This thread touched me. My post may be a confession or admission, or who knows?
I am not a cigarette refugee. Growing up in the fifties, it appeared everybody smoked. It looked to me that the pipe smokers seemed pleased with themselves. Cigar guys had a cloud preceeding their entrance, and the cigarette smokers always had their eyes half-closed to avoid the smoke-eye-burn from the ash-laden butt that vibrated when they spoke. The ciggies appeared a nervous, unhappy bunch. I surmised that the pipe guys knew some secret for serenity, as they appeared well-adjusted and confident. So, pipe-smoking went on my bucket-list.
At age 65, my term-life insurance policy expired. (here's the confessional part) It had a stipulation against smoking. I wasn't going to let an insurance investigation forfeit wifey's payout. That factored with the whacky notion I now "looked-the-part" I gave pipeing a try.
My benefits from it? Foremost, the serenity. There is also a beneficial self-indulgence factor with tobacco selection and procurement. Being more relaxed, I read more. I tend to reminisce more than before; pleasant memories. A puff before meals suppresses appetite just enough to have shrunk the love-handles. Coffee tastes better when accompanied by a puff. I smoke moderately, only outdoors, and don't inhale. Perhaps I am just a dabbler with this. Only ankle-deep, it feels right. I come here to contribute and learn. I rarely argue conflicting opinions, though.........my pipe won't let me.