The behavior of fellow patrons has peeved any regular cigar lounge goer at some time in their smoking career. Some of these things are so basic they often aren’t uttered aloud but are understood. Some folks need to catch up on the basics, so we’re writing them down. What are a few common cigar lounge pet peeves? Read on to see if you can relate to any of these. More importantly, if you’re new to the cigar scene, know what kind of behavior to avoid if you want to make a good impression.
Six Cigar Lounge Pet Peeves to Avoid
Curious about which pet peeves rank at the top of our list? Without further ado, here they are, compiled for your reading pleasure.
No Shoes
No matter how nice your socks are, please leave your shoes on in the cigar lounge for the love of all things holy. You aren’t at home. You are out at a public establishment. Wearing shoes — and socks — should be common sense, but enough people take shoes off that it is worth noting. Also, do you know how many establishments have signs that read: No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service? Also, some municipalities have statutory requirements for patrons to wear shoes. There isn’t some exemption for cigar smokers who wear shoes into the lounge that allows them to remove them. You have to keep the shoes on. You take your shoes off on the (commercial) airplane? Don’t do that either.
No Belt
Nobody wants to see your ass or your underwear. Wear a belt if an elastic waistband doesn’t keep your pants at your waist. Sidenote to newer, younger smokers: you are doing your best to “fit in” — the most counterproductive way to do that is to literally “show your ass” by not keeping your pants at your waist.
No Headphones
Nobody else should be subjected to both sides of your phone conversations and listen to whatever random videos you watch on YouTube or social media. Get a pair of headphones. If you make calls, even with headphones, be mindful of your noise level and consider moving briefly to make your call if appropriate.
Being a Cheapskate
Spend some money on something. Other articles delve more deeply into what’s appropriate or not regarding bringing your cigars to the cigar lounge. While we can also appreciate the importance of frugality, being “too cheap, too unwilling to spend money” in a cigar lounge is sure to spark pet peeves among regular patrons. The bottom line is to buy something and tip your server or bartender for the service they provide. This place does not run itself for free. And yes, the staff does talk amongst themselves and other patrons about cheapskates.
Political and Religious Talk
Have situational awareness of how you interact or converse with other patrons. Simply put, read the room and know your audience. If the place is relatively quiet, the rest of the lounge shouldn’t hear constant belly laughing, loud noise, yelling, or table slapping from your table. Conversely, if the overall noise in the lounge is higher, making a little more noise yourself is acceptable. As for conversation topics, stick to friendly topics. Smoking cigars should be relaxing. Most people aren’t looking for a political or religious debate. Avoid these topics unless you know the person you’re speaking to.
Wearing Fragrance
Fragrance of any form can interfere with a smoker’s overall enjoyment of a cigar and often tops the list of pet peeves for many cigar aficionados. Here’s why.
Some scents, like soap or deodorant, are challenging to eliminate and are generally acceptable. However, avoid heavy scents like cologne or perfume, which can overpower those around you or trigger allergies for others.
Even if scents or aromas don’t negatively impact you personally, respect for your fellow smoker in a social situation like a lounge dictates that you refrain from heavy fragrances. One of the best ways to draw attention to yourself as a “rookie” or “clueless” smoker is to show up smelling like a bottle of cologne. On the other hand, if you’re at your own home and want to drown yourself in odor and knock yourself out, you can even take off your shoes and forgo the belt.
The Final Word on Pet Peeves
Adapting to cigar lounge etiquette is necessary to promote peace, harmony, and balance for all cigar enthusiasts. Avoiding the above primary pet peeves will create a more enjoyable cigar lounge experience.
Photo Credit: Cigar Life Guy