So I was sitting outside today, went to grab a tea from the coffee shop down the street from me, this was in between trying to sleep and recover from a bad fever/ear infection. I got my tea and decided to sit on the patio owned by the coffee shop, enjoy some sun and I said “why not I’ll have a snuff” tea wasn’t clearing me up as much as I’d liked it to, but I digress. All of a sudden as I take my first sniff, I have an employee come up to me say “wow, party started early today, huh” while these two other people glance over and start staring me down. I ask by what he means (obviously already knowing the cocaine reference he was trying to make). The employee then proceed to tell me that I should probably leave, without explaining why. I then ask “what seems t be the problem?” He says in a very verbose tone “you can either do drugs somewhere else or I’ll call the cops.” I start to chuckle nervous that he might actually make my day into a living hell; I quickly explain to him how it is powdered tobacco that you sniff. He was very confused and convinced I was messing around with him. It took 3 more times telling him/actually showing him the snuff with my box and hanky even to get him to understand what I was doing was not in the least bit illegal. After all that he said with a judgemental face “you might as well do cocaine” and walks off, I’m now still being given looks by the couple over to the next table and 2 more people who came and sat down kid tirade by this clearly under appreciated barista…lol. I proceeded to get up and leave. I wanted to say so many things, talk to the manager even but the adult in me took over, realized it would get me no where knowing my temper and I went home. Since I’ve been home I have been feeling sort of bad about my enjoyment of snuff. I actually was made to feel like a bad person, a lepor, for doing something I enjoy and relaxes me. Please tell me snuff house what I can do to educate people like this no matter what the thoughts are and how I know that I’m not crazy for enjoying snuff. Sorry for the rant, and thanks for the help.
Some programs are simply unable to process information opposing them, so I don’t bother. I found that the more I can get immune to their judgements, the less I feel the need to educate them.
On the other hand, if I notice people really have an opening, some real interest, then I may take advantage of the situation and show them what a wonderful thing tobacco can be. But that’s out of sheer joy and enthusiasm and never in order to defend myself.
I don’t worry about people who broadcast their ignorance.
If I really cared, I might say something like:
"Wrong color bud!
Don’t you recognize tobacco when you see it?"
or something like that.
might make a difference if you used snuff contained in original packaging, clearly labeled as a commercial product, a tin or tap box, when in public.
What other people think of me is none of my business. It what I think of myself that matters. I snuff openly in public if I get harassed .I’m sorry I did not see the no snuff sign. Just continue to snuff openly in public. exposing people to the process of snuff taking ,someday it may become normal. I snuff when ever I have to stand in line or sit waiting IE the market ,bank , doctors office etc. I do it naturally without looking around or drawing attention to my snuffing. If people want to be educated they will ask .You can’t fix stupid. Some folks you just can’t reach
The most important is YOU enjoy.
I say, when this arises, this is tobacco snuff, it’s legal, and you are about to get a call from my lawyer. I do try to snuff discreetly however, so this doesn’t happen.
I don’t really care about what people think I do. It’s legal, doesn’t bother anyone and what I do is only of my concern. That being said, I don’t mind explaining what nasal snuff is if someone politely asks. I’ve even shared snuff with strangers. Taking nasal snuff is an almost forgotten practice in most places, so expect that people will always be interested in what you’re doing. Some will politely ask out of curiosity, some will try to be funny with rather immature jokes about drug abuse and others will just stare at you. The less you worry about that, the more you’ll enjoy the wonderful hobby of snuffing powdered tobacco.
Ben what you should have done is let him call the cops. When they got there tell them that the barista thought your snuff was cocaine and when you tried to tell him it wasn’t he threatened to call the cops if you didn’t sell him some.
hah! @bob You’ve just reminded me how much I miss the LIKE buttons.
You guys are great! And @bob…your getting like for that, hahaha!
