Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

I was just watching an hour-long documentary called The Havana: Cigar Of Connoisseurs (2005). It's a good documentary and it's free if you're an Amazon Prime member. In any case, on the program they interview a number of habanos dignitaries, one of which is Jose Luis Vilallonga. I had to Google him. He was a Spanish aristocrat and bit-part actor who co-starred with Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. He passed in 2007. Anyway, he had this to say about cigars...

"I smoke two cigars a day. One after lunch, and one after dinner. Sometimes when I go out at night I smoke another one. Three altogether. But, I never never smoke when I'm out on the streets. I never smoke driving a car. I smoke, like many other Spanish do, during the bullfight, which is barbaric, because you don't savor the aroma or taste the cigar." He goes on to explain that he smokes at the bullfights simply because it's tradition.

The documentary immediately cuts to a scene in Cuba of a man puffing away while driving a car. The posh sounding narrator says, "Almost everybody smokes cigars here, whatever the time, whatever the place."

Toward the end of the documentary, Vilallonga continues, "The Americans are what I call oblivious smokers. Oblivious smokers, because they smoke in the streets. They smoke when driving a car. They don't have this european sense which is more civilized, really. Smoking a cigar is like taking a break in the day. I sit here and, three-quarters of an hour, an hour, I smoke a cigar."

This got me thinking. I want to know how it is for you. For me, if I didn't smoke on the streets, it would cut my cigar smoking in half. And, as it is, it's difficult for me to make time for a cigar. I don't smoke inside my home either. Perhaps that's part of it. I guess I admire this guy. If I could sit everyday for an hour after lunch and an hour after dinner and smoke in my opulent living room, I suppose I would. So, are you guys like me, or are you guys like Jose?

Re: Are you, like me, an "oblivious smoker"?
 

I can't help but find it ironic that he smokes during a bullfight, but considers Americans less civilized then Europeans.

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

I tend to smoke anywhere but 'walking around on the street'... I smoke cigarettes though.

I find cigars are more for a relaxation time for me - I'll light one up on my porch, camping, fishing, golfing... if I have a long drive in front of me I sometimes will have one... But walking downtown - nope.

Has to be 'the right moment' for me to enjoy.

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

I typically only have time to smoke at home. I prefer to smoke at home anyway as it is all about relaxation for me and forcing myself to slow down and enjoy life.

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

I tried the walk the dog and smoke a cigar while doing it a couple of times and just didn't enjoy it. I do like to just sit and smoke when I have the time to enjoy it. The only exception would be on the golf course as I can drive the cart and smoke at the same time.

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

Yep. 99.9% of the time, my cigar time is "me" time. It's not just the cigar for me (well, SOMETIMES it is). More often than not, it's the de-stressing/relaxing/therapeutic effects that the hour-or-so of reflection time spent smoking that I get the most benefit. Smoking cigars - I think - IMPROVES my overall health. :2

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

I'm with you on that one.


Same here. If I smoke while walking the dog I find I can't focus as much on picking out nuances in the cigar. I can light a cigar, walk the dog, find the cigar boring without much flavor, get back home 15-20 minutes later, sit down on my porch, and suddenly that same cigar has depth of flavor.

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

I smoke in my enclosed court yard with a fire in the evening , on the porch/deck admiring the plants , flowers , my fig trees or in my Billiards room/ Cigar Lounge .

Occasionally at a Cigar lounge Like Jakes or the Havana Garage. It's all about relaxing!


AUSTIN
S.E.Nebraska !

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

The majority of my smoking is done while sitting around relaxing....in my home, at a lounge, at a herf.....but if I am driving anywhere that takes longer than 30 minutes to get to, I am smoking in my truck. Takes the edge off driving for me if there is traffic, and makes it more relaxing/enjoyable in any circumstance.

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

I used to be an oblivious smoker, but these days I'd agree with Vilallonga. A cigar is an event, not a time killer or an accessory.

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

Most of my smoking time is done while sitting around and relaxing. When the weather is nice it's in my back yard and when the weather is bad I will go to one of my local cigar bars or B&M's that have a smoking lounge.

