Social connotations of cigarettes, cigars, and pipes
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Being raised in the 50's with pipes and cigarettes around me every day, the above train of thought is,... much different,...while my parents both stopped cigarettes when the big announcement came out in '64, I used cigs through 2013 before I stopped.
I grew up in a country and family that was anti tobacco, and even the first few years of smoking a pipe I looked down on/judged cigarette smokers, but somewhere along the way (not a conscious decision) I realised we were fellow smokers...I do light up my pipe in public, to spread the good news and that's about as evangelical as I get.
Isaac
Isaac
Yeah, what he said basically.
I started ciggys too young and smoked them too many years. Our first trip to Cuba I encountered a fine gentleman at the same resort anxious to share his knowledge and bring another body into the fold. I was immediately hooked. ( Still smoking cigs at the time, by the way.)
I started the pipe a few years later, just by chance, walking around downtown Montreal on a lovely August day and was hooked by the smell.
Since that I have given up ciggys, smoke predominately a pipe (at pennies a bowl) with an occasional cigar which is obviously much more expensive.
I don't look down on cigarette smokers, as I was once hooked to, so I know how hard it is to quit.
If there's one thing I do regret, it's how big a stash of cigars, aged tobaccos and pipes I would have. Lots of cash out there from my pockets I'm telling ya.
Guys I work with have a pack & a half habit at $12-14 / pack of 20. One could afford a couple of trips a year south of the 49th just for tobacco shopping.
EDIT:
To continue with the quote, I know one person who also smokes cigars and / or pipes. In 8 years I have seen two people smoking a pipe in a vehicle and none with a cigar. I guess I don't have much choice but to enjoy smoking alone. I think I truly live in the tobacco arsehole of the world.
I'll offer in a female perspective, since I found this discussion fascinating.
Cigarettes:
I don't judge cigarette smokers unless I see them flicking butts on the ground and/or they are being inconsiderate of non-smokers around them. Then, I judge them inconsiderate jerks, who don't stop and think about their behavior. I live in the rural South, so smoking cigarettes is commonplace, I don't smoke, but I don't judge a considerate smoker for his/her choices. That said, you won't catch me dating one. It's the equivalent of kissing an ashtray for a non-smoker.
Cigars:
This is where I'm most likely to judge. Based on my experience, cigar smokers are the most likely of any type of smoker to behave badly towards a woman and I tend to steer clear of them. I don't want to "judge a book by its cover", but there you go. I associate cigars with wealthy businessmen who think women should fall down at their feet just because they have a black credit card and the frat boys who want to be like them. It isn't necessarily fair, but again, many many bad experiences with this type of guy makes me judgy of cigar guys as a reflex.
Pipes:
I'm not judgmental of pipe smokers, unless they are wearing skinny jeans. Then, I tend to think they are affected hipsters and steer clear.
Well, that may not be completely true. If I see a guy in well-worn jeans, with well-trimmed beard and a pipe in hand, I'll probably assume he's the best sort of fellow and wish him "Good Day" when we pass on the street.
Cigarettes:
I don't judge cigarette smokers unless I see them flicking butts on the ground and/or they are being inconsiderate of non-smokers around them. Then, I judge them inconsiderate jerks, who don't stop and think about their behavior. I live in the rural South, so smoking cigarettes is commonplace, I don't smoke, but I don't judge a considerate smoker for his/her choices. That said, you won't catch me dating one. It's the equivalent of kissing an ashtray for a non-smoker.
Cigars:
This is where I'm most likely to judge. Based on my experience, cigar smokers are the most likely of any type of smoker to behave badly towards a woman and I tend to steer clear of them. I don't want to "judge a book by its cover", but there you go. I associate cigars with wealthy businessmen who think women should fall down at their feet just because they have a black credit card and the frat boys who want to be like them. It isn't necessarily fair, but again, many many bad experiences with this type of guy makes me judgy of cigar guys as a reflex.
Pipes:
I'm not judgmental of pipe smokers, unless they are wearing skinny jeans. Then, I tend to think they are affected hipsters and steer clear.
Well, that may not be completely true. If I see a guy in well-worn jeans, with well-trimmed beard and a pipe in hand, I'll probably assume he's the best sort of fellow and wish him "Good Day" when we pass on the street.
Well said so far guys.
My input is similar as to what has been said.
Cig's are gross and for addicts.
Cigars are for fat cats, suits and newbs to puff on at special occassions.
Pipes are for us old men! 'Old man' - a term used to describe the inner turtle we all have. The seldom, contemplatative and ritualistic seeking individual. Even a young women smoking a pipe, is an old man. :D DO NOT WEAR A FEDORA!!11!1oneonewin!
However.. if there are skinny jeans, swag beards and thick framed glasses coupled with a pipe of any sort.. well, may aswell just eat my shoes and bin my pipes.
On a serious note, there really isn't much hype or secret societies that actually romanticise cigarettes anymore. Plenty of cigar and pipe reviews, forums, videos, appreciation etc. But so few give a hoot about cig's, they seem to just puff them as a means to an end of nicotine cravings, rather than the enjoyment of the act itself.
