People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

I'm not sure how to word it. I'm 22, been smoking for about 1.5 years, give or take. At work today a guy was wearing a CAO New Era hat, and I was like, "That's a nice hat Man." He just looked at me and said, "It's a Cigar son..."
I said, "I know, I like their Italia, and their Brazilia. Their America is really nice too, but not worth the price." After saying that, his demeanor changed.

I get that a lot though. I'll go into a Cigar Store, and people tell me where the Hookah **** is, because I'm young. How ignorant.

Is this just me?

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

Yea when they point to the Hookah's I just kinda look where they're pointing, smile, and ask where the Cigars are.

Oh well :)

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

Imagine being old like me, and they point out the bong section.

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

That sounds ignorant to me. Store clerks should give every customer, regardless of age, an equal service and take genuine interest in what the customer is looking for. If you are somewhat of a professional you know that since the customer will return this way. If you are not feeling comfortable because of the clerk's attitude, you might want to try another tobacconist where you are taken seriously from the get go, first time walking into the store.

My experience, first time walking into City Cigars in Vancouver as a beginner, was excellent. They greeted me and gave me a short introduction to their store outlay as they haven't seen me there before. Then they asked whether I would fancy a cup of coffee or thee while I was looking. They helped me choosing cigars and respected my choice of price point ... not very high back then because of my experience level, but they understood and supported that. Also, did they ask whether I had a humidor already. When I said yes, obviously not from their store, they handed me their humidor seasoning and maintenance/trouble shooting guide and told me they give all their humidor purchasing customers one. When I was about to leave, they included a cute little cigar journal to keep track of cigars I had smoked and whether I liked them, for future purchases. On request, they can keep a database for you for quick referencing next time you are in their store.

I left the store satisfied, with lots of useful information, a hand full of cigars, a journal and a humidor guide to set me up properly. This shows me that the owner and merchants care. They want to keep you as a customer. No pushing, no assumptions ... just genuine care for you and consequently their business.

This is just to show how your experience can be ... I would consider checking out another store.

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

A view from someone who spent a decade in retail sales.

Once you've been in the trade for a few years, you can peg most anyone who walks into the store. My guess is that for each 22 YO cigar smoker, there are 99 22 year old Hookah smokers.

Is it "right?" No. But I understand where the retailer is coming from. He enjoys cigars and sells hookah stuff to the youngsters because it is a necessary evil of staying in business. Underneath, he is annoyed at the very thought of selling it because he would love to talk cigars all day.

Trust me. Once you get to know him, you will be one of his favorite customers because he knows you "break the rules." I will go so far as to say he'll treat you like a king.

:2

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

It will happen;s When I first got into cigars I was told by some douchnozzle that I had to be 18 to buy cigars (I was 22 as well) before I even paid or was carded. I politely showed my ID and said "here you go Ahole and put these cigars back". I never went back to that B&M.

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

Someday you will look back and wish people still thought of as the young buck and not the old creepy guy ogling the college co-eds.

That's what Moe always tells me.

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

Just wait until they start asking you if you qualify for the senior discount.

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

Generally people don't respect "kids your age" unless you give them a reason to. Having a "respect me" attitude is not going to give them that reason. Tactfully letting them know that you're not full of crap is a good way to earn that respect. I think you handled the guy well.

The same goes for the cigar shops. Frequent them a couple of times, talk to the guys that work there, and pretty soon you'll be accepted.

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

I sometimes still get this from people, even though I'm 34 and have been smoking cigars since I was 18. Thats ok though, because once I start talking cigars and they realize I'm more knowledgeable than they are, they shut up quickly or I gain their respect.

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

you too!

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

Happens to the best of us :)

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

Being that young it will definitely happen...never really experienced yet being that I am 30 but every now and then when I walk into a shop I get the look from some of the older gentlemen that are sitting around but its very few and far between. Let it roll off your shoulders brother...you clearly know your Cigars and thats all that matters and if you need help thats what CA is for :noon

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

That place wouldn't get my hard earned money. Plenty of other places to spend your cigar fundage.

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

Enough Said :tu

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

I was thinking the same thing!!!:D

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

:r:r:r

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

I'm 23 and look 16 - so I'm in the same boat. Hell - I get carded for R-Rated movies.

Just :sh it off. I encounter it in more places than just a cigar shop. And after going to the cigar shop 3 times I stopped encountering it there. It is one of those problems that there isn't a solution for, I'm afraid. :(

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

They clearly already know you Tom :r

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

The funny reverse of that is working retail at a cigar shop. I did it for several years, from about 22-26 and I occasionally got the reverse treatment from new customers. Generally, my lovable personality and knowledge won them over, but more than a few people questioned me when I started making suggestions and explaining various things.

Snap judgements are useful, but some people let that cloud their own judgement and overuse them.

