Don't Talk to Strangers

[FH Finster]

On many occasions walking the streets of Midtown NYC, I'll get a whiff of that thick, rich, sweet smell of a premium hand rolled cigar.

Where's it coming from??? Ah, found him!

"Whatcha smoking buddy??!" He replies, "Rocky Patel"' or "Monte Cristo (NC of course)"

I then find myself, time and again, disinterested in the man's choice and after a very polite and deceptively sincere "Great, enjoy it sir!", move on from further discussion.

Same thing happened on the walk home last night. Several gents were smoking outside their car waiting for the Mumford and Sons concert to begin at WSTC in Forest Hills. They unfortunately, saw the disappointment on my face as I gave them my standard response. I walked away embarrassed and feeling bad for being judgemental of another man's choice.

I've therefore resolved to no longer talk to strangers about their cigars. I'll just take pleasure that there are other BOTL out and about enjoying themselves the same way that I do.

 

[BeardedGuy512]

Too refined in your choice of cigars is what you're getting at? Nothing wrong there. Could always just slow down and take a gander over the bands before speaking up to save yourself some time and embarrassment.

 

[bigbill72]

I'm the same way

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

 

[Jmphotog]

I'm the same way as well I just keep it moving, give them the knod. That is all. Then they ask what I'm smoking and they me a look like I'm smoking smoking something stupid lol meanwhile I'm puffing on a chougi.. Or the other time it was a crowned heads lol. So now just move along.

I guess it comes down to that everyone has their own level and choice of their own cigars. Nothing wrong with it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bondo 440]

I "thumbs up" any smoker I see. Spotting another means one more guy supporting the cause. But that's just in passing.
I was at a reception and walk out for a corona. I run into another cigar guy. I BS with the guy no matter what he's smoking.
So I guess I'm in the "non judgemental" category. But then again, I could easily be the Rocky Patel guy Finster was talking to.

 

[squaresoft]

if thats the case just take a couple sticks outta your travel humi and be like "oh yeah those are pretty good, but try these sometime, they're much better in my opinion". I've definitely had this experience before many times, I like to start conversations with ppl in shops and usually we talk about what were smoking at some point, I won't lie and say I'm not a judgmental cigar elitist to some extent, but I'm good at hiding that with strangers, I just get snobby with you guys lol.

the sad reality really is that most people you see smoking don't care enough about the hobby to really get into it and learn or try out new stuff, they just go into the closest shop and ask the guy there for a recommendation and just buy that. The other more sad reality is that most shop staff will recommend the huge name brands every time.

 

[Old Smokey]

If I strike up any conversation I normally don't ask what they are smoking. I usually comment on how good it smells and say I hope you enjoy your smoke. But it seems Rocky and Gurkha have a pretty good market share in my area and if I am asked what I am smoking, most seem to have never heard of it. I guess you could say I am kinda picky about what I smoke, but am really not concerned about what other are enjoying.

 

[Jmphotog]

I wish I worked part time in a B&M, I would try and steer so many people to other brands and expand there palette


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[squaresoft]

I wish I worked part time in a B&M, I would try and steer so many people to other brands and expand there palette


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

seriously, I know exactly what types of stuff I would recommend to people at all price gaps and how I would explain the flavors and stuff. I've thought about it alot and actually have to stop myself from going up to ppl in shops and blurting out unsolicited opinions/advice lol.

 

[jonesry09]

I rarely ask people at the golf course what exactly they are smoking. Normally I just give the old, "hows the smoke?" and move on. Unless they become friendly and then I'll usually ask.
Not sure if I would be a good or terrible B&M sales person hahaha I think for most new smokers, its hard to pick up any sort of "flavor". At least, it was for me. I pretty much just wanted to know whether something was going to turn me green or not. So now when my friends come over who rarely smoke, I'll throw out a few options and say the strength. I let them decide what flavors it may or may not have.

 

[Yarddog]

If it smells good to my nose, I'm curious and might ask. If it doesn't, I move on. I'm not one of those who believes that a ceegar has to have a fancy name to it or a high zoot ring on it. If ya like it, smoke it. One of my favorite sticks costs me about $2.50, I much prefer it over some of the $20-30 'high zoot' stogies out there. I figger others might feel the same, so I'm never 'disappointed' when I learn that somebody's smoking something that might look down my nose on.

