Concerning some who Denigrate Pipe Smoking

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SmokeyJock

Starting to Get Obsessed
Oct 4, 2024
128
1,251
Scotland
I was always under the impression that they were smoking something more like cannabis.

They called it weed.
A common misconception, probably originating in how popular lotr was among participants in 60s counterculture. But Tolkien was really very clear about what pipeweed is:

"There is another astonishing thing about Hobbits of old that must be mentioned, an astonishing habit: they imbibed or inhaled, through pipes of clay or wood, the smoke of the burning leaves of a herb, which they called pipe-weed or leaf, a variety probably of Nicotiana."

There's even a blend the hobbits call "old toby"
 

mortonbriar

Lifer
Oct 25, 2013
2,787
6,074
New Zealand
Mr Tolkien might have a different view of tobacco if he had the extra 80 years of medical science that we have today...in fact, he may not even be a smoker with that knowledge (but I guess I like to think he still would be).
 
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huntertrw

Lifer
Jul 23, 2014
5,812
7,350
The Lower Forty of Hill Country
I know some here believe the pipe has magical properties but, reality puts the lie to such beliefs.

Some reality, perhaps. Consider the following:

“I believe that pipe smoking contributes to a somewhat calm and objective judgement in all human affairs.”
-Albert Einstein, 1950

“A pipe is the fountain of contemplation, the source of pleasure, the companion of the wise; and the man who smokes, thinks like a philosopher and acts like a Samaritan.”
-Edward George Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton

“Nowhere in the world will such a brotherly feeling of confidence be experienced as amongst those who sit together smoking their pipes.”
- The Results and Merits of Tobacco, 1844, Doctor Barnstein

“The pipe draws wisdom from the lips of the philosopher, and shuts up the mouth of the foolish; it generates a style of conversation, contemplative, thoughtful, benevolent, and unaffected.”
-William Makepeace Thackeray, from “The Social Pipe”

“The fact is, squire, the moment a man takes to a pipe, he becomes a philosopher. It’s the poor man’s friend; it calms the mind, soothes the temper, and makes a man patient under difficulties. It has made more good men, good husbands, kind masters, indulgent fathers, than any other blessed thing on this universal earth.”
-Sam Slick, the clockmaker

"...pipe smoking is properly an intellectual exercise."
-Christopher Morley, 1916

“I hated tobacco. I could have almost lent my support to any institution that had for its object the putting of tobacco smokers to death…I now feel that smoking in moderation is a comfortable and laudable practice, and is productive of good. There is no more harm in a pipe than in a cup of tea. You may poison yourself by drinking too much green tea, and kill yourself by eating too many beefsteaks. For my part, I consider that tobacco, in moderation, is a sweetener and equalizer of the temper.”
-Thomas Henry Huxley
 
We denigrate vape huffers all the time on here, and those lowlife pot smokers. Also, hipsters. We went through a few years when every day was a hipster bash. I haven't experienced being denigrated, but I can be kind of intimidating, so I imagine they keep it amongst themselves. And, every form of pipe tobacco and pipe has been denigrated on here at some point. It's fun and builds camaraderie. Also, references to pipe smokers being king and nice always pisses off Chasingembers.

As to the children's book writer guy... phhhht. puffy
 

HeavyLeadBelly

Part of the Furniture Now
Dec 9, 2023
872
9,562
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
We denigrate vape huffers all the time on here, and those lowlife pot smokers. Also, hipsters. We went through a few years when every day was a hipster bash. I haven't experienced being denigrated, but I can be kind of intimidating, so I imagine they keep it amongst themselves. And, every form of pipe tobacco and pipe has been denigrated on here at some point. It's fun and builds camaraderie. Also, references to pipe smokers being king and nice always pisses off Chasingembers.

As to the children's book writer guy... phhhht. puffy
Count me in as a crotchety old bastard as well. I smoke pipes because I like smoking, not because some wizard or hipster was into it. I don’t get philosophical or meditative. Y’all want to do that, thats fine. Just not my jam man.

If that sounded mean it’s ok, my mom thinks I’m a handsome nice man :)
 

jpmcwjr

Moderate Moderator
Staff member
May 12, 2015
26,157
30,040
Carmel Valley, CA
Count me in as a crotchety old bastard as well. I smoke pipes because I like smoking, not because some wizard or hipster was into it. I don’t get philosophical or meditative. Y’all want to do that, thats fine. Just not my jam man.

If that sounded mean it’s ok, my mom thinks I’m a handsome nice man :)
+1. This gets "The Curmudgeon" prize so far this month. I like it.
 

