If they think it's "cool", they'll do it. 
Thoughts From Millennials or Younger
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If they think it's "cool", they'll do it.
Pretty much this.
I'm 37 and my friends are all cool with me smoking and are even eager to take my pipe and puff as well but won't commit do doing it on their own. One of them will smoke a cigar with me and that's about it. My relatives around my age or younger just call me a "Boomer" and that's that. Some of my older relatives smoke cigars so I just hang out with them and smoke my pipe or enjoy a stogie.
And of course, I think it's cool.
That's wrong. A "real baiker" would say classes don't teach you anything, the real riding is learned on the street, and that what they need to buy is a full on Road Glide or Street Glide and just do it, brotherrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Requires also believing that you turn/corner not by counter-steering, but by pulling it over with your body or pushing downward on the handlebars. Then shere a meme of a grim reaper skeleton about how you're the real BAMF that nobody should mess with.
I think on top of the various negative social, health, and financial elements already outlined, there’s also the the general public opinion that young men smoke pipes as an affectation. I’ll say anecdotally that the very few young people I’ve seen with pipes in public were of a more eclectic sort, and gave the impression they were mostly just interested in being visibly unique. I try not to judge - I had my fair share of idiosyncrasies growing up as I learned what kind of man I would become, but it does feel like a certain portion of the pipe smoking population does it as an accessory of manliness or to play 1920s dressup.
I don’t mean this to shame those people - everyone walks their own path and I wish them nothing but happiness. I just think this probably has further contributed to a little self consciousness in others who might smoke in the public view. I’ll be the first to admit I won’t smoke in public for this reason (among greater other reasons), restricting my smoking to my own home, while in the woods, or otherwise out of view of society. I don’t see that changing for me until my salt and pepper hair runs out of pepper and my skin wrinkles so deeply I look like a raisin.
I don’t mean this to shame those people - everyone walks their own path and I wish them nothing but happiness. I just think this probably has further contributed to a little self consciousness in others who might smoke in the public view. I’ll be the first to admit I won’t smoke in public for this reason (among greater other reasons), restricting my smoking to my own home, while in the woods, or otherwise out of view of society. I don’t see that changing for me until my salt and pepper hair runs out of pepper and my skin wrinkles so deeply I look like a raisin.
It was during COVID lockdown and I wanted to put my phone down and instead sit, think, and enjoy things. So I picked up my pipe I had from years before when I tried the hobby.
I don't have social media. As a teacher, I see this : younger people are addicted to phones in ways cigarettes companies would only dream of wielding.
So, I'm a millennial who figured smoking a pipe outside would bring me greater peace that scrolling garbage
I don't have social media. As a teacher, I see this : younger people are addicted to phones in ways cigarettes companies would only dream of wielding.
So, I'm a millennial who figured smoking a pipe outside would bring me greater peace that scrolling garbage
I know that you are joking, but there are too many bikers out there who fit that mold. They don't last long.That's wrong. A "real baiker" would say classes don't teach you anything, the real riding is learned on the street, and that what they need to buy is a full on Road Glide or Street Glide and just do it, brotherrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Requires also believing that you turn/corner not by counter-steering, but by pulling it over with your body or pushing downward on the handlebars. Then shere a meme of a grim reaper skeleton about how you're the real BAMF that nobody should mess with.
In the biker community greybeards are revered. It ain't easy getting that far riding motorcycles. Plenty of weekend warriors and wannabe's that come in strong and disappear after a couple of years. Most bikers just avoid those guys, they are trouble both on and off the road.
Oh I know. I own a 1997 FXSTC and a 2022 El Diablo Low Rider ST. I meet up with a bunch of grey beards at least once a year in Eureka Springs, AR. Got a trip later this year to Alpine, TX. Without me showing up, the average age is maybe 68-70 years old. I think the next youngest after me that shows up is 58 years old?
I'm only 36, but rode off and on my whole life and been a daily rider for the past almost decade. Started at age 12 or 13 on a 1980's Kawasaki KZ900 with a knobby on the front that I tore up the yard with. Also had one of those death trap Honda ATC 3-wheelers.
Grew up around the stuff too. My mother had a 1970-1974 Ironhead (not sure the exact year, but was right side shift so pre-1975) that she took me to elementary school on the back of. My step father at the time had an Electra Glide and he was one of those types I just made fun of. He stuck me in his lap on the EG and had me control the throttle and hold the bars, would reach up and bump them to turn and would do the shifting. No helmet, if he wanted me to get on the throttle more, I got a knuckle to the top of the head.
