I was talking with a Korean guy about pipes & the difficulties of buying tobacco and pipes here. He’d mentioned Seoul had “a” tobacconist, which I’d expect, Seoul being the capital city. However, I live way down south, on Geoje island, so it’s not a trip I’d be doing every weekend, right?
Actually, when I first started pipe smoking I found two stores on the island, both professed to selling pipes & pipe tobacco. Unfortunately, the cans of tobacco I did buy turned out to be the same condition as the stuff you experienced from Seoul.
I try to smoke my pipe as often as I can in public, trying to promote our hobby and passion. Unfortunately Korean lifestyle is rush-rush-rush, everybody wants the newest and up to date thing. I guess pipe smoking doesn’t fall into that category, thankfully!
Anyway, having said that, I do attract some curiosity and fascination from the locals, one should also understand that the Koreans are extremely conservative, until they get to know you. So wandering up to a round-eye waigook (spelling) isn’t the norm. But those who do take “courage”, I’m all over it. I love talking about our pipes and tobacco.
Bit of a ramble there, hope you didn’t get too bored!
HAGW!
