The cigar smoker stereotype

[labmonkey]

I would agree that there still is a stereotype here...I am 34 and still get looks when smoking bigger stogies like you have both described, but there is a growing number of younger smokers as I have seen from the clients and staff of my local shops. Of course here in San Antonio, we also have local anti smoking laws that don't allow smoking in establishments that sell food unless they have completely different rooms available for smokers...which a lot of them don't...so really I end up smoking mostly at home or outdoor functions.

I would say here the anti smoking stigma is worse than any stereotypes of cigar smokers as far as interupting my enjoyment of smoking cigars.

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Until I started posting here and the other board I frequent, I always thought the majority of cigars smokers were older men that had money. I quickly found out that most here are around my age (29) and just your average guy or gal not unlike me. Most people have hobbies that they sink thier extra money into, it seems that cigars are just one of those hobbies rather than something you have to be rich to enjoy.

[Paschendale]

heh, I'm only 19 and I smoke cigars. No one else I know my age smokes cigars (alot of cigarette smokers though, which I hate ). I get stares in public when I smoke cigars especially since I smoke larger cigars like Churchills and Double Coronas. But it doesn't matter to me, I don't care what some stranger thinks about my hobby.

[MMAB]

I think the stereotype is still here in the USA but not as strong as it was when I was a kid. When I was a kid you would NEVER see a younger guy smoking a large gauge cigar.

Now, when I visit the shops around here I often see the 18-25 group there buying smokes.

Times change!

[8-5-8]

I still feel uncomfortable lighting up in a restaurant or bar, simply because other people tend to subscribe to that "stinky cigar" stereotype. I'm 23 and still have yet to see anyone within 10 years of my age at the local shop. I like to think of myself as a man of wealth and taste, well maybe taste...

[grand cru no 2]

I still feel uncomfortable lighting up in a restaurant or bar, simply because other people tend to subscribe to that "stinky cigar" stereotype.

I agree with that, though I don't feel uncomfortable. It seems that lots of people, even cigarette smokers, find it rude when someone lights up a cigar in public because of this "stinky cigar" mindset.

Personally, I don't care. I'll go to Starbucks (the evil empire) and fire up Dbl Corona anytime. My position has always been, if cigarette smoking is "acceptable" somewhere, then cigar smoking should be just as "acceptable."

[Kenyth]

Strangely enough, many establishments support this mindset by not allowing pipes and cigars, but allowing cigarettes! How does this work?

At any rate, there's not much to be done about it. Smoking a cigar in an unfreindly environment is counter-productive anyway. The point is to relax, and you can't do that while feeling uncomfortable.

[Roham]

Until I started posting here and the other board I frequent, I always thought the majority of cigars smokers were older men that had money.

They probably are. They just have better things to do then hang out here Or they know as much as they need to know about cigars so coming here for information isn't their idea of fun

[FireFighterUK]

Thanks for the replies guys, some interesting points there. I'm glad I'm not alone in feeling a bit 'weird' when smoking a larger guage cigar in public. My friends are all used to seeing me smoking cigars now, I think they're all kinda intrigued by it. I agree with you, Puff, that its just a hobby that you sink your cash into, It's just a shame many people don't understand the 'collectors' side of cigars as a hobby, and the appreciation of how the cigars are made and different flavour profiles etc.

[cigar no baka]

Until I started posting here and the other board I frequent, I always thought the majority of cigars smokers were older men that had money. I quickly found out that most here are around my age (29) and just your average guy or gal not unlike me. Most people have hobbies that they sink thier extra money into, it seems that cigars are just one of those hobbies rather than something you have to be rich to enjoy.

Agreed, I am 38m not rich but comfortably middle class (and trying to BE rich some day, go stock market!!). This is the only real hobby (or vice) that I sink any money into.