I'm gonna get emotional for a sec:

I was hanging out at the local shop (as I always do), and it popped in my head this evening. I was looking around the room with the usual Friday crowd, smoking and enjoying great stimulating conversation. I started thinking about how most of these guys were real "big money" people, yet we were all there as one big friendly group. One of the best things about my relatively new "hobby" is that I felt very welcome in that group. No matter what my upbringing or my social status was, I was part of the group. I was accepted, and liked for who I am. It was then that I realized why I love that group, as well as this group of people. We are all one big happy family of cigar smokers.

That is all. Thanks for listening.

I don't know about the happy family bit, but why wouldn't they treat you as an equal? If they didn't that would make them a$$holes and your inferiors.

Be they a$$holes or not, that is our society. It is separated into groups of social class. Our group is an exception to the rule.

I work in a cigar shop and that hasn't been my experience. About the same ratio of A-holes to gentlemen as anywhere else. If your experience has been different, then you're lucky and that's great!

Then I'll consider myself lucky. I've met up with a few herfers that were well above my salary range. And at those herfs, I'm as welcome as the next guy because of our common interest. And by being lucky, I have local guys that are my good friends that I can herf with almost anytime.

And I will agree with jreddoch at the same time because his point of view is different from mine. There's plenty of guys who enjoy a cigar but are not the same mentality as those that peruse the cigar boards, go to cigar specific social outings, or are in the endless search for the perfect smoke.

Good point MM. It may be because I am that rarest of creatures, an introverted cigar smoker that I see it differently. Do most of you consider yourselves introverts or extroverts? I definitely prefer solitude, while it seems most smokers enjoy the company of others.

Some other completely subjective observations about cigar smokers:

Most are generous, at least with their cigars.

Most are very opinionated and freely vent those opinions to the point of being blowhards.

Most (though certainly not all) tend towards political conservativism, even reaction.

Most are fairly tradition minded in their social outlook and habits.

They would much rather discuss sports than books, unless it's a Tom Clancy novel.

Maybe I just noticed these things because most of tham don't apply to me. Agree? Disagree? Other observations?

Hmmm. Dont know JR. Some of those things apply to me. I think most of them don't. Maybe you don't get out enough. Or maybe your expectations color your perceptions. I would enjoy discussing a book with you. While smoking would be a great time to do that. I would like to sit in with Tarheel's group too. There is something about a particular shared experience that brings people together from across the social strata. Military guys know about that. So do athletes. People in a book club might feel the same way. I like to smoke alone just fine. I really savor the taste and try to "feel" the whole experience. But I like to hang out with other smokers too. guys need a little cameraderie form time to time. Women get the same feeling by just talking to each other. Guys have to "do" something. Smoking a cigar is perfect. Some guys will get that. Some won't. The ones who won't never read the misc. board.

I agree with all of you. How's that. Yeah, I'm an introvert but around warm people, I'm as extrovert as the rest of them. You all make good points. It's also easy to spot a spot a fake from across the planet just by being a little observant; maybe that comes with being an introvert. Still water runs deep as they say. I have found these boards something to look forward to because our love of the leaf brings out the best and not so best in all of us, but that's passion for you. And I think, for the most part, we all respect that. I almost always smoke alone on the patio mostly because its in the evening and late and I'm just as tickled pink to enjoy my cigar that way as I am around family and friends.

Great post tar.

I would prefer a social situation to smoke in. Unfortuantely, smoking is a crime in California.

I've found a couple cigar bars that I cannot get to frequently enough. I don't smoke around my kids so they see it. They know I have them but rarely have seen me smoke any.

I tend to be an introvert smoker. I prefer to go out on the patio and enjoy a cup of coffee or a beer and a cigar when the house is empty (rare).

My other smoking spot is when I take a break at work.

I find the company of other cigar smokers similar to any special interest cross section. They are a more generous bunch, when it comes to a drink or a cigar. I tend to give more than I get, but I really enjoy someone discovering a new favorite, given by me.

BTW tarheel, sorry for the threadjacking. I got carried away and really should have started my own thread. Yours got me thinking. Thanks.

tarheel4lyf

i think i speak for the rest of us,

we want to know what your social status is and what kind of upbringing you had. we are a litl more exclusive on the board and we don't need any riff-raff hanging around.

I would like to take this time to invoke my rights under the 5th amendment of the Constitution, as my response to that question might tend to incriminate me.

what are you doing up so late?

tarheel,

Damn, I'm envious. It must be really something to feel that you're part of the group, accepted, liked for you are. I've never experienced any of those things but then I'm a gnarly, ill-mannered grouch.

efm is my long lost father.

It's nice to see a family get back togther.

Barry

...No matter HOW disfunctional we are! [sniff-sniff]

Everybody sing: We-are-fam-i-ly...I-got-all-my-sistas-with-me...[tilts head to right shoulder, then dip slides to the right]

Ok, and an awful lot of brothas, too...you are an awful lot...just look at you!

I'm so ashamed.

I resemble that remark!