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Age skew of pipe smokers?
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Stephen Thomas Cole
Apr 4, 2013, 7:31:33 AM4/4/13
to
Hello asp.
I'm guessing that the age skew for smoking a pipe biases heavily towards
middle-aged and beyond, would you say that's fair? Reason I ask is that
I'm 32, and I'm getting some strange looks when smoking my pipe in public!
The general impression I'm getting of people is that they're surprised to
see me smoking it.
I am currently sporting quite a wild beard, so I guess I do look a bit
quaint loping around with a pipe jutting out of my mouth!
--
-------------------
Stephen Thomas Cole
Remove the obvious to send e-mail: REMOVEste...@REMOVEgmail.com
-------------------
I'm guessing that the age skew for smoking a pipe biases heavily towards
middle-aged and beyond, would you say that's fair? Reason I ask is that
I'm 32, and I'm getting some strange looks when smoking my pipe in public!
The general impression I'm getting of people is that they're surprised to
see me smoking it.
I am currently sporting quite a wild beard, so I guess I do look a bit
quaint loping around with a pipe jutting out of my mouth!
--
-------------------
Stephen Thomas Cole
Remove the obvious to send e-mail: REMOVEste...@REMOVEgmail.com
-------------------
Captain Pegleg
Apr 4, 2013, 8:21:56 AM4/4/13
to
Greetings Stephen!
Certainly times have changed there as well as everywhere! There was
a time that anyone with a pipe was barely noticed and someone who was
32 smoking a pipe was the norm, with many lads picking up the pipe in
University and
carrying that with them for life. The common man as well as the
aristocrat all shared this persuit.
The culture everywhere has changed significantly regarding smoking
in general, and the interest in pipesmoking did lessen as cigarettes
became the norm. As new pipesmokers were entering the hobby at a lower
rate, those of us who continued to smoke a pipe aged and the "older
pipesmoker" image was born. There has been increased interest in pipes
in the last 10 years or so, but the places one could smoke that pipe
and be seen by the general public, becoming a "commonplace" occurence
have diminished with new legislation everywhere on the globe
demonizing tobacco use of any type. Therefore, the concept and
perception of the 'Old Pipesmoker" has no visual challenges to it and
the mindset remains the same for the general public. Here in the
States there are those places where your walk to the market smoking a
pipe is against the law I'm almost certain (though I do not live in
such an area). Most places are simply vehemently against any use of
tobacco at all.
I remember being in England and enjoying myself with other like
minded individuals in the pubs, drinking the Queens Jubilee Ale at the
Rose and Crown (and lots of other fine ales and pubs) while smoking a
pipe and I was not alone. The idea that one cannot go to a pub and
smoke ones' pipe is abhorrent to me, and I assume to many others like
myself. Times change.
All that said, it sounds like you enjoyed a lovely trot to market
and had a good smoke. Being seen smoking your pipe may offend some,
puzzle others, even remind some of a pipe smoker they knew. Whatever
the case, as long as it's legal to do so I applaud your resolve to
enjoy your pipe wherever you find it appropriate, and wish you a
lifetime of pleasant experience.
All that said and done, yes, at least I am middle aged...or beyond!
Randy
On Apr 4, 7:31 am, REMOVEsteve.t.c...@REMOVEgmail.com (Stephen Thomas
> Remove the obvious to send e-mail: REMOVEsteve.t.c...@REMOVEgmail.com
> -------------------
Certainly times have changed there as well as everywhere! There was
a time that anyone with a pipe was barely noticed and someone who was
32 smoking a pipe was the norm, with many lads picking up the pipe in
University and
carrying that with them for life. The common man as well as the
aristocrat all shared this persuit.
The culture everywhere has changed significantly regarding smoking
in general, and the interest in pipesmoking did lessen as cigarettes
became the norm. As new pipesmokers were entering the hobby at a lower
rate, those of us who continued to smoke a pipe aged and the "older
pipesmoker" image was born. There has been increased interest in pipes
in the last 10 years or so, but the places one could smoke that pipe
and be seen by the general public, becoming a "commonplace" occurence
have diminished with new legislation everywhere on the globe
demonizing tobacco use of any type. Therefore, the concept and
perception of the 'Old Pipesmoker" has no visual challenges to it and
the mindset remains the same for the general public. Here in the
States there are those places where your walk to the market smoking a
pipe is against the law I'm almost certain (though I do not live in
such an area). Most places are simply vehemently against any use of
tobacco at all.