I’ve got to agree with Bob! I just started using snuff, but I too get odd looks. I get odd looks for other reasons though, so I’m not sensitive to it. I just go on with my life. I’d add that as few snuffs are the color of cocaine, the police shouldn’t bother you beyond a passing glance. Having snuff in its original packaging would likely be taken as an attempt to disguise what you’re doing, so I think you should expect to have to show the cops the snuff, possibly have them test it, then go about your business or ask about filing a complaint against the brist for harassment, as you told him what it was before the cops were called. Not sure you could do that, but I’d try. In any case, I’d snuff there regularly afterward, because it definitely would be harassment if they gave you a problem after all that.
It’s pretty sad that as time goes on, more and more people tend to believe the worst case scenario in unknown situations:
1. Parents keep their kids locked up or closely monitored for fear of predators or even idiot neighbors who feel kids left alone for any length of time (even in their own front yard) is neglect / abuse.
2. Anything you put up your nose is automatically assumed to be illegal drugs. What many don’t realize is the biggest drug abuse these days is from legal prescriptions.
thanks though as you get used to being a snuffer and snuff more casually less people notice
^agree
the American tendency to hector innocent people and invade their pivacy is one of everal reasons why I moved overseas and stay there. But they do it in cafes across Europe, which is why I carry a heavy stick.
@smasty…but I’m canadian. usually a little bit nicer…eh? lol sorry
The reason there are so many ignorant and rude people is because it is illegal to kill them
I had an airport security guy confiscate a snuffbox from me once…
When I made enough noise to attract a real cop, I demanded that he either return my personal property to me immediately or have the cop arrest him for petty larceny.
I got my snuffbox back with quit a bit of reticence and grumbling, but no appology.
This guy was clearly a cop wanna’ be who didn’t make the cut.
It happened in Rochester, NY.
Sorry for the blank post and this one. Can’t see to make my other words appear in either. Glitchy. This was a duplicate blank post. Thought I should put some words in it at least.
I saw your previous post. That’s why I told you the location.
I saw it to. Then I tried to fix a typo and it disappeared and would not come back. The North East cities seem to be more like that. NY, NJ and MA. Cities and the burbs in general. Rural U.S. is still pretty non-busybody and some of it (where I am) smoker friendly. I live just outside a small southern town now which seems like an alien planet compared to where I was. I see old ladies on their front porch dipping the Swisher scotch They might think I was odd for snuffing it up my nose but they’d be cool with it.
Happened again today. Was out on the porch having morning coffee and the neighbour waved, as I was mid snuff, came over and asked “what the hell are you putting in your nose” explained to her what it was. She then proceeded to tel me (not knowing what it still was mind you) that I was gonna lose my nose, I’d have cancer before I’m 60, blah blah blah. I then told her that I apprciate her concern but I’m not gonna feel bad for something I enjoy doing that’s not in any way illegal. I went inside and proceed to snuff my SG peppermint gold like eating a bowl of Cheerios, hahaha. I have no qualms as to the supposed health risk, I enjoy doing it and I believe there is a reason that people tell me it’s an “old mans tobacco”. Well tell me how they got to be old, eh? Hahaha. We shall over come ignorance of snuff in our lifetime, I feel it. It has to with the way anti- smoking laws are being pumped out. People will realize that its a more than sutible alternative and quite enjoyable…they will see
yeah I love the that’s an old man tobacco and it will kill you fast. Or in other words do people think or do words just pour out their mouths? I like asking these people where they get their information what studies they’ve read what documentation they got.
The only negative report I have been able to find about dry snuff is a flyer written by _ Dr. John Hill in 1761 _.
He later recanted his report and said that he had written it because he was pissed off at his local tobacconist!
This report by Dr. Hill is the one that I have seen referenced when linking nasal snuff to cancer.
If you choose to dip it and rub it on your gums, that’s an entirely different story…
The chemical reaction between snuff and saliva has been shown to cause carcinogens.
@BenStein: You should tell the neighbors it’s powdered Viagra and that they should not worry about any loud screaming from your house later in the day. <:-P
@BenStein It’s amazing how many of these people who live to be over a hundred use tobacco. Practically all of them. They are always sharp as a tack. You’ll find that anti-tobacco arguments are not at all logical. That is because they are programmed. Programming works better on people who are emotional. Their reactions are emotional. No logic applies. Every time I read a report about or run into anyone in their 90s or 100s, they always sing the gospel of the same trinity. Bacon, tobacco, and whiskey. It doesn’t do much to discourage me. I’m especially interested in the sharp as tack and active part of that equation.
