I mentioned in a previous forum about pipespotting that an older pipeman frequents the bench behind our vendor's tent at the farmer's market. Despite a general adherence to one of Gary Shrier's edicts about pipe-smoking etiquette ("A smile or discreet wave of the hand is good form when acknowledging another pipeman's presence" pg. 31, Confessions of a Pipeman), and in spite of the many pronoucements by forum-members here that they would prefer to be left alone when smoking in public, I became overcome with curiosity about what he was smoking, particularly since I found it odd that I couldn't smell it. Also I wished to acknowledge him and let him know, if tacitly, that he should smoke near my tent as often as it pleased him. So I chose the dubious route of circumventing the aforementioned social restraints by having my 6-yr-old son accost him as he walked away.
Ned, the son in question, caught up with him and with as much grace as a 6-yr-old person can muster, which is to say not a whole hell of a lot, he demanded, 'What kind of tobacco are you smoking?!'
The man looked a little shocked, but he stopped, peering way down at Ned, and grumbled 'Carter Hall.' Then he resumed walking.
It remains to be seen whether he will return to his accustomed bench after this somewhat rude inquisition. However, the productive end result is that my son now understands the nuanced definitions of OTC and 'codger's blend.'
Ned, the son in question, caught up with him and with as much grace as a 6-yr-old person can muster, which is to say not a whole hell of a lot, he demanded, 'What kind of tobacco are you smoking?!'
The man looked a little shocked, but he stopped, peering way down at Ned, and grumbled 'Carter Hall.' Then he resumed walking.
It remains to be seen whether he will return to his accustomed bench after this somewhat rude inquisition. However, the productive end result is that my son now understands the nuanced definitions of OTC and 'codger's blend.'