I remember being in England and enjoying myself with other like
minded individuals in the pubs, drinking the Queens Jubilee Ale at the
Rose and Crown (and lots of other fine ales and pubs) while smoking a
pipe and I was not alone. The idea that one cannot go to a pub and
smoke ones' pipe is abhorrent to me, and I assume to many others like
myself. Times change.
All that said, it sounds like you enjoyed a lovely trot to market
and had a good smoke. Being seen smoking your pipe may offend some,
puzzle others, even remind some of a pipe smoker they knew. Whatever
the case, as long as it's legal to do so I applaud your resolve to
enjoy your pipe wherever you find it appropriate, and wish you a
lifetime of pleasant experience.
All that said and done, yes, at least I am middle aged...or beyond!
Randy
On Apr 4, 7:31 am, REMOVEsteve.t.c...@REMOVEgmail.com (Stephen Thomas
> -------------------
inf...@mindspring.com
Apr 4, 2013, 9:11:04 AM4/4/13
to
On Thu, 4 Apr 2013 05:21:56 -0700 (PDT), Captain Pegleg
<capta...@aol.com> wrote:
> All that said and done, yes, at least I am middle aged...or beyond!
> Randy
>
I too am middle aged. Assuming, of course, that I live to 130 or so.
<capta...@aol.com> wrote:
> All that said and done, yes, at least I am middle aged...or beyond!
> Randy
>
Dick
Ed Duncan
Apr 4, 2013, 9:22:23 AM4/4/13
to
What I enjoy most is to be walking around Main St (sometimes with the IrishSetter, sometimes with neighbor's 175lb Newfoundland), with an EMPTY pipe in my mouth, doing the fake puffing & looking for idiots fannning the air & coffing as I approach. If stopped, I'll show them the EMPTY pipe & enjoy the reaction. When at the end of the stroll, will cross the street, load the pipe, light it & walk back home. Have been known to do the same thing with an UNLIT cigar, still in the cello wrap.
Ed Duncan, Batavia, NY
(happily retired old fart at 72)
Jim Beard
Apr 4, 2013, 9:52:10 AM4/4/13
to
On 04/04/2013 07:31 AM, Stephen Thomas Cole wrote:
> Hello asp.
>
> I'm guessing that the age skew for smoking a pipe biases heavily towards
> middle-aged and beyond, would you say that's fair?
There was a time (long ago, before briar became the material of
> Hello asp.
>
> I'm guessing that the age skew for smoking a pipe biases heavily towards
> middle-aged and beyond, would you say that's fair?
choice for a pipe in the mid-late 1800s) when departure for
University(1) was the normal occasion to start "coloring a
meerschaum." Sadly, even among those who experiment with tobacco
in their university days, pipes currently are usually not the
choice of methodology.
(1) University: n. A fountain of knowledge, where students go to
drink.
Cheers!
jim b.
--
UNIX is not user unfriendly; it merely
expects users to be computer-friendly.
Captain Pegleg
Apr 4, 2013, 11:32:27 AM4/4/13
to
reminder of just how much things do indeed change!
Randy
Adam Taylor
Apr 4, 2013, 1:04:51 PM4/4/13
to
Hey Stephen,
I too am a younger than "norm" pipesmoker.....being 34.....I agree that people do give you and odd look or two...but hey-ho.....I walked to my B&M this afternoon with a big old bent in my mouth puffing away, had a smoke in the shop and just got back.
I enjoy smoking and will continue to do so as long as it remains legal in the UK....and probably long after.
I too am a younger than "norm" pipesmoker.....being 34.....I agree that people do give you and odd look or two...but hey-ho.....I walked to my B&M this afternoon with a big old bent in my mouth puffing away, had a smoke in the shop and just got back.
I enjoy smoking and will continue to do so as long as it remains legal in the UK....and probably long after.
