Whats with people leaving burning candles in unattended rooms?

I see this in many houses and I just don't get it. Why on earth would you take a chance on having a fire by leaving a candle burning unattended?

I work in many areas of New York, and of course I deal with many people from foreign countries, as well as those born in the US, and I always let these people know that this is one of the worst things you can do.

I'm sorry, but if it is for religous reasons that you leave a candle burning on a table with a tablecloth and unopened mail, you are beyond amateur idioting and have ventured into 'Professional Idiocy'.

If you leave a candle unattended in a room because you like the cool lavender smell, your brain must have been removed while watching Paris Hilton on tv.

If you leave a candle in an unattended room with children, you are DANGEROUS to yourself and to others.

I have seen this more than once, and most of the time the people I am speaking to blow it off like I am making a big deal of something small.

But I say it anyway. -Ray