Notes for the Rookies
- Thread starter bigvan
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Well said, Kevin, and Lawrence! I love the way you guys run this site, and strive to keep it super friendly for all the newcomers to the hobby. I've new members countless times that the only dumb question is the one you don't ask. Keep up the great work!
Righteo, as part of the OP was directed squarely at me I shall reply thus:
and
- err, umm, it may've escaped your notice sir, but in the main, quality, genuine smoking pipes tend to be extremely masculine in appearance - any ideas why that could be I wonder - well golly geez, I ain't no rocket scientist, but I reckon I could establish the unequivocal answer to that lickety split? When I'm at a formal function and wish to smoke, I have no desire whatsoever to pull out a boring as bat poo plain briar pipe that makes me look like a butch bull dyke from the neck up!
As you have testes instead of ovaries, I do not expect you to grasp the concept of a female smoker viewing her pipe as (a) a way of getting her nicotine fix and (b) complimenting her somewhat bizarre/unorthodox chosen smoking manner (as perceived by the vast majority of the population) by at least smoking something extraordinary, aesthetically pleasing and one that, to an extent, reflects her personality at any given smoking gathering i.e. at the Operetta I'll smoke my heavily gold trimmed Kay Woodie c.1900, but when out at 4WD comps, I'll be smoking my Nording or Winslow!
Just who is "us", is there a panel of Smoking Gods somewhere in an ivory tower on high that have escaped my research? Or, do you purport to speak on behalf of every serious pipe smoker here & on planet earth?
Again, another broad and terribly incorrect assertion on your part my good man.
The IMAGE of smoking is one that is held in very low esteem by the majority, scorned and scoffed at, we are, by all and sundry when they encounter anyone choofing on tobacco, albeit the pipe smoke smell suffers less on occasion!
I don't give a fkng fat rat's crack about the so-called image of smoking - to what "image" do you refer, a smelly old peasant herding his sheep? I've been a heavily nicotine addicted woman for 38 long and very expensive & unhealthy years. The ONLY reason I turned to the pipe is that my Ex partner refused to continue supporting my habit of 20-30 Cafe Creme Cigarellos a day which was costing him $230 per week as he earns a very modest salary. So, without nicotine, it was either Philip Nitschke's "EXIT" group or the pipe for moi!
I really don't know where you get off suggesting my desire to smoke my preferred type of pipes that are an absoltue joy to collect, restore and hand on to my children as very tangible momentos of their eccentric old mother, is in any way not fit for this forum, or that such questions give rise to angst within yourself, and perhaps others. If the forum has an ignore button, add me to your list in the short term until I am gone! If not, familiarise yourself with the back button, and ignore my posts, it's not difficult!
When I am bed bound & heavily medicated, I spend countless hours trying to absorb the wisdom of others, sitting here practising their methods, tips and trick. To awake to this, being made to feel as though my questions have disrupted and interrupted yours (and others) sense of officianado pipe smoking snobbery is very upsetting to my sense of being a newbie with a desire to learn and absorb everything from those willing to culture and educate me, whereas your comments which are akin to crushing my enthusiasm for something I really was forced into by circumstance yet I decided to make the best of it, just as I have done to date.
You'll be pleased to know I've expended all I can on gathering my collection. In future, I shall read, learn and enjoy, but as for asking questions, I feel I may be better going to yahoo and asking the unwashed. Then there shall be absolutely no need for you to continue straining your eye muscles heavenward nor concerning yourself with excess and/or needless effluvium, pfft!!!!
Hmm, I really have a huge dilemma, what pipe to smoke with this outfit, can anyone make a suggestion, it only needs to have a little bit of pink in the stem:
Ok. So I've been following along this thread on my phone all day, meaning to chime in once i got to my laptop. Alas, here i sit outside with some GLP Lagonda responding with my iPhone. Mostly, this means its too much of a pain to reference back to page one for specific quotes, so here are just some random thoughts.
1. I remember some point regarding frivolous questions vs. questions that the newbs might believe to be life changing. Being a pipe smoker for a little over four years now, i can agree there are some seemingly basic care/smoking question i have rolled my eyes at. While I agree this should be a safe place to ask questions, I also think that questions readily answered via google don't deserve a thread. Also, I believe the concept of "try it out" is extremely important for a fresh pipe smoker. Hopefully you aren't beginning on a masterpiece pipe or cherished family heirloom, so go ahead and experiment with smoking speeds, lighting methods, etc. If you hurt your beginner pipe a bit that's sad, but not devastating. Then, once you think you know what the right answers are for yourself, you can open a thread where instead of asking "how thick should my cake be" you can say "i keep my cakes super thick" and tell us why, while other discuss their reaming habbits.