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

I'm in the same boat. I'm turning 26 and still get carded for smokes. The positives are when you're 40, you're gonna look 25 :)

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

I always had fun when I was working for a fairly high end cigar shop and I had these ignorant old farts coming in thinking they knew their sh*t and I'm just some useless kid that knew how to work a register.....

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

See, that's just funny ... but you were able to give that service the store needs.

I also really don't think that a customer has to earn respect from the more knowledgeable as suggested earlier on in the comments. That would result in a youngster starting out never to know more about cigars because he/she is young and doesn't get the respect. The reverse of a customer questioning the retailer ... well, those are the cocky customers every merchant gets so once in a while.

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

I thought that they would send you over to me in the walker section.:D

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

I am not creepy, I am discrete.:r

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

IMO being a dick in return isn't called for and just makes you look immature. We all get carded, talked to like we know nothing and watched like a hawk in the walk in, it just comes with the territory. I think once they figure out your aren't looking for the phillies to make a blunt wrap or something to commemorate your first pube, their attitude will be entirely different. :2

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

I never had a problem with people talking down to me :sh

Some ironic situations here and there....but that's really about it.

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

Douchenozzle...best word in the English language, so many uses :tu :lr

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

What a great word, Squid! :tu

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

As someone who works at a B&M I can see where its coming from, but I'd never do that to someone. Typically after a few months you can pick out who is going to buy what based on age, gender, and even how the dress. If I see someone younger in age go into the humidor dressed in say a fitted cap and pants half way down their ass I'll be watching them like a hawk, but were I to see that same person come in in a somewhat presentable attire(ie, khakis, polo, etc.) they'll have a lot more leeway and won't have me in the humidor with them the moment the step in. That said, if I see the guy with pants halfway down his ass come straight to the counter for some cigarettes or go look at the zippos I won't be so sketched out.

On the other hand, it is fun to see the reactions of people when I(a 20 yearold) can give you a rundown of strength and flavors of any cigar in the humidor.

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

Moe is wise, Aqualung.

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

my thought is that if I owned a shop, and 99% of the clientele of a certain demographic buy X item, Im going to recommend X to that demographic. its not a slam to the few people in that group that want Y product, its simply called good business. now if you come in and let me know that you want Y product instead of X, then I hopefully would remember this the next time you come in.

now if the shop owner is just rude about it, then I have no reason to put up with that. I went into a shop in Las Cruces New Mexico and the owner was just rude to me. Everytime I asked about a certain stick he would act like I was an inconviance and not want to stop watching his little TV long enough to help me. He finally drove me out when he said that a young guy like me would be better buying some of the flavored cigars from 7-11. Needless to say i never came back there.

Found a different shop and every time I went in there and asked about a stick this guy would tell me a bit about it, he remembered sticks that I had already bought and would tell me how the one in question differed or compared to them, and would make recommendations. Some sticks that I asked about he would just tell me straight up that i probably wouldn't like them. To me, this makes for a great customer experience, and of course ended up me spending WAY to much money in there.... But i spent it happily.

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

I'm not sure there is a demographic for cigar sales. I've seen young kids buy Padrons and I've seen them buy CAO's. I've seen middle aged people by ACIDS and then some buy expensive non-flavored cigars.

I don't believe there is any correlation with age and what brand or type of cigar they like.

I tend not to make any prejudgments. Sometimes the 18-19 year old kids will really surprise you. Other times they might waste your time. Same with people of any age.

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

+1( on the other hand I have seen video on youtube of a middle-aged couple absolutely cleaning out a B&M (This one)) I guess you just can't trust anyone these days.

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Wow, I'm 53. It must be great to be 25 and know everything :)

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

I witnessed this first hand when I started smoking. Im 22 now and things have changed drastically. Usually if you wait it out, people will warm up eventually.

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

I never said I knew everything haha

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

Let me tell you, its awesome! :r

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

I was not 22 when I started smoking cigars. But being a female it was always interesting to see the reaction when I came into the shop. I dont like low end flavored cigars, and when I started they still thought that was all women smoked. That has changed. It will change for you too.

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

Don't take offense--I'd say enjoy it, but that won't happen until you're in your 40s. :lr

A couple weeks ago I was carded buying beer, and then later that day, a cashier at Hallmark asked me if I wanted the "55 and Older" discount. :sh

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

What i love is when i get to a new Unit. I first try to find guys who like to burn the stick. Well every time i meet a new guy he has to to grill me. Its like they are tiring to keep me out of the "Smokers Club".

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

Not really, but I somewhat feel that way when I walk into the humidor at the liquor store and there's a couple older guys in there. I'm 24.

I haven't been to any B&M's yet, kind of for that reason.

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I'll be honest, I remember blinking when I met you the first time Alex, but you're a great guy! We need to get up sometime soon brotha!:tu

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

All the time; they don't expect much from this old fart, but I keep surprising 'em!

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

That's cold.

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

This is ripe for a midget joke.

Must resist. At least for a short time.