It is not the death thing, but smoke is unpleasant and makes you tired in enclosed areas when you have to sit there for eight hours or even four, or perhaps even an hour. I personally think that wearing mink fur and long mohair scarves should be forbidden on subway traiins becasue a lot of people have allergies and they are almost suffocating at times.    

Originally written by Liliana Boladz-Nekipelov on October 31, 2009 11:24 AM I personally think that wearing mink fur and long mohair scarves should be forbidden on subway traiins becasue a lot of people have allergies and they are almost suffocating at times.

I certainly agree with you about the mink coat bit, but that's because the animal is born, bred and killed only for its terrifically expensive fur.

Wool comes from lambs or sheep, mohair comes from goats, as do cashmere, which is very warm and silky soft.

Twenty-five years ago I bought a second-hand, black cashmere coat in a NYC consignment shop and it's the nicest and warmest coat I have ever owned. It still looks great and I wear it every winter. I'd not exchange it, not even to prevent allergies, with a flimsy coat made from polyester or some such hideously expensive man-made material that will never keep me warm.

I agree that smoking should be banned, but let's not go overboard with every other single thing that annoys a small percentage of the population.

Nanna 

Nanna, I was talking about mohair with long hair or fine hair that a lot of people are very allergic too, especially in New York, for some strange reason:maybe it is the climate? I saw a few times people have asthma attacks on the train because a woman in some fluffy fur sat next to them. I wear leather, shearling, and even have one fox tail, about which I am very sorry and I try to ask forgiveness from the animal, attached to my hood. It was a gift, and throwing it out would not save the animal. I am generally against any fur which involves killing small animals.  It is slightly different with shearling, where they use the meat as well, although also sad when you think about it. I think people should have at least some conscience or common sense not to sit or stand next to a person who is suffocating on the train because of their fur coat.   

Originally written by Liliana Boladz-Nekipelov on October 31, 2009 12:21 PM ... I wear leather, shearling, and even have one fox tail, about which I am very sorry and I try to ask forgiveness from the animal, attached to my hood. It was a gift, and throwing it out would not save the animal....

Spurning the gift may well have made the giver feel very unhappy and since the fox is dead and beyond sad and happy, and since in asking forgiveness I am sure it was granted, wearing the coat with the love and good feeling with which it was given to you is all you can do.

Nanna