I never seem to get challenged on my tobacco use. If I did I’d just say I do it so I can keep my wits about me since all this tobacco might very well extend my life beyond what I’d planned for. I won’t try to edit this one. Forgive the typos. My keyboard is sticky.
I tell the truth…
My Ear, Nose & Throat Doctor recommended it.
He tried to unplug my Eustachian tubes (unsuccessfully) for about 9 months.
Some W.E. Garrett Scotch did it for me within 36 hours.
“If it works for you, USE IT – even as a preventative because it doesn’t interact with other medications.”
I couldn’t get the doc to write a prescription for tobacco, but I got the strongest possible under the table recommendation.
In the employees defense, what you were doing did appear as a highly suspicious activity. Many people here are chiming in that the public should mind their business, but are failing to realize than when you are in public you are going to be scrutinized by societal norms. The odds were much greater that you would be snorting cocaine or heroin than insufflating tobacco. I certainly wouldn’t wish to have someone doing illegal drugs next to me at a restaurant.
Since I’ve only recently started using snuff, I’ve been careful to maintain discreetness. The social reality is we do care what people think of us and we do care how we are treated and to some level that is with in our own control. I could go around to everyone at work and explain I now enjoy snuff and that it is only tobacco and that would probably be fine, I don’t feel like bothering with that, nor do I wish every random co-worker in passing to ask what I’m sticking up my nose. So I go in the unoccupied bathroom and take a pinch, or do so in my private office. Could someone walk in, possibly and than I would explain. But I’ve minimized my public exposure.
Furthermore look how hard it is to get any decent snuff, I gotta order the bulk of mine from England, I could walk down the main street here to score some coke or heroin lol I guarantee if I took a pinch in front of my local coppers they would question me and probably would test it before releasing me… unfortunately we have a huge heroin problem in my county. Anyway I’m just playing devil’s advocate here and by all means do as you wish. Once I’m more comfortable and knowledgeable of my new hobby I probably will expose myself to strangers when I’m ready to deal with the range of their very natural response be it curiosity or repulsion.
- Donn
The problem is that “highly suspicious activity” is founded, to a large extent, on IGNORNACE.
If you want to EDUCATE the powers that be, probably the most expedient method is by having them caught in EMBARRASSING, WIDELY PUBLICIZED INCIDENTS that illuminate their ignorance. When this has happened a few times, they will make a concerted effort to see that it does not happen by educating the cop on the beat (and others of that ilk).
This is why I made enough noise at the airport to call a cop onto the scene and had a security officer threatened with public arrest! Wa’ja bet the word was quickly passed to other security officers?
I guess my problem with Ben Stein’s coffee clerk was that he was incredibly rude about the situation, not only before but after he was told that it was tobacco. His unsolicited programmed comments were about tobacco and not illegal drugs. I don’t snuff in public but then I don’t go out in public all that often because I work at home.
When I lived in New England, I ran into similar responses about smoking, something along with snuffing (until recently) actually has been a societal norm for centuries. Then again, as stated in my missing comment, I felt it was pretty easy to get the side eye in MA for just about anything. I once got a side walk lecture for not having toenail polish on. Clerks wrinkling their nose and making comments after I walk away about reeking (they love the word reek) of cigarettes (cigars actually but they are dim) etc. That doesn’t happen where I am now.
Buy a Toque Tee shirt http://www.toquesnuff.com/index.php?app=gbu0&ns=prodshow&ref=toque-tshirt. That should strike a conversation
@haemony I too live in MA, the Berkshires. I definitely agree that the employee was very rude, I personally would have spoken to the manager and explained the transgression. As to custom, snuff hasn’t been a common practice in the states since colonial days I have lived in states from Montana to Florida to currently Massachusetts and in all my life and travels I’ve never seen anyone use snuff once.
I think they assumed since his name is Ben Stein he is thee Ben Stein and since he’s all hollywood he must be doing lots of cocaine. That’s what I think now.
