Coming Out of the Piper Closet!

[brian64]

Don't bring it up at all. Just light the pipe in front of em. Shoot first, answer questions later.

It worked for George.

 

[OzPiper]

Both my parents smoked cigarettes, which I really can't abide. I'm the only one in my (extended) family who smokes. All of the family know I smoke - I just don't smoke around them.

I have cigar and pipe afternoons with mates who smoke. I don't invite anyone who may be put off someone smoking. I have friends who don't smoke, but join in for the company, and dare I say, to enjoy the aroma of fine cigars and/or pipe tobacco

 

[AKinser79]

I don't understand the need here to "come out of the closet" on the matter of pipe smoking in particular or smoking in general. It seems to me to be a personal matter. That said, I live in the US and in the US South where smoking in particular isn't considered to be quite taboo. In the state of Florida you can still smoke in bars provided less than 10% of their revenue comes from food sales...so there's that.

As for how I personally came out to the family as a pipe smoker I packed and lit my pipe in front of them. Considering that I had three Uncles and two grandparents already at the table smoking cigarettes it was hardly shocking. I was 16 then. I'm 42 now and anyone who knows me knows I smoke. I just do what I do and anyone who doesn't like it...well they can go somewhere unpleasant.

 

[fellrobin]

I'm almost 40 years old but if my mom found out I smoke it would break her heart. Frankly, I don't plan on ever coming out of the closet to her on this one.

I can see you are from the UK. I don't think people from the US, as most are in this group, would necessarily understand the conundrum. In a lot of ways, the US is a more open society than here, and there, it seems, you can do mostly what you want without being judged by others. Anyone under the age of 60 who smokes a pipe here, will be judged a pretentious wanker, in a way I suspect a smoker of a similar age would not in America. I certainly do not smoke in front of others. Cigarettes yes, but anything other than that, no chance. A cigar, maybe, if it was a special occassion and everyone else was smoking them. But a pipe, not in a million years. Those days are long since gone in this country.

I’m getting that the more I read responses on this and other posts… definite culture difference depending on from which side of the pond you hail!

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Rest assured, if you smoke a bowl and are around these family members later in the day, they'll smell it on you. If I were you, I wouldn't go out of the way to announce anything. I would probably go out of the way slightly to not smoke around them. Why risk any negative blowback when is unnecessary?

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

If I care about anyone enough to care what they would think about my Pipesmoking, I would also want them to have a pipe and enjoy it as much as I do.

 

[bullet08]

I’m getting that the more I read responses on this and other posts… definite culture difference depending on from which side of the pond you hail!

Of course, we are different. If we were same, we wouldn't have to kick you guys out 200 some odd years ago!

 

[elnoblecigarro]

You could get a tattoo on your forehead that says: "I suck and blow"

I think this is the most rational action.

 

[Johnkelly55]

Ya know, one thing I find easier is more guys are smoking Cigars. So, when I know I am going to a cigar/scotch drinking gathering, I just bring my pipe. It is a curiosity… and, of course, nostalgia. Seems like everyone has a granddad who was a smoker!
JohnK

 

[kcghost]

Despite the number of blockheads that we all know virtually anyone who gets near you will smell the tobacco on you. And trust me you will not be able to detect a thing so don't go thinking you are special. Pipe smoking unless done as part of a group is a solitary activity. I personally prefer to smoke in a group either in the pipe club or at the smoke shop but most of my bowls are consumed in the house in my den. The wife doesn't mind if I smoke but you can never tell about people that come over.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I'd not announce anything. Nor would I hide anything about pipe smoking. I smoke openly on the streets and golf course, so few are unaware that I am a pipe smoker.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

You could get a tattoo on your forehead that says: "I suck and blow"

I think this is the most rational action.

That's really coming out of then closet.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

I'd not announce anything. Nor would I hide anything about pipe smoking. I smoke openly on the streets and golf course, so few are unaware that I am a pipe smoker.

I remember smoking cigars playing golf. I had one of those cigar holders you could stick in the green while putting.

 

[anotherbob]

I say if it's worrying you, then probably best to get it out of the way. A good place to start the conversation in my opinion is by showing off your most interesting pipe. The thing is if you're "out" you can stop worrying about peoples reactions. The whole time you're waiting for people to find out you are carrying that stress or worry. I bet they won't react as much as you think they will. Also even if it takes them a few years they'll have to accept it.
The above was the honest opinion and advice, from here on I am just joking. Start by telling people you used to smoke crack and the pipe keeps you from beaming up, they'll have to accept the pipe as the lesser of two evils .
Back to a more serious statement. You think telling people you smoke a pipe is tricky? Take up nasal snuff.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

Do what Tom T Hall did and write a song about what you like...LOL!!

 

[fellrobin]

Of course, we are different. If we were same, we wouldn't have to kick you guys out 200 some odd years ago!

To be fair, I share that sentiment myself and rather think I’d be one of those revolutionaries back in the day. Must be the Irish republican blood in my veins!

 

[JOHN72]

Six brothers, only two of us smoked. My parents accepted this habit, like something normal. My father was a professional trucker all his life. We have traveled together smoking wonderful missiles. This is what there is brother............Life is not a pink color..........

 

[timt]

You think telling people you smoke a pipe is tricky? Take up nasal snuff.

Tell me about it. It's a winter time treat and I don't hide my snuff tins - they're on the table next to my recliner. I'm pretty sure my family sees them and assumes they're some sort of tobacco. They're right of course, and we'll just leave it at that.

Pipe smoking? There's nothing to explain. The chest/coffee table containing 75 pounds of tobacco tins in the living room on the other hand....

 

[anotherbob]

Tell me about it. It's a winter time treat and I don't hide my snuff tins - they're on the table next to my recliner. I'm pretty sure my family sees them and assumes they're some sort of tobacco. They're right of course, and we'll just leave it at that.

Pipe smoking? There's nothing to explain. The chest/coffee table containing 75 pounds of tobacco tins in the living room on the other hand....

I never had someone ask if pipes get you like high like really? Happens with snuff all the time. And you think it's hard to get new smokers to slow down? Everyone snorts their first snuff like it's cocaine in a bad movie about cocaine.

 

[mso489]

There ain't nothing in the closets around here but jars and tins, so you can't come out, because you can't get in. But seriously, practically speaking, the places you can smoke socially are so few, there's no need to declare yourself a smoker except until you would be smoking in someone's presence. Then just ask if it would be okay, and go from there. One time my tax preparer lady asked me if I had ever smoked. I said yes, I smoked a pipe. She broke into a huge grin, nodded, and said, "Of course, of course." It seemed to compete some picture of me that hadn't yet quite formed.