Pipe Smoker vs "Guy who Smokes a Pipe"

[J-Evverrett]

I had recently heard an expression “pipe as you please”. I would generally agree as long as you’re smoking the thing with tobacco. Part of this idea is that pipe smokers are rather varied in how they go about it. Also that you are a pipe smoker if you smoke a pipe daily or somewhat randomly. I disagree.

My opinion is that a smoker in any form does it frequently enough that it is a part of your identity to others. I know people who will smoke a pipe or cigar or a cigarette randomly. I don’t think they are smokers, except while doing it. Myself for example smoke an average of two cigars and maybe seven pipes a day. I would say that makes me both a pipe and cigar smoker. My brother has a pipe, he probably smokes a pipe every few weeks, and doesn’t keep tobacco stocked. He will smoke a cigar if I give him one. I would say he is a guy who will smoke a pipe or cigar.

I’m open to ideas about why this might be wrong headed on my part.

 

[AJL67]

So in your mind you are somehow better than someone that doesn't smoke as much as you, got it.

I smoke up to 7 cigars a day, so clearly compared to me you are not a cigar smoker.

 

[Coreios]

Yeah I'd agree to that. I like to play basketball occasionally but I'm not a basketball player.

 

[didimauw]

I'd agree. Think you described it well enough!

 

[didimauw]

So in your mind you are somehow better than someone that doesn't smoke as much as you, got it.

I smoke up to 7 cigars a day, so clearly compared to me you are not a cigar smoker.

So how do u have time for a pipe then???
I like smoking cigars, but I don't call myself a "cigar smoker". But if it gets brought up, they are usually combined with the term pipe smoker. Lol

 

[sablebrush52]

Jesus, isn't language complicated enough with all this gender bender axle people are wrapping themselves around without parsing whether it's correct to refer to a tobacco addict as a pipe smoker or a person who smokes a pipe. Seriously, what is the benefit to all humankind by pushing this particular distinction?
And by the way, @JimInks smokes 16 to 20 pipes a day, which makes you a virgin.

 

[dobbs]

Jesus, isn't language complicated enough with all this gender bender axle people are wrapping themselves around without parsing whether it's correct to refer to a tobacco addict as a pipe smoker or a person who smokes a pipe. Seriously, what is the benefit to all humankind by pushing this particular distinction?
And by the way, @JimInks smokes 16 to 20 pipes a day, which makes you a virgin.

agreed, it seems like a ridiculous thing to care about

-dobbs

 

[NomadOrb]

I like to be called a Piper, thanks very much.

 

[mso489]

I've never thought that the Forums members who stop smoking pipes for health reasons should necessarily cease joining in the conversation here. They have experience and knowledge to share, and it's good to hear from them if they are inclined. I have smoked daily, but I don't now, for various reasons. I have 90-plus pipes and a variety of tobaccos, and I don't feel shy about participating.

Because I don't carry a pipe around with me, it isn't part of my social identity. Some groups i belong to would think I shouldn't smoke at all, and others seem kind of delighted if I tell them I smoke a pipe. One said, "Of course!"

Many of my pipes have stories behind them. Two were won in contests. One is a spontaneous gift of a member and is one of the most valuable pipes I own. A number are gifts from family and friends, and so on.

So I'm not a proponent of having criteria about who's a person who smokes a pipe and who is a pipe smoker. If you need detail, each person can supply that. The rest of it is stereotyping and doesn't seem intelligent to me. We have a complex shared language and can share our complicated life circumstances of if need be. Labels don't help and can mislead.

 

[AroEnglish]

And by the way, @JimInks smokes 16 to 20 pipes a day

I knew he had to smoke tons with all those reviews but I didn't think it was that much. That’s impressive.

 

[AJL67]

So how do u have time for a pipe then???
I like smoking cigars, but I don't call myself a "cigar smoker". But if it gets brought up, they are usually combined with the term pipe smoker. Lol

Insomniac, gives me something to do, i've actually cut down to 3 to 4, before getting back into piping it was 7 or so, had one going constantly, the hazard of working from home and in florida where it's almost always nice enough to smoke outside.

 

[yanoJL]

...I know people who will smoke a pipe or cigar or a cigarette randomly. I don’t think they are smokers...

I've recently learned the term "gatekeeping" but had not yet seen an example to illustrate its meaning.

So thank you!

But I'm "all in" if this label is something that makes you feel different, or special, or accomplished in some way. You didn't really claim to be "better. As such, I personally see neither harm nor value in this.

 

[spike]

I knew he had to smoke tons with all those reviews but I didn't think it was that much. That’s impressive.

My mouth is sore just from reading that amazing number.

 

[anotherbob]

Jesus, isn't language complicated enough with all this gender bender axle people are wrapping themselves around without parsing whether it's correct to refer to a tobacco addict as a pipe smoker or a person who smokes a pipe. Seriously, what is the benefit to all humankind by pushing this particular distinction?
And by the way, @JimInks smokes 16 to 20 pipes a day, which makes you a virgin.

yeah but without that we're pretty much just monkeys that aren't really good at anything, so don't knock it to much.

 

[anotherbob]

I knew he had to smoke tons with all those reviews but I didn't think it was that much. That’s impressive.

yeah and he smokes each of those pipe 3-5 times each day too.

 

[anotherbob]

I had recently heard an expression “pipe as you please”. I would generally agree as long as you’re smoking the thing with tobacco. Part of this idea is that pipe smokers are rather varied in how they go about it. Also that you are a pipe smoker if you smoke a pipe daily or somewhat randomly. I disagree.

My opinion is that a smoker in any form does it frequently enough that it is a part of your identity to others. I know people who will smoke a pipe or cigar or a cigarette randomly. I don’t think they are smokers, except while doing it. Myself for example smoke an average of two cigars and maybe seven pipes a day. I would say that makes me both a pipe and cigar smoker. My brother has a pipe, he probably smokes a pipe every few weeks, and doesn’t keep tobacco stocked. He will smoke a cigar if I give him one. I would say he is a guy who will smoke a pipe or cigar.

I’m open to ideas about why this might be wrong headed on my part.

I feel like it's not wrong headed as much as just an observation about how the language is organically used. Few people are going to call you a pipe smoker because you break on out every once in a while. But when they see you for the five or fourth time they'll call you a pipe smoker. And it's also functional to know the difference. For example the guy that has one pipe and a pouch of Captain Black that has sat in a sock draw long enough to make one praise the magic of P.G. is not the guy to ask too many questions. Not just about pipes. That guy only knows his one thing well and yes it's rockets and the branch of science related to making rockets go....

 

[mortonbriar]

Since I found this forum a decade ago, I have just not found the time to do any actual smoking. One hobby at a time, you know?

 

[anotherbob]

Since I found this forum a decade ago, I have just not found the time to do any actual smoking. One hobby at a time, you know?

You have to make the time. Sleeping pills in the stew you make for the family can open up a couple of hours in the evening. And bonus if the country you live in lets prisoners smoke a pipe then you might get even luckier and have a lot of free time to smoke.

 

[warren]

I’m open to ideas about why this might be wrong headed on my part.

It's reasonable determination. Then there are the smokers who would rather be referred to "hobbyists." I just don't see the need for distinuishing between "smokers" and ... well, er ... "smokers." But, classifying people is a normal activity. So, go with it if doing so satisfys some need.

 

[brian64]

I identify as a non-smoking vegan (even though I smoke like a chimney and eat more meat than a polar bear).

Anyone who questions my non-smoking vegan identity is just a bigot.