 

[FH Finster]

If it smells good to my nose, I'm curious and might ask. If it doesn't, I move on. I'm not one of those who believes that a ceegar has to have a fancy name to it or a high zoot ring on it. If ya like it, smoke it. One of my favorite sticks costs me about $2.50, I much prefer it over some of the $20-30 'high zoot' stogies out there. I figger others might feel the same, so I'm never 'disappointed' when I learn that somebody's smoking something that might look down my nose on.

To clarify, most of these guys I roll up upon are dudes in the $20 per stick zone. (It's NYC where a $10 stick can be $18 w/sales tax.

If someone said "I'm smoking X and it's great at $2 per stick" that's worth convesatin about.

What's disinteresting (not disappointing) are the common BM influenced purchases. I guess it's more frustrating that walk by time doesn't permit for," Hey have you tried Tatuaje? Give it a shot next time."

 

[memphsdad]

seriously, I know exactly what types of stuff I would recommend to people at all price gaps and how I would explain the flavors and stuff. I've thought about it alot and actually have to stop myself from going up to ppl in shops and blurting out unsolicited opinions/advice lol.

Jake has a cigar for every type of cookie lover

 

[Stogie_Bear]

seriously, I know exactly what types of stuff I would recommend to people at all price gaps and how I would explain the flavors and stuff. I've thought about it alot and actually have to stop myself from going up to ppl in shops and blurting out unsolicited opinions/advice lol.

Trust me. Most don't care. They always go with the devil they know. I've had guys walk around with my suggestions in hand, wait for me to leave, and then put them back. I've also given people freebies of boutique cigars at the same or lower price point as the sticks they are smoking. They claim they LOVED them, but still buy what they always buy.

For most, they appreciate the occasional change in flavors, but they are really just looking for the exact cigar they are used to, because there's no risk and no required focus.

I have (thankfully) converted a few RP/Acid/General/Altadis smokers to more boutique smokes like Warped, CH, high-level Fuente, Palina, etc. and they've never looked back. Few and far between.

That being said.... they are spending money here... so I can't begrudge them their selected smokes. Lol

 

[Daven]

We are all the small slice of this industry who tend to enjoy and appreciate cigars which are blended well. The Average Joe (as some have already mentioned) is just going to smoke they're used to smoking. I tend to keep my cigar advice and discussion to this board or chat. Regardless of the rockets in which we see others smoking, they're supporting my hobby and that's fine by be.

 

[JR Kipling]

Don't know how close you got to the Monty, maybe it was a CC and he didn't want to talk to a stranger about it.

 

[mikedelo_nyc]

I normally give a cigar or pipe smoker the head nod. If I think the guy wouldn't mind a quick chat, I engage him, otherwise, I keep it moving. For me, I don't mind when someone comments about my cigar while I am smoking it. But to be honest, I rather keep it moving as I am smoking to relax and take in the day, and reflect.

 

[CVAC085]

When I'm at my visiting at my local B&M, I always strike conversation with someone at some point. Whether in the walk in humidor or sitting down with a drink in hand.

Out of respect for fellow cigar smokers, of course if we hit it off in conversation, I'll ask what they're smoking and enjoying right now. For an example, I'll just randomly say "Hey have you had a tatuaje or a crowned heads?" If they say no I haven't, I'd recommend ones I've enjoyed that are staples in my personal humi. And suggest to give one a try. I've never got an attitude or nastiness from anyone but sometimes just a polite hint that they want to say they're not interested.

 

[Mikenice81]

If it smells good to my nose, I'm curious and might ask. If it doesn't, I move on. I'm not one of those who believes that a ceegar has to have a fancy name to it or a high zoot ring on it. If ya like it, smoke it. One of my favorite sticks costs me about $2.50, I much prefer it over some of the $20-30 'high zoot' stogies out there. I figger others might feel the same, so I'm never 'disappointed' when I learn that somebody's smoking something that might look down my nose on.

I'm with you on this. The Ramon Bueso Olanacho is one of my favorite smokes of the year and runs $5.50 at full price. I actually prefer it over a lot of high dollar smokes. If it had a Warped or Tatuaje label it would be a $10 stick.

I figure if they're smoking it they must like it. So, that is good enough for me. It is like seeing somebody going to McDonald's when there is a Five Guys next door. We all have our preferences and reasons. As long as they like it, more power to them.