Retrospective 2019 - My Pipe World

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Sometimes I wish we could revert back to the 50's or some other time when smoking was socially accepted. I live alone on my own farm so I don't get a lot of flack over my pipe and cigar smoking but I do get the occasional eye roll from a family member when my smoking is mentioned. It seems that a lot of people have been brainwashed into thinking that even a faint whisp of tobacco smoke is going to give them cancer and cause them to fall down and die immediately. I argue that the Big Mac and large fries that you just ate is going to cause more long term damage than my last bowl of tobacco. Or what about the preservatives in food that gives it a shelf life of 50 years? Or folks living in cities breathing in all the air laced with auto exhaust? Or the folks that think it is fine to guzzle down 5 martinis a night but God forbid you don't expose me to tobacco smoke. Forgive me for my rant but I'm tired of being demonized for enjoying tobacco. There are lots of worse things one can be doing than smoking a pipe.

Now.......back to Madox's original post, well done sir. Very nice points.

You just took words out of my mouth,well spoken Sir

 

[seanv]

In my youth I was a trouble making punk. Most people have usually let me be over the years. My go to when I am hassled by people is " go f*uck yourself buddy" very few times has the situation or conversation continued

 

[renfield]

This year was one of dialing back on the accumulation of tobacco and being successful in not getting any new pipes. I have plenty of both already. As much as I enjoy trying a new blend I was mostly able to see them get introduced and just smile and not click “Add To Cart”. Mostly.

This year was realizing that there’s no better time than the present to enjoy something that had been previously reserved for some undefined special occasion.

This year was also realizing that, more than ever, I don’t give a damn about what someone thinks when they try to ram an ignorant, unsolicited opinion down my throat. A simple “Why should I care what you think?” accompanied by a smile has remarkable mouth shutting powers.

It was also another year of happily observing what a mostly decent, generous, amusing bunch pipe smokers are.

Smoke in peace in the new year.

 

[Ctbill]

The place of my birth, NYC now has a ban on smoking in Public Parks! It's a major fine if they catch you doing so, from what I'm told. The only park that you can legally smoke in in NYC is Paley Park...and I'm shocked that they allow that. Thank goodness I moved below the Mason-Dixon many years ago.

A (Legal) Cigar Smoker Sanctuary: Samuel Paley Park - Fine Tobacco NYC - https://finetobacconyc.com/2011/05/30/a-legal-cigar-smoker-sanctuary-samuel-paley-park/

I’ve learned to just enjoy my hobby of pipe smoking, public be damned. BUT - I prefer to not infringe on others‘ space as well, so I pick my spots and tobacco. If I’m walking along, I’m not monopolizing the area. No different than the proverbial smoking bus passing by (but I generate a better aroma!)
Just spent 4 day in NYC. Lit up a pipe after a jazz show for the walk back to the hotel, and finished it up outside under the hotel awning. Got a few “I love the aroma” comments outside the hotel. Next night, went to a Broadway show, and afterwards again lit up a bowl for the walk back - straight through Times Square at a very busy time of year. Got multiple “is that a pipe? That smells awesome!” comments... Legal or not, I enjoyed my bowl, seems others did as well, or did not complain, and I did not get a summons... Yes, I purposely smoked MB Vanilla Cream Flake out in public, and not Nightcap...?. I considered it all to be selfishly-illegally-courteous...? Would certainly do the same again, and not feel bad or ashamed about it.

 

[weezell]

If some one says something to me about my pipe and smoking, I tell them I "identify" myself as a grumpy old bastard that smokes a pipe. If they don't like it I tell them they are violating my rights then to go and fuck off. That's how I REALLY feel...

 

[gamzultovah]

I’ve learned to just enjoy my hobby of pipe smoking, public be damned. BUT - I prefer to not infringe on others‘ space as well, so I pick my spots and tobacco. If I’m walking along, I’m not monopolizing the area. No different than the proverbial smoking bus passing by (but I generate a better aroma!)
Just spent 4 day in NYC. Lit up a pipe after a jazz show for the walk back to the hotel, and finished it up outside under the hotel awning. Got a few “I love the aroma” comments outside the hotel. Next night, went to a Broadway show, and afterwards again lit up a bowl for the walk back - straight through Times Square at a very busy time of year. Got multiple “is that a pipe? That smells awesome!” comments... Legal or not, I enjoyed my bowl, seems others did as well, or did not complain, and I did not get a summons... Yes, I purposely smoked MB Vanilla Cream Flake out in public, and not Nightcap...?. I considered it all to be selfishly-illegally-courteous...? Would certainly do the same again, and not feel bad or ashamed about it.

Ctbill, I do the same everywhere I go. I’ve been back to New York many times and every time I go, my pipes come with me. New Yorkers (real New Yorkers) are the friendliest, warmest most outgoing and accepting people I know, and I’ve never had an issue imbibing while I’m there. Heck, I skated to Union Square one night to watch younger, better skaters perform tricks, and as I was sitting on the marble stairs which lead up to George Washington’s statue - smoking Lane 1-Q - a few kids, picking up on the smell of my pipe, came over to ask what I was smoking. Once I explained to them what I was smoking one of them said “I ain’t never smoked real tobacco before, can I try?” and the pipe was happily passed around. I got the expected questions, “How do I do this.” - “Do I inhale?” and so on. Afterward, they all thanked me for sharing the experience and went back to skating. Once I finished the pipe I skated back to my hotel (mid-town on 54th st.) with great satisfaction and with a renewed connection to my people. Ctbill, it is neither New York or New Yorkers that I rail against, it’s the ever controlling, mush-minded, nanny politicians that I dislike. Ctbill, have you ever sat on a high rocky outcropping in Central Park, one that overlooks the South side of the city, and watch the day fade away as you meditate on life, the awe inspiring view, and the pipe you are smoking? I have, and now I cannot, ever again...and neither can you. And, that, my friend, is the cause my dissatisfaction. Thank you for sharing your experiences. I can imagine from your brief description; wet streets after a spring rain, an overcoat and scarf, along with a smart hat and a delicious pipe, all keeping you warm as you slowly and deliberately, walk back to your hotel. A little slice of heaven, in this New Yorkers mind.

 

[gamzultovah]

If some one says something to me about my pipe and smoking, I tell them I "identify" myself as a grumpy old bastard that smokes a pipe. If they don't like it I tell them they are violating my rights then to go and fuck off. That's how I REALLY feel...

But what if you really are a grumpy old bastard that is smoking a pipe? Then what? ?