the controls over tobacco advertising and the like to curb cigarette smoking. E-cigarettes: no smoke without fear - FT.comRecently there have been a few reported instances of where "charging" an e-cigarette has led to an explosion and hurt persons. Wales is considering a ban on e-cigarettes in enclosed spaces, just like regular tobacco cigarettes. E-cigs face curb in public places Most importantly, the WHO is considering pushing for regulating e-cigarettes in the same way as normal tobacco. WHO plans to regulate e-cigarettes in same way as normal tobacco - FT.comRegulatory concerns around e-cigarettes range from unease about the level of nicotine within products to fears that their usage will “renormalise” tobacco and undermine current antismoking laws, such as advertising bans.So you could start by discussing with your colleagues. If they seem unconcerned about your health, you may have to invoke "process". If I were you, I would do as much research as possible re evidence on the harm caused by e-cigarettes and argue from a position of calm restraint and not emotion. As a person, who dislikes smoking intensely, my sympathy is with you. But to build your case, I would avoid calling your colleagues fat lady, bitch or similar epithets.
I have a close relative who contracted HIV intravenously as an infant in Romania. I have been around her in all situations including one shere she cut her foot rather badly while walking on rocksat my cabin. What Liza Linder says is spot on. Although we have always been aware that there is one thing to avoid, namely transfer of bodily fluids, it has been a joy to watch this infant mature to the point where she is now in her mid-20's. When she was quite young and getting baby teeth, I was holding her and she bit me on the arm. No skin was broken and all lived happily ever after.This child was raised in a family of six children and now is in a permanent relationship. Nobody has ever even had an issue with her medical problem. Interestingly, of all her siblings, she was the best HS athlete -- an all state cross country runner who went to college on an athletic scholarship.