Monday, November 29 1999
Q. Is there any etiquette with regard to sharing cigars?
A. Although I have immensely enjoyed smoking solo on a deserted beach in Kona while the turtles and dolphin swim in the bay; I must say that there is something very special in sharing a fine cigar with another human being. If it happens to be a new acquaintance, you already have something in common - you both enjoy cigars.
Usually, a 15 minute chat will determine the "cigar savvy" of your new friend and if you have a selection, (after "diplomatically" reciting your own knowledge of cigars), all the better. However, we all have just a few really "special friends" that fall within our "inner circle," and when that person also happens to be somewhat of a fellow aficionado, the act of sharing a fine cigar becomes a thing of beauty.
I write about this now for two reasons: 1) I have just started a new job and have found the gift of a cigar a good way to break the ice with new work colleagues, and 2) my wife and I just returned from a short trip to Kentucky where we visited what I would consider, our best true friends. In the latter example, when I relaxed and enjoyed a cigar with my friend Greig, time slowed down considerably, and we randomly recalled our times together in High School, the Army and our many other adventures.
My advice: Purchase good quality cigars, age them well, and always have enough on hand for friends. A solo cigar is a wonderful spiritual thing but a cigar shared with another enthusiast is simply one of life's genuine pleasures
- Gene McCann in Hawaii
