Getting someone started

[pipeinhand]

Tis the season for giving and what a chance to get someone else on the road to enjoying our beloved hobby. People come and visit, break bread and this gives you a chance to share a pipe after a meal. I have a store of basket pipes, never smoked, to share a bowl with whomever comes to the house. I introduce them to a nice aro and then give them the pipe and a baggie of whatever they want from my cellar. This allows me to have a bowl with a friend or family member and start them on the road of truly enjoying the pleasures of real tobacco. I follow up with inquiries about how they liked whatever they took. Then I encourage them to bring their pipe whenever they return later in the year.
It works, 3 people in my smoking lifetime has taken up the hobby from this 'ploy' of mine. Pass it on, and get someone started.

 

[undecagon]

This is a practice I have thought about and intend to begin once I can afford a stash of give aways. In the meantime - my friends and I do keep record of who/how many pipe smokers we get started. I have 3 under my belt. It's fun to then pool our info and look at our pipe-family-tree!

 

[mp31guitar]

It's always nice to get someone started. Especially if they enjoy it and continue.

 

[radio807]

That's a great idea, I never thought of doing it. As for being able to afford giveaway pipes, stock on a couple or three cobs. Not as visually appealing as a briar, but a very modest investment at around $5 each. Besides, they give a great smoke even when new, and are likely to give a positive first time experience.

 

[matchstickman]

This is the sort of thing that I talked about in my latest blog post, and you have earned my immense respect for doing this. I applaud you and think you have found the true spirit of the Holiday season Sir. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

 

[markw4mms]

I applaud you guys for bringing new folks into the hobby! I'd think about doing it myself one day, but I really don't ever have anyone over to try it on.

 

[bbauer]

I have been inviting some of my friends to smoke with me recently, and I have to say that thus far, nobody has been disappointed! I even have a few friends that have gone out and bought pipes themselves. The best part is that not only is there someone who understands my hobby, but someone who will sit down and smoke with me! I have found that there is no better way to get to know someone than to sit and smoke with them.

 

[philip]

I introduce them to a nice aro and then give them the pipe

I keep a few cobs around just for that reason. I have only started one person smoking a pipe so far. It's a nice feeling. I still have to convince her to stop smoking cigarettes.

 

[shaintiques]

Yeah ive gotten 4 guys smoking a pipe. In the last month

 

[baronsamedi]

I got my brother started.

 

[zanthal]

A terrible, bad, bad influence! ::
Pretty lucky those new pipe smokers getting a chance to be introduced this way.

 

[jchaplick]

Its funny, Going into college i hadnt smoked anything, my friend got me hooked on cigars, then i swithched to pipes, and got him (an OCCASIONAL cigar smoker) to smoke a pipe, and he is hooked, we both probably average three bowls a day