The last decade when pipes were commonly smoked was the 50s, and they had all but faded
away in the 60s. 60 years later in others' eyes anyone who smokes a pipe is odd, and truth be told, making the decision to take up an odd practice attests, I think, to a certain amount of oddity in the one that makes it. Yes: that would be you and me.
The amount of pressure to conform exerted by the dominant culture is enormous. In this pipes are tolerated because quaint, and if the smoke management goes well, inoffensive.
But that won't stop the stares and the tacit message, "My, aren't you a strange one."