Stogie Commentary: Go Slow
8 May 2008
I was reading the other day about a new movement in travel: “slow travel .†Like the earlier “slow foodâ€Â approach, the aim is to savor and enjoy your experience, not just get to the end. Rather than rush through a trip with a lengthy list of places to see and things to do, slow travel advocates tend to focus on less rapid movement, no checklists, and getting off the beaten path.
I wonder how many people who are exploring a slower lifestyle enjoy cigars? It may be the ultimate slow experience. So much so that it doesn’t need another name. “Slow cigar smoking” would be redundant.
Of course, it’s possible to do all sorts of things while you’re smoking a cigar. But it’s difficult to multi-task and truly enjoy a cigar. Activities that complement the pleasure of the smoking experience include reading, good company, music, nice drinks, daydreaming, etc. Most wouldn’t enojy running, especially a marathon.
You might rush to your local shop to pick up a new release, but it’s a cinch you won’t rush through the stick just so you can move to another one. I can’t imagine a great cigar experience while fiddling with a Blackberry.
Without waxing too poetic, cigars offer an amazing opportunity to enjoy something that results from a rare combination of hard labor, artistic flair, ancient craft, modern commerce, and international cooperation.
Why, you could even spend a half-hour or so mulling all that over as you carefully consider the wafting smoke you’re creating with that lovely cigar.
photo credit: Stogie Guys
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
Another great commentary, George. Really makes me wish that I could light up in my office right now. Those slow moments of cigar smoking are truly great times of life.
I'm glad you found out about our Slow Travel movement, but you should really check out our website, as it originated the concept over 8 years ago. Unfortunatley, the other site, just rides our coat tails.
Gotta tell you though, there was nothing like smoking a Cuban while we were sitting outside the villa we rented near Lucca Italy. Then again, a year later, while picking olives in southern Tuscany (think I have some pictures if you like). Although, now that I think about it, I think that latter cigar was actually a Tuscan cigar, harsher, but when in Rome … Hmm… now making me wish for some warmer weather, and the kids summer trips away, so we can enjoy a stogie out on the deck.
Oops – forgot the link to us: http://www.slowtrav.com – in case you're interested.
Kim – Thanks for writing and for highlighting your site. I wish I could remember now where I read about Slow Travel. A very Interesting concept. Enjoy the stogies!
You have perfectly encapsulated why cigar smoking is probably actually a healthy habit…smoking a cigar forces you to slow down, take your time, relax. Because of this, the typical cigar smoker will have less stress in his life and this can increase your lifespan…and definitely your quality of life!
You also addressed the issue of working while smoking. I've tried it before and, unfortunately, you are correct…if you try to work and smoke at the same time, one or the other usually suffers. I have occasionally taken my laptop out on the patio to smoke while working in the afternoon and the usual result is a cigar that either goes out or comes very close because I don't have the time to puff on it every minute or two. Or I concentrate more on enjoying the smoke and I don't get much work done.
Here's to the slow life!!!