The Mckeldin smoking section is a social eco-system of its own on the University of Maryland's campus. To the uninitiated it appears to be just a haven for those who take a devil may care attitude towards their health. It is in fact a vibrant location of the exchange of ideas, a vent for frustrations and a place of respite for the mentally exhausted.
The kind of experience one has when at the smoking section is entirely dependent upon where one decided to inhale carcinogens.The location behind the bike racks is where members of the cancer club go to interact with each other.
The lawn adjacent to Mckeldin is the location for private moments and to enjoy a cathartic solitary cigarette while playing with one's phone.
Tim Lodge, a weary student, enjoys a private smoking moment before he continues his marathon paper writing session.
The ebb and flow of the population of the smoking area is dependent upon when classes are letting out. At noon the smoking section is alive with activity as students arrive for their ritual post class smoke.
The social area of the smoking section is in full swing. Artem Muchnik(center) is an inhaler of vapor and not smoke and as such does not need to be at the smoking section, yet the discussions and friendly words keep him returning.
With each cigarette smoked by the bike racks is an exchange of ideas, a telling of jokes, and a forming of bonds. It is no wonder that the ground is so heavily littered with cigarette butts as many members of the cancer club find themselves chain smoking while talking with their comrades.
Another social group of smokers are Chinese nationals. While they frequently congregate in the smoking section, they separate themselves from the non-Chinese smokers preferring to smoke and socialize with themselves.
Two smokers unwind from their mornings in the tree that covers much of the social section of the smoking area.
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