Somewhere in the last eight months I became a bonafide pipe smoker and hobbyist. The internet has been the most helpful resource in that pursuit but I've found a disturbing level of anti-tobacco hatred. Now I haven't been living under a rock for the past thirty years so I get it to some degree. However it is a bit awkward for me being thrust into the role of "bad guy" I do all of my smoking at home so I am shielded from much of the animosity directly. However, knowing the current social climate is quite discouraging when I do consider smoking away from home. So, what are yall's thoughts. Do you find it awkward or do you relish the role of evil tobacco consumer.
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Yes it is quite strange to willingly cast ourselves into this role as the evil tobacco consumer, but the other option is more so. To not be as such because of current social trends would be profoundly sad. Smoking a pipe is as human as it gets and it's been done since man first walked this planet through each and every stage of civilization.
It's all about awareness. I don't really care what others think, but I can understand the mindset of not wanting to breathe in smoke. Be aware of your surroundings, but no need to hide under a rock.
I live in a fairly small town.We can't smoke inside the stores,but most of them have benches out on the sidewalk where one can sit and smoke.Most of the time the weather is nice enough to do that.
I just TRY to follow the Golden Rule of "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you".
Older folks, kids, people with oxygen machines, pretty much anyone not smoking I'll be considerate and not light up in public. I prefer to smoke alone or with my woman, so it's not that I'm going out of my way, really. Those rare occasions where I want to light up near others, I simply ask, "Do you mind if I smoke". If yes, I'm good, If no, I move on. Luckily, I have a large selection of trails and parks with secluded woods to choose from. Not as many as there used to be, but enough for my woodsy strolls off the beaten paths. Free range smoking.
Older folks, kids, people with oxygen machines, pretty much anyone not smoking I'll be considerate and not light up in public. I prefer to smoke alone or with my woman, so it's not that I'm going out of my way, really. Those rare occasions where I want to light up near others, I simply ask, "Do you mind if I smoke". If yes, I'm good, If no, I move on. Luckily, I have a large selection of trails and parks with secluded woods to choose from. Not as many as there used to be, but enough for my woodsy strolls off the beaten paths. Free range smoking.
The unwarranted, irrational and disproportionate reaction to tobacco exhibited by most people these days is consistent with their detachment from reality in general. And it is just one of the many signs and symptoms of someone whose perceptions have been socially engineered.
I smoke in public frequently, but often when I am walking. When seated, I sit downwind of others, and if no air movement, I make efforts to not have my smoke get in other's faces or spaces.
Perhaps oddly, out of a couple dozen remarks about my pipe over the last two years, all have been pleasant and/or favorable.
Perhaps oddly, out of a couple dozen remarks about my pipe over the last two years, all have been pleasant and/or favorable.
I try to never be a jerk about any of my habits, but I see the complaints about smoking outside as mostly scapegoating. We can't target the real source of pollution -- car and truck exhaust, refineries, etc -- so pick on the little guy.
I'm with most of the folks who have posted above, I try to put myself in a place where I won't be in the face of others. Local legislation has helped with this, as I am now likely to be fined for smoking anywhere other than my own residence or property.
Interestingly, as a guy who has smoked cigarettes, pipes and cigars over the years... Pipe smoke seems to be the most widely accepted by non-smokers.
-- Pat
Interestingly, as a guy who has smoked cigarettes, pipes and cigars over the years... Pipe smoke seems to be the most widely accepted by non-smokers.
Are you serious? What a load of misogynistic crap.
-- Pat
Been smoking a pipe in public for decades. Only a couple of times did I ever have a problem. I think most people appreciate pipe smokers or really don't care one way or the other. It is the vocal minority (isn't it always?) that makes the noise and causes the limp wristed anti lobbyists to bark at their local congressmen who in turn find ways to get legislation to put the hammer down. Wish we had more people in power with guts rather than seeking glory.
I was smoking my pipe with a couple of co-workers (who were smoking cigarettes) in the designated smoking area about 30 feet from the building (the minimum required distance is 15 feet). A lady walked by and told us that we need to be at least 150 feet away from the building, we just watched her as she walked by so she yelled, "If you're still here by the time I get back, I'm calling the police!" None of us moved because we knew we were well within our rights to be exactly where we were while enjoying our tobacco products. Well, about 5 minutes later, she came back and she lost it! She started screaming at us, explaining that she shouldn't have to breath in our smoke and we smokers are, "worthless pieces of flesh!" She exclaimed that she was going to sue us and that we don't look like we could afford to be sued. Anyway, she went on for a few minutes and stormed off all pissy like as we continued to blow smoke in her direction (she was in the designated smoking area) and we were appalled by the audacity of this woman. Excuse my language, but what a BITCH! We still have no idea who this person was, as she didn't work in the building and we can only assume that she was a customer of ours...
I guarantee ya that more and more people are going to start seeing behavior like this in the future. Ridiculous!
I guarantee ya that more and more people are going to start seeing behavior like this in the future. Ridiculous!
I'm a city kid, or suburban kid in near walking distance to the outer boroughs of a really big city (Chicago), so I'm used to living in populated places. Smoking is an issue. It used to be all but mandatory, and I remember inhaling a lot of smoke as a kid, when I didn't smoke. A bus trip from Chicago to Ft. Myers, Florida, sticks in mind. I had to get off the bus and walk off the nicotine, literally sober up. I've eaten meals I would have enjoyed more without the clouds of other people's cigarette smoke. But of course, like other Forums members, I've run into the zealots. I don't think it's about the smoking so much, which is often not in their space. It's about the moral license they feel they have, and the irresistible impulse to control others. If it weren't smoking, it would be the color of your socks, or anything that gives them a pass to direct and reprimand others. Living with people, in crowded cities, or in only remote proximity, requires fair balancing of both and all sides of questions. That's being social animals, whether we only have to exercise the skill twice or year or every hour.
@MayFair70;"Luckily, I have a large selection of trails and parks with secluded woods to choose from"
Good thing you are not in the peoples Republic of NO Jersey. Our legislature just passed a No Smoking in public parks and beaches. The comments all point to cig butts as pollution, none ever respond to my, but what about my pipe. When they go all 2nd hand smoke, I ask them about an rr of 1.19 (EPA report on 2nd hand smoke and cancer in non smokers). Most don't care, it is THEIR right to decide what YOU can do..
Nanny State... Gawd, someone buy my house...
Good thing you are not in the peoples Republic of NO Jersey. Our legislature just passed a No Smoking in public parks and beaches. The comments all point to cig butts as pollution, none ever respond to my, but what about my pipe. When they go all 2nd hand smoke, I ask them about an rr of 1.19 (EPA report on 2nd hand smoke and cancer in non smokers). Most don't care, it is THEIR right to decide what YOU can do..
Nanny State... Gawd, someone buy my house...
Classic "Red Pill." Interesting.
Pipes seem more tolerated around here in part because, unlike the average cigarette smoked, they smell halfway good or better.
No cigarette butts left behind, less smoke generated, and fewer associations with drunk yuppies helps too!
Been at the condo for a couple of months.. Usually do a pipe when I first get to the pool deck and again before coming in. The other day I lit up and over comes a couple of women and I'm thinking oh no. I look at them and said hi ladies and being on my best behavior ask if my pipe was bothering them they both said hell no we came over so we could smell it better.
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