Yeh, my wife pointed out that one of my friends who only smokes bent pipes and has a big mustache, looks like Eyore. And, when he does smile, it's like, "Holy Crap that's weird."
I have a few a few bent pipes, and I've stood in front of a mirror before, trying to smile with the damned things. It's not easy, and when you do, it looks creepy. But, with a straight pipe, it's really easy to smile.
Also, everytime I smoke my pipe in public, there's always someone who comes up and wants to talk. With a straight pipe, they want to reminisce, joke around, or just ask directions. When I have a bent pipe, they just want to know if everything is ok? "You alright?"
Comfort be damned. I want a randy pipe, and not some small pea shooter. Give me a big bulldog with a tapered stem. I'll save my bent pipes for when my dog dies.