Never really have understood the seeming infatuation with cigar smoking. Might someone 'splain that particular passion/activity to an ignorant soul such as myself? Thanks *cough*
For me, it's a way to relax. I remember hanging out with my housemates and friends around a fire in our backyard, drinking and smoking cigars. When I'd get stressed out in Manhattan, I'd grab a few newspapers, fill my flask and head to Nat Sherman's. I don't smoke cigarettes, but I do enjoy cigars, including the smell.
I'm the opposite. I smoke cigarettes but I can't stand cigars. I just don't get it. My father always smoked cigars, but not cigarettes, claiming that it was about something more than the tobacco, but he'd inhale, as I find most cigar smokers do. I've smoked my share of cigars with my father, on special occasions, and whatnot, but at the end of the day, it doesn't satisfy my nicotine craving that I get when I drink, and it kills my lungs more than a cigarette. Oddly enough, I only smoke when I drink. I've had a pretty addictive personality my entire life, but I can go weeks without cigarettes if I can't drink for a while, but if I'm drinking consistently, I can be a near pack-a-day smoker.
So a good day for you would be 8 hours of porn and dropping a few thousand at a craps table while all the time drinking and smoking?
It's an interesting way to feel old-fashioned and civilized. I've enjoyed it every time I've done it (socially with a cigar afficianado; I'm pretty clueless and wouldn't really smoke alone). The buzz is almost too big for me, since I'm a nicotine lightweight, but it's great fun.
Cigar smoke/taste is like food aroma/taste, the smell/taste depends on the quality of the source. Good cigars smell good, cheap cigars smell bad.
You hit the nail on the head as to why I rarely smoke them in public. I like the occasional stogie, but there's so much social baggage attached to them I only do it in private with small groups. It's that whole Cigar Afficianado, Tommy Bahama, French Cuff, Rush Limbaugh, douchebag aura around the simple pleasure of a good smoke. The same damn thing is happening with bourbon.