Adam Taylor
Apr 4, 2013, 1:05:37 PM4/4/13
to
Hang on......I'm 35....hehehe
Travis
Apr 4, 2013, 11:37:50 PM4/4/13
to
Good on ya'!
I try to keep my pipe in my mouth when I'm in public, just to remind
the assembled masses that it's still legal. Always smile when I hear
the "my grandpa used to smoke a pipe!"
Travis
I try to keep my pipe in my mouth when I'm in public, just to remind
the assembled masses that it's still legal. Always smile when I hear
the "my grandpa used to smoke a pipe!"
Travis
Bigron
Apr 5, 2013, 12:20:00 AM4/5/13
to
I can't offer any scientific evidence, but from what I see at the Chicago show, there does appear to be more younger (20's and 30's) guys coming around now than when I first started going to the show (about 10 years ago).
random
Apr 5, 2013, 6:21:04 AM4/5/13
to
On 04/04/2013 05:31 AM, Stephen Thomas Cole wrote:
> I'm 32, and I'm getting some strange looks when smoking my pipe in public!
People have nearly stopped being individuals, so anyone doing anything
> I'm 32, and I'm getting some strange looks when smoking my pipe in public!
out of the ordinary gets strange looks. Old people aren't worth
worrying about and as such don't get many looks at all. Taken together
this makes it completely unsurprising that a man of 32 would get strange
looks while smoking a pipe in public. Barstids are probably wondering
if they can have you arrested for non-conformity, or maybe they see you
as a health hazard threatening the perfection of their plasticized lives
as they walk to the market to purchase some horsemeat for dinner.
Jim Beard
Apr 5, 2013, 9:18:44 AM4/5/13
to
On 04/05/2013 06:21 AM, random wrote:
> ... or maybe they see you as a health
you, but it's what you know that ain't so that will really do you
in, big time.
> ... or maybe they see you as a health
> hazard threatening the perfection of their plasticized lives as
> they walk to the market to purchase some horsemeat for dinner.
Contrary to the assumption of many, what you don't know can hurt
> they walk to the market to purchase some horsemeat for dinner.
you, but it's what you know that ain't so that will really do you
in, big time.
Bert Olton
Apr 6, 2013, 11:15:25 PM4/6/13
to
On 04/04/2013 07:31 AM, Stephen Thomas Cole wrote:
> Hello asp.
>
> I'm guessing that the age skew for smoking a pipe biases heavily towards
> middle-aged and beyond, would you say that's fair? Reason I ask is that
> I'm 32, and I'm getting some strange looks when smoking my pipe in public!
> The general impression I'm getting of people is that they're surprised to
> see me smoking it.
>
> I am currently sporting quite a wild beard, so I guess I do look a bit
> quaint loping around with a pipe jutting out of my mouth!
Hello Stephen,
> Hello asp.
>
> I'm guessing that the age skew for smoking a pipe biases heavily towards
> middle-aged and beyond, would you say that's fair? Reason I ask is that
> I'm 32, and I'm getting some strange looks when smoking my pipe in public!
> The general impression I'm getting of people is that they're surprised to
> see me smoking it.
>
> I am currently sporting quite a wild beard, so I guess I do look a bit
> quaint loping around with a pipe jutting out of my mouth!
If you're romping around with "...quite a wild beard", I don't think it
would matter what you were doing - smoking a pipe, playing an accordion,
expounding on quantum physics - people will think you're nuts! <grin>
Therefor, I don't think your evidential observations about any age skew
regarding pipe smoking or the public awareness/reaction to same are
particularly valid.
It is however, a great question.
As a 'meta' aside to this, I'd just like to mention that I've always
gotten a kick out of the fact that most of the founders of what is now
known as the Internet or the WWW were pipe smokers - Bob Taylor, Vint
Cerf and many others. At the time, Taylor was pretty young - Cerf quite
a bit older, but pipes and tobaccos appeared in most of the photos
you'll find of them.
In any case, yeah, I'd say more pipe smokers right now happen to be
middle aged to older folks. However, I think there's a burgeoning
following of younger people who are realizing that not all tobacco
consumption is *EVIL* and that pipe smoking is a reasonable means to
enjoy the addiction of nicotine and partake of the incredible variety of
flavors produced by tobacco blenders.
