Percent of Pipe Smokers that are Hobbiest?

[allan]

Perique:

I think it's just a male thing. Most men above room temperature IQ get into hobbies and read about them, dig into them, and in some cases become mildly obsessed with them

I have a wife and an adult daughter, and by the amount of handbags, shoes, beauty products, house decorating stuff, quite honestly, my pipe hobby truly pales in comparison.

 

[sablebrush52]

So on the one hand while this is all fun, benign, hurts no one, and is good for the economy, is there something wrong with not being able to simply enjoy something without thinking about it?

Of course not, anymore than there being something wrong with enjoying smoking a pipe on a simple basis. For many years I had a few decent pipes and smoked only a couple of blends. Frankly I was quite happy with the simple pleasure of smoking. Over time I became more curious about pipes and tobaccos and expanded my horizons. Simple as that.

 

[hawke]

Interesting thread. I fit in perfectly! LOL

 

[carpart67]

I'm still new to pipe smoking but I consider it a hobby for myself. One or 2 bowls a week is my current average. I don't do it for the nicotine and could give it up, if I felt the need to. However I genuinely enjoy it.
I struggle with stress and anxiety, and I also have trouble sitting still too long. The pipe is a perfect fix. It allows me to sit quietly and relax while still keeping myself somewhat occupied. This summer picking up my trusty pipes has allowed me to enjoy sitting on the patio for extended periods without getting anxious.
I also enjoy searching for and collecting pipes that suit my personal tastes, I enjoy restoring estate pipes, I enjoy trying new tobaccos (even if I normally can't tell the difference lol) and I really enjoy that there is always something to learn.
There's a personal nostalgia as well. My grandfather and great grandfather were both pipe smokers. A Brigham pipe and the smell of Captain Black brings me fond memories.
It's a very interesting and rewarding "hobby" for myself. I would venture that everyone is correct though, "hobbyists" probably make up a minority of pipe smokers. The relatives I mentioned earlier smoked daily. They had one pipe and smoked the guts out of it until it wore out. They seldom gave it more than a quick cleaning. They also smoked one brand of tobacco available everywhere. (Captain Black to be specific). They certainly did not overthink the process. I would surmise, and hope, that they still enjoyed the practice though. That's what's important.

 

[johnnyreb]

Talk about stress! Here's how I read this thread title:
"Percent of Pipe Smokers that are Hobbits?"

 

[jpmcwjr]

Gosh, I don't know how to describe my pipe smoking and minor collecting. Not what I'd consider a hobby, but more than just smoking'. I sure don't mind if I am labelled a hobbyist though.

 

[pipestud]

I'm sure that we have a few Obsessive/Compulsive members. Just as we have some "collectors", hoarders, a few of those who are trying to taste every blend on the market, even a dilettante or two.- Warren

Put me in the dillettante group, please.

 

[aldecaker]

Can I sign up in the "Enthusiast Class"? Makes me sound like less of an addict.

 

[brudnod]

Jah76 actually has addressed this issue within his avitar: T'ung Jen, the fellowship of men. The upper trigram is heaven and the lower is flame; and so it is with pipe smoking. The study of pipe smoking can be progressing towards the knowledge of the craftsmanship of the artisan pipe or the myriad tobacco or the mere pleasure of sitting with the pipe's fire burning towards heaven...

 

[mso489]

I like pipestud's dilettante category, and especially for his getting me to look it up. I have it as The American Heritage Dictionary has it, edition blah-blah. At least I think this is one "correct" spelling. Amateurish and superficial, my middle names.
I don't think compulsive/propulsive interests are a male prerogative. Women have these too, including legal careers, arts and sciences. It seems to be a human trait, to be both valued and self-governed so you don't go into a hole with it, not just financially but in terms of a balanced life. Always, take a walk, rap with your family and friends, and lead your life along with your interests.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Have to vehemently disagree: Neither the stud nor yourself can call your self dilettantes! 'S'truth!
Now, I am amateurish, for sure, but hopefully not superficial, though I've only scratched the surface—but that's not from not trying!

 

[sablebrush52]

Methinks pipestud is injecting wry humor into this thread. Amateurish and superficial he is not.

 

[mrkeys]

The 'hobby' aspect was probably the biggest draw of pipe smoking for me. Don't get me wrong, I would have stopped after a couple of days if I didn't enjoy the smoking itself. However, I find the variety of tobaccos to try and the countless styles of pipes to put them just as important as the act of sitting down with a pipe.

Having said that, I don't find myself feeling the need to constantly add to a collection that I won't be using in the near future, rather that I look for something new and interesting whenever I'm running low.

It's still early days though. This could be completely different in a few months.

 

[okiescout]

I enjoy this forum and am constantly rewarded for spending time reading and conversing on it. It has added history, humor, and an education about pipe smoking and the leaf I could not have reaped on my own. It has given me the ability to reach out and share pipe smoking experiences with an audience I would never have had the opportunity to reach and know without it.
I have been busy the last weeks with life and not been as able to spend as much time here as I would have liked.
Personally speaking, the forum has opened up my pipe smoking experience exponentially. If some one is interested in learning more or is happy just puffing away with the same blend and one pipe, that is fine with me. My day as keeper of the universe was years ago, and having really muffed it, have no desire to attempt it again
Happy smokes, gentlemen!