"Cigarmanship"

     Today I've decided to talk a little about "Cigarmanship", it's a term coined by a friend and I have a few points to talk about regarding Cigarmanship. This passion of enjoying premium cigars, is a great passion.  Typically, when one enters the cigar game and has a want to learn about the game, its truly a journey that yields many great times.  With that being said, I'm hoping this post will enlighten those new to the game and those that have been around, but never really had their "boots laced".

      As you may have surmised, the enjoyment of cigars entails quite a few things, ie., selecting the right cigar for yourself, the cutting of the cigar, lighting the cigar, figuring out the characteristics of the cigar, the burn, and so on.  Cigars are meant to be enjoyed, as well as the entire smoking experience.  For me that means as few interruptions as possible, which brings me to the topic at hand, Cigarmanship.  There are a few things you should not engage in when enjoying a cigar amongst fellow enthusiasts.  The one I'm going to speak on today is "using others tools".

     When I'm with others and we're enjoying the experience, there's nothing that can kill the mood and subsequently the smoking experience is when one asks to "borrow" my lighter or cutter.  No, I'm not selfish, but I spend quite a bit of money on my passion and I primarily spend that money on my behalf, not yours.  You should really refrain from asking to use people's tools.  If you are really about getting into this game, invest in your own tools.  Cutters can be purchased for as little as $1.00 and a decent box of matches can be procured for FREE!  Those are the basic tools you need (as well as a cigar) to take part in this experience.  It frustrates the hell out me when I'm sitting back, figuring out the complexity of my cigar, admiring the burn and smoke bellowing from my cigar when I hear the dreaded words "can I borrow.......". 

     Now I understand that there may be a time when you just literally forgot your tools (why, I don't know) but I understand, but when you ask and then the next person asks, now I feel like your damn Butler.  Personally I keep a lighter (filled) and a cutter in my vehicles, so if  should happen to leave the house without them, I have back up.  I never know when I'm going to stop at a shop, a friends house (that gives you permission to smoke), etc., so typically I carry one of my traveldors with cigars loaded and my tools.  That way, I'm sure I'll be ready to get in the "game".  Would you sit on the bench in a football game with not equipment on waiting to get in the game?  Absolutely not, so the same applies with cigars.  I'm not here to support your pleasures, even if your a beautiful, long-legged woman.  I have to pay for my butane to keep my source of "lightation" ready and if you continually are using it, all of a sudden its empty and my experience gets a bit more difficult to enjoy.  And my cutter is precious to me, that's why I purchased it.  Some like to lick their cigars before cutting, and I'm not in the mood to share your saliva, if I allow you to use my cutter.

     So practice some Cigarmanship, and don't ASK!  Get your own, it will make all involved that much happier and we can all enjoy our time with our favorite cigars, and I mean MY favorite cigars not one of mine that you asked for, but that's another blog for another time. Cigarmanship, is an act of respect and should be treated that way. Start practicing and you'll find that you might just be invited to a whole lot more cigar events, and gatherings.  Until next time "CLP" (clip, light and puff)

Long ashes  (___G___________]]]]]~~~