How to pipe at the cinema

But how can you pipe in peace at the cinema. Don't people protest? No, people don't say anything. In many years, I have never felt a protest behind me. There is a reason and it is this. First of all, I avoid lighting in the room: this detail is very important. The ignition cloud can bother anyone, especially if the tobacco is too aromatic. Listen to how I do it: before entering I perform the ritual of the two matches and make sure that the embers are homogeneous and the draft is perfect. When I am in "direct control", that is, I can fuel the combustion with light, almost imperceptible puffs, I go in and sit down. Better not to go to the steps, where the smoke funnels directly into the nostrils of those behind. It is advisable to stand on one side with the corridor at your side and keep your (already civilized) partner at your side.

If you really want to be as scrupulous as possible, take a look around to make sure there are no old ladies or children. But, once these preliminaries are over, he smokes in peace, at least until the law on the ban on smoking in public places comes into force. The rings that come out of your mouth or the threads dispersed from your nostrils cannot offend anyone. If you're good, you can carry on calmly until the end of the first half. But if the pipe doesn't start out well and the fuss of putting it out begins, forget it. Otherwise you end up attracting attention to your neighbors. In addition to the fact that the different lightings cannot maintain the natural fragrance of the tobacco. All pipe smokers have two or three tobacco alternatives. To the cinema it is better to bring the lightest, already loaded at home on a fresh, rested pipe. Why this discussion on a column like “Against Smoking”? Because the real pipe smoker, dear director, is linked to a certain behavior. What does it mean to create a club without taking care of its "group spirit"? The Automobile Club seeks to install in its members the standards of the perfect gentleman of the road. We have to do much less demanding work, because we work on human material that is already good from the start. But you have to aim for perfection. The pipe must be a flag of serenity, also towards others. And smoking in public places is the most delicate test. It should not be forgotten that the number of pipe workers is increasing dramatically. Some rules need to be established in advance. Otherwise we will run the risk of being discriminated against, as happens in road traffic. For us, the "no heavy vehicles" sign will apply! Do we have "stop" signs? I think so, even if there are no laws about it. A small railway compartment certainly cannot allow us to smoke. Instead, a long carriage of the "Settebello" did. Very good on a ship, less so on a plane if there is no good ventilation equipment. Excellent at a friend's house. Perfect in the home of luxury hosts, embarrassing in the concierge's lodge, even for a few seconds of conversation.

So is the pipe.

Manlio Mariani