Oh to be young and in..to cigars

[Robinsond]

I adore cigars. Period. They are a newly found passion of mine and I just can't get enough!

There is one downside though. Whenever I go into a smoke shop, I get treated like a child. Sure, I'm young, but I'm not clueless! Any suggestions to what I can do about this? It does not happen terribly often, but when I go into a shop I've never been to, the staff is much less keen on helping some "immature kid" that just wants to buy some smokes. :closedmou

This may be more of a rant than anything, but I'd like to hear your input.

-Dave

 

[n.olson]

know more than they do. just remember to imagine it form their standpoint. yet another college kid to buy a few and never to be seen again.

their minds will change the more you go in there.

maybe wear some tat gear.

 

[cc jefe]

Dave,

I found this to be a problem for myself a few years ago. The best advice I can give you is; make sure you introduce yourself to whoever is running the store. This can be huge if it is the owner. If he is smoking something you have had, comment on it, tell him you liked it or, that is something you are hunting, and wish to try. Conversation and presence are key. Repeat visits are always a must, unless the b&m is not worth a return visit. Listen to what your fellow botl's are talking about, easy entry to any conversation. The owner and the smokers are there for the same reason you are, to enjoy a smoke and conversation. I hope this helps brother...

 

[Robinsond]

You guys expose some very interesting points I haven't thought about before. How the hell do they know that I'm NOT just another college kid? I've got to set a monthly budget and go in maybe once a week to pick out a particular stick. I also learn a ton by just walking around the humidor and looking at all the different makes and models.

I'll do a Lot more reading on botl too. Try to get ahead of the game...I gotta find somewhere where I can get some tat gear. Maybe a hat or two. LOVE the logo. Thanks for the advice brothers, you've been nothing but helpful to me.

-Dave

 

[daniyal]

When I was in university I found a little B&M owned by a Cuban gentleman who could've cared less the first time I walked in there but as I started to inquire about the sticks and told him the type of cigar I liked he seemed to open up. I picked out a few sticks, he offered me coffee we sat down for a cup of strong Cuban coffee and had a little conversation while puffing on a stick.

Every time I went in after he was recommending sticks I might enjoy and ofcourse the cup of coffee became a norm.

 

[Robinsond]

That's a good point. If I share my knowledge (or what of it that I have), they will be more keen to sharing what they think. I think that's how I was at my B&M at home...very friendly staff, and the man that I always would talk to and ask about was either graduating college, or fresh out because he looked quite young as well. Thanks for that Daniyal

-Dave

 

[Cyrann]

As said above, it has a lot to do about time spent (in the shop), money spent (in the shop), and sadly the general attitude of the employees. Many shops, bend over backwards for the regulars, but leave short the new customers... it should be both.

I fancy myself a "cigar nerd," but have walked into shops that point me towards the ACIDS... purely from an age standpoint. I simply stated that he made a error of massive proportions and walked out the door. I'm sure there are a few brothers that can attest to my humidors/tastes, and pointing me towards the acids was an insult and loss of customer.

I have been and will be again in the same boat my friend, just try to not let it get to you... get your cigar and enjoy it, if you are worried about what they are going to say or do every time you walk in it will take away from your experience.

 

[Jhard1121]

I agree that conversation is a must. Also know the different wrappers and fillers when you talk to a employee. I also suggest having a general knowledge of what cigar you want to purchase when you go in. For example I usually ask for the Cusano 18 maduro or a cigar similar to that one. Being in my 20's myself, I still get this attitude from many smoke shops.

 

[Stew]

I started smoking cigars at 18 (now 22) and definitely can commiserate with you on your experiences. There are two b&m's in my town worth visiting. The one I consider to be the better establishment is run by the owner and maybe one other guy. I often got weird looks, little to no help, suspected of stealing, and very short responses to my questions when I first started going there. However, after regularly attending and making some significant purchases (humidor, a couple boxes) I think they started to take me a little more seriously. Now when I visit this place, they know who I am, often make conversation and generally treat me like a regular. So, my advise to you is to be forward and dont get scared away. Introduce yourself, ask questions, get involved in events or see if they have a news letter you can start receiving...Things along those lines. Anything to show them your in it for the long hall and perhaps they will open up to you.

Or...buy your cigars online :cbig:

Good luck!

 

[Moro]

Well, me being 20 and going to B&Ms for 4 years, I believe one BIG thing is to get to know the staff. Talk with them even if for a little chat. Remember ye'll be treated as grown up as ye behave yerself. Don't brag about yer cigar knowledge (meaning do NOT talk fillers and binders to those who clearly do not know) for no one likes an arrogant. I think that's that, really. Things like asking about cigars like "x" or "y" do help too, though.

 

[WkndSmoker]

The look on the face of the guy that treats you like sh*t, when you walk in and the owner calls you by first name, that is priceless. Was my experience at a shop I frequented in college.

As for my local B&M, when I was totally green in highschool, from day one they treated me as their best customer, never had a bad word against them...aside from the hours!!

Wknd.

 

[Proud Bear]

Happens to all us younger guys. I think it is best to remember that you are a younger guy, and that the vast majority of young smokers (esp cigars, in my experience) do present themselves as ignorant; thus every young person in a shop is treated a certain way.

I get around it by asking questions and by demonstrating through casual conversation that I am not a novice smoker. Talk about cigars you have liked and disliked. Hold to your opinions, because not everyone will share them. Try not to have too many feau-pas. (is that how you spell that??) I enjoy being a regular somewhere so that I only have to go through it once.

Bear

 

[warpedcigars]

I'm 20 and I still get hassled and looked at weird when I walk into a shop, unless its my 2 back home who both of the owners know me and love having me come in.

 

[GreekGodX]

As everyone has already said once you get "known" at a few places it goes away quickly. Knowing a lot about the cigar world and chatting it up with the B&M worker helps get you "in". I've never really had a problem tho, I do look older but unless the owner was an a-hole I have never had issues. Show some confidence and ask questions.

 

[Robinsond]

I appreciate all your advice and comments! It seems that I just need to become a regular, and spark up a conversation with an employee or two. I'm very friendly with the workers at the B&M back home, the kid that works there doesn't look like he's even out of college! Seems though that I'm not the only one with this dilemma if you could even call it that. Just wanted to hear some input! Thanks for posting!

-Dave

 

[Saully]

I appreciate all your advice and comments! It seems that I just need to become a regular, and spark up a conversation with an employee or two. I'm very friendly with the workers at the B&M back home, the kid that works there doesn't look like he's even out of college! Seems though that I'm not the only one with this dilemma if you could even call it that. Just wanted to hear some input! Thanks for posting!

-Dave

By the way, Dave, where are you from? (Before going to school in Albany.) Welcome to the board.

 

[Robinsond]

By the way, Dave, where are you from? (Before going to school in Albany.) Welcome to the board.

My permanent residence is in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Just about 15 minutes west of Philadelphia. My local B&M that I frequented was the Tinder Box International in Haverford, PA

 

[smokemifugotem]

I get it and I am 27...just go into only 1 or 2 shops...grab prems and know more than they do about them. Ask about new releases of LE cigars...they will take you seriously very fast and you will get your street cred indeed!

 

[Robinsond]

I get it and I am 27...just go into only 1 or 2 shops...grab prems and know more than they do about them. Ask about new releases of LE cigars...they will take you seriously very fast and you will get your street cred indeed!

Where do you find out about these new releases? I think I'm a bit behind on my game, or just haven't tapped into the same resources as you guys have. And sorry to be a complete Newb, but what's "LE cigars"?

 

[Phi Delt]

LE = Limited Edition, I believe.