Good and Bad Experiences Smoking in Public

[OverMountain]

I generally stopped smoking a pipe in public. It's a hassle and I rec'd some disapproving looks. If I'm in an uncrowded area, traveling, I'll break the pipe out (like in a hotel parking lot, etc.).
I had a great smoke a few weeks ago at a large hotel near the NJ shore - on a hotel patio that was deserted (empty event center)..

The worse experience was smoking a cigar, a number of years ago, at Antietam Battlefield, on the 4th of July "Salute to Independence" event. The Maryland Symphony orchestra performs patriotic songs then fireworks. Up to 20,000 people attend, it is a zoo. I was smoking cigar, near the end of the show, at the perimeter of the field, not near anyone. A female park ranger walked over and said "sir, do you mind not smoking that here, it could be annoying the other spectators. I said: "Well, I do mind. My father fought in WWII, Korea and Vietnam for my right to smoke a cigar out in a great big field". She harrumped and walked back to her post (my family/brothers/uncles all cheered). The orchestra then started playing the 1812 overture to finish and there were 20-couple Maryland National Guardsman in a row, they fired off several round of artillery shells, to cheers from the crowd. In a few minutes, at dusk, the entire field was enveloped in artillery smoke. I walked over to the Park Ranger and said "that artillery smoke is bothering me, could you ask the to stop?" Before she could answer I said "no don't you feel silly?" and walked away. The other Park Rangers were cool and a lot of fun (my restaurant feeds all the volunteers/rangers and symphony members).

Veterans are always the best at sticking it to the man. A hitch in any of the branches can result in receiving a MA equivalent degree in sarcasm & revenge. This story truly brought a smile to my face.

 

[Streeper541]

I think it would take a “special” kind of person to reprimand a big tattooed guy wearing a clerical collar for smoking his pipe.

Yeah... probably.

 

[OverMountain]

Where I’m from, people generally react positive to clergy. What denomination are you Streeper? Weren’t you a vet too?

 

[MartyA]

I live in a SMALL town in rural Iowa. I haven't had too many comments while sitting outside reading with my pipe, but a new 20 year old neighbor, (who has definitely been around,) told me "i've never seen anybody smoke a pipe before." Recently, the photographer from the local paper stopped and said he was going to have to take my picture. NOBODY smokes pipes anymore, and I smoke LONG ones, and I was reading a BOOK, too. :D

 

[Hillcrest]

I usually have positive experiences like "What kind of pipe is that ?" or "What are you smoking it smells nice" or "Is that Marijuana?" But today I had my first negative experience. I was stopped at a 4 way traffic light, red for me. A Contractor of some kind (there was a name on the truck) was making a left in front of me, saw me smoking my pipe looking straight ahead and called me an A****** as he drove past. I wasn't blocking traffic or too far ahead or anything. He was apparently just ... jealous I guess. Or ... projecting ...

 

[slavman68]

99% of the comments have been good. I do try and not smoke around kids. The people in my parents neighborhood thought it was cool. In college I was having a pipe on 420 outside my dorm and people smirked at me which I thought was kinda funny.

 

[anotherbob]

Yeah... probably.

although the collar might be the thing that makes them feel safe to do so.

 

[anotherbob]

I usually have positive experiences like "What kind of pipe is that ?" or "What are you smoking it smells nice" or "Is that Marijuana?" But today I had my first negative experience. I was stopped at a 4 way traffic light, red for me. A Contractor of some kind (there was a name on the truck) was making a left in front of me, saw me smoking my pipe looking straight ahead and called me an A****** as he drove past. I wasn't blocking traffic or too far ahead or anything. He was apparently just ... jealous I guess. Or ... projecting ...

you might look like that guy that was a pain in the ass a few jobs back.

 

[LongIslandPiper]

I walk everyday and sometimes twice a day. I usually get the odd stares from passersby (in cars usually) bc I generally bring a favorite pot shaped pipe or a MM. The response is generally very positive bc I will smoke pleasant room note tobacco and on occasion some aros while walking the neighborhood. The amount of times I had ladies of all ages stop and ask me ‘what are you smoking? It smells amazing!’ Is pretty funny. A few were serious enough to elaborate that if their husbands smoked something that good they wouldn’t complain about their husbands cigar smoking. I also had a couple stop me at the beach one day and ask what blend was I smoking bc the note was ‘heavenly’ to them (it was The Bald Headed Teacher - from 4Noggins). Haven’t had a negative experience yet in public with my pipe

 

[LongIslandPiper]

I smoke in public frequently. I'm not sure anyone has ever said a negative word within earshot.
I've lost count of all the people who approach me and share a memory or give a thumbs up.
Could just be Kentucky..

You are not alone sir. Even behind the iron curtain of Newyorkastan ,there are many people who think back with fond memories of a bygone era with the images we conjure for them. Happy smokes

 

[anotherbob]

I've certainly had more then a few tell me smoking is gross unless it's a pipe. What really shocks me though are the compliments non aromatics get too for the smell. Bold Kentucky was the one that surprised me the most to get a that smells amazing.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I get lots of compliments for English blends, lotsa Latakia.

Some aromatics smell like those cheap "air fresheners" that hang from rear view mirrors.

 

[PaulDM]

I think I've seen two people smoking a pipe on the street in NYC in the last 5+ years. I smoke at home on the deck or porch. I have gotten a few sly comments from friends (something like "a pipe, who smokes a pipe?").

 

[bpinkstaff]

People in general seem to like the smell even in public!

 

[Hillcrest]

you might look like that guy that was a pain in the ass a few jobs back.

could be !!

 

[Brig]

Stepped out of a brewery a couple nights ago and lit a pipe, and everyone outside in the smoke pit thought it was the coolest thing in the world.