The Cigar Friendly Partner
Many Levels of Support - By M. Wright, Contributing Writer for CigarCzars.com
The phrase “cigar friendly wife” has been around for decades. Cigar Dave frequently used that term on his now defunct cigar radio show. But what does it really mean to be cigar friendly?
A Cigar Friendly Wife
The answer is different for every relationship. Being cigar friendly is not limited to wives or any one type of couple. It can describe anyone who shares life with a cigar enthusiast — a spouse, partner, boyfriend, girlfriend, or someone who simply understands why cigars are meaningful to the person with whom they spend time.
For most cigar enthusiasts, a cigar is much more than just a roll of tobacco. A premium handmade cigar is about craftsmanship, tradition, friendship, celebration, relaxation, or simply taking time to enjoy a moment. But when someone shares their life with another person, that person’s feelings about cigars also become part of the overall experience.
It is estimated that about 1% of adults smoke premium cigars and that 98% of them are male. In the majority of relationships, cigars are a personal interest of just the male partner. However, their hobby is often respected and appreciated by a cigar-friendly wife. A cigar friendly wife or partner may never light one up, but they appreciate why it matters and recognize that personal interests are part of what makes each person unique.
But for others, cigars become a shared passion. They enjoy cigars together, visit cigar lounges, travel for cigar experiences, or look forward to relaxing with a favorite cigar. The hobby becomes another way to connect and create memories. In fact, some women may actually enjoy cigars more than their male partners, and a number of them even make a living working in various facets of the cigar industry and are supported by their male counterparts.
Sometimes, cigars are simply an interest that both people do not share. One person may enjoy the hobby while the other does not feel the same passion but is at least willing to tolerate their partner’s enjoyment of cigars. That is another kind of cigar-friendly relationship because every couple is “allowed” to have their own combination of shared and individual interests.
Being cigar friendly is not measured by whether someone lights a cigar alongside you. It is found in the many ways a partner responds to the hobby — from sharing the experience, to supporting the passion, to simply respecting the fact that cigars are one of life’s small pleasures.