Luckily, the guys I meet up with aren't that type.
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Bought my first Duo-Glide in the mid-sixties. The vendor and my biker mentor wouldn't let me out in the street until I'd demonstrated I could handle the machine at walk speeds, slow circles and serpentines. A half-helmet and full leathers as protection were also required. My mentor, a brother copper, had over a million miles on Harleys and was only in his mid-thirties. I had wreck or two over the years but, the confidence of learning to handle the heavy 'murdersickle' at slow speeds was invaluable. He also taught me to lay the bike down at speed prior to a collision, letting the suspension and the bike itself take the shock. Especially helpfully around those unseeing dingbats in autos who turn left in front of you.
One only "steers" with a third wheel. Steering is indeed mostly a gentle pressure on the grip. There's no believing or non-believing, it's learned at low speeds or, high as that is the only way a bike navigates curves.
One only "steers" with a third wheel. Steering is indeed mostly a gentle pressure on the grip. There's no believing or non-believing, it's learned at low speeds or, high as that is the only way a bike navigates curves.
You are definitely legit. I started at age 5 on a Yamaha 80cc enduro. Took my lumps on the snowmobile trails in the woods.
I bet the greybeards ride hard but smart. If I am riding in your neighborhood, perhaps I could buy you lunch some day at the local hole in the wall.
Shiny new bike, fresh leather with 'Lone Wolf' patch, and sunburned freshly shaved scalp... steer clear my friend, it won't end well.
"I’ve been thinking about our hobby and have been wondering how to attract younger people to it. I’d love to hear thoughts from people in these age groups on what you’ve done (or what you think can be done) in order to grow the hobby."
This thread reflects a pretty broad range of thoughtful opinions based on some really diverse experiences. I was just a little surprised by the prevalence of the understandable Don't encourage anybody to smoke tobacco viewpoint. When I thought about how to welcome newcomers to pipe smoking, my first inclination was to classify pipes as mostly a hobby, pastime, and private pleasure - not so much as a medically and socially risky practice. I definitely get the health considerations and consequences, but I guess I interpreted the topic a little differently.
"While I’m hoping to get input from the younger crowd, I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts. Also, let’s not have this turn into a young people suck/old people suck thread. We all suck pipes."
Disclaimer: I'm not a "younger person," but I definitely was young when I was attracted to the idea of smoking a pipe.
What worked for me and my pipe-loving peers in the 1980s and 1990s to plant the seed and cultivate interest in pipe smoking might not work so well in 2023, but I've often considered pipe smoking to be decidedly untrendy and sort of constant in its allure and in what influences a person to give it a try. I'm not really sure if the basic appeal of pipes is timeless, but maybe some of it still applies to the demographic groups we're talking about here.
As a few contributors have said, a pretty strong influence can be simple exposure and implicit modeling: Seeing and being around pipe smokers, without actually being "encouraged" explicitly, definitely drew my attention and piqued my curiosity as a pre-teen and teenager (pretty much the same for my age-mates, too). Adult men in my family smoked pipes and cigars, and it wasn't weird to spot a pipe smoker or to smell the pleasant hint of pipe smoke in public. You could find pipes and tobacco sold all over the place, and you could always find higher-end pipes and tobacco in shopping malls. The look of a pipe and the appealing scent of pipe smoke differentiated pipes from cigarettes, which were becoming dramatically less popular and socially acceptable.
It was mostly for those reasons that it felt natural for me and a couple of my friends to try pipes when we became curious enough. I was never encouraged to try smoking, but when it came to pipes, I wasn't discouraged, either (cigarettes would have been a totally different thing and a huge problem). I'd regularly tell my dad I liked the idea of pipe smoking and would try when I could, and he'd usually say "Well, I don't want you smoking anything, but if you're gonna smoke, stick with a pipe — when you're old enough."
I was way too impatient and didn't wait that long because I was sure I'd like a pipe. I'd learned enough by observing experienced pipe smokers to get the hang of smoking Borkum Riff in a Dr. G. Not awesome at first. I wished I had some expert guidance, but I'd taught myself just enough to start enjoying the ritual and the flavor of the smoke. A high school friend's dad smoked pipes, and when he found my friend and me sharing a pipe, he pretty much repeated my dad's line (except we weren't officially old enough). He also said, "Already too late to stop you now, but at least you idiots had the sense to smoke a g**-d***** pipe! Let me show you guys how to do it right, and don't tell your moms." His help with my packing and lighting technique definitely improved my enjoyment.