Sometimes I will smoke while playing golf or doing some sort of group outdoor activity. But that is usually if others are smoking so it's more of a social smoke. I find that when I smoke this way I don't get as much out of the cigar, so I try to pick a lower priced cigar that I am familiar with.

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

Guilty as charged...;)

I enjoy a cigar anytime I have an opportunity; sitting on my deck, on the boat fishing, walking the dog, at the archery range, etc. But then again, I've been accused a few times of being a barbarian :banger

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

Agreed.

Back in the early to mid-1980's, I can recall attending Yankees games in the old stadium where the older gents would have no problem lighting up whatever they wanted. While most of the cigars were the "stogie" type, there was one guy who I remember would always wait until the second out in the bottom of the 9th to start his cigar. And he would sit there in the 300-level as the rest of the fans left just smoking the cigar as if that would be his last night and he was going to enjoy it forever.

To this day, I cannot tell you what the name of the cigar was. But I remember it being a wonderfully rich aroma that was, at least to a kid in his early teens, just great.

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

I was once on a business trip that had me in San Fransisco. I proudly walked around smoking the biggest cigar I had. I was not oblivious at all.

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

I smoke to enjoy and relax. In a car, I only do it on my longer trips and when I am alone.

So, to answer the question; No, I am not an oblivious smoker.

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

A stroll in a park with a cigar is a rare pleasure.
Probably soon to be banned.

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

I spoke with the lady in Barcelona who used to sell the meat from the bullfights. Apparently it was tough and quite revolting. Forutnately bullfighting is now banned in Catalonia.

Smoking a cigar is hardly barbaric compared to torturing a creature for entertainment.
Now that's barbaric.

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

Me, I Aqualung. So, no.



Or yes, depending on how one defines it.

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

I accidentally picked the wrong answer in the poll, but I prefer to sit and smoke. I walk fast and take long strides, so I've found that I smoke much faster based on past experiences. Plus I find it harder to monitor the burn when I'm smoking.

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

I usually smoke on my deck and try not to do anything else though I will sometimes read a book. But I only smoke on weekends or when on vacation. So maybe two or three per week. I used to smoke a cigar while doing yard work but now I smoke a pipe if anything.

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

Sure you are. ;) :r

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

Oblivious is pretty much a life style for me.

:D

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

A Spanish aristocrat takes time out of his day to smoke a cigar, relax and enjoy it? Go figure. Not everyone won the sperm & egg lottery and can afforded the luxury of time.

My preference is to smoke in a relaxing environment as I enjoy the chance to savor a cigar and focus on the experience. Some time by the fire pit or on the trail with my dog is optimal, but those opportunities don't present themselves on a daily basis. However, like Tom said, I do smoke when I drive. I look forward to having a cigar on my 45 minute commute home each day. It gives me something to focus on besides the chunk of my life spent cooped up in a vehicle simply driving. I may not enjoy the cigar as much as I do in more relaxed environs, but it adds value to my day & I still enjoy it.

So while I would prefer the genteel lifestyle that would afford me two or more hours of cigar smoking relaxation time each day, I am an oblivious smoker largely by necessity.

Re: Are you, like me, an "oblivious smoker"?
 

agreed, that's why I love to see when the bulls get lose and go up into the stands, or gores the bull fighter.

I usually smoke on my deck, in the mornings when i'm off, and in the evening. I also like to smoke while watching movies at home.

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

We're a busy people, we've got stuff to do:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwxb0a5HYV8

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

Well said

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

Word. :)

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

Seems like I'm with the majority here - I smoke outside, front yard or back, and I'm usually sitting and watching the world go by...sometimes with a book, but more often a cup of coffee and some relative silence.

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

I don't smoke around folks where they might be annoyed.
That said, I'll smoke anywhere so long as I'm not violating directive #1 up there.
Smoking a cigar is always an event to me, but so is every single minute of my life. I don't waste a one.

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

:tpd:

:tu :tu

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

I like relaxing and taking time with it. Watching the world go by my porch.
Sometimes scrolling through this forum.