I personally enjoy basking in the flavour, the smell, the smoke and the time out a handsome pipe gives. The fact it makes me look awesome and all the ladies swoon in my presence is just one of dem tings!..
My input is similar as to what has been said.
Cig's are gross and for addicts.
Cigars are for fat cats, suits and newbs to puff on at special occassions.
Pipes are for us old men! 'Old man' - a term used to describe the inner turtle we all have. The seldom, contemplatative and ritualistic seeking individual. Even a young women smoking a pipe, is an old man. :D DO NOT WEAR A FEDORA!!11!1oneonewin!
However.. if there are skinny jeans, swag beards and thick framed glasses coupled with a pipe of any sort.. well, may aswell just eat my shoes and bin my pipes.
On a serious note, there really isn't much hype or secret societies that actually romanticise cigarettes anymore. Plenty of cigar and pipe reviews, forums, videos, appreciation etc. But so few give a hoot about cig's, they seem to just puff them as a means to an end of nicotine cravings, rather than the enjoyment of the act itself.
I personally enjoy basking in the flavour, the smell, the smoke and the time out a handsome pipe gives. The fact it makes me look awesome and all the ladies swoon in my presence is just one of dem tings!..
I would say a cigarette in the hand of a 1930's film starlet in evening attire is far more attractive than in the mouth of a fat toothless woman flying through the Walmart parking lot in her half-destroyed car with her arm hanging out the window. In the home I was raised in, cigarettes were seen as a characteristic of poor people (I wasn't raised well-to-do by any means). I don't believe any real offense was intended in that way of thinking, it's just how it was seen. As for cigars, some folks can bring those down a notch too. Such as those you see pulled over on Cops who cut them open to put weed inside. A pipe, however, held in the hand of either a time-battered old man in bib overalls or a gentleman in a suit just shouts wisdom and contemplation. Just look at the pictures of "Big Mac" MacArthur! My two cents for what they're worth.
Wanted to see a playoff game last yr on a 65" screen so I went to the lounge at a local cigar store. Before it even started as well as during the game I noticed a guy smoking a cigarette & a cigar at the same time; one in each hand! It made me feel really sad that the guy could not even enjoy a cigar because he was so addicted to nicotine that he had to keep inhaling on a cigarette the whole time!
Once you've got the pipes, it costs less to smoke pipes than cigars. Storing pipe tobacco is less involved than storing cigars. You can set aside a pipe half smoked and return later, relight and it's still good. You try that with a cigar to your regret. An ashtray of cigar butts reeks. No so with pipe ashes and dottles. Cigar smoke can fill a room. Pipe smoke doesn't. There are a lot of practical reasons to smoke pipes rather than cigars. If cigars tasted no different than pipes, what would be a reason to smoke cigars?
Pipe guys are the deep thinkers, the architects of society. But, when you want something done or some kneecaps broken, you go to the cigar guys. Cigarette smokers... are suckers.
It's kind of funny, my taking up the pipe was actually largely due to knowing people who smoke cigarettes. Until recently I was spending a fair bit of time with a group of friends who, over time, I found out that most of them smoke.
Eventually it came to the point that I somewhat regularly found myself in the middle of a group who were all sucking on coffin nails while I had next to nothing to do with my hands. So I found the best avenue for making a connection with the least amount of risk. I always had the fascination with pipes but it was the social aspect that really pushed me to do something about it.
Had I stayed there I'm betting it would have turned into a pipe club.
Ironically the next group I tried to spend time with at a new job basically all quit smoking while I was there (or gave it a good effort). In that case the pipes actually backfire because I don't want to smoke a pipe in the middle of a bunch of people who are doing their best to quit.
Eventually it came to the point that I somewhat regularly found myself in the middle of a group who were all sucking on coffin nails while I had next to nothing to do with my hands. So I found the best avenue for making a connection with the least amount of risk. I always had the fascination with pipes but it was the social aspect that really pushed me to do something about it.
Had I stayed there I'm betting it would have turned into a pipe club.
Ironically the next group I tried to spend time with at a new job basically all quit smoking while I was there (or gave it a good effort). In that case the pipes actually backfire because I don't want to smoke a pipe in the middle of a bunch of people who are doing their best to quit.
I have never smoked a cigarette, but I have been in the company of many cig smokers, and I have never ever enjoyed the atmosphere.
I have occasionally been in the company of cigar smokers, and sometimes enjoyed it.
I have never been in a pipe room where the ambiance was bad. It all smelled great, as well as the conversation.
I have occasionally been in the company of cigar smokers, and sometimes enjoyed it.
I have never been in a pipe room where the ambiance was bad. It all smelled great, as well as the conversation.
I gave up cigarettes in 2012, in the beginning of January. I always associated cigarettes from that point on with being in a rush all the time. So that rush took time away from thinking.