2. In regards to the "pipe look" -- I say LOOKIN FINE! I do admit, I sometimes think WTF at pipe shows when seeing the kilts or old english attire, but I also think more often than not those guys turn out to be fun. I also realize my hipocrocy as I dress in full Indiana Jones adventure gear or in full Dark Jedi garments at ANY event I see as almost appropriate. Its something that i just enjoy, and it's because of the fandom i developed watching those trilogies as a child. Now, if someone starts simply thinking that Mark Twain, Van Gogh, Hefner, or Aragorn look like bad asses, dress like them pipe and all, then end up liking pipe smoking enough they end up here on the forums, I think thats an awesome "why I started smoking" story.
3. Now, for being a pipe smoker for ONLY about four years, i have to say "good smoker" or "tasty tobacco" is sometimes the best description some people can come up with. And if they believe it, I think it is valid.
1. I remember some point regarding frivolous questions vs. questions that the newbs might believe to be life changing. Being a pipe smoker for a little over four years now, i can agree there are some seemingly basic care/smoking question i have rolled my eyes at. While I agree this should be a safe place to ask questions, I also think that questions readily answered via google don't deserve a thread. Also, I believe the concept of "try it out" is extremely important for a fresh pipe smoker. Hopefully you aren't beginning on a masterpiece pipe or cherished family heirloom, so go ahead and experiment with smoking speeds, lighting methods, etc. If you hurt your beginner pipe a bit that's sad, but not devastating. Then, once you think you know what the right answers are for yourself, you can open a thread where instead of asking "how thick should my cake be" you can say "i keep my cakes super thick" and tell us why, while other discuss their reaming habbits.
2. In regards to the "pipe look" -- I say LOOKIN FINE! I do admit, I sometimes think WTF at pipe shows when seeing the kilts or old english attire, but I also think more often than not those guys turn out to be fun. I also realize my hipocrocy as I dress in full Indiana Jones adventure gear or in full Dark Jedi garments at ANY event I see as almost appropriate. Its something that i just enjoy, and it's because of the fandom i developed watching those trilogies as a child. Now, if someone starts simply thinking that Mark Twain, Van Gogh, Hefner, or Aragorn look like bad asses, dress like them pipe and all, then end up liking pipe smoking enough they end up here on the forums, I think thats an awesome "why I started smoking" story.
3. Now, for being a pipe smoker for ONLY about four years, i have to say "good smoker" or "tasty tobacco" is sometimes the best description some people can come up with. And if they believe it, I think it is valid.
hehehe
Breath Dianne (-:
Plenty here more than willing to answer your's and others questions.
Breath now!
Breath Dianne (-:
Plenty here more than willing to answer your's and others questions.
Breath now!
LMAO OTD & Weezell, check that last edit mwahahahahaha, I'm wicked ... oopps, time for the blue & yellow pills. And in a second, there should be a bloody classic up here in this 'un ...
Sorry, I couldn't decide which one I liked the best so you get all x 3 that seem to "fit"....
Ciao
Sorry, I couldn't decide which one I liked the best so you get all x 3 that seem to "fit"....
Ciao
Aw, shucks! I took so long typing on my iPhone, aussielass went and got a more interesting post in first!
Totally stole my moment :D
Totally stole my moment :D
There is a cigar group, who i will not mention by name, that over the years has reached a level of snobery of astronamical proportions. It has more or less turned into the same 10 or so guys telling each other how smart they are.
Every time some new guy posts a question that they deem simple or answered one to many times they respond with, "learn to use the search funtion."
In short they are boring pompous asses who need to loosen up and enjoy life.
I hate like hell for this group to start heading in that direction, but have faith that the group dynamics here with some of the more, let us say, odd individuals, will prevent this.
Every time some new guy posts a question that they deem simple or answered one to many times they respond with, "learn to use the search funtion."
In short they are boring pompous asses who need to loosen up and enjoy life.
I hate like hell for this group to start heading in that direction, but have faith that the group dynamics here with some of the more, let us say, odd individuals, will prevent this.
