Water in ashtrays

Here’s this week’s tip on Korean language and customs:

Q:
When I ask for an ashtray in restaurants or bars, I expect to get a dry, clean one. In Korea, though, people are used to wet ashtrays. At first, I thought it was a kind of mistake, but I saw waiters carefully place wet tissues or used coffee beans in the ashtray, and if there happens to be a dry ashtray to be used on the table, then someone will pour water in to make sure it stays wet.

This is a very annoying custom for smokers because when smokers habitually rest an unfinished cigarette, or cigar, on the ashtray, the moisture in it will not only put it out but also ruin the whole thing. Ruining one cigarette is okay, but harming a pricey cigar hurts.

Many Koreans are heavy smokers, but why do they stick to this custom?

A:
One of the old-time social campaigns in Korea included learning to extinguish cigarette butts in order to prevent large-scale fires. Many grew up watching news and video footage of environmental and financial damage caused by a carelessly thrown out or unattended cigarette butt that started a fire. In restaurants and bars, wet ashtrays are encouraged because they reduce the chance of fire (and minimize smoke).