Pipe Smoking: Hobby? Life Style?

[jpmcwjr]

Smoking a pipe can be your main hobby, even an essential part of whatever you consider your lifestyle, but it doesn't have to be either. It's neither for quite a few here, based on posts over the past four years; it's just something we do. So, when you're greeted with "Welcome to the hobby", welcome indeed, whether it remotely resembles a hobby to you or not.
There are some true hobbyists among us, and some of their collections are awesome. Then we have a reviewer or three, and whether they consider that a hobby is up to them. One fellow has made it an incredible avocation. The casual maker of a handful of pipes may consider it a hobby. True collectors are probably hobbyists. (Not like me, with barrels of pipes, pretty random and not even sorted.) The historians among us may consider their passion a hobby. But just smoking a pipe and trying new blends doesn't make it a hobby—unless it is so for you.
As to life-style, I am not even sure what that is with respect to smoking. I guess we all have a "life style" that could be categorized by academics, but so what.

 

[mortonbriar]

This is the conclusion I have come to...
Codgers are out there, enjoying their pipe and blend of choice day in day out. Not as a hobby, but just alongside coffee, walking the dog etc etc.
But if you have signed up and participate as a member of a pipe smoking forum then pipe smoking is (at least to some extent) your hobby. I have read paragraphs from members here trying to convince themselves and others that this is not their hobby, but it seems to me that if it was NOT their hobby they would not be on this forum, sharing space with fellow pipe smokers, giving and taking advice/opinions on all things pipe and tobacco related.
I also think that the word 'hobby' has a spectrum of associations, kind of like how 'arts and crafts' could be seen as an inspiring art movement from the turn of last century or it could refer to grandma's knitting socks for the church fair, (I would buy the socks by the way). The definition for hobby is almost a description of pipe smoking, although pipe smoking, thanks to its ability to multi task, is not restricted to leisure time.
Isaac.

 

[mikethompson]

Interesting thread. I think that like most things, whatever it is we are doing here can't be categorized. Am I a pipe smoker? Collector? Hobbyist? Maybe a little of all of them.
I'm not sure smoking a bowl a month counts you as a pipe smoker, and 8 pipes is ridiculously low considering how many pipes some of you guys have. For me, this hobby (yes I used that word) is something that I just enjoy being part of.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

I'm passionate about pipes and smoking in general,Yes I'd guess the word of lifestyle may suit me better than a hobby, which in my opinion involves, collection or restoration of estate pipes at least

 

[ray47]

It's neither for me. It's just another way to enjoy tobacco.

 

[frankrem]

I do enjoy the fact that we do have a community of like minded people. People that enjoy sharing their insight to those that are coming along behind them in the piping community.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Isaac- (Mortonb)
Good points.
I guess for me participating in this forum is the hobby part. I like the camaraderie, sharing ideas, poking at things, learning, and hopefully helping others to learn, to enjoy this passion. And, it better be something, given the time I've spent here! But the smoking part, for me, not a hobby.

 

[voorhees]

When I'm home alone smoking I don't consider it a hobby. If I'm looking for or discussing pipes with fellow pipers, it a hobby. Lifestyle is a bit more involved than I consider myself to be.

 

[mso489]

I think people resist calling their interests hobbies, because it sounds like just a pass time rather than an endeavor of some kind. Life style is, to me, sort of an awful word. If you're a free thinker or non-conformist, just take on the mantel and don't attribute it to a generalized life style. Being a hippy wasn't a life style; people loosely categorized that way ranged all the way from hideous criminals to near saints, so it was hardly one life style, more a camouflage for millions of life styles, if you must use the phrase. Under the rubric of free speech, call it a hobby or life style if you choose. It's a habit, activity, and interest engaged by a vast array of people who aren't defined by it and many of whom have little in common otherwise. Part of the beauty of Forums, to bring 'em all together in their startling variety.

 

[Chasing Embers]

It's neither for me. It's just another way to enjoy tobacco.

That's me as well. I enjoy tobacco in every form depending on how much time I have to do it.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I eat. I own a car and drive. I drink water and other beverages. I smoke a pipe. None of those listed prior to smoking a pipe are a hobby. Neither is smoking a pipe. I have amassed a fairly decent number of nice pipes. I guess it could be argued that is a bit of a hobby since 3 to 5 would be adequate.

 

[mortonbriar]

I guess for me participating in this forum is the hobby part. I like the camaraderie, sharing ideas, poking at things, learning, and hopefully helping others to learn, to enjoy this passion. And, it better be something, given the time I've spent here! But the smoking part, for me, not a hobby.

I think this sums up why people are inclined to say that this is not their hobby, that makes sense to me. But I don't see how being active on this forum, and putting money into pipes and cellars, gaining knowledge around the topic etc can be separated completely from the 'just smokin' a pipe'. Maybe it can?, I am willing to be convinced...
Hoosier, we all eat, drink and drive but how many of us join a specific forum around those daily routines?
Isaac

 

[cigrmaster]

I would call pipes and tobacco an obsession. How else can you explain PAD and TAD?

 

[jpmcwjr]

I think this sums up why people are inclined to say that this is not their hobby, that makes sense to me. But I don't see how being active on this forum, and putting money into pipes and cellars, gaining knowledge around the topic etc can be separated completely from the 'just smokin' a pipe'. Maybe it can?, I am willing to be convinced...
Hoosier, we all eat, drink and drive but how many of us join a specific forum around those daily routines?
Isaac

Probably not a lot of us on this forum, but there are active forums for each of those! And some folks are obsessed with eating, or drinking, or driving and owning cars.

But you're right; it may be impossible for many of us to draw a definitive line.

 

[Chasing Embers]

But I don't see how being active on this forum

I joined to learn maintenance techniques and to get direct answers about restorations. I stay to help the new guys.

putting money into pipes and cellars,

To be able to smoke when tobacco is unaffordable, unavailable, or both.

 

[litup]

I sometimes wonder if we're all using the same definition for "hobby" when these discussions arise. I tend to think that all people on this forum are, in some part at least, hobbyists even though they swear they aren't. But that's because I'm taking the definition literally: an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation.
If that description doesn't fit your pipe smoking then are you just a nicotine addict that derives no pleasure from smoking and has no interest in what you're doing?

 

[rigmedic1]

For me, pipes and tobacco is a hobby. I enjoy learning about the lore, as well as restoring estates and the methods behind the tobaccos and pipes I enjoy. Pipes and pipe tobacco are part of my lifestyle, but not the entirety of it. Used to be a time when I always had a pipe going, these days it is a leisure time activity. Can no longer smoke at work, in a restaurant, at a bar, etc.

 

[warren]

A simple adjunct to life is how I describe tobacco. Now I've had no nicotine for six weeks, I miss it a bit but, the more oxygen in the blood the better at this time. But, "hobby" denotes, to me, a distraction from life which doesn't fit. An obsession? I can obviously and happily live without the weed. Will I go back to it. Probably. We'll see once I'm healed. Certainly not a life style! Just an incidental part of my life, no different from a doughnut, a hunk of beef or a good book.

 

[hugodrax]

I'm a smoker, or if you prefer, an addict. I have nice pipes and I don't smoke cheap tobacco much, but I smoke multiple bowls a day. Honesty compels me to admit it.

 

[Chasing Embers]

then are you just a nicotine addict that derives no pleasure from smoking and has no interest in what you're doing?

Why can you not be addict and still enjoy it? I regularly smoke pipes, cigars and cigarettes, chew loose leaf, plugs, twists, and love nasal snuff. I love every moment of it. I just don't get into pipe history, theory, or display. How many threads have you seen where someone asks for high nicotine blends?