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The Thoughtful, Intellectual, Pipe Smoking Man

by lanfear63
6 replies
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Back it the sixties in the UK, we used to get brochures through our mailboxes from prospective candidates for local election.

It seems that nearly all of them were pushing that fact that they were pipe smoking men. As if it meant they were thoughtful, knowledgeable and intellectual due to it. It was a thing.

This was before the time that smoking was bad as being confirmed. Pipes being some of the worst, my Grandfather died of stomach cancer caused by pipe smoking, mind you he lived to be 82 but had an unforgettable bronchial cough.

Does anyone remember having memories of that being a thing where you live in the past. Or was it just a "British" thing. Or, was smoking things like cigars a bit of a status symbol
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  • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
    Originally Posted by lanfear63 View Post

    Does anyone remember having memories of that being a thing where you live in the past. Or was it just a "British" thing. Or, was smoking things like cigars a bit of a status symbol
    In our past...Real Men drank whiskey, smoked cigarettes, and ....never exercised other than playing sports.

    It's why, in the 1950s, the average man was 5' 6". The actors playing old men were 50.

    I smoked a pipe when I was maybe 18. I also had a beard.

    Why? Smoking a pipe is a way of hiding. A beard is a way of hiding. Smoking a pipe is a big thing with engineers. Why? It gives a barrier to others. Lighting a pipe is way to avoid talking. It's also a way to look deep in thought.

    It's a mask.

    And...cigars don't generally smell as good as a pipe. But mostly, a pipe gives you something to do with your hands and face, to help you avoid interactions with others.

    It's a prop. Watch old movies where everyone smoked. The lighting of the cigarette, the blowing of smoke, the throwing of the cigarette when you're done...this is all language. Theater.

    Kids smoked cigarettes to look older. Men smoke pipes to look smarter. Men smoked cigars to look tougher.
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    • Profile picture of the author discrat
      Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

      In our past...[I
      I smoked a pipe when I was maybe 18. I also had a beard.

      Why? Smoking a pipe is a way of hiding. A beard is a way of hiding. Smoking a pipe is a big thing with engineers. Why? It gives a barrier to others. Lighting a pipe is way to avoid talking. It's also a way to look deep in thought.

      It's a mask.
      With that devilish face who could blame you
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    • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
      Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

      In our past...Real Men drank whiskey, smoked cigarettes, and ....never exercised other than playing sports.

      It's why, in the 1950s, the average man was 5' 6". The actors playing old men were 50.

      I smoked a pipe when I was maybe 18. I also had a beard.

      Why? Smoking a pipe is a way of hiding. A beard is a way of hiding. Smoking a pipe is a big thing with engineers. Why? It gives a barrier to others. Lighting a pipe is way to avoid talking. It's also a way to look deep in thought.

      It's a mask.

      And...cigars don't generally smell as good as a pipe. But mostly, a pipe gives you something to do with your hands and face, to help you avoid interactions with others.

      It's a prop. Watch old movies where everyone smoked. The lighting of the cigarette, the blowing of smoke, the throwing of the cigarette when you're done...this is all language. Theater.

      Kids smoked cigarettes to look older. Men smoke pipes to look smarter. Men smoked cigars to look tougher.
      "I smoked a pipe when I was maybe 18. I also had a beard"

      You were a Beatnik late to the game. Figures.

      I tried a pipe once, aromatic tobacco, delicious smell. But could I keep that thing alight, nope, ended up running out of breath and had to lie down for 30 minutes.

      So, I suppose that makes you a man, well, a man's man.
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  • Profile picture of the author DWolfe
    Neighbor across the street use to smoke a pipe. When I was growing up. Occasionally my brother and I would go to the house. To watch the NY Rangers hockey game with their son. In he would walk with the pipe to chit chat. The thing that stood out the most besides the smell. He was constantly using the lighter, like a bad addiction.

    He worked for Merck Pharmaceuticals as an Accountant. Maybe he thought that would make him more sophisticated. He passed away awhile back. If he were alive he would be in his mid 90's today.
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    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      Originally Posted by DWolfe View Post

      . He was constantly using the lighter,
      That's part of the ritual.

      Like people that know something about wine...they make a whole production out of drinking a sip of wine. It's like a short play. A way to describe themselves. Like wearing a Rolex watch.

      But a pipe? That's a big thing with introverts. Engineers, copywriters, artists, editors, and accountants.

      Manipulating a pipe and smoking it are ways to interact with others, without actually talking.

      The same with glasses. Taking glasses off and cleaning them when around others is like a little play, done to take off some of the burden of talking to others.

      The pipe, constantly lighting it, fiddling with glasses, are ways to create a barrier. Holding a glass can be the same thing. People feel safer when there is a barrier between you and them. It's why people are far more apt to yell something when they are in a car, than just standing on the sidewalk.

      Humans are fun to watch.
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  • Profile picture of the author Odahh
    Well

    Are we talking about the glorious days when children played outside and used their imaginations. Then started drinking and smoking at 12
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