CIGAR ETIQUETTE
|
|
We at Jernigan's are committed to respecting the personal rights of others, and that includes the observance of common courtesies respecting the use of tobacco. But what are the ground rules that should be observed? For the most part it is a matter of common sense. One should never light up without asking others for permission to do so. And never ever be so presumptuous to smoke in the home or automobile of another without gaining specific permission to do so. Many smokers abstain completely in their own homes and cars.
In 1967, Zino Davidoff published a respected essay for cigar connoisseurs. It includes a charter and code for cigar smokers everywhere, telling them how they should behave when smoking or preparing to smoke their cigars. As to his reasons for publishing what is effectively a guide to cigar etiquette, Davidoff has this to say:
"The important thing to remember is that we cigar aficionados should present ourselves as considerate and understanding individuals. Changing people's preconceived notions and giving the growing numbers of aficionados a good name is well worth that little extra effort."
Davidoff featured the following Do's and Don'ts for smoking cigars in public.
Do:
- Warm the foot of the cigar slightly before starting to puff on it.
- Remove the band carefully after lighting the cigar.
- Take your time in smoking it; a puff a minute is about right.
- Hold the cigar between your index finger and thumb.
- Let the cigar die a dignified death. After it's smoked halfway, it will go out on its own.
- Dispose of the dead cigar discreetly and quickly.
- Wait at least fifteen minutes between cigars; anything less indicates obsessive behavior.
- Use a penknife to cut or a lance to pierce the end of the cigar.
- Touch the flame directly to the foot of the cigar: Instead, simply rotate it around the edge till it starts to burn, then puff lightly.
- Ask someone else for a light (the lighting of a cigar should be a personal affair).
- Light your cigar too quickly or too slowly.
- Indulge in exhibitionism in lighting or any other aspect of smoking.
- Relight your cigar if less than one quarter of it is leaf.
- Put the cigar in your mouth to relight it. Just scrape off the ash and turn it in the flame for several seconds till it relights.
- Clench it between your teeth. Likewise do not get the end of the cigar wet, chew it, or slobber on it.
- Smoke too quickly.
- Use a cigar holder, or worse, stick a toothpick or matchstick in the end of the cigar to help hold it in your mouth.
- Dunk your cigar in port or brandy, a habit attributed to Winston Churchill.
- Smoke while working.
- Hold a cigar between your index and middle finger.
- Smoke when you're walking.
- Smoke more than half the cigar.
- Put the cigar out by crushing it in an ashtray.
- Chain-smoke cigars.
