Being a College Student and smoking pipe, problems and fears

[cherrymax]

Just do what you do. You'll find that they're are others around who smoke pipes or cigars too, and felt the same way till they saw you. Break the ice and run with it.

[eyesack]

Yeah man, hang out at your local B&M's if they allow pipe smoking! I've realized that they're great places to find company to smoke with.

[rrb]

Really, what are you worried about?
You do enjoy your pipe, right? So what's the problem?
If someone doesn't like it, they can always go away and you'll still enjoy the pipe.
And if someone thinks you're a nerd, that's their problem, not yours.

I stopped worrying what non-smokers feel about when I smoke eversynce they passed the new tobacco law in European countries.
If I'm in a smoking allowed place and someone complains, I simply tell them to fuc* off and let them go to a non smoking place. I'm in my right to smoke!
So I got pretty arrogant about it and I do use my right to smoke where and when I can. If someone hates it, so they move to another place where smoking is forbidden. Not my problem.

[Mad Hatter]

Smoke as you like. You'll get used to it and so will they.

[Vrbas]

I'm a senior at Auburn and i take the "you're just jealous you can't kick your cigaret problem and enjoy a pipe like me, so you can just shove it" approach for those that give me the funny or ostracizing looks... typical college demeanor

[Commander Quan]

Sit out and smoke naked, people will leave you alone.

[uli2000]

I kinda know how you feel. I usually only smoke at work. People assume that because you are under the age of 40 and smoking a pipe you dont have tobacco in there. Ive gotten alot of wierd looks from coworkers, but no one has assumed anything as far as I know.

[FrayAdjacent]

Originally Posted by uli2000

I kinda know how you feel. I usually only smoke at work. People assume that because you are under the age of 40 and smoking a pipe you dont have tobacco in there. Ive gotten alot of wierd looks from coworkers, but no one has assumed anything as far as I know.

I'm about to turn 33, and have a couple younger coworkers who have smoked pipes longer than I have.

[Mister Moo]

OK - here's the straight skinny. I see UNC and NC State undergrads smoking pipes at the coffee joints and, having studied them on both micro- and macro levels, I gotta agree with you - they look pretty dorky. Many of them are not at all comfortable around people and appear to to be lacking basic social skills.

Problem 1: their pipes are too shiney; they look like they just came from the Tinderbox at the mall. Shiney pipes call attention to themselves. They work well for older guys but don't seem to for younger guys. Get a worn looking pipe and forget about waxing it for a few years.

Problem 2: some actually are dorky - Computer Science or Evolutionary Biology majors I'd guess. A pipe doesn't help. They're already ill-at-ease with themselves long before someone starts staring them and their Dr. Grabows down. Overcome the impression of dorkiness (or genuine dorkiness) by hanging around with girls who don't mind the pipe smoke. Listen to their advice on social skills and wardrobe selection on a budget. Comfortable girls make for comfortable guys.

Problem 3: they overdress and over-present for the event. Guys are hanging around in mismatched slacks and botton-down shirts while smoking their pipes at the front table or in a main thoroughfare. Dress in darker earth-toned knits - blend in. Work the corners and the edges of public places; avoid full frontal presentation to the general public. Don't make smoking your pipe into a public statement or a show.

Problem 4: they fumble and over-handle their pipes a lot, lending credence to the supposition they are either new pipe dorks or doing a show of pretentiousness or both. Since we covered the show in item #3 (above) work on your handling methodology, and filling- and lighting technique to create a calming aire of security, self-assuredness, comfort-projection, and serenity with a slight meditative disconnect.

Hope this is helpful.

Alternatively, forget all of above and drool over to Edwards Pipe Shop and smoke in a big cushy chair in the back lounge. They are very sympathetic to anyone who buys their tobacco or pipes and wants to smoke on-premises. Great place to work on technique and study the moves of the experts at the same time. Take a book; study.

[indigosmoke]

This guy looks pretty cool. You might want look out for him at the campus library.

