Smoking Pipes Socially vs Cigars

[elcincogrande]

I started smoking cigars in September after finding a great cigar shop/lounge close to my workplace with friendly customer service and friendly patrons. I smoked cigars occasionally in the past, but not regularly like I have these past four months. Part of the fun has been the social aspect of going to the cigar lounge and chatting with folks about recommendations, and then simply getting to know people. And I feel no awkwardness sitting there enjoying my cigar, even if I’m alone, because I just purchased the stick from that seller.
I’ve had several pipes for many years, and have smoked them every now and then. Now with my newfound interest in cigars, I’ve once again gotten intrigued by pipes. I’ve watched endless YouTube videos and have read postings on this forum. I’m eager to try new blends and pipes. I just had Peterson Night Cap the other evening, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Here’s the question: Where do you folks enjoy pipes socially with others? I know there are pipe clubs, and I see there’s at least one in the Dallas/Fort Worth area where I live. But I’m talking about smoking with folks a little more regularly. I could smoke at the cigar lounge, as they sell some pipe tobacco. But unlike a cigar that I can just buy each time I go in, I’m not going to buy pipe tobacco every time I visit. I don’t think it’s good etiquette (or maybe even permissible) to sit in a lounge, trying new blends I’ve purchased elsewhere.
I’m an introvert with the best of them, but certainly enjoy some social interaction, which smoking sometimes causes me to want. Anybody have pipe smoking buddies, and where do y’all meet?

elcincogrande
newbie from Fort Worth

 

[mso489]

Pipe clubs and pipes shows seem to be the main meeting places, along with those pipe shops that manage to have smoking areas, though they are rare. I have exactly one pipe-smoking friend, but he and his wife live out of state, so we're limited to phone calls for now. Far beyond piping, this guy is a composer and performer of electronic music and a student of many music genres, and a vast reader, so can jump on almost any subject. He's opinionated and informed, so he is sometimes challenging in conversation, but always informed. This couple have sent me two pipes as gifts. She is an artist who works in recorded sound and video, among other mediums. So I feel lucky to have found them -- both old friends of my wife's in Queens, NYC. Pipes were a huge benefit in bonding with this guy, as we were testing the grounds for friendship when we met. Given all that, Forums has been a central meeting place for pipe smokers across the board.

 

[OzPiper]

We have some of the strictest NO SMOKING regulations on the planet in Australia.

There are a few outdoor/open air/rooftop cigar lounges.

I'm lucky I to have a few friends who enjoy pipes and cigars, so we have a get-together from time to time. Covid has put a roadblock to this in the past few months unfortunately.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Many pipe smokers also smoke cigars. When I go into a B&M to hang out and smoke, I make it a point to buy something. Normally Cigars, maybe some pipe cleaners and butane.

 

[Latakia Dave]

I started smoking cigars in September after finding a great cigar shop/lounge close to my workplace with friendly customer service and friendly patrons. I smoked cigars occasionally in the past, but not regularly like I have these past four months. Part of the fun has been the social aspect of going to the cigar lounge and chatting with folks about recommendations, and then simply getting to know people. And I feel no awkwardness sitting there enjoying my cigar, even if I’m alone, because I just purchased the stick from that seller.
I’ve had several pipes for many years, and have smoked them every now and then. Now with my newfound interest in cigars, I’ve once again gotten intrigued by pipes. I’ve watched endless YouTube videos and have read postings on this forum. I’m eager to try new blends and pipes. I just had Peterson Night Cap the other evening, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Here’s the question: Where do you folks enjoy pipes socially with others? I know there are pipe clubs, and I see there’s at least one in the Dallas/Fort Worth area where I live. But I’m talking about smoking with folks a little more regularly. I could smoke at the cigar lounge, as they sell some pipe tobacco. But unlike a cigar that I can just buy each time I go in, I’m not going to buy pipe tobacco every time I visit. I don’t think it’s good etiquette (or maybe even permissible) to sit in a lounge, trying new blends I’ve purchased elsewhere.
I’m an introvert with the best of them, but certainly enjoy some social interaction, which smoking sometimes causes me to want. Anybody have pipe smoking buddies, and where do y’all meet?

elcincogrande
newbie from Fort Worth

Welcome from Virginia!

 

[bullet08]

Rather hard to smoke pipe and carry a conversation. Unless you don't mind countless relight, tinkering with pipe, and just in general sort of putting your pipe smoking aside for those in company. I usually don't smoke pipe even with friends.

