[porksoda]

Downtown Redmond restaurant/bar: a chap stands a the entrance, right foot outside, left foot inside. Smoke in his right hand, beer in his left. Sticks his head out the door for a puff, sticks his head in the door for a sip.

The smoke blowing back into the restaurant was terrible (and I'm a smoker). But the rule-lady didn't mind: as long as the beer is here, and the smoke is there.

[unishark]

I don't see how this one fits. Were you the busy-body who wanted rules enforced in this story?

Generally cities are a hassle everywhere, with some exceptions. Have you been to New Orleans? Generally in the US, people who want to be left alone don't go downtown.