Rant: Cigar Bums

[enlightenedcigar]

This is the sole purpose that I have a mooch-a-dor. A good friend told me about how he has one. Basically, I keep a humidor full of really cheap stuff that I have bought just for this occassion, when someone asks for a cigar I pop open that humidor and say take which ever you would like. It makes them excited that they are getting to pick their own cigar and I don't have to worry about losing money on someone that probably won't even finish the stick! WIN WIN!!!

[CRIMPS]

umm, I guess I don't agree with OP. Sorry

[swh127]

I love giving out cigars to my friends to try. Now most of my friends have similar pallets to myself so what I smoke usually will fit them. However, when I go to paintball events or PSU tailgates, my ammo-box (lined with spanish cedar) always has some innexpensive (good smokes but less than $2 bucks) that I will hand out to the few guys I know will probably only ever smoke half to 1/4 of the cigar before throwing it away.

On the flip side, I have received alot of great cigars over the years from friends and random people I was smoking with. I see it as a sort of cigar karma.

[Noodles]

I only gift what I smoke. There is a group of friend I hangout with that always wants to smoke cigars. They know about my collection. So they kind of expect it. They will smoke whatever I am smoking. Finish or not, that is fine with me.

I've gifted cigars to total strangers I've met in cigar bars. Again, I give them what I am smoking. A few years ago, I met this guy at Casa Fuente in Vegas. he was talking about smoking a Monte #2 during his honeymoon. Proceeded to give him one. His quick one hour smoke turned into a few hours of conversation with me.

I can understand not wanting to waste good cigars though.

[cmitch]

Originally Posted by bonggoy

I only gift what I smoke. There is a group of friend I hangout with that always wants to smoke cigars. They know about my collection. So they kind of expect it. They will smoke whatever I am smoking. Finish or not, that is fine with me.

I've gifted cigars to total strangers I've met in cigar bars. Again, I give them what I am smoking. A few years ago, I met this guy at Casa Fuente in Vegas. he was talking about smoking a Monte #2 during his honeymoon. Proceeded to give him one. His quick one hour smoke turned into a few hours of conversation with me.

I can understand not wanting to waste good cigars though.

That's perfectly understandable. But that guy wasn't a bum, either. I've given away quite a few to strangers. Just not to strangers who ask for them just to ask.

There's a huge difference to gifting sticks to someone, stranger or not, who you think will enjoy it and someone who thinks they're entitled to it because they ask. It's not like you're shaking a 30 cent cigarette out of a pack.

[markem]

Originally Posted by cmitch

That's perfectly understandable. But that guy wasn't a bum, either. I've given away quite a few to strangers. Just not to strangers who ask for them just to ask.

There's a huge difference to gifting sticks to someone, stranger or not, who you think will enjoy it and someone who thinks they're entitled to it because they ask. It's not like you're shaking a 30 cent cigarette out of a pack.

Like many others, I'll give away almost any cigar in my case. I frequently pass around my case (new bling: Hali zero!) and tell people to dive in, whether I know them or not.

Life it too short not to create smiles whenever possible. Repeat moochers, I discourage, but others, who knows, maybe I made their year.

[CigarNut]

Originally Posted by markem

Like many others, I'll give away almost any cigar in my case. I frequently pass around my case (new bling: Hali zero!) and tell people to dive in, whether I know them or not.

Life it too short not to create smiles whenever possible. Repeat moochers, I discourage, but others, who knows, maybe I made their year.

As a repeat moocher wannabe I can attest to this

Actually, Mark is quite generous and has developed a number of friendships by doing this.

[Commander Quan]

Where are you at when people are asking you to try a cigar? And are these friends, acquaintances, or total strangers.

I have no problem sharing with someone I know, but If I've never met you and you walk up and ask me for a free cigar the answer is "No" If they come up and ask me what I'm smoking and they are genuinely interested I'll ask if they want one, but I'm not going to hand them out to freeloaders.

[cmitch]

Originally Posted by Commander Quan

Where are you at when people are asking you to try a cigar? And are these friends, acquaintances, or total strangers.

I have no problem sharing with someone I know, but If I've never met you and you walk up and ask me for a free cigar the answer is "No" If they come up and ask me what I'm smoking and they are genuinely interested I'll ask if they want one, but I'm not going to hand them out to freeloaders.

My brother was sitting out by the pool at his apartment complex and I joined him for a smoke. An acquaintance of his, who I just met, wanted one of my 10th Anniversary Champagne Torpedos. I'm like, "WHAT?"