 

[Waning Embers]

Where do you folks enjoy pipes socially with others?

You may find the social pipe smoker to be even more rare than the pipe smoker. There are five of us where I work and if within close proximity of one another when pipes are lit, not a word is spoken. For me it would derail the enjoyment of my pipe.

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

I smoke cigars very infrequently & when I do, I just go grab a stick or 2 from the local cigar shop. I’ve smoked a pipe with very few people. I’m not against smoking in public, or with others. I’ve seen maybe one other pipe smoker in my surroundings in the 7+ yrs I’ve been active. It’s kinda like trying to locate Waldo. I’ve kinda gotten used to the solitary nature of enjoying the ?.

The way I remain social, and I know this is ?…is through you all. ? Half the time I’m smoking a bowl I’m cruising this platform. That is social enjoyment enough for me. ?️

 

[shanez]

Where do you folks enjoy pipes socially with others?

For the most part I don't but when I do I go to "Lounges" not B&Ms.

I call ahead to make sure the establishment doesn't have a problem with pipes (haven't found one that did yet). I make up for not buying tobacco (cigar) from them by spending a little extra on drinks, charcuterie, etc.

 

[Streeper541]

Truthfully, the PipesMagazine.com forum is about as socially as I care to smoke my pipe anymore. Sometimes even this is a stretch for me. I've developed a genuine dislike, maybe even disdain, for most of the general population.

Sad part is I used to be a genuinely nice guy. ?

 

[OzPiper]

not a word is spoken. For me it would derail the enjoyment of my pipe.

Ha-ha.
Like fishing !
Most wives don't appreciate that while you can go fishing with someone, companionable silence is expected ?

 

[Waning Embers]

I've developed a genuine dislike, maybe even disdain, for most of the general population.

The rosy veil was lifted from your hopeful adolescent eyes.

 

[NC TX ID pipeman]

I got one buddy who smokes a pipe...we smoke pipes together when we hang out usually outside. on hunting adventures or at his place or in a truck when driving ...

 

[MtnGeo]

I think with all the smoking restrictions, it would be difficult finding a social outlet. I wouldn’t mind relighting in exchange for good conversation.

 

[Fralphog]

When I first started smoking a pipe, I had a friend who agreed to help me out.
So, in those instances sitting down smoking a pipe with a friend is beneficial. I have done the same thing for friends that have wanted to start smoking a pipe. It’s not the same as enjoying a pipe by yourself, but I enjoy helping a new pipe smoker out.
I have enjoyed Smoking my pipe while duckhunting with one of my good friends. We both would sit there and smoke or pipes and look for ducks. Not a lot is said, as we both enjoy our pipe and being outdodors.

That being said, I am going to attend the Boise Pipe Club meeting this coming Thursday night; first time I’ve ever attended a pipe club meeting. I think it will be fun and interesting to meet other local pipe smokers.
Day in and day out, I prefer solitude while smoking my pipe at home, out on a walk or ... wherever I may wonder.

 

[Brewfan]

I've smoked a pipe in the company of cigar smokers and found the heavy cigar smoke overwhelms the nuanced flavors of pipe tobacco to the point it isn't worth it. I'd say joining in with a cigar is the better option.

 

[NC TX ID pipeman]

The best experience smoking pipes socially was at Chicago Pipe show...You meet so many people smoking pipes and you make a friends quite quick...Recommendation to every pipe smoker

 

[warren]

Any human contact, beyond a handful of close, long-time peers, I usually have is with other photographers, retired co-workers or, sometimes a grocery clerk. Asocial by nature I certainly do no seek out face to face social interaction without a specific reason, education being the main. This particular forum provides knowledge of tobaccos, some interesting discussions and a lot of humor, all of which I enjoy. It's well moderated, great rules, and the discussions generally civil with none of the posturing so necessary required for light, usually meaningless chit-chat, face to face. And, the rare train wreck is immensely fun to watch unfold.

 

[goosetime]

I feel the same about the cigar clubs and lounges. There is a cigar shop near me that carries one or two pipes and a handful of pipe tobacco blends. I've gone there recently and purchased an oz of tobacco and sat and smoked a bowl while watching football with some other people.

It was nice, but yeah I don't really want or need to buy an oz every time I come in. I've considered buying a locker there for $300/year...

 

[monty55]

There are five of us where I work and if within close proximity of one another when pipes are lit, not a word is spoken. For me it would derail the enjoyment of my pipe.

There are 5 people where you work who smoke pipes??? That's amazing, unless you work at smokingpipes.com...