My Dad is half Irish, half Italian. His dad, my grandfather, is second-generation off-the-boat Irish. My grandfather grew up in 1940s-1950s Brooklyn, where he met his wife, my grandmother, a second-generation off-the-boat Italian.
Growing up, my dad, uncle, and grandfather always enjoyed their cigars. When he got older and was alone, every day at 2 PM, my grandfather would go onto his patio, even in the middle of winter, to smoke his cigars.
I was lucky enough to smoke one with him shortly before he passed a few years ago, but I remember not really enjoying it. The smell got everywhere and my eyes burned. My clothes stunk BAD. He bought expensive cigars, too.
Do men really find enjoyment in the taste of a cigar, or are they just kinda faking it to save face and look cool? What about a cigar is that enjoyable?
P.S. I was a smoker for 15 years so I know about enjoying a smoke after something good or stressful.
Edit: holy crap, that’s the most replies I’ve ever had within 20 minutes.
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Maybe it’s an acquired taste
I don’t think I’ll smoke a cigar again.
They taste horrific, just something to have with liquor.
It’s an addictive stimulant like coffee do people enjoy drinking black coffee? Not really it’s the addictive stimulant that they’re after
My grandfather does. Usually after dinner with his drink.
The short answer – Yes.
But, it depends on the person and the cigar. Also what you are doing.
For me, a good maduro while sipping a decent to good bourbon is like a complete meal. But that is different for each person.
When I was smoking I also hated cigars, they made me sick and I didn’t see the point. But recently I’ve been smoking a cigar every Sunday with my father in law. It took a few sessions to actually start enjoying them, but now I really like them. You know as well as I do that the very act of smoking something is an enjoyable activity, but it took a couple times to get the pacing right so you’re not getting too much smoke in your mouth and face.
Still can’t stand the lingering smell though. When I come home I immediately change clothes, mouthwash and wash my hands. I don’t drink anymore either, so there’s no alcohol masking the activity either.
I’m sure your ethnicity is super relevant
It’s an acquired taste thing: people who like them often associate them with other pleasant activities. The smell can be pleasant. The taste…well, it isn’t so bad if you’re washing it away with a cocktail.
Yes. Like most pleasures it can be abused and become destructive but when it’s good it’s delightful.
Anecdotal evidence; I rarely smoke, but I do enjoy them now and then. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t bother to smoke few times a year.
I sure do enjoy the taste.
I like the taste and smell of most cigars. I don’t inhale the smoke though.
I’m a 55+ guy and I honestly like smoking a cigar once in a while…but I only do it when I’m on vacation and with “the boys” (ie. a motorcycle trip). For me, it’s a comrade bonding thing. My dad wasn’t into cigars but somehow I picked it up while in the service. I’m not a daily smoker.
To each their own…most people that smoke cigars regularly do it for the chemical dependency.
Cigars are a bit like whisky in that they can be an acquired taste. But yes, the people who smoke them generally love them.
I’m a very occasional cigar smoker. Like once every 3-4 months maybe. It is actually relaxing and you can get good tasting ones. I enjoy the small relaxing buzz I get from one. I will say the smell is pretty bad that gets left on you. I always do it when I’m able to take afterwards
Given there are several billion men in the world I’m sure some enjoy it, some think it’s okay, and some don’t like it at all. Of the cigar smokers, like myself, I suspect the population is weighted more towards enjoyment. The folks that enjoy it less probably only have one occasionally in a social/celebratory setting.
So in other words all of you are white Americans and your family has been here for like 100 years. Got it.
Yes.
I have to be in the mood, and it has to be a good cigar, but yes I do.
It can be on my own or in a lounge. Depends on where I am and what I am doing. The only problem? You stink. It doesn’t matter how great the ventilation is, outdoors in a strong breeze or what but you stink.
44m. I do and I’m a daily smoker. I switched from cigarettes to cigars when my father got me into it about 15 years ago and I was regaled by stories of other family members that smoked back in the day as well. You just have to try different types from different countries to find what you like. I personally like Nicaraguans.
