Pipe Smoking Social Meaning…If There Is One

[telescopes]

I smoke my pipe primarily in public -everyday as I take my daily two walk along Cook St.

i also smoke it as i go window shopping and browsing along the city sidewalks. When i go into a shop, i discretely

 

[TheIronMonkey]

There are some stereotypes that are perpetuated by older films, photographs, and cartoons—images of a university professor with a tweed jacket with elbow patches looking contemplative with a pipe instantly come to mind—people instantly think of an intellectual; older gentlemen are often depicted in older films with pipes, so it's ingrained in the culture in the US (and beyond) that pipe smoking is not something younger people indulge.

I must admit, the times I've seen some twenty-something hipsters wearing 1940s period clothing and smoking a pipe it seemed like they were trying too hard and was an affectation. But, who am I to talk? I have a handlebar moustache and waist length hair. Does it really matter? As long as people are enjoying themselves and not hurting others, it's all good. It's a good thing when people are confident enough to not care what other people think. I'm currently shopping for a fez to wear.

When I would see groups of young guys smoking expensive cigars in public, puffing like freight trains and making huge clouds of smoke, it would bother me. I wanted to explain to them that they were carbonizing their tobacco and not getting the flavour they had spent so much money on. I do think there is an association with status when it comes to cigars, again much to do with film media over time and collective memory.

I mostly smoke my pipes at home. I'd be too worried about dropping and damaging them on a sidewalk. The few times I've gone to a pipe club meeting, I've brought less precious pipes (not quite beaters or baskets) with me. I find it's easier to have a conversation with a cigar than a pipe. I share pictures of my pipes here because I suspect there will be an appreciation for them. But, generally speaking, my pipe smoking experience is a solitary one—no one sees or cares about the pipes I have or smoke except me. Sure, my girlfriend and a friend or two might see me smoking, but for all intents and purposes it's just me.

Just one look at the membership of this forum and you'll see a wide range of people from disparate backgrounds, and interests. The biggest common ground is we enjoy pipe tobacco and pipes, with many differences within.

 

[telescopes]

. I'm currently shopping for a fez to wear.

You are a man who is comfortable in his own skin.

I'd be too worried about dropping and damaging them on a sidewalk.

It happens. But so be it. I generally i take my strollers out for lunking.

 

[LeafErikson]

I think as @admin mentioned above, it likely depends on how you present yourself. I've never felt weird or self conscious about smoking a pipe in public and people haven't given me a reason to feel as such. I also don't dress like I'm acting in a period piece from the 40's or 50's and I'm sure if I did people would roll their eyes. For what it's worth I live in an extremely rural, blue collar area.

 

[LeafErikson]

Just one look at the membership of this forum and you'll see a wide range of people from disparate backgrounds, and interests. The biggest common ground is we enjoy pipe tobacco and pipes, with many differences within.

My favorite thing about this forum. Way too many things divide us nowadays and it's nice to put that all aside and share things we all love. We all have way more in common that we could ever imagine.

 

[Chasing Embers]

We all have way more in common that we could ever imagine.

You like Rubiks puzzles and finding patterns in the acoustic dampening plaster on the ceiling?

 

[brian64]

I only smoke at home...not because I don't want to be seen, but because I just cannot enjoy smoking a pipe or a cigar unless I'm sitting still. If I have to be on my feet doing anything at all, I immediately lose any desire to smoke.

I can count on one hand the times I've ever encountered someone smoking a pipe in my entire life...and I'm in my 60th year. Even when I was a kid I never encountered any adult who was a pipe smoker, but back then it wouldn't have seemed strange, primarily because there was so much tobacco advertising...and pipe smoking was still perceived as a common practice.

But I can say for certain that these days anyone smoking a pipe in public would be seen as something extremely unusual.

 

[LeafErikson]

You like Rubiks puzzles and finding patterns in the acoustic dampening plaster on the ceiling?

I like chess? Let's just split the difference and call it even.

 

[midcentry]

Depends on where you are in the U.S. but i would say things can be similar. While you can find some pipe tobacco in grocery stores, we still have the fancy shops, and the quick to judge folks. But we also have a lot of people here that enjoy the smell, image, or just the novelty of it and will be quick to compliment your pipe. I personally enjoy smoking alone at my house the most, but not necessarily because of this but i just find it the most peaceful.

 

[EvertonFC]

I find that with men, the reaction is one of general indifference. With women, when they see me smoking a pipe, they mostly throw their bra or panties at me (sometimes both).

 

[madox07]

Living in central Europe isn't easy as a pipe smoker. I personally don't like the attention that the pipe brings in public. Most of my friends know my dedication to smoking and collecting, so they truly understand what it means to me. On the other hand whenever I light a pipe in public I get all sorts of reactions, from plain curiosity to judgemental looks. If people were civil enough as to ask what the pipe is all about, I would actually take the time to explain, but the stares, the whispers, the giggling .. it makes me feel, for good or for bad, that I am in the center of attention and that takes away from the experience. I would much rather smoke a cigar in public..

 

[sardonicus87]

Like many others, I also don't smoke in public/only smoke my pipe in private. Everyone's motivation for smoking a pipe is different too.

