I started smoking the pipe about a year ago, when I was 17. I certainly agree with the price argument concerning pipes vs. cigars, but either way us Brits still get screwed through taxes.
Since going to university, whenever other students see me with my pipe, their first reactions are usually to ask why the hell I would smoke a pipe at my age, since it's (apparently) for 80 year olds and Hugh Hefner only... That's usually followed with their summary of me, that is to say that I'm 'pretentious'. I was under the impression that students were supposed to be open-minded and radical. Oh well.
Having said that, I popped into my local B&M with a couple of friends so one of them could pick out a cheap pipe to 'test the waters' and help him off of cigarettes. I've been in the shop before, but I don't think the gentleman behind the counter recognised me. Anyway, he was rather receptive of us lot and our interest in pipes. He gave my friend a brief rundown of what to do and such, and seemed to appreciate our interest in such a stigmatized hobby. It seems the older chaps are happier to see us members of the younger generations contented with a pipe than my peers. I suppose it has to do with accessibility and the 'quick-hit' of the cigarette that my generation seeks; something that the pipe is far from.
Personally, I think it quite suits the image of an English Literature student even if I don't fit the bill of a typical pipe smoker.