I’ve had a cigar once. It took me a minute or so to get used to smoking it the right way but after that I was fairly happy with it. I’d like to have another sometime but unfortunately they stink to high heaven, and people complained bitterly the first time so I’m not sure I’ll have that opportunity anytime soon.
No. It just looks cool.
Weird take bringing sex and ethnicity into the question and the obvious answer is yes, but that doesn’t mean everyone has to like it It would never have gotten started if no one liked it. I’m sure some people do it to be “cool” but generally these days smoking is uncool.
A Box of 10 costs €2,150, a man only burns that much money for one reason, the possibility of having sex with strange women ÷)
Cigarette smokers all look miserable while they puff away, so I don’t think the self loathing is exclusive to male nicotine users.
I’m smoker since the age of 15 and I’m 30, I ve never understood what the pleasure in smoking cigar.
Cigars are definitely an acquired taste. I love them but only smoke them once or twice a month during the summer months and thats it.
The issue with cigars is that it can take a long time before you find a type you love. Cigars come in endless aroma, shape, taste and form.
The other challenge is that its pretty easy to fuck it up and ruin your cigar experience. Suck to hard? You’ll get dizzy… Smoke without eating beforehand? You’ll feel sick etc
I’m Norwegian, nobody I know smoke cigars, I’m 36 and have done occationally for 5 years. I enjoy it. Must say I do smoke weed and cigs aswell.
They give you a massive nicotine buzz, and nicotine is extremely addictive. So like all nicotine products its 50% enjoyment 50% addition
I like when others smoke cigars.
First time I had a proper cigar was at a friend’s wedding with some fancy whisky. I did rather enjoy it even though I don’t smoke or drink whisky alot.
I enjoy the smell. Grandpa smoked Dutch Master’s Presidents when I was a kid in the 70’s. Wife doesn’t mind, she likes the smell. I only smoke outside in good weather. I don’t smoke in general anyway (no cigarettes).
I used to! My first cigar was my most favorite. A Hula Girl chocolate macadamia nut cigar out in Hawaii. I also loved my Makers Mark and Backwoods cigars. I no longer smoke, but used those as my nightcap as a wildland firefighter to enjoy my solitude away from my crew members.
It’s like everything else. Some do, some don’t. I hate the smell and taste of cigars. But give me a fresh moist pouch of Levi and I’m in!
I came to the conclusion at some point that it’s a weird performative thing for the most part. We had a cigar club in Afghanistan that ended when people just sort of realized it was not actually something they actually enjoyed.
Yes. I enjoy a cigar with a good whiskey or scotch. If you dip the mouth end of cigar in a quality tequila, it’s a gane changer.
I only smoke them a few times a month because I only purchase expensive cigars.
It is crazy to me how someone has a distaste for something and then questions the validity of others enjoyment.
“If I don’t like it, no one else can, they’re just faking right”-validate me
Like, cilantro tastes like soap to me, but I do not go around asking why people love the taste of soap. I also hate cigars, but … that’s me.
Note when I say it’s crazy to me, I am really just talking about the self-absorption and lack of empathy some people are born with.
I certainly do.
Yes some genuinely like it and treat it like a tasting, but most do it as some misguided/subconscious attempt at being more manly. It only attracts other men 99% of the time.
The only way it starts to taste good is to actually deaden your taste buds and ruin food.
Like most of the best things, the taste is acquired.
Everyone is different. I can’t stand smoking cigars but love the smell of them.
The difference in quality is huge. I dont understand how everyone hates the taste so much. Even the bottom tier of nice cigars has a distinct upgrade in taste compared to the lower quality ones.
I dont smoke them anymore but i was in love for a long part of my life.