Personally, I smoke to relax and to explore flavor. I've usually only got time for one bowl a day, and since it's a meditative relaxation for me, the last thing I want is for random strangers to bother me while I am doing it, so I smoke in private mainly for that reason.

Plus it's easier to smoke a whole bowl (anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour or more) in a single sitting when you don't have to worry about catching a loitering charge. Never mind the lack of places in public where you are even allowed to smoke at all to begin with. Many college campuses even ban smoking in your own car when you're in their parking lot, for example. Can't even smoke in many bars these days.

To a degree, I don't care what other people think about me because most people suck and are stupid anyway. But only so long as they think what they think about me privately. It's when they start bothering me because of what they think about me that I start to care. So I try to be inconspicuous to a degree, just because I don't want/like attention.

 

[warren]

I'm always surprised at the need, often on this site, that smokers are concerned at how they are percieved by non-smokers. So concerned about the subject that they ask smokers about it. Shouldn't the question be directed to those observing the smokers?

I, and others here, aren't concerned in the least with how others see us. What's the point? I suppose, if you are using the pipe as an affectation, the opinion of how others see you would be important as feedback as to whether or not you are succeeding in putting across the image you are striving for.

in my close circle of friends I usually detect that they can’t really appreciate the ritual and process of smoking a pipe and superficially analyze the act as I said before.

Why should they do so? Not everyone cares about the personal and selfish choices of others. If they do, I suspect friends are usually tolerant of their friends poor choices.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I believe that what other people think of me is none of my business. That said, I smoke my pipe to show people that I am way better than everyone else.

 

[telescopes]

I'm always surprised at the need, often on this site, that smokers are concerned at how they are percieved by non-smokers. So concerned about the subject that they ask smokers about it. Shouldn't the question be directed to those observing the smokers?

Not everyone cares about the personal and selfish choices of others.

So well stated. When a man walks into a room, the only thing he should be thinking about is "himself", LOL.

Whether in private or public, how I dress, act, and carry on is determined by only one thing and one thing only. Me.

I serve on public boards, spent many years in public service, and participate in and interact with community gatherings. In all cases, I do not cater, change, or defer who I am to any other person. People not only accept this about me, but in general, seem to defer to my opinion - which generally is reasonable and reflective of many who remain silent out of fear of speaking up. It's not how we dress, nor is it what we say that irks people or causes "eye rolls", but rather, it is HOW we say things. A well spoken man or woman will be listened to. A person who blends in with the masses and "fits" in with others will be ignored every time they open their mouth if what they say is said stupidly or ignorantly.

That is all I have to add to what I thought you said rather well, @warren .

 

[vosBghos]

I like chess? Let's just split the difference and call it even.

E4

 

[Servant King]

E4

I always thought a good name for a blend would be Sicilian Defense. But knowing the PC police these days, it'd probably be construed wrong, unless Savinelli released it or something.

These are the kinds of thoughts that cause invitations to pipe club meetings to be withheld from me.

 

[Chasing Embers]

E4

Hit

I like chess? Let's just split the difference and call it even.

Though I know the game, never really got into it.

 

[timelord]

I smoke exclusively outdoors because my wife has a health problem which means she can't cope with the smoke indoors. She has no problem with me smoking, or being with me outdoors if I'm smoking.

I regularly smoke as I go for a walk in São Paulo or am about doing the shopping or going off to Mass on Sundays and most people don't notice or if they do don't comment.

Generally comments from others are 'that reminds me of my father' (or more often, 'grandfather') and a pleasant short chat.

I've previously mentioned the Australian woman who started coughing theatrically whilst I was filling my pipe (so it wasn't even lit) in a previous thread... ...bonkers.

I did have one weird experience a few Saturday nights ago. I was smoking on the street outside my apartment building after dinner. Warm evening, sun had gone down but we have a lot of street lighting so not dark. Because it was warm I was just wearing shorts and a tee-shirt.

All of a sudden this Brazilian lady started shouting at me very loudly; she was shouting so fast that I struggled to understand what she was trying to say but it seemed to be that I was going to bring the wrath of God down on the country but she would be OK because she was a good Christian Lady. She was so worked up that I couldn't get a word in edgeways so I just ignored her.

All a bit odd and seemingly a massive over-reaction to smoking a pipe.

I didn't think about it any more until the following morning when I realised that this was the day of the São Paulo Pride Parade (clue being a lot of people in their finest parade outfits walking up my road to get to Av. Paulista)... ...and then I remembered that I had been wearing a watch with a pink dial the day before and it was probably this that had triggered the events of the previous evening.

Still, a bit of an over-reaction to someone wearing a pink watch.

 

[warren]

A well spoken man or woman will be listened to.

True, usually. But, there are many, often those full of self-doubt, who fear the well spoken, always. And, on all subjects. Those without "critical thinking" skills usually fall in this category. Many simply can't stand to hear their beliefs being questioned because, they can't defend those beliefs. They simply accept them because, its the easiest path to walk, it's what they were taught when they were young and unquestioning. Sad, very sad. But, on this site? Sometimes very entertaining and/or educational with regard to the writers.

I've spent my life watching and listening/reading intently. It was requirement in my career and is now, a favored way to pass time.

Still, a bit of an over-reaction to someone wearing a pink watch.

To you maybe. Probably not to her.