As a new guy (fall before last) I was keenly interested in refurbishing and enjoying my father’s collection. I found the forum (as I tend to do with any hobby, competition, tools, vehicles, etc).
Using the experience of others with experience fast-tracked my efforts, but seeing what others smoke and why (both pipes and tobaccos) helped me find “my groove” in enjoying myself.
Interestingly, of the dozen or so pipes I pre-inherited only a couple actually fit what I’ve found that I like in a pipe. My technique, and tastes have quickly became my own, and I never would have come to the level I’m at on my own.
I’m still learning, but I also know what it’s like to be a seasoned veteran in online communities at a given application and annoyed by repetitive newbie/redundant topics.
It is growth for me to learn tolerance, remember no one was born knowing and experienced at everything, and try to share enough of my journey to help the next guy coming up the hill.
I like the ability to “get to know” people to find similarities, differences, who knows their shiite, and who just regurgitates what they’ve read. I’m constantly judging every I interact with, not out of mean spirit, but out of a desire to guage who has what I want (or aspire to be).
Without the foibles of humans showing their true selves once in a while, one could be mislead into thinking that everyone that says something actually has something to say.
For those that I’ve interacted with, thanks for sharing. There are no bad examples, just the onus on me to decide if an example is what I want to be like, or a great example of what I don’t.
Of course, YMMV and what I do may not be what you should do.