How can your grandfather be off the boat Irish and second generation at the same time lol
Not really. I have been a normal smoker for years. First time I smoked a cigar the way I would a normal cigarette (didn’t know you don’t do that) I gave the toilet room a new wall painting for 30 minutes straight. So what’s left if puffing it and to be fair it doesn’t taste good enough to endure that
Nicotine is addictive. Some people enjoy the slight buzz, the ritual, the social aspect, and even the association that cigars have with living a lavish life. After a while people enjoy the relief of withdrawal from nicotine and the same other aspects to some extent. Put simply, people smoke because they think it’s cool and then they get addicted.
I’m a man and have no interest in smoking cigars, so no. I do know some women enjoy it though.
I’m sure the people who smoke them and continue to do so enjoy it if that’s what you’re really wondering.
Some do, some don’t. There.
I used to smoke them occasionally with a beer. I liked the smell, the way it made beer taste better, the warmth, and the way it made me feel. The taste of the cigar itself wasn’t terrible, but I didn’t love it most of the time.
I stopped because I hated the way I felt the next day and the way the smell stuck to me. Not to mention how bad smoking is for you.
Yeah, here and there.
I don’t like it. I’d much rather smoke a dart.
I liked it. From the frist to the latest. Tho if it is lit wrong way as in a normal lighter is used, then it tastes bad. You need to use a butane torch held bit further out to light the cigar well. This is because unburnt gasses dont end up into the chigar.
Speaking for myself. I have a very bitter palate.
I like black coffee, dark chocolate, stout beers, and yes, the occasional cigar.
And I do occasionally get accused of participating in some kind of masculinity cosplay.
Which I find very weird.
A good cigar and a brandy or one of the sweet whiskeys that the Americans make is quite delightful. My family dislikes the smell, so I only smoke them outside.
Yes, I really do
I used to smoke with my (adult) son. Smoking was -fine- but I enjoyed spending one on one time with my son.
I am a woman and I LOVE cigars. I indulge once or twice a year.
I am a cigar smoker.
Enjoy the taste (as long as I get the right cigar)
Love the smell
Love the still and sense of calm i gain from doing it
Always feel better afterwards
Enjoy the social aspect if friends are round and smoke
I mainly smoke alone so noone to save face in front of
I am a woman and I enjoy a cigar from time to time
Well, for starters, nicotine is great stuff.
I mildly enjoy the taste of cigars, in the same way I like a good whiskey. I wouldn’t say they’re on the top of my list of things I enjoy, but they’re still not something I dislike.
In addition to taste, most of the times I’ve smoked cigars, have been in social environments, often at special, formal events, so the atmosphere of smoking cigars has been fun
I quit 7 years ago. Every time I walk past someone smoking one I still do a big sniff of second hand smoke. Lol
My grandfather, father and my brother love them. My grandfather used to smoke them down to a nub. Then he’d put the nub in his pipe and smoke that.
yes – I do enjoy them – about once a month or so
Yes, but what men like more about smoking cigars is smoking them with other men who enjoy it as well. It’s an opportunity to spend time together talk about our families big things that are happening like child births weddings or even the small things you smoke cigars with people that are special to you.
If you ever have to ask if a whole group enjoys something, assume the answer is no.
99.9% of the time I’m smoking alone. So no, not doing it to look cool.
Some do. I enjoy them too.
/r/shitAmericanssay … your dad is American
Nope
Cigar smoke makes me (65M) want to puke
Yes!
Yep. A good cigar is amazing, or a great tobacco smoked in a pipe. I only quit because
A. Cancer Sucks.
B. After awhile it REALLY stimulates your salivary glands and you spit a lot, which is gross.
C. My buddy smuggled in some Cubans (when they were still contraband) and we smoked those around a campfire after some amazing steaks while we were camping. They lasted 3 hours. I figured I would NEVER get another cigar experience as good, so why not go out on top.
I’ve played at smoking cigars occasionally over my 51 years. The only ones I can say I actually enjoyed were Honduran.
I’m so man but I enjoy them from time to time. When smoked correctly they have a relaxing affect.