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

I pretty much smoke in the car (have an ozone machine to tae out the smell), in the yard, and sometimes when out & about shopping. I do keep an eye out though, 'cause if I'm in too much if a public place, I will likely find objectors to my smoke . . . and, well, you know how it gets here in the Socialist Republic of California . . . !

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

amen!

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

Usually the only place I'm smoking is on the course, in the cigar shop, on the boat, or on my deck. So I doubt I'm annoying anyone. Other than my Fiance, that is........:gary

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

When I was in grad school I used to smoke while I walked to work. Now I only smoke when it is me time. So I guess I have changed.

If I am walking alone I can enjoy a cigar, but not as much when I am walking the dog. I tend to smoke fastest and do not enjoy it as much.

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

I used to try and smoke several cigars a day, pretty much if I had to do anything outside (yard work, walk, grilling etc.) However, I slowly realized that I was smoking just to smoke and not really enjoying the experience of having a cigar.

Lately, I've only been having a couple of cigars a week and have been really using that time to just sit back and relax.

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

Not oblivious, I usually plan my smoke and time :tu

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

Here in NYC, and a bunch of other municipalities around the country, it's already been outlawed. Thanks to Michael Bloomberg, smoking has been banned in all NYC parks, beaches, and pedestrian plazas since 2011. :bs

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

I Smoke Occasionally On The Golf Course, But Mostly In The Evening On My Patio To Relax & Wind Down After Work. I Never Smoke In The Car Or While Walking In The Neighborhood.:tu

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

I aspire not to annoy anybody, genuinely. But I live in a very densely populated area and I do all of my smoking outside. So, try as I might, someone is bound to catch a whiff of my cigar. ;s

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

Can his statement be any more Spanish? It's hysterical because he's Spanish - and an aristocrat - daring to sound proper, but failing to realize how ironic and contradictory his statements are...because he's from Spain.

Americans multi-task. Spanish take siestas. Go enjoy your tapas and wake up at 9pm on a weekday. I'll decide what I do with my free time while we continue to bail you out and let you party on my dime with Italy and Greece.

What a joke.

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

That's some funny chit, Marc! :lr

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

I watched this documentary last night VERY GOOD enjoyed it .
I Liked the interview with JFK chief of staffs . He told how Kennedy sent him out to buy 1200 Cuban cigars and when he delivered them JFK got the papers for the embargo out of his desk and signed them .


ha ironic the snooty Ero creep barbaric bull fight fan would call a relaxing drive with a smoke barbaric.

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

I love sitting and relaxing and taking a cigar in and enjoying every detail of it. But sometimes I want a cigar and have stuff to do. So i go both ways on this. I have cheaper cigars that I will pick when I can't sit and relax and others that will only be smoked when I have time to relax and enjoy.

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

I pretty much only smoke in my backyard or in the green belt by our house. On a rare occasion I will smoke on the patio at the bar I am at.

I used to smoke while I Golfed but it just took away from the cigar. My cigar time is for me and the cigar.

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

I'm actually trying to cut back on my cigar smoking, but before I would average 2 a day. Now I'm down to about 5-7 per week, mostly over the weekend. If I'm not smoking on my back patio, I'm usually at the cigar bar, or at the park not far from my work. It's definitely a period of relaxation and letting go of the day's stresses, however I'm never going to be convinced it doesn't carry it's own risks either.

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

Guilty of smoking in the street while walking the dog, but for me and the dog it's a ritual. When he sees me putting on my shoes, a ballcap and go into the den for a cigar, he starts jumping around and wagging his tail because he knows we're heading out. He's a beagle, so he stops to smell something about every 20 feet anyway, so its a slow, leisurely experience. Its a contemplated experience and by no means oblivious. ;)

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

Absolutely agree! :tu
RR

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

The only "me time" I can count on without fail is my half-hour walk home from work. I think that walk deserves a cigar. Simple as that.

Re: Are you an "oblivious smoker"?
 

I smoke while jogging.. Helps me build endurance. lol lol j/k

In any case, I smoke whenever I feel I can take the time to enjoy the pleasures that typically accompany a great cigar.