Cigar lounges are hallowed domains where smokers can relax, savor fine stogies and luxuriate in a treasured pastime. But there is a certain decorum that must be followed in order for everyone to enjoy their experience to the fullest.
Here is a list of do’s and don’ts while you’re at our lounge:
DO NOT SMELL OR LICK A CIGAR
Don’t be that guy walking around a shop smelling cigars that another customer may purchase. No one wants to buy a cigar that’s been licked or even wrapped around someone else’s nose. It’s unsanitary, poor taste, and creates a bad experience for everyone.
NEVER BLOW SMOKE IN SOMEONE’S FACE
While you’re smoking your delicious stick of tobacco, you may not realize that the smoke is directly blowing into someone’s face. Though smoke floating around the room is quite common in cigar lounges, this doesn’t dismiss the fact smoke on someone’s face is an unpleasant experience. If you notice this, you should try and move or adjust when you blow the smoke out of your mouth in a different direction.
DO NOT SMASH OUT YOUR CIGAR IN AN ASHTRAY
A cigar will diffuse on its own. Respect the cigar and do not diffuse it by smashing it on an ashtray. If you need to ash your cigar, lightly take the end of the cigar and rotate it so that the ash comes off cleanly from the cigar into the ashtray.
DO NOT LET CIGAR ASH SPILL OVER
It’s not a contest as to how long the ash will stay. Contrary to popular belief, ash will fall. Make sure you ash properly in the ashtray and not create a mess when it falls on your clothing as well as the floor of the lounge.
NEVER TAKE YOUR OWN CIGARS TO A CIGAR LOUNGE
At Karma, we do our very best to keep a wide variety of cigars that will satisfy all cigar smokers, Please do us a favor and help your favorite local business thrive by buying your cigars here from us. That continues to keep the lights on and the air clean and the employees happy!
ALWAYS CUT AND LIGHT A CIGAR PROPERLY
Cutting and lighting a cigar is an artform but not a complex one. Proper cutting and lighting of your cigar can help you enjoy your cigar and not damage the way the cigar was constructed for your smoking pleasure. Always cut within the cap of the cigar so the cigar does not unravel during your smoke. When lighting, make sure to first toast the cigar, then light the edges of the cigar rotating the cigar so that it is an even light all around and will ignite the outer layers of the tobacco properly. Then ignite the filler by placing the cigar in your mouth and take a couple of puffs while rotating the cigar. Relax and enjoy!
DON’T BE THE “I ONLY SMOKE CUBANS” GUY
There are a lot of other countries that now rival the Cuban cigar, in fact many of them have taken the Cuban tobacco seed and replanted it in other countries including Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Ecuador, Mexico and much more. Don’t be the person that is closed-minded. Expand your horizon and your variety- you’ll be glad you did!
THE LOUNGE IS NOT A PROVING GROUND
“My cigar is better than yours…”, “You shouldn’t be smoking THAT cigar”. Be respectful of others as everyone has different palettes and tastes. Enjoy your cigar but let others also enjoy their cigars.
KNOW THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU
Taking the temperature of the group, what they’re saying (or not saying) is very important in playing “nice” in the playground of smoke. Again, respect goes a long long way in making new friends.
DON’T TALK ON THE PHONE
It’s part of our lives, our phones, at times, we are attached to it that we “can’t live without it”. But remember, when you’re in a lounge, other people are there to and their purpose in relaxing at Karma is not to listen to your phone conversations. In fact, they probably want to talk with you, get to know you more.
DON’T ASK TO TRY ANOTHER PERSON’S CIGAR
Moochers are not well-liked in any walk of life. Don’t be that person that asks and asks and asks. Be that person that gives and gives, the old adage, the more you give the more you receive goes a long way.
ALWAYS HAVE FUN WHILE YOU’RE AT KARMA
Karma is a place of relaxation, comfort, and serenity. A destination that people like yourselves go to decompress, talk with good friends, and smoke some great cigars. By adhering to these “words of wisdom”, you’ll be able to enjoy not only your cigar but the company of others.
