Stigmas regarding younger pipe smokers?

[onizuka]

Hey guys, so I had recently asked some friends of mine what they thought about pipe smokers my age (I'm almost 29), and I have a baby face and can barely grow any facial hair. Their idea of younger pipe smokers is that they're pretentious and that pipe smoking seems to be something that should be reserved for intellectuals, such as professors, lecturers, etc. I don't claim to be any better than anyone else, I'm just of average intelligence, but is this going to give me a truly negative image to those around me?
My question is, what do you guys think about the younger pipe smokers? Is the stigma really that bad?

 

[hilojohnny]

I started pipe smoking as a 17 yr old college freshman.....Don't worry about it.

 

[lordnoble]

Not at all. and the lecturer/professor thing isn't what my friends think of. They see the person as a bit eccentric. Which I am. I'm OK with that label.
-Jason

 

[collin]

I'm 56 and I just started to enjoy my pipes, at this late age because of the very opinions you're facing.
I'd give anything to enjoy my pipes, be 29 and have a baby face!

 

[bubbadreier]

I am lucky and the majority of my friends are cigars smokers and I am slowly turning then on to pipes. So I am good on the friends front, but I live almost on the University of Oklahoma campus and my local B&M is on the campus, and most students think it is a "Stupid Fraternity Thing". So I do get alot of bad looks from the sorority girls and other students.

 

[fred]

I admit that stigma has never really given me pause to consider. It

was at the age of 16 that I began to smoke a Pipe and consider myself

lucky to having been able to do so. It's never made sense to me to

give those who subscribe to stigma(s) any significance, especially

when it comes to things I enjoy.

 

[unclearthur]

Been smoking a pipe since high school. What anyone else thought about it never was a factor. I am your basic bullheaded Irishman .

 

[bhpdrew]

Stereotypes..?

 

[cortezattic]

onizuka said

Their idea of younger pipe smokers is that they're pretentious and that pipe smoking seems to be something that should be reserved for intellectuals, such as professors, lecturers, etc

That wouldn't apply to you, judging by the title of this thread.

Now OTOH, if you had used the more affected plural, stigmata, then they might have had a point.

 

[bhpdrew]

To expand on what I posted earlier... Who gives a sh!t what anyone else thinks? This isn't high school. I am 31 years old and I've been smoking a pipe since I was 17. Why? Because pop and grandpa did it and they taught me how to and I liked it. I don't smoke a pipe to impress anyone. No other pipe smoker I know does either. The idea that you used as an example was that of what I think of as the "stuffy old intellectual". That is, a person so full of themselves that they can never learn anything else, because they know it all already. I can guarantee you I do not fall into that category at all. Most certainly not because I smoke a pipe.

If someone is going to think of you negatively (which is what a stigma is seen as often, a negative), they are going to whether or not you smoke a pipe. The pipe is just something for them to focus in on. If they don't focus on your pipe, they would focus on your dress, hair style, your walk or any number of other things.

Screw the guys who think I am "pretentious" and "intellectual" for my pipe. Spend an hour with me. I promise you, I'm not.
**The preceding has been brought to you by Makers Mark 46 bourbon whiskey and Sailor Jerry Rum. The makers of Makers Mark and Sailor Jerry do not specifically endorse or agree with the above statements.**

 

[collindow]

I, too, started as a freshman in college. And I don't feel like there is much negativity (except for this one guy I know...) I must say, though, that I do in small part smoke my pipe to gain attention from the fairer sex. But that's only because, hey, if I'm already smoking may as well!

 

[igloo]

There are almost 7 billion people on the planet Iam sure we can all find at least one friend . Out of some 250 people I see every week in my travels only four of us smoke a pipe . I will be 45 next week and have reached the age where I dont care what other people think as about 10% them are on antidepressants . Enjoy life do what makes you happy .

 

[pstlpkr]

When I was in college I had been smoking a pipe for about 15 years. (That's right I didn't start college until I was 32.)

I'd buy a pound of 1Q and invite all 6 pipe smokers on campus and have slow smokes competitions on Saturday nights.

Most of us were Music Majors so we were considered a little off anyway.

But no one attached stigmas to any of us.

As a matter of fact we all were complimented frequently.

And even my Piano Professor smoked a pipe. Very heavy latakia.

Don't sweat what others think, by not conforming to someone else's ideals you prove your ability to think independently, and that you possess self confidence.

So, be polite and smoke your pipe.

 

[ohin3]

People are terribly threatened by individuality. Mostly because they are envious of any person who does what they do how they do it without regard for the judgement from their piers. I have always been a bit on the eccentric side or whatever you want to call it. I don't try to be this way; I just am. Because of that I have dealt with the same sort of crap from other people my whole life. And, in true Phil fashion, I really don't give a shit. I have enough trouble living my own life the best way that I see fit, and I certainly don't have room in my life to pay that close of attention to what others are doing with theirs. Just do what makes you happy and have good intentions towards others and you will make the kind of friends that don't mind you being the individual that you are. And with regards to the fairer sex...I find that chicks dig it. You stand out like a man who is in command of his own self who doesn't need to look to others to tell him who and how to be. Ok, I will step down from the soap box now = ).

 

[dd951]

Amen ohin, very well said

 

[admin]

This is a great thread. Excellent comments from everyone.
The next time someone gives you an odd look while you're smoking your pipe, tell them this; "Men who smoke pipes live 33.7% longer than those who don't. Women who smoke pipes are 27% thinner, better looking and have bigger boobs than those who don't."
Tell them you got that information here at PipesMagazine.com and they should check out the site to learn more of the benefits of pipe smoking.

 

[lordnoble]

Don't forget Kevin, that they should, after checking out the benefits of pipe smoking, purchase a starter kit from one of our many fine site sponsors. LOL!
-Jason
*edit -edited because I hit 'send post' too fast most times*

 

[krgulick]

I am definitely with the group on this one. I smoke a pipe because it is what I want to do, not to please or displease others. Life is way too short to be swayed by what others may or may not think about pipe smoking. I shall have to remember what Kevin posted above. That, I am sure, will at the very least catch people off guard from whatever their arguments may be against pipe smoking.

 

[fred]

Something that I've noticed about smoking in public. I'm more likely to

encounter positive comments while burning Prince Albert in a Cob. The

room note reminds people of either a relative or friend that smoked it

for years. As for the Cob, I don't understand why it draws more comments

than these Meerschaums...

 

[unclearthur]

Cobs probably draw more comment because Grandpa smoked a corn cob pipe.