Based on how I learned to appreciate the pleasure of pipes, I'm always glad to help out pipe-curious younger guys in their 20s and 30s (no gals so far). A few have had a history with tobacco and are really eager to try a pipe. If they like smoking tobacco already, they nearly always like pipes. Sometimes they get frustrated with the equipment and the extra effort (so far, the hassle factor is the only reason I've heard for not sticking with pipes). The curious nonsmokers usually seem drawn by the aroma and the general aesthetic of pipe smoking. Most have never known a pipe smoker. I love to answer questions. Pretty often, the curious guys are stoked when I offer to help them pack and smoke one of the spare cobs I like to give away for such occasions. I don't remember anyone not liking the experience. Two or three of my former coworkers kept the gift pipes and have genuinely stuck with it.
I'd say I "evangelize" for pipes by example, and when I notice stronger interest, I'm super-happy to donate a pipe and as much tobacco as anyone wants. If a guy is curious enough to try a pipe for the first time, it's on his own initiative.
This thread reflects a pretty broad range of thoughtful opinions based on some really diverse experiences. I was just a little surprised by the prevalence of the understandable Don't encourage anybody to smoke tobacco viewpoint. When I thought about how to welcome newcomers to pipe smoking, my first inclination was to classify pipes as mostly a hobby, pastime, and private pleasure - not so much as a medically and socially risky practice. I definitely get the health considerations and consequences, but I guess I interpreted the topic a little differently.
"While I’m hoping to get input from the younger crowd, I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts. Also, let’s not have this turn into a young people suck/old people suck thread. We all suck pipes."
Disclaimer: I'm not a "younger person," but I definitely was young when I was attracted to the idea of smoking a pipe.
What worked for me and my pipe-loving peers in the 1980s and 1990s to plant the seed and cultivate interest in pipe smoking might not work so well in 2023, but I've often considered pipe smoking to be decidedly untrendy and sort of constant in its allure and in what influences a person to give it a try. I'm not really sure if the basic appeal of pipes is timeless, but maybe some of it still applies to the demographic groups we're talking about here.
As a few contributors have said, a pretty strong influence can be simple exposure and implicit modeling: Seeing and being around pipe smokers, without actually being "encouraged" explicitly, definitely drew my attention and piqued my curiosity as a pre-teen and teenager (pretty much the same for my age-mates, too). Adult men in my family smoked pipes and cigars, and it wasn't weird to spot a pipe smoker or to smell the pleasant hint of pipe smoke in public. You could find pipes and tobacco sold all over the place, and you could always find higher-end pipes and tobacco in shopping malls. The look of a pipe and the appealing scent of pipe smoke differentiated pipes from cigarettes, which were becoming dramatically less popular and socially acceptable.
It was mostly for those reasons that it felt natural for me and a couple of my friends to try pipes when we became curious enough. I was never encouraged to try smoking, but when it came to pipes, I wasn't discouraged, either (cigarettes would have been a totally different thing and a huge problem). I'd regularly tell my dad I liked the idea of pipe smoking and would try when I could, and he'd usually say "Well, I don't want you smoking anything, but if you're gonna smoke, stick with a pipe — when you're old enough."
I was way too impatient and didn't wait that long because I was sure I'd like a pipe. I'd learned enough by observing experienced pipe smokers to get the hang of smoking Borkum Riff in a Dr. G. Not awesome at first. I wished I had some expert guidance, but I'd taught myself just enough to start enjoying the ritual and the flavor of the smoke. A high school friend's dad smoked pipes, and when he found my friend and me sharing a pipe, he pretty much repeated my dad's line (except we weren't officially old enough). He also said, "Already too late to stop you now, but at least you idiots had the sense to smoke a g**-d***** pipe! Let me show you guys how to do it right, and don't tell your moms." His help with my packing and lighting technique definitely improved my enjoyment.
Based on how I learned to appreciate the pleasure of pipes, I'm always glad to help out pipe-curious younger guys in their 20s and 30s (no gals so far). A few have had a history with tobacco and are really eager to try a pipe. If they like smoking tobacco already, they nearly always like pipes. Sometimes they get frustrated with the equipment and the extra effort (so far, the hassle factor is the only reason I've heard for not sticking with pipes). The curious nonsmokers usually seem drawn by the aroma and the general aesthetic of pipe smoking. Most have never known a pipe smoker. I love to answer questions. Pretty often, the curious guys are stoked when I offer to help them pack and smoke one of the spare cobs I like to give away for such occasions. I don't remember anyone not liking the experience. Two or three of my former coworkers kept the gift pipes and have genuinely stuck with it.