When I hear one of the newbe questions for the 100th time, I just think, "Terrific, at least here is another person who is going to learn to love my hobby which was in danger of going extinct."
I like to use in this case few words that Tim Leary said
"turn on, tune in,drop out"
I think to be friendly ,Honest and tolerant let the good times roll
ciao :wink:
Maurizio
"turn on, tune in,drop out"
I think to be friendly ,Honest and tolerant let the good times roll
ciao :wink:
Maurizio
While I agree that some of the most common newbie questions could be found by a Google search, I think that it would be counter productive to the forum to shun away from dealing with the common questions most of the newer pipe smoking members have. If nothing else, it is a form of allowing them to break the ice so to speak beyond the old " I just stumbled across this site, and thought I'd join" type of post in the New Members Introduction Thread. I know if I had a nickel for every time I've answered these kind of questions here,and on the other forums I belong to, I could retire right now, and live comfortably. This is strictly my opinion, and you know what they say about those, but I really don't mind trying to help as many new pipe smokers as I can. Even though I've been smoking a pipe for 40 years, I can remember when I had those same questions, and would have loved to had the benefit of a forum like this back when I was a newbie.
My view on questions is simple ask them all. I'm a newbie smoker but wouldn't contribute to this or any forum, if I felt my thoughts weren't given their due. We have all started as new guys in any past time. Forums like this are a marvel since for many of us pipe smokers are always readily available to prod with questions. Some guys don't live within driving distance of bm with a tobacconist to aide them with a start. This is where forum relationships can be key for everyone. The day someone asks a question that I'm to good answer, my pipe needs to be lodged in an unmentionable place.
I have been a member for literally just a few days and so far I'm really enjoying the different opinions on this forum along with the great tips and tricks for rookies such as myself.
I have no one to show me how to do things correct regarding pipe smoking and its nice to be able to ask questions without getting the cold shoulder.
Smoking a pipe is much more complex than I thought but so far I've learned to enjoy it all. From the packing, lighting (many re-lights) to enjoying different tobacco's. Its all enjoyable.
Thank you everyone for making me feel welcome.
I have no one to show me how to do things correct regarding pipe smoking and its nice to be able to ask questions without getting the cold shoulder.
Smoking a pipe is much more complex than I thought but so far I've learned to enjoy it all. From the packing, lighting (many re-lights) to enjoying different tobacco's. Its all enjoyable.
Thank you everyone for making me feel welcome.
To address a few comments...
It was not my intention to stifle questions, but rather to pass on the idea of "don't sweat the small stuff". I never said any question was "dumb" or "stupid", but in retrospect I can see how it may have been misinterpreted.
I have already retracted my use of "us", but throughout I think I stated that these opinions were merely mine. Also, there have been several people who agreed with my points, others did not. The point is, I'm not the only one who feels this way.
Finally I think I've kept the conversation civil, but I must say that I don't care for the word "dyke".
It was not my intention to stifle questions, but rather to pass on the idea of "don't sweat the small stuff". I never said any question was "dumb" or "stupid", but in retrospect I can see how it may have been misinterpreted.
I have already retracted my use of "us", but throughout I think I stated that these opinions were merely mine. Also, there have been several people who agreed with my points, others did not. The point is, I'm not the only one who feels this way.
Finally I think I've kept the conversation civil, but I must say that I don't care for the word "dyke".
Urban Dictionary: ".....commonly towards a lesbian with more masculine physical characteristics/mannerisms"
The Aussies use the word "dyke" all the time ... I believe that's all down to one of the much nationally loved groups in the Annual Gay & Lesbian Annual Mardis Gras held in Sydney called "Dykes On Bikes", a massive group of lesbians riding thumping great motorcycles such as H-D's etc.
We're very tolerant, if not embracing of our gay/lesbian communities over here, there's no religious fanatics or churchies waving plackards & speaking hate at them, we love them all, & have even differentiated them into 2 fondly referred to types, namely, "Lipstick Lesbians" and "Bull Dykes", and I've only ever met corker sheilas from both types - I guess most folks are different over here, we don't do politically correct well, not ever, and we do call a spade a spade - again, I suggest the "ignore" button
Im just here to talk about smoking my pipe and which tobaccos I like. I dont understand what all the hoop-la is about. :D :
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