One example but has happened many times.

I broke down and gave a Romeo y Julieta Reserva real to one of his poolside buddies only to see him lay it down after 10 minutes and light a cigarette and leave.

[CasaDooley]

Originally Posted by cmitch

My brother was sitting out by the pool at his apartment complex and I joined him for a smoke. An acquaintance of his, who I just met, wanted one of my 10th Anniversary Champagne Torpedos. I'm like, "WHAT?"

One example but has happened many times.

I broke down and gave a Romeo y Julieta Reserva real to one of his poolside buddies only to see him lay it down after 10 minutes and light a cigarette and leave.

I think, in these situations , that a polite " I'm sorry, I didn't bring enough to share, but I will try to remember to bring extras next time" would suffice. Then, if you feel so inclined, bring some less expensive "newbie" cigars with you on your next outing. I think it's up to you how you want to respond to someone who asks for a cigar.
Me, I like to share, but I have never had someone I don't know just walk up to me and ask for a cigar, yet.

[kaisersozei]

Originally Posted by cmitch

I broke down and gave a Romeo y Julieta Reserva real to one of his poolside buddies only to see him lay it down after 10 minutes and light a cigarette and leave.

I think the problem is the RyJ Reserva Real. I'm surprised he made it 10 minutes.






j/k

[Mugen910]

Originally Posted by bonggoy

I only gift what I smoke. There is a group of friend I hangout with that always wants to smoke cigars. They know about my collection. So they kind of expect it. They will smoke whatever I am not smoking. Finish or not, that is fine with me.
.

So that's why you gave me that aged Nub at Shack!!! I see where I stand with you.

[Noodles]

Originally Posted by Mugen910

So that's why you gave me that aged Nub at Shack!!! I see where I stand with you.

Only the best for you, Bao.

[Dunkel]

If someone asks me for a cigar they get the cheapest cigar I have with me. If I offer them one it's always quality. Just sayin'

Originally Posted by cmitch

Forget that I paid $7 to $10 for the stick

Originally Posted by cmitch

it kills me to see a good $8 to $10 stick get laid down.

Originally Posted by cmitch

That is why I don't gift cigars except to those who I know will enjoy them.

Think Wayne nailed it on the head here....

Originally Posted by wayner123

Or that the stick they laid down cost a certain amount?

I agree with the Major - I pass sticks out all the time - it isn't about the money - it's about the camaraderie and brotherhood.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by Dunkel

If someone asks me for a cigar they get the cheapest cigar I have with me. If I offer them one it's always quality. Just sayin'

I usually keep a couple of FdOs in the otterbox that stays in my truck. If it's someone that appriciates a good smoke (i.e. my old neighbor) I don't mind sharing a good smoke. If it's someone that is not a regular cigar smoker (i.e. my other neighbor), I have the FdO. That way I can attempt to educate and possibly expand thier horizons. Worst case, I get to see them turn green.

Again, just my . YMWPDG

[Whynot]

What about non chain smoking cigarette smokers that want to have a cigar? I can't tell if you hate moochers or cigarette smokers. If people are curious, I offer one up. I've never had anyone just ask me for a cigar.

[Bageland2000]

Where are you meeting these chain-smoking mooches that are trying to bum cigars from you!? Haha my guess is that they assume that what you have couldn't cost much more than a swisher sweet. Or a Black and Mild! mmmmm

[jitzy]

If a cigarette smoker is asking for one to see if he likes it and lays it down after about 10 min's then maybe that just means he didn't like it. I always give someone one to try if they are willing.

[Superbad]

I have considered buying a box of Berger & Argenti mooches. That way if someone asks for a cigar, if they ask what it is called, they get "a mooch". Maybe they get the message

Actually I give freely of what I have. I was in the cigar bar at the Brown Palace hotel in Denver, the waitress asked what I was smoking as she hadn't seen any illusione before. Asked if she smoked cigars, she said yes and I gave her a Tatuaje stick and an Illusione Epernay. She was very thankful, and the next night told me she enjoyed the Epernay. I was sitting next to some random person, he was smoking a cheap stick, talking cigars and sports. I enjoyed the conversation and gave him my last BOTL small batch I had with me. He was over the moon, and enjoyed it thoroughly. I like turning people onto good cigars. I guess when you ask me for something, it takes away my chance to offer and be the gracious host. I like to be the gracious host. I personally would never ask people for a cigar, or other thing, unless they offered first.