I'd say I "evangelize" for pipes by example, and when I notice stronger interest, I'm super-happy to donate a pipe and as much tobacco as anyone wants. If a guy is curious enough to try a pipe for the first time, it's on his own initiative.
I'm 41. Started pipe smoking in the early 2000s as if was cheaper then cigars. Of my 3 friends that started around the same time as me. I'm the only one that still smokes. To be fair I took a hiatus till about 10 or years ago when one of those friends goes hey Im moving you want this pipe stuff I have and never use. Their will always be people picking up the pipe.
I generally pay $20 for a pound of RYO and a box of 200 tubes.
Honestly, I don't know if comparing the cost of cigarettes to pipe smoking is quite fair either. The delivery speed and amount of nicotine between the two is not comparable. If you're a pack-a-day smoker, you're still going to have to effectively quit cigarettes when switching to a pipe, it's never going to replace cigarettes in that way much the same way nicotine patches and gums don't replace cigarettes.
It might ease the craving a little, but won't stop it. I get the 21 mg patches for long flights and long airport sitting in any airport without a fishbowl (which is most of them). First thing when I get outside the final airport? Rip the patch off and light up a cigarette. I would imagine pipes the same. I looked it up before, but the "average" pipe bowl (in amount of tobacco and strength of tobacco) will deliver 0.4 mg nicotine over a 45 minute span and cigarettes will give you 1 mg over a 5 minute span.
I wouldn't say pipes are an alternative to cigarettes in that regard. Not saying you can't switch, just that pipes won't be a replacement for cigarettes. And if you're accustomed to say, having a 5 min smoke break every 2 hours at work for example, well 5 minutes a pop on a pipe is definitely not going to replace 5 min on a cigarette. So I wouldn't use the argument that pipe smoking is cheaper than cigarettes, they don't provide the same thing.
It might ease the craving a little, but won't stop it. I get the 21 mg patches for long flights and long airport sitting in any airport without a fishbowl (which is most of them). First thing when I get outside the final airport? Rip the patch off and light up a cigarette. I would imagine pipes the same. I looked it up before, but the "average" pipe bowl (in amount of tobacco and strength of tobacco) will deliver 0.4 mg nicotine over a 45 minute span and cigarettes will give you 1 mg over a 5 minute span.
I wouldn't say pipes are an alternative to cigarettes in that regard. Not saying you can't switch, just that pipes won't be a replacement for cigarettes. And if you're accustomed to say, having a 5 min smoke break every 2 hours at work for example, well 5 minutes a pop on a pipe is definitely not going to replace 5 min on a cigarette. So I wouldn't use the argument that pipe smoking is cheaper than cigarettes, they don't provide the same thing.
To start in 2023 in this world of tobacco, it is already a little late. Prohibition of tobacco circulation, ridiculously exorbitant prices, because of taxes. In addition to health factors, and how the new generations, a certain sector of society, look down on this ancient tradition. No, I would not encourage anyone to start this. I started with pipe tobacco just a few years before all these problems with choosing and buying good tobacco started. Now it's absurd. And by that I mean at the European level.
Allow me to argue a bit.we've still got plenty of fine tobacco blends in the Europe,(Especially ij the UK, Germany, Denmark) and as far as prices go+ Retailing prices for most of tobacco products in Spain are only a mere fraction of those what we are seeing in England or Scandinavian countries.
Would I recommend picking up a pipe for younger folks? If he smokes already why not?Yet I'd be happy to serve him a mentor to get him accustomed to this fine art of smoking,nontheless in 90% of cases this might be a faiedl effort since young men do seldom have enough time or willingness to concentrate themselves into this., pipe smoking while most satisficing way of enjoying tobacco takes time and learning curve,in all probability most often after attempting pipes they'd tell me they got burned them tongues something bad yet that pipe tobacco started to taste like a shit
I understand my friend Paul. But I have had my mortgage raised three times, in a short time. The cost of living goes up, salaries are frozen, even in summer hahahaha. Here in Spain the most affordable are aromatics. But quality virginia, mixtures of mythical brands, which I do not want to give away, is already the 50-gram can at 25 or even 30 euros. If that young man, invests in tobacco, lucky to be able to afford this "whim".
Hey, now! I fit that derogatory stereotype except for the "think it would be a great accessory" part.
In fact, I grew my first beard the same time I picked up my first pipe.
I have never encouraged a non-smoker to try a pipe. I have introduced cigar smokers to pipe smoking.