What Is It About A Pipe?

from JoeUser Forums

Tonight finds me in Roseland, Indiana. Yesterday I picked up a snow removal truck headed for a small town in Maine.

This morning I made my way down from Wisconsin to western Illinois to pick up a pavement roller going to a town a little north of Boston.

The roller was supposed to be ready to load first thing this morning but when I got to the factory they weren't quite finished building it yet. It was after lunch before they finally had it done and ready to load.

Such is trucking.

I made it as far as Roseland and called it a day. I checked into the hotel here and walked over to the pub I normally visit just to find a sign posted on the door saying that they had a new owner and were closed awaiting their new liquor license. Bummer.

I walked down to an Irish themed pub about a half mile away. It turned out to be a good time. I had a very good corned beef sandwich, a few beers, and some interesting conversation, including a younger woman who asked me to look up, on my iPad, the status of her son who was in prison for robbery.

I kind of felt sorry for the mother, but let her know I didn't feel any sympathy for her son who had committed robbery on another person. She actually felt the same way, for which I liked her, but was understandably worried about her son. Once again I felt sorry for her.

Such situations can be very complicated.

She seemed like a very nice woman and we chatted for quite a while before she went home to her husband and other, younger son. Before she left she told me that some of of comments had cheered her up a bit. That is nice to hear.

After she left I chatted with a few fellow ex-military guys before emptying my pipe and filling it again for a final smoke, Frog Morton On The Town, and set out walking back to my hotel.

I have always found it interesting that when you are sitting someplace and enjoying a good pipe that people seem to be drawn to you if they need or want to converse.

What is it about a pipe that draws people into a conversation, even if they don't smoke one themselves?

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5,026 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top

Pipe's make you look wise and learned!  When they get to know you, they find out the stereotype is correct in at least one case. ;)

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Additionally I think pipes remind folks of their Grandad. I know that's what I think about. I put my pipes away when my Mom had cancer. Not out of fear mind you, but in sympathy to her quitting smoking cigarettes, and as a sign of solidarity with her plight. I still have my Peterson's, GBD's , Savinelli's, pots and free hands languishing in a trunk. I still have my love of the Briar. I still peek into the trunk every couple of months and make sure they are there, and let them know they are missed. I smoked a pipe for 20 years, and would start again today, but it's hard getting over why I put them down. My Mom passed away, and I haven't been able to smoke a bowl since. Do me a favor and smoke an extra one for me, when you get a chance. A nice Scottish mixture, or some 965, or early morning pipe.

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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting Dr, reply 1
Pipe's make you look wise and learned!  When they get to know you, they find out the stereotype is correct in at least one case.

:LOL:  I think it makes people curious as pipes are not as common today.

Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting CygnusXII, reply 2
Additionally I think pipes remind folks of their Grandad. I know that's what I think about. I put my pipes away when my Mom had cancer. Not out of fear mind you, but in sympathy to her quitting smoking cigarettes, and as a sign of solidarity with her plight. I still have my Peterson's, GBD's , Savinelli's, pots and free hands languishing in a trunk. I still have my love of the Briar. I still peek into the trunk every couple of months and make sure they are there, and let them know they are missed. I smoked a pipe for 20 years, and would start again today, but it's hard getting over why I put them down. My Mom passed away, and I haven't been able to smoke a bowl since. Do me a favor and smoke an extra one for me, when you get a chance. A nice Scottish mixture, or some 965, or early morning pipe.

Yeah, I have heard the "Grandpa" remark more than once.

 

Sorry about your mother, mine also passed away due to cancer. I'll smoke a bowl of Peterson's Irish Flake for ya.

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

I had a beloved cousin who smoked a pipe and had a sail boat in Wisconsin.  I was young (13) and impressionable and thought it was romantic.  Never knew anyone else with a pipe until we ran into each other on the internet. It is ok........

Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
I think boats and pipes just go together. Long tradition and all that...