Using Cigarettes to Connect with Strangers in SF

I visit San Francisco often to walk the streets with camera in hand, hoping to capture life as it happens. Invariably I am asked for change and/or a cigarette. For the most part I try to be generous, but as a non-smoker I’m not able to oblige. I then wondered what would happen if the situation was reversed: instead of being asked for a cigarette I would offer them to random people from all walks of life.

My next visit to San Francisco was to the Mission District on 24th St., I purchased a pack of Malboro and a lighter and began to seek out opportunities. My plan was to be bias free and offer a cigarette to all and sundry, but it soon became apparent that this would be no easy task. There was a great deal of hesitation and it took half a dozen attempts to off load the first cigarette.

My initial approach with me asking “do you smoke?” failed. More often than not the response was “sorry I don’t have a cigarette” with the individual thinking that I was asking for one. I made an adjustment and simplified the question, “if I give you a cigarette, can I take a picture of you lighting it up?”.

I received a lot of “sorry I don’t smoke” or “no thanks,” but soon I got my first bite. After a little explanation of my objective I was able to capture a few images, and soon I had handed out ten cigarettes whilst walking up and down five or six blocks.

It wasn’t meant to be a social experiment but when analyzing the day’s results, it was easy to see a trend with the less well off grateful for the free handout no matter how small.

This project generated a lot of smiles that day from recipients and from me, I enjoy talking to people from all walks of life and that’s a huge reason why I enjoy street photography.

---