If there is anything that gets under my skin it is elitism/snobbishness. This can be found in just about any area, including pipe smoking. Tonight, as I was relaxing in my truck parked just outside of Des Moines, IA I read a comment from a fellow pipe smoker that was most certainly snobbish and elitist, not to mention just plain insulting.

The gist of the comment was that anyone who likes less expensive tobacco blends, also known as over the counter (OTC) or drugstore blends, does so because they are inexperienced and/or have an uneducated palate.

What rubbish!

I smoke many "luxury blends" and quite enjoy them, but I also smoke and enjoy several of the OTC blends, most especially Captain Black white label (CBW). Can I tell the difference between the many blends I smoke? Of course I can. If I couldn't I would only be smoking a single blend.

The idea that an experienced and educated pipe smoker can smoke and enjoy an OTC blend seems to be foreign to this individual. To this person, I suppose the only thing that really matters about a blend is how much it cost. Sort of reminds me of those people who must buy only designer label jeans at a premium price despite the fact that they don't last as long as the less expensive but better made jeans.

I chose to not respond to this person's remark as I just felt such a person simply isn't worth the effort. If being a snob is the only way this person can feel good about himself, it isn't for me to lower myself by addressing such behavior.

I stick to the basic motto "Smoke what you enjoy, and enjoy what you smoke". Price doesn't make a better tobacco any more than it does a better pipe. Some of my less expensive blends, in a less expensive pipe make for a great smoke.

I smoke a few of the higher end blends that are excellent, but I have also tried some that were simply boring if not outright terrible. Paying more for the tobacco doesn't automatically make it an enjoyable smoke for me, but it does seem to be that way for some people.

Ah well, I just wanted to vent a bit about elitists. I can't stand them.

I am on my way out to Utah to deliver a snow blower truck to an Air Force base. With any luck the weather will be decent and it will be a relaxing trip.

Now, back to my pipe.