[JaxPiper]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

OK - here's the straight skinny. I see UNC and NC State undergrads smoking pipes at the coffee joints and, having studied them on both micro- and macro levels, I gotta agree with you - they look pretty dorky. Many of them are not at all comfortable around people and appear to to be lacking basic social skills.

Problem 1: their pipes are too shiney; they look like they just came from the Tinderbox at the mall. Shiney pipes call attention to themselves. They work well for older guys but don't seem to for younger guys. Get a worn looking pipe and forget about waxing it for a few years.

Problem 2: some actually are dorky - Computer Science or Evolutionary Biology majors I'd guess. A pipe doesn't help. They're already ill-at-ease with themselves long before someone starts staring them and their Dr. Grabows down. Overcome the impression of dorkiness (or genuine dorkiness) by hanging around with girls who don't mind the pipe smoke. Listen to their advice on social skills and wardrobe selection on a budget. Comfortable girls make for comfortable guys.

Problem 3: they overdress and over-present for the event. Guys are hanging around in mismatched slacks and botton-down shirts while smoking their pipes at the front table or in a main thoroughfare. Dress in darker earth-toned knits - blend in. Work the corners and the edges of public places; avoid full frontal presentation to the general public. Don't make smoking your pipe into a public statement or a show.

Problem 4: they fumble and over-handle their pipes a lot, lending credence to the supposition they are either new pipe dorks or doing a show of pretentiousness or both. Since we covered the show in item #3 (above) work on your handling methodology, and filling- and lighting technique to create a calming aire of security, self-assuredness, comfort-projection, and serenity with a slight meditative disconnect.

Hope this is helpful.

Alternatively, forget all of above and drool over to Edwards Pipe Shop and smoke in a big cushy chair in the back lounge. They are very sympathetic to anyone who buys their tobacco or pipes and wants to smoke on-premises. Great place to work on technique and study the moves of the experts at the same time. Take a book; study.

Great tips!

[garydh2000]

I think that it is totally natural for you to feel self-conscious smoking a pipe. I am middle-aged and have been smoking a pipe for maybe 6-8 months. Sometimes I still feel a bit of an oddity smoking my pipes, heck even my kids think it's weird. But the pleasure and relaxation greatly surpasses my own awkwardness with the pipe.

Having had no pipe club in my area, I started one. We meet monthly at a local tobacconist and have loads of fun. And the age mix is amazing, from early 20's to 70's. Maybe you could start a pipe club on campus? Most colleges you only need 10-signatures to start a club. And definitely check out your local pipe and tobacco shop. You can mingle with like-minded folks.

[MarkC]

Originally Posted by indigosmoke

This guy looks pretty cool. You might want look out for him at the campus library.

Ah. One of my fellow liberal arts majors...

[MarkC]

Originally Posted by garydh2000

I think that it is totally natural for you to feel self-conscious smoking a pipe. I am middle-aged and have been smoking a pipe for maybe 6-8 months. Sometimes I still feel a bit of an oddity smoking my pipes, heck even my kids think it's weird. But the pleasure and relaxation greatly surpasses my own awkwardness with the pipe.

I returned to the pipe back in March, and I can relate. It does feel a bit odd at first in public. But as you say, it's worth working through. One thing I'd say, if you're worried about people thinking you're being pretentious, grab a cob. It's hard to look pretentious with a cob in your mouth...

[JaxPiper]

Originally Posted by garydh2000

I think that it is totally natural for you to feel self-conscious smoking a pipe. I am middle-aged and have been smoking a pipe for maybe 6-8 months. Sometimes I still feel a bit of an oddity smoking my pipes, heck even my kids think it's weird. But the pleasure and relaxation greatly surpasses my own awkwardness with the pipe.

Having had no pipe club in my area, I started one. We meet monthly at a local tobacconist and have loads of fun. And the age mix is amazing, from early 20's to 70's. Maybe you could start a pipe club on campus? Most colleges you only need 10-signatures to start a club. And definitely check out your local pipe and tobacco shop. You can mingle with like-minded folks.

Ah that sounds like alot of fun! Maybe I'll consider starting a club.