Best regards,
Bert
--
Si vis pacem, para bellum. Molon Labe. To those who have served or are
serving the cause of freedom, whether in peace or in war, at home or
abroad, thank you. "Let's roll!", Todd Beamer, United Air Lines Flight
93, September 11, 2001.
Mark McKay
Apr 7, 2013, 12:32:44 AM4/7/13
to
Hey Bert...as you know I love ya....but I strongly object to the notion
that pipe smokers use pipes as a delivery system cause the are addicted
to nicotine...and I know you did not mean that....but that is the way
your post looked to me...maybe some are...I don't know....I am NOT...I
only smoke my pipes after dinner...as a pleasure....all other hours I am
so called nicotine free.....:)
that pipe smokers use pipes as a delivery system cause the are addicted
to nicotine...and I know you did not mean that....but that is the way
your post looked to me...maybe some are...I don't know....I am NOT...I
only smoke my pipes after dinner...as a pleasure....all other hours I am
so called nicotine free.....:)
random
Apr 7, 2013, 3:29:11 AM4/7/13
to
On 04/06/2013 10:32 PM, Mark McKay wrote:
> Hey Bert...as you know I love ya....but I strongly object to the notion
> that pipe smokers use pipes as a delivery system cause the are addicted
> to nicotine...and I know you did not mean that....but that is the way
> your post looked to me...
Some people get worried and worked up about this stuff, and others
> Hey Bert...as you know I love ya....but I strongly object to the notion
> that pipe smokers use pipes as a delivery system cause the are addicted
> to nicotine...and I know you did not mean that....but that is the way
> your post looked to me...
don't. Nobody is addiction-free; even those who truly believe they are
addiction-free remain addicted to food and would certainly show physical
withdrawl symptoms if their food was taken away.
> maybe some are...I don't know....I am NOT...I
> only smoke my pipes after dinner...as a pleasure....all other hours I am
> so called nicotine free.....:)
defenses that it's a wonder we can stumble through our days.
John Fury
Apr 13, 2013, 3:03:22 PM4/13/13
to
On Thursday, April 4, 2013 7:31:33 AM UTC-4, Stephen Thomas Cole wrote:
I am 36 and have been smoking a pipe on and off since college. Always get some looks I'm sure, but I generally smoke only in the car and in my smoking lounge, a.k.a. garage man cave in the late evening. I smoke every day and usually about 3-5 bowls per day. I consider myself addicted to the pipe and am proud of it! Glad to see men my age picking up the pastime. Also concur with others who say that the pipe smoking crowd at shows seems to be getting a little younger. I usually attend the Newark (NY) and CORPS shows.
Also, love that gag with the unlighted pipe, Ed!! That's a riot.
Furious
tom clemons
Apr 29, 2013, 7:46:42 PM4/29/13
to
Tom Clemons
ASP 1998
tom clemons
Apr 29, 2013, 7:48:46 PM4/29/13
to
Tom Clemons
ASP Fall 1998
tom clemons
Apr 29, 2013, 8:07:37 PM4/29/13
to
tom clemons
Apr 29, 2013, 8:12:20 PM4/29/13
to
On Thursday, April 4, 2013 7:31:33 AM UTC-4, Stephen Thomas Cole wrote:
I'm an old fart from ASP past.... I've introduced a son and a son-in-law to pipes and smoking over the past 5 or 7 years. They still smoke.
I'm 58 now. Started in '97 - about 16 years ago. white hair (what's left) and a beard. I don't smoke as much as I used to but I see fewer and fewer pipe smokers these days.
When I first started reading ASP there was an 82 year old who posted regularly for a while. I know some posted they were stopping for health reasons.
I smoke only 4-5 pipes a week and sometime go a moth or so without smokiing in the winter. Never smoked in the house. Most of my smoking is on my 70 miute commute home.
Cheers,
Jim Beard
Apr 29, 2013, 9:18:07 PM4/29/13
to
On 04/29/2013 07:46 PM, tom clemons wrote:
> Hi Jim!!!!
>
> Tom Clemons
> ASP 1998
Welcome Back!
> Hi Jim!!!!
>
> Tom Clemons
> ASP 1998
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