The Novice Piper

Might Stick Around
May 14, 2024
58
115
United States
Many years back, I was sitting outside a grocery store smoking my pipe while m'lady was shopping. An old lady walked up to me, and started fake coughing. I said, "You should see a psychiatrist about that fake cough." She looked at me and ran inside.

Ah, yes...the fake coughers. I got them regularly in my old neighborhood, right up until the first Covid outbreak.
Somehow they vanished overnight.
 

warren

Lifer
Sep 13, 2013
12,271
18,206
Foothills of the Chugach Range, AK
Every one of the opinions cited by Hunter are personal beliefs and, possibly, the justifications for sitting around watching their moneys waft gently to the ceiling. Those guys! Entertaining/humorous reading to be sure but, personal observations certainly unsupported by any anecdotal information on my part. rotf :sher:

For those who believe such tripe ... Well, that's your reality I suppose. Welcome to it! Hope such helps you cope with the vicissitudes of day to day life. bdw
 
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Hillcrest

Lifer
Dec 3, 2021
3,648
18,484
Connecticut, USA
I haven't experienced being denigrated, but I can be kind of intimidating, so I imagine they keep it amongst themselves.
I was driving, smoking my pipe and making a left turn at a light onto the highway, the young man at the red light waiting to exit the highway ramp made a point of lowering his window to call me an a****** as I drove past him. Does that count as denigration while smoking a pipe ? ;) :ROFLMAO:

P.S. Yeah, I know ... I am assuming it was the pipe and not every other reason ! ;) :ROFLMAO:
 
Notice that the hipsters didn't think my joke was funny. No atta boy thumbs up emojis from them...
The hipster thing died out at about 2017, because they all moved their IPA breweries out of the garages. Ironically, selling out totally in the process and flooding the beer market with shitty tasting beers with decorative artsy labels.
 

FLDRD

Lifer
Oct 13, 2021
2,183
8,801
Arkansas
Every one of the opinions cited by Hunter are personal beliefs and, possibly, the justifications for sitting around watching their moneys waft gently to the ceiling. Those guys! Entertaining/humorous reading to be sure but, personal observations certainly unsupported by any anecdotal information on my part. rotf :sher:

For those who believe such tripe ... Well, that's your reality I suppose. Welcome to it! Hope such helps you cope with the vicissitudes of day to day life. bdw
As is your repetitive accusations that every pipe smoker is nothing more than a nicotine addict and that that's the only reason they consume...........
 
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warren

Lifer
Sep 13, 2013
12,271
18,206
Foothills of the Chugach Range, AK
As is your repetitive accusations that every pipe smoker is nothing more than a nicotine addict and that that's the only reason they consume...........
An unacknowledged, often unnoticed, addiction for many, to be sure. But, I was responding to individual observations of the mighty or impotent observers noted above. There is nothing magical nor efficacious in smoking except in an individual's mind. But, their mindset is their reality, no arguing about that. I'm simply posting an opinion with regard to those sainted individuals quoted above and their, sometimes, tedious observations which are totally unsupported and so often posted here as something deep, profound and, for many, simple attempts at validating their choice to smoke. Oft times readily accepted by some here to justify their/our bad choices. And, we are all entitled to our frailties, our wee vice, as I've iterated many times here.

I would hope all smokers have done the research and need no outside validation for their/our choices. Simple really.

Obviously not every pipe smoker even notices the nicotine, so that's not acknowledged as areason for smoking. I appreciate your posting your observation though. I try hard not to write in generalities, often admonishing those who persist in doing so. So, thanks for your observation and the chance to reiterate my position on the subject. bdw

Perhaps you misconstrued my statements with regard to most everyone's brain enjoying nicotine.
 
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FLDRD

Lifer
Oct 13, 2021
2,183
8,801
Arkansas
Obviously not every pipe smoker even notices the nicotine, so that's not acknowledged as areason for smoking. I appreciate your posting your observation though. I try hard not to write in generalities, often admonishing those who persist in doing so.
Well sir, this marks more than once where recently you've indicated you try not to generalize too much and I'll readily acknowledge that (newer) distinction you seem to be making.
I had just gotten so used to your previous generalization on the matter that I couldn't help myself.
I wasn't exactly trying to poke the bear, just nudge it. :)
I have also noticed that we all seem to change our tone a little when we have particularly significant life experiences or observations.
So I'll say with all sincerity, that I hope your health is well and that is NOT the reason for your "new" tone. 🙏
And I hope you're well prepared for another cold season in The Last Frontier. I miss it, but not the cold.
Cheers.
 
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