I have had cigars, and they all have a very distinguished aroma to them. You can tell it's a cigar just by its presence in a room. But being that they're each hand-rolled, the premiums on these stick are probably best enjoyed by people who have the money to spend on them.
Pipes, I have discovered, are cheap. Yes, the initial investment into the pipes themselves turned out to be moderately high, but I haven't spent more than $130 total for the 19 pipes I currently own because they're all second-hand or estate pipes. Spending $4 on an ounce in bulk can last me a while. My consumption ranges anywhere from 1 pipe to 5, so that ounce can actually last a few days, perhaps to a week. Compare that $4 per pack of cigarettes, which are always gone in under a day (in my former cigarette smoking days, I consumed more than this). And cigars-- yes, you can have a reasonably good cigar for probably $4; that is, if you buy them in bulk. For otherwise you are paying $10 to $13 for the single stick. This will be gone in under an hour.
If I had to choose between the three, so far I'm hooked on pipes. I'm not worried about public scrutiny, because if I worked hard for my money I can spend it however I please, even if it isn't what others would consider a great investment. But then, tomorrow is never guaranteed for all of us.
I like the cheap purchasing price for bulk tobaccos, and I am more than happy to challenge myself to obtain more than 2 pounds by the end of this year. That would last me months, easily.
I have had cigars, and they all have a very distinguished aroma to them. You can tell it's a cigar just by its presence in a room. But being that they're each hand-rolled, the premiums on these stick are probably best enjoyed by people who have the money to spend on them.
Pipes, I have discovered, are cheap. Yes, the initial investment into the pipes themselves turned out to be moderately high, but I haven't spent more than $130 total for the 19 pipes I currently own because they're all second-hand or estate pipes. Spending $4 on an ounce in bulk can last me a while. My consumption ranges anywhere from 1 pipe to 5, so that ounce can actually last a few days, perhaps to a week. Compare that $4 per pack of cigarettes, which are always gone in under a day (in my former cigarette smoking days, I consumed more than this). And cigars-- yes, you can have a reasonably good cigar for probably $4; that is, if you buy them in bulk. For otherwise you are paying $10 to $13 for the single stick. This will be gone in under an hour.
If I had to choose between the three, so far I'm hooked on pipes. I'm not worried about public scrutiny, because if I worked hard for my money I can spend it however I please, even if it isn't what others would consider a great investment. But then, tomorrow is never guaranteed for all of us.
I like the cheap purchasing price for bulk tobaccos, and I am more than happy to challenge myself to obtain more than 2 pounds by the end of this year. That would last me months, easily.
Cigarette Smokers: Folks that stress about way to many things, and need something that some how calms them down.
Cigar Smokers: Classy Men in suits running businesses.
Pipe Smokers: Folks that enjoy time, want to sit there and contemplate things, and enjoying working with their hands.
That is just the way I see it sometimes. I've always been fascinated with pipes since a young age. A close friend who smokes cigarettes had a pipe one day and I tried it, it tasted alright. I how ever had to explore it some more, I had tried cigarettes in the past and don't like them and never took up smoking them. I enjoy a cigar every now and then. Most cheap cigars stink, and can't be finished at a later time if you can't smoke the whole thing. Besides be costly for a decent one (I like the Acid branded ones, shun me if you will) they make me sick if I smoke them too long. So I picked up a pipe where I worked and went from there, I surfed the net looking for information on piping. Expanded my collection and taste, and here I am today. Over ten pounds of tobacco, and 68 pipes later still learning the art of pipe smoking and crafting. You will often see me in my garage, or in the yard smoking a cob.
Cigar Smokers: Classy Men in suits running businesses.
Pipe Smokers: Folks that enjoy time, want to sit there and contemplate things, and enjoying working with their hands.
That is just the way I see it sometimes. I've always been fascinated with pipes since a young age. A close friend who smokes cigarettes had a pipe one day and I tried it, it tasted alright. I how ever had to explore it some more, I had tried cigarettes in the past and don't like them and never took up smoking them. I enjoy a cigar every now and then. Most cheap cigars stink, and can't be finished at a later time if you can't smoke the whole thing. Besides be costly for a decent one (I like the Acid branded ones, shun me if you will) they make me sick if I smoke them too long. So I picked up a pipe where I worked and went from there, I surfed the net looking for information on piping. Expanded my collection and taste, and here I am today. Over ten pounds of tobacco, and 68 pipes later still learning the art of pipe smoking and crafting. You will often see me in my garage, or in the yard smoking a cob.
It's funny how everyone sees cigar guys as guys in suits. At every cigar shop I have been in, cigar guys are just the overweight (usually), loud (most of the time), overbearing (typically), guy in flannel and blue jeans. Where do you ever see cigar shops with guys in suits? Most of the time it's working class, ass kicker, with a wee bit of thug mentality (but not always). Guys who live way above their means, IMO.
It's the pipe guys who show up in ties or bow ties, cuff links, suits, and straw hats.
It's the pipe guys who show up in ties or bow ties, cuff links, suits, and straw hats.
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