What in the world motivated you to start smoking cigars, anyways???

[MoTheMan]

"I GOT IT"

Started w/ a cheap mm Thompson's during the cigar boom of the 90's.

Kinda' reminded me fo some other green stuff I smoke in college . . . but cleaner, less heavy in the buzz, allowed for a more meditative "experience". centainly better tasting, and I DIDN'T HAVE TO INHALE.
.
.
.
It's been downhill from there.

[357]

My first cigar was given to me when I stood up in a friend's wedding. The father of the bride was handing out NC H. Upmanns. I stuck it in my coat pocket and said thanks. About an hour later the guys from the wedding party started lighting up on the patio of the golf course clubhouse where the reception was being held. I figured what the hell. To my surprise I enjoyed it quite a bit. A couple weeks later I was on vacation and bought some machine made dog rockets from a gas station. While I appreciated the smoke, I knew I was spoiled by having my first be a premium hand made. When I got home I bought a few singles. I bought Romeo y Julietta tubos since I didn't have a humi, and I recognized the name.

I've never smoked cigaretts and I never will. I will however smoke fine cigars for the rest of my life.

[RevSmoke]

Originally Posted by 14holestogie

I started smoking cigarettes at the tender age of 12. About the same time, my step-father was heavily into the fat Swishers. I imagined they were god-awful by the smell, but when I finally gave up the cigarettes in 1986 and was looking for something to stick in my mouth after the first 3 weeks of cold-turkey, I grabbed a pack of Swisher tips and started sucking on them. After about a week of that, I couldn't resist and finally put the flame to one. I know, not the best cigar on the market, but cheap and servicable for one who tends to chew the hell out of the ends. I continue to this day with them as my daily crutch, but when I have some time to kill (bowling, golfing, etc), the Swishers only last 10 minutes. That's where the big sticks started. Thompson's at first, but since then CI mainly.

RevSmoke, being an upstanding God-fearing pastor, you would think would be one to try to save our poor souls from this nasty habit, but au contraire'. My teaming with him on our couples bowling league (where we kicked butt...nothing short of miraculous) has given him ample opportunity to help me rapell down this slope.

I am about to give up the Swishers (at least buying anymore) and look forward to a downward spiral face first into the abyss.

Devil in a blue dress... er... um...

...tempter in a clerical collar??? What?

How dare you blame me???

[BigMak]

They allowed me to ENJOY tobacco. And taste FLAVORS.

Compared to those damn cigarettes, which I didn't enjoy
anymore, made breathing difficult, and only smoked because I was hooked on them.

[JohnVH]

Always liked the smell, people seemed to enjoy them.

Dabbled occasionally with drug store stuff, Schmelpeneks, Dutch treats and the like. Thought a Macanudo Ascot had to be the best cigar in the world.

Saw a picture of Arnold Swartzenager on this magazine called Cigar Afficionado at a Blockbuster Video Store.

Bought that magazine and the endless quest was on.

[basso4735]

It all started about 3 months ago with a single Philly Blunt.....

[ambientboy]

A friend of mine brought me a 3er of Siglo VI for my bday last year. I got hooked and haven't looked back.

[webjunkie]

Friend in Japan tried to get me into cigarettes. Didn't work, so one day after we had way too much to drink he handed me a machine made "Game," which intrigued me. Once back in the states I graduated to Acid cigars, and then finally tried a real cigar and was hooked.

[rizzle]

I can't say that I know. It just kinda happened. Aint that a hell of an answer.

[mike32312]

Started back in 1993 when I got divorced. Was under alot of stress and pressure. A buddy told me I need to relax and gave me a cigar. Enjoyed it so much started going to the local B&M after work everyday became a regular and looked forward to hanging out with the guys and enjoying a good cigar. Been doing it ever since. I'm now the most laid back, easy going, stress free person you will probably ever meet. Courst 4-5 cigars a day has alot to do with it I'm sure. Still haven't taken the plunge down the darkside but leaning more and more every day.

[Bax]

I just started because I need a little hobby that didn't cost too much( Big Mistake), paint ball was costing me 50 bucks a week and I don't want to even think on what I blew on my Camaro. I can enjoy this and it won't take me away from the wife and kids all day.

[docmusolf]

Started smoking cigars 15 years ago when I was living on the coast and mostly living on a boat. A few of my friends introduced me to the extreme pleasure of sitting on your boat out in the ocean watching the sun set. Fell in love with it. Got married sold the boat and droped the cigars. 10 years latter found out that a friend of mine liked cigars and the ritual of toasting the setting of the sun to a good cigar is back on. Now I live on the coast again however it snows where I now live so many nights of toasting the setting sun has been done in a snowmobile suit.

[macjoe53]

It started while working oil spills and other marine disasters while in the Coast Guard. At the end of a long day most of us would kick back with cold beer. Most of the guys smoked cigarettes but a few of the more "salty" ones smoked cigars or pipes. Never got into cigarettes but enjoyed the cigars. Then it went from road trips to poker nights.

A good cigar is a great way to relax.

[rolyat150]

When my best friend turned 18 a couple months after me he suggested we try a cigar. So we got a package of black and milds (gross) and smoked one. I smoked cheap gas station cigars with my friends for the longest time then finally went to the local B&M and tried a "real cigar". It was an Oliva something, and it wasn't very good. But I tried several other types and now enjoy cigars quite a bit. I think I like my pipes a bit better though.

Taylor

[dccraft]

Peer Pressure! Unadulterated Peer Pressure!
thanks

In Michigan it always starts at deer camp around the campfire. Been doing this for a number of years and just recently decided to get educated and understand why I like the one's I like. Now I'm smoking a couple a week.