How do you break the news?

[btubes18]

All this talk about whether something is fake or not had me run in to a predicament this past Xmas break.

My wife's father and brother are both huge cigar smokers (they are actually the people that got me into the hobby) and they were super excited to get me a few "cubans" from Jamaica. These cigars were clearly knock-offs to me, but I did not have the heart to tell them. I went ahead and smoked it and to my surprise they tasted fine.

Brings me to the question, how do you break the news to someone? For me it's a pride thing, I think if I tried to tell them they were fake it would end up thinking, "geez this guy is a know-it-all". I think I am just happy with letting them think they are real and continuing to smoke these free "cubans".

 

[Tennessee Dave]

Yep. I wouldn't tell them unless I thought they were getting cheated.

 

[THEMISCHMAN]

I'd let it be unless they travel a lot and will be buying fakes frequently. If so, take them to the internet so they are more informed when they go to purchase again.

 

[tadpole]

i think you did the right thing... smoke it and say nothing. either that or say "im gonna put it in my humi and let it re-acclimate from the travel", and then simply not smoke it.
as @Tennessee Dave said, unless they are about to get cheated (ie havent purchased yet), i wouldnt say anything.
and as hulka said - if they are gonna be traveling often and bringing you lots of fakes, i would simply say "aw man, i wish i didnt smoke those Cuban cigars you gave me - i wanted to compare them to this new site i just found" ... then show them the site that shows real vs fake. hopefully they will learn a thing or two before making more glasstop purchases.

 

[SurpriseMVP]

I would tell them. Show them how to spot a fake. Letting "huge cigar smokers" continue to purchase fakes at probably a premium price isn't the right thing to do. If they are that into cigars a little education would be beneficial. If they smoke a few cigars a year, then I would just let it go.

 

[btubes18]

I would tell them. Show them how to spot a fake. Letting "huge cigar smokers" continue to purchase fakes at probably a premium price isn't the right thing to do. If they are that into cigars a little education would be beneficial. If they smoke a few cigars a year, then I would just let it go.

Ehh, I mean they don't travel much and do not smoke a lot of CCs. Yes, if it were a routine cigar they were buying I would let them know. As huge cigar smokers, I mean quantity wise, they both smoke 2+ a day and generally they are not smoking premium.

 

[Merovius]

All this talk about whether something is fake or not had me run in to a predicament this past Xmas break.

My wife's father and brother are both huge cigar smokers (they are actually the people that got me into the hobby) and they were super excited to get me a few "cubans" from Jamaica. These cigars were clearly knock-offs to me, but I did not have the heart to tell them. I went ahead and smoked it and to my surprise they tasted fine.

Brings me to the question, how do you break the news to someone? For me it's a pride thing, I think if I tried to tell them they were fake it would end up thinking, "geez this guy is a know-it-all". I think I am just happy with letting them think they are real and continuing to smoke these free "cubans".

If it's a one time thing I'd let it slide, especially since it was a gift. I've found some people, even though you might think they could handle it, don't take it very well.

If it's a recurring thing you're doing your friend a disservice by allowing them to be perpetually scammed.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[Merovius]

I wouldn't keep smoking them though.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[CVAC085]

I wouldn't keep smoking them though.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

I'd dissect one if you still have it and see what comes out of it.

 

[Ozark Rambler]

I'd dissect one if you still have it and see what comes out of it.

Yeah I've read some hair raising tales of what people have in found in counterfeit CC's.
String, weeds, dirt clods, drywall, ect.

 

[RevSmoke]

I think honesty is the best policy. Break it to them nicely, but do tell them. Hey, I don't want friends spending $$ carelessly.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

 

[mistaforty]

F*ck that lol
I almost always tell people. I'm surprised at the answers I'm seeing. Coming off as a know it all or an asshole depends on you. Especially if it's someone I know or care about. Every now and then I just don't feel like talking about it and let it slide. but I don't want you to keep smoking them and buying them for you for me or accepting and smoking and buying them from someone else. My close friends that don't smoke know don't bring me Cubans unless it's from an LCDH or duty free. I've spent thousands on counterfeits and once I learned the difference it would be a waste of time and experience to continue or let others continue to support by and smoke counterfeit sticks.

 

[memphsdad]

I'm with @mistaforty on this one. I have no desire to smoke or let anyone I care about smoke fake CCs. If they want to think I'm a know it all, that's fine. Not chancing smoking hair/dirt/nails/plastic/who knows what else.

 

[A Huge Nerd]

Truth, delivered with kindness, is the best way to go in a situation like this.

 

[Isaiah]

I would trade with them for the real deal. Thats how I broke it to a friend who was buying them consistently. People take bad news better when they are getting free cigars!

 

[mistaforty]

The day I was told after posting what I thought were legit cc from a friend with a hookup

To hell with emotions I'm glad I was told

 

[mistaforty]

So I usually just say "that shits fake"

 

[LFOD]

i'd tell them. i value honesty over feelings.

 

[btubes18]

Thanks for all the response...I agree, I would want to be told. But I think relationship, family dynamics, personalities, etc. can play a role in how you approach a situation like this.

 

[HeelBearTow]

If it's a one time thing I'd let it slide, especially since it was a gift. I've found some people, even though you might think they could handle it, don't take it very well.

If it's a recurring thing you're doing your friend a disservice by allowing them to be perpetually scammed.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

I run into this situation with a good friend of mine. He was gifted a few Cohiba's from one of his other friends. When I told him that I was fairly certain they were counterfeit and gave him reasons why I thought that, I could tell the he was a bit upset. He continued to smoke them, but I don't know if he enjoyed them as much as he would have initially. He continues to be gifted these Cohiba's from his friend who apparently travels to Cuba fairly often. I figured he's not paying any money for them, at least he hasn't told me he does, and he's enjoying them so why ruin his experience. Who knows if it's the right thing to do. At times I want to let him know, but I always stop myself. If I knew he was paying money I wouldn't hesitate to let him know. What do you all think?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk