Annoying people

[Fosgate]

I just got back from having a Partagas D4 down at the local cigar bar. I probably no sooner than had it lit and a guy sat down near me asking what I was smoking because he really liked the smell. I told him what it was and he went looking for one in the establishment humidor. Of course they don't carry any Partagas with a red band so the gig was up when he came and sat down. So he asks where I bought it and odd the place doesn't have any red bands Partagas. I just finally tell him it is a CC. "Oh!" he says and perks up and then wrinkles his nose. "I heard those are all hype.". "Probably so." is my response to just move on with other conversation. And this guy just rambles on for the next 15 minutes about how much better NC's are and how they really have cuban tobacco and on. I finally fake like I got an important text and excused myself to a more private area. I look at my FB page a little bit but what the hell, I'm here to relax. I no sooner put my phone away and signal for another O'Dell 90 Shilling Ale and here he comes again. Yap, yap yap about NC VS CC's.

Thank goodness that someone finally called the guy and he had to go as he put out his cigar and I let another since I really didn't get to enjoy my first one. Once he left the bar tender noticed I was annoyed with the guy at times and said he can be annoying. "No kidding." I find out he comes down every Saturday around noon. "Guess I'm not coming back at that day and time again." Come to find out the guy is the "Cigar Specialist" at another nearby cigar bar. People like that I hope never discover CC's.

Anyone else have any experience like this when just minding your own business at a B&M or Cigar bar?

[Guest rob]

Good problem to have IMO.... There's nowhere legal to smoke here!

But seriously, you're much more patient than me.... I'd have asked him politely for some space. I'm not very patient with people leeching my lone time.

[jp1979]

I always kill the band if I am there by myself, cuts down on the questions... and if they do ask, I always tell them its one of the "house" cigars and it is not horrible nor good. Seems to kill conversations quickly and politely. Plus I have an "I don't want to talk to you demeanor", so people generally don't ask anyway.

[CaptainQuintero]

This summer I was down in the South of England and stumbled across a tobacconist which had some CC and NC, about a choice of 8 for each.

I had picked out an Epicure #2 and fancying a chat I asked the woman behind the desk if they sell stock quickly, she immediately launched into a rant about CC not moving compared to Rocky Patel and Chinchileros. Then proceeded to take the epicure off me, give me a chinchilero to feel the better quality difference in the NC then garbled on about how Cubans are lazy and they don't work hard compared to other tobacco growers. AND that all NC are grown with Cuban seed so they are exactly the same, Cubans tasting better is a complete myth.

She then got out a guantanamera and a rocky Patel 1990, told me the difference been the two fillers was the quality of NC rolling. I pointed out that the guant was machine made at the ICT factory at which point she ignored what I said and started saying that the RP cigar was used with 25 year old tobacco the had been having in a barn for 25 years. Told me to hold both cigars and tell her if Cubans were the best cigars in the world.

I said she could put the cigars back and thanked her for her time and that I'd go have a think.. Then left.

The place was 80% cigarettes and e-cigs SI maybe that's their speciality.

Scary really coming from someone who was selling both NC and CC and who kept telling me it was a specialist tobacconists

[Phinz]

When I'm smoking at a store or lounge, I pull the band off first, then if someone I don't already know asks what I'm smoking I claim it's a Tatuaje, but can't remember which series... Tatuaje makes or has made enough sizes and wrapper types that it'll fit almost anything.

Now, the one I haven't yet figured out how to handle is the obnoxious bartender/room attendant at one of my locals (I'd avoid the place, but co-workers don't want to travel out of the way for one of the stores I like).

[Guest rob]

This summer I was down in the South of England and stumbled across a tobacconist which had some CC and NC, about a choice of 8 for each.

I had picked out an Epicure #2 and fancying a chat I asked the woman behind the desk if they sell stock quickly, she immediately launched into a rant about CC not moving compared to Rocky Patel and Chinchileros. Then proceeded to take the epicure off me, give me a chinchilero to feel the better quality difference in the NC then garbled on about how Cubans are lazy and they don't work hard compared to other tobacco growers. AND that all NC are grown with Cuban seed so they are exactly the same, Cubans tasting better is a complete myth.

She then got out a guantanamera and a rocky Patel 1990, told me the difference been the two fillers was the quality of NC rolling. I pointed out that the guant was machine made at the ICT factory at which point she ignored what I said and started saying that the RP cigar was used with 25 year old tobacco the had been having in a barn for 25 years. Told me to hold both cigars and tell her if Cubans were the best cigars in the world.

I said she could put the cigars back and thanked her for her time and that I'd go have a think.. Then left.

The place was 80% cigarettes and e-cigs SI maybe that's their speciality.

Scary really coming from someone who was selling both NC and CC and who kept telling me it was a specialist tobacconists

She would last 2 minutes working for me. If a customer is about to buy something.... Then walks out empty handed... Don't ever talk them out of a purchase!

[NSXCIGAR]

There are lots of ignorant cigar smokers. I have just learned to accept that over the years. Why else would Swisher Sweets and White Owl still be produced? (Before you say they're used for OTHER purposes--which they are--I know PLENTY of people who smoke these regularly bone stock.)

It is fascinating since cigars to me are such a unique activity that if you like smoking any cigar, you'd want to learn as much about cigars as possible and try as many as possible, as I did right from the start. Sure, I've smoked a Swisher--but not since I was 16. I've evolved.

I've met many, many avid cigar smokers who were utterly clueless and basically douchebags, but much less so with avid CC smokers for some reason. My theory is that in the U.S. CCs are something you need to want to pursue. They're not in plain sight. So you have to be relatively curious, motivated and resourceful to discover them, and be willing to try many vitolas in many marcas before judging. So by definition people who basically stop at NCs lack those traits. Can't tell you how many avid NC smokers I still interact with that have never even checked out CCs online! They have never investigated a whole other world of a hobby that they profess to enjoy.

I think we all know how pompous and ignorant people stuck in that NC black hole can be. Almost everyone that has a vested interest in the NC market trashes CCs constantly. And the story is the same--tried a few, bought some duds on vacation or received as gifts (years ago of course), read about all the quality problems since the late 90s, blah blah. I've never seen CC smokers trash NCs as much as they do to us.

Most of my experiences in U.S. NC establishments are negative. Almost all of my LCDH/foreign cigar experiences are positive.

[NSXCIGAR]

...then garbled on about how Cubans are lazy and they don't work hard compared to other tobacco growers. AND that all NC are grown with Cuban seed so they are exactly the same, Cubans tasting better is a complete myth...

Those are old chestnuts that CC haters like to dust off and trot out all the time. It's a cute little tactic because many of these things are technically true. Yes, the CC cigar industry basically runs by the seat of its pants. Yes, their technology and methods are antiquated. Yes, the factories are relatively outdated. Yes, consistency from box-to-box and stick-to-stick is more varied. And yes, NCs often use Cuban seed.

However, the one thing they never acknowledge is that all of those factors take a backseat to the fact that Cuba's climate and soil have a natural ability to produce cigar tobacco with properties unlike anywhere else on Earth. Nothing else really matters much. Everything they criticize is the human element, which are red herrings. I'm not claiming those things are unimportant, but a cigar is only as good as it's weakest part, and the quality and properties of Cuban tobacco are naturally different (superior, IMO) to tobacco grown elsewhere. Geographic region is by far the most important variable in tobacco cultivation.

I will never understand the obvious ignorance to this fact. Cigar tobacco cultivation was never seriously pursued commercially in any other Latin country prior to the embargo. Why? Cuban tobacco, when blended at all, was blended with U.S. tobacco almost exclusively. Why? The U.S. also has regions conducive to excellent cigar tobacco, but only for blending. So that's what they did.

The truth is that a CC on its best day will be better in every respect to a NC on its best day. That's it. Are some NCs better than some CCs? Of course. Do some people find the Cuban characteristics unpleasant? Maybe. But for anyone to suggest any NC cigar ever made could even be compared to, say, a 1492 or a Don Candido is delusional. Sure, Cuba isn't producing cigars like that anymore, but they COULD. Nicaragua or anywhere else simply cannot.

[Fosgate]

. I've never seen CC smokers trash NCs as much as they do to us.

Most of my experiences in U.S. NC establishments are negative. Almost all of my LCDH/foreign cigar experiences are positive.

BINGO!!!

My thoughts exactly. CC's smokers seem to be the most open minded of smokers and giving credit where it is due. Some of my thoughts as the guy was talking.

"Why is it CC smokers will give everyone credit and NC smokers talk like they just drank a whole gallon of NC Kool-aid and they are waiting for the ship to come get them when they talk about the two."

"Yeah buddy, you sit here an talk to me how countries are using cuban seeds,tobacco etc. Do you know what tobacco it takes to be used in the privilege of making a actual Habano?"

"Oh sure the island must be a barren wasteland with no tobacco on it because of two bad crop years, I hear farmers here all the time complaining that their corn yield was disastrous because they could not produce enough, or disastrous because they had a bumper crop but it isn't worth enough. It's part of farming. Every year is a tough year."

"Oh yeah, your right, Cuban tobacco must be crap because I always see Cubans marketing Honduran and Dominican blends, seeds etc were used in their exclusive flavor profiles."

"If CC's are so bad and over rated,why do cigar manufacturers continuing to copy things like name (Ashton San Cristobal 7 years after the launch of San Crostbal DeLe Habana lineetc), Create band designs similar to cuban lines (I saw one named CC and it had a band similar to a CC Cohiba.)"

[topdiesel]

I don't really have patience for most folks. I will try to change the subject once, but if I don't like a conversation I just tell them I came for some me time.

[Shrody234]

I welcome the overall sentiment of people who believe that CCs are inferior to NCs. More for me and you!

I usually down play my CC love (or not even mention it at all) by using words like "different" and "not for everyone," and I would encourage anyone who loves CCs to do the same. Its usually enough to make them uninterested. The average "smoker" doesn't have a clue so let them think a Rocky Patel is the pinnacle and smile inside

[Fosgate]

Those are old chestnuts that CC haters like to dust off and trot out all the time. It's a cute little tactic because many of these things are technically true. Yes, the CC cigar industry basically runs by the seat of its pants. Yes, their technology and methods are antiquated. Yes, the factories are relatively outdated. Yes, consistency from box-to-box and stick-to-stick is more varied. And yes, NCs often use Cuban seed.

However, the one thing they never acknowledge is that all of those factors take a backseat to the fact that Cuba's climate and soil have a natural ability to produce cigar tobacco with properties unlike anywhere else on Earth. Nothing else really matters much. Everything they criticize is the human element, which are red herrings. I'm not claiming those things are unimportant, but a cigar is only as good as it's weakest part, and the quality and properties of Cuban tobacco are naturally different (superior, IMO) to tobacco grown elsewhere. Geographic region is by far the most important variable in tobacco cultivation.

I will never understand the obvious ignorance to this fact. Cigar tobacco cultivation was never seriously pursued commercially in any other Latin country prior to the embargo. Why? Cuban tobacco, when blended at all, was blended with U.S. tobacco almost exclusively. Why? The U.S. also has regions conducive to excellent cigar tobacco, but only for blending. So that's what they did.

The truth is that a CC on its best day will be better in every respect to a NC on its best day. That's it. Are some NCs better than some CCs? Of course. Do some people find the Cuban characteristics unpleasant? Maybe. But for anyone to suggest any NC cigar ever made could even be compared to, say, a 1492 or a Don Candido is delusional. Sure, Cuba isn't producing cigars like that anymore, but they COULD. Nicaragua or anywhere else simply cannot.

Oh the pro also told me they figured out what the Cubans have in their soil and are now adding it to theirs....Lithium. Kid you not.

I also stood in line once and a tobacconist was telling a guy that CC smokers don't like the pepper of a cigar or spice while he was laughing and talking up a new Bloodline series grown in Honduras.

[CaptainQuintero]

She would last 2 minutes working for me. If a customer is about to buy something.... Then walks out empty handed... Don't ever talk them out of a purchase!

I literally had the cash in my hand about to pay and she started with the "do you mind if I suggest something?" I though she was going to crack open the secret smokes as I wasn't queuing up to by e-cig stuff!

[NSXCIGAR]

Oh the pro also told me they figured out what the Cubans have in their soil and are now adding it to theirs....Lithium. Kid you not.

I also stood in line once and a tobacconist was telling a guy that CC smokers don't like the pepper of a cigar or spice while he was laughing and talking up a new Bloodline series grown in Honduras.

It's pretty clear how defensive and frightened NC cigar interests are about CCs. Always have been, to the point of irrationality. For at least the last 15 years NCs have never been advertised as an "alternative" to CCs but simply "superior in every way" to "overrated, inferior" CCs. No gray areas. That should at least raise some suspicion.

The NC crowd is really dogmatic about it, almost like a church (or cult). They really must be frightened to death. It's easy to bash something most Americans can't easily test. But to make claims that fly in the face of facts on their face is totally sleazy, dishonest and irresponsible. Like why does the rest of the world still overwhelmingly prefer CCs?

I can't wait until all these NC makers bite the dust when the embargo ends, or have to start blending with Cuban tobacco to survive. The truth is unavoidable. They can spew their ignorant lies right until the end, but Cuban tobacco will have the last laugh.

[leftimatic]

I think I would do as I always do, only more politely since I am no longer a rough and gruff construction super and now just a part time carpenter full time dad. At one time "F@%$ Off!" would of worked now it's "Please go away" if that doesn't work I use the first one. I don't like people bugging me when I'm busy. Especially so called experts.

But to the point CC's rule!!!! At least that's what my tattoo says.

[RWhiz]

Well, I rarely get to smoke in a B&M since there are none near my homes. I did have an interesting chat with a gentleman last time I did get the opertunity however. I was enjoying a house cigar (I like to do that when I'm in their house) and an older gentleman sits next to me. No conversation for a while, until he chatted up a fellow about a valve adjustment on his BMW motorcycle. I perked up being a lifelong MX racer, and street bike racing fan, and struck up a conversation on valves and MotoGP. He was a very opinionated old fan who tried to quiz me on racers much older then I would know, and his opinion on the switch to all the teams using the same tires. He regaled me about his old bikes, and what I knew about them rather than chat about the current championship which was pretty good. We should have had an enjoyable cigar and shared conversion on a mutual topic, particularly one that may not be super popular in the US but instead I felt he was interested in showing off his knowledge and history of bike ownership. Not the worse experience, and it certainly won't keep me from going there again but that should have ended better.

[Jeremy Festa]

I myself, am actually an annoying person.

Sent from my iPhone

[LGC]

For this reason, I typically avoid smoking at cigar shops unless I'm desperate enough to smoke something from their humidor. I'd rather smoke in my garage or car, than have to sit and listen to a bunch of BS. I'd prefer to not light up at all if I can't have a pleasurable experience.

[Duxnutz]

I used to frequent the cigar shops in LA frequently and endured the Cuban slagging off story too. The fact the store kept their cigars way above 70% RH meant I often brought in a cigar from my own collection to enjoy the treat of smoking inside.

Invariably people would perk up an interest (being an Aussie) and second that I occasionally had a Cuban in my hand.

People suck. I do excuse LA though because a lot of pretenders and bs artists live there compared to other areas!!!

[stogieluver]

I don't suffer fools like that for very long before telling them to get f'd. That's all they will understand. This I've learned in my 60 years.

[vinnyvega]

Random people never talk to me at Cigar bars.

[saintsmokealot]

I don't often go to B&M's anymore to smoke. I used to enjoy going to coffee shops which I seldom do anymore due to lack of places to go. Either way when or if I do I remove the bands, downplay what I'm smoking, and bury myself in something to read.

[nick2021]

I don't often go to B&M's anymore to smoke. I used to enjoy going to coffee shops which I seldom do anymore due to lack of places to go. Either way when or if I do I remove the bands, downplay what I'm smoking, and bury myself in something to read.

x2, I remove the bands too....if they ask questions, I give them a random NC brand.

[LLC]

I normally find people I meet having a cigar very easy to talk to. If they weren't it would be a short conversation.

[Lotusguy]

Wow - I don't know where you guys hang out but I never had that kind of interaction at a lounge.