Being a College Student and smoking pipe, problems and fears

[SmokinJohnny]

Of course you need a social life to make it through college. My point was, not to let others influnce how you relax because if you do, it isn't relaxing. By staying focused on course work, you become stable, your fears are eliminated, and everything in your social life falls in place.

[jrpvr6]

this seems to be overly pedantic, i dont think of coursework as the cure all for anything, though it is pretty important nonetheless : ). What you could replace "coursework" with for me would be spirituality and the pursuit of knowledge and a virtuous meaningful life. Thats what makes everything else fall into place for me...

[Jack Straw]

I think college is more about "finding yourself," exploring your horizons and ways of thinking, and maybe about 10% useful knowledge, if you even remember it.

As far as smoking in public, I'm not wary of it anymore. I guess walking around NYC is one thing, because people there seem to have seen everything. If you wear it right (as in, "That's right, I just pulled out a pipe) and at least look like you know what you're doing, I think people actually react positively to it. I've never had anyone make peanut gallery comments, but then again I tend to wear a facial expression that does not invite comment.

[Z.Kramer]

Originally Posted by Jack Straw

I think college is more about "finding yourself," exploring your horizons and ways of thinking, and maybe about 10% useful knowledge, if you even remember it.

As far as smoking in public, I'm not wary of it anymore. I guess walking around NYC is one thing, because people there seem to have seen everything. If you wear it right (as in, "That's right, I just pulled out a pipe) and at least look like you know what you're doing, I think people actually react positively to it. I've never had anyone make peanut gallery comments, but then again I tend to wear a facial expression that does not invite comment.

I live in NYC, and while its true, we really have seen everything, pipe smokers are extremely rare. I think city living caters more to cigarette and cigar smoking. I was once smoking my pipe in Union Square park; I had a couple people compliment me, a barefoot skateboarder ask if I needed pot, and man wearing stereotypical thug attire have a long conversation with me about pipe smoking as he was thinking about taking it up in place of marijuana (which I very much supported), and got a few looks as if I had two heads.

Your mention of facial expression reminds me, I think demeanor has a lot to do with people's reaction too. You definitely have to look like you know what you are doing, and doing it because you like it and not just to be contrary and show-offish.

[ejgarnut]

Heres a useful tip for you. As soon as you spot someone looking at you funny while smoking your pipe, take your index finger and stick it as far as you can up your nose. Leave it there about 30 seconds. This shows them that you arent a pretentious snob, and they will most likely start a friendly conversation with you. Works every time for me. Just dont forget to remove your finger from nose.