Do You Smoke a Pipe For:
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Not for some of us. I stuff, light and smoke. There's no point in complicating what should be simple enjoyment. no ritual, simple, easy to repeat steps. I rarely even spend time selecting a blend, whichever is handiest is my normal choice. Pipe selection? Meers in the house and on the deck. Briars when in the field and cobs if I'm fishing, driving the tractor and so forth.
One, I like to indulge in the celebration of the total experience, meaning decrypting flavors that I register, enjoying the expression of the ensuing aroma, and the peaceful tranquility found in the physical act. But most importantly, it is more of a personal indulgence that allows me to relax, think, meditate on matters in general. Also, it expands my creativity in writing, music and other art forms. It allows me to set aside focused "me time" away from all the stress of both my professional and personal life. Pipe smoking essentially re-grounds me into me in other words and that is wonderful enough, therefore I continue. Hope that makes sense.
Taste, aroma, and relaxation. Is there a mystery? The only substitute might be a good cigar once in a while. An absolute mental necessity when reading, writing, watching a movie, or driving long distance. Beats wearing a straitjacket.
It makes me look smarter. I’ll take all the help I can get
Not for me. I hate the cleaning and prep rituals. If I was filthy rich, I'd hire a buttler to do all that crap for me, trained to hand me a pipe of what I want, when I want it.
I absolutely hate all the ritual aspect, every part of that is annoying rather than enjoyable. Not enough to make me not smoke a pipe, I enjoy the flavor more than anything, but I do the bare minimum upkeep for cleaning. Most don't get any until they start tasting off.
I guess really, I don't do any ritual. But even the basic loading and wiping out the bowl is annoying. Just like, well I like eating food, hate making it. If I buy microwave garbage food, if it has too many steps (like heat for 7 min on 50%, then stir, then heat 6 min on 100%, basically anything more than set it and forget it until it beeps), I pass.
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H
HRPufnstuf
Guest
To me it a perfect mix of ritual, futzing with stuff, collecting, nerding out on flavors, but the biggest payoff is relaxation and contemplation. I think many of us probably associate pipes with a comfortable hominess and simpler times. It's why Lord of the Rings, the Shire and all that strikes a chord with so many. And it beats chewing on pens and toothpicks.
I'm going to be honest. I have no idea why I smoke a pipe. Just happened one day. Saw an ad, immediately bought a pipe, the rest is history.
H
HRPufnstuf
Guest
Vanity and self-image.
I truly hate the fragrant atmosphere that surrounds me, the chorus of flavours and subtle palate nuances are tedious and banal. The rituals of tobacco selection and preparation, the intricacies of maintaining pipes and smoking accoutrements, the mental clarity and insightful introspection of tending a pipe in repose are hollow and fruitless. The nostalgia and tranquility of smoking leads to self-indulgent reminisces of my childhood and only serve to reinforce my heritage and identity. None of these are important to my purpose for smoking a pipe.
I smoke a pipe because I make it look good.
I truly hate the fragrant atmosphere that surrounds me, the chorus of flavours and subtle palate nuances are tedious and banal. The rituals of tobacco selection and preparation, the intricacies of maintaining pipes and smoking accoutrements, the mental clarity and insightful introspection of tending a pipe in repose are hollow and fruitless. The nostalgia and tranquility of smoking leads to self-indulgent reminisces of my childhood and only serve to reinforce my heritage and identity. None of these are important to my purpose for smoking a pipe.
I smoke a pipe because I make it look good.
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I think I decided to give it a try after watching It Happened One Night
Wow! That's a downer. Life is an embracing experience for me. It's a roller-coaster sure but, entertaining and energizing. Every day I learn and grow my knowledge of ... well, anything that interests me. Veil of tears? How sad.
If I bought into that I'd be sadly depressed. For me, life is simply too much fun, exciting day after day. You have my abject sympathy.
I started in high school as it was easier to stick a lit pipe in your pocket in the restroom than trying to hide a lit cigarette when a teacher walked in.
Luckily, in high school we were required only to exit the building in order to smoke. A couple of years late the powers that be required the students to leave the grounds. Things have certainly changed.. For the better I think as I didn't even enjoy sitting at my desk reeking of stale smoke.
I don't smoke for the "aroma". Taste—yes. Aroma is fine.
I smoke pipes because I like pipe tobacco. I like cigars too but they're much more expensive in the long run and, possibly less healthy (because the tobacco is in contact with your lips.) I've smoked cigars occasionally for almost 30 years, but settling on pipe-smoking was like a homecoming.
I like the aesthetics and design aspects of pipes, as handcrafted objects. I like the look and feel of the wood, smooth or sandblasted. I like the feel of a warm smooth well-shaped bowl in the palm of my hand.
I'm not addicted to nicotine—I was, 20 years ago when I smoked cigarettes—but I like nicotine. I didn't smoke any tobacco except for the occasional cigar for a decade and missed the smell, the taste. OK...the "aroma". Tobacco smoke was always around when I was a kid. (Not at home, but wherever you'd go, someone would be smoking. My piano teacher used to smoke during my lessons!) Now tobacco is mostly gone from society. I think I just missed it. I used to smoke hand rolled cigarettes with my girlfriend's mom when I was 14. She supplied the tobacco. Can you imagine doing that nowadays?
Like I said, I'm not addicted to nicotine. I like nicotine though. That's one aspect of smoking that makes it worthwhile. I say I'm not addicted because I don't smoke every day, and I don't experience withdrawal or cravings. I can go weeks without smoking if I'm feeling under the weather. So I'm not addicted to nicotine. Pipe acquisition disorder on the other hand...That's something.
I hardly ever smoke in front of anyone, and who cares what people think anyway? But I definitely look cool when I smoke a pipe.
That's my humble opinion. 
I smoke pipes because I like pipe tobacco. I like cigars too but they're much more expensive in the long run and, possibly less healthy (because the tobacco is in contact with your lips.) I've smoked cigars occasionally for almost 30 years, but settling on pipe-smoking was like a homecoming.
I like the aesthetics and design aspects of pipes, as handcrafted objects. I like the look and feel of the wood, smooth or sandblasted. I like the feel of a warm smooth well-shaped bowl in the palm of my hand.
I'm not addicted to nicotine—I was, 20 years ago when I smoked cigarettes—but I like nicotine. I didn't smoke any tobacco except for the occasional cigar for a decade and missed the smell, the taste. OK...the "aroma". Tobacco smoke was always around when I was a kid. (Not at home, but wherever you'd go, someone would be smoking. My piano teacher used to smoke during my lessons!) Now tobacco is mostly gone from society. I think I just missed it. I used to smoke hand rolled cigarettes with my girlfriend's mom when I was 14. She supplied the tobacco. Can you imagine doing that nowadays?
Like I said, I'm not addicted to nicotine. I like nicotine though. That's one aspect of smoking that makes it worthwhile. I say I'm not addicted because I don't smoke every day, and I don't experience withdrawal or cravings. I can go weeks without smoking if I'm feeling under the weather. So I'm not addicted to nicotine. Pipe acquisition disorder on the other hand...That's something.
I hardly ever smoke in front of anyone, and who cares what people think anyway? But I definitely look cool when I smoke a pipe.
That's my humble opinion.
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