Just because I wrote speeches for Nixon and Reagan doesn’t mean I have ben stein money to go all Hollywood at the local coffee shop lol
Hmm. I have but I know it’s not common in the U.S. in this century. For common use, I’d say more like mid to late 1800s and winding down towards the turn of the century. It’s true that after that Americans preferred to dip it and snuff was mostly replaced by cigarettes and chew. I wonder why. Nasal snuff appears frequently enough in American literature and 19th to early 20th century ads (something I look at all day in my business) and even doctor’s prescriptions, silent films, and so forth that it was probably at least familiar to the generation before ours. My grandmother had her mother’s snuff box collection. I guess to me that is recent but I am a weirdo and I admit that my perspective is a but wider than your average youngin’. :)
Attitudes change and can be changed very quickly, less than one generation now and it all goes down the memory hole. 10 years ago I’d never have believed people would be banned from smoking outside or refused employment or actually believe there is such a thing as third hand smoke or any of those nutty things.
I think they took away the Congressional snuff box in the 1930s. I wonder if they dipped it or snuffed it. The House of Commons still has one. They claim no one uses it.
Strangely enough, I have yet to experience any kind of harassment for using snuff, despite using it pretty much wherever I darn well please (except for in front of the kids. I don’t want to promote tobacco use to them. If they decide to start smoking cigarettes, I’ll break it all out in the open and display PROPER tobacco use to them). I have, however, been stopped by a cop while walking down the street smoking a pipe. He accused me of smoking illegal substances, and made me tap my pipe out to prove it was tobacco. To be fair, I was in my mid twenties at the time, had a large goatee and some tats, and while I’ve been sober two years and eight months now, at THAT time probably was otherwise in posession of some manner of illegal substances.
I’m still fairly new to snuff, and fairly discreet about it myself when at work or in public. I’ll take a pinch in my car in the parking lot before going into a store. Or wait until I get to a bathroom or to my car after a meal at a restaurant. I wish it was a common enough practice that I felt more comfortable about doing it more publicly. But, Ben’s story and some of your stories sort of reinforce my worry that I will end up causing unexpected drama.
I think as I get more experience, I’ll find places I’m comfortable taking a pinch. Perhaps the pub, or while in a store. But, even then, I think its important to be fairly casual and nonchalant about it, so that it doesn’t draw unwanted attention.
On another note, I’m always surprised at the lack of boundaries people have. They see someone smoking or chewing, and they’ll start into them about how they are going to die. That sort of lack of manners much too prevalent. There are food nazi’s, tobacco nazi’s, and all manner of nazi’s that run about making themselves feel better by telling other people how wrong the other people are, and how enlightened they are. I tend to very aggressively tell these people to mind their own business, and that I don’t want to hear their “crap.”
Mark
@haemony , I’d bet dollars to donuts that it was the cigarette companies that pushed them out. Out gunning them in advertising and movies of the day etc.
I’d be so excited if I saw some stranger taking a pinch. Definitely would have to stop and ask what kind he/she has. Probably would become homies.
We, snuff users, are bringing back to new life an old tradition of tobacco consumption. Let’s bring along another old fashioned manners: TAKE SNUFF, BE POLITE. DON’T NEED TO HIDE.
Basic code:
—1. Offer your snuffbox first whenever you are in company and want a pinch (keep another snuffbox specially designated to offer if you are picky).
—2. Start a brief conversation with a bartender, shopkeeper, cop, etc. (anyone in charge) and ask in between if they mind if you take some “snuff tobacco”. Then go to 1.
@snuffvillian I like your basic code, sounds like the best way to be a snuff ambassador lol.
@snuffvillian This would certainly bring back the days of yore. I like it!
Hell. I’ve been getting “The Look” since 1972. I found that if I ignore the ignorant they tend to go away. I’ve yet to have any threats of law enforcement intervention, but I would welcome it. Police Officers have important work to do and don’t take kindly to idiocy that wastes their valuable time.
“Go ahead. Make my day.”
I know a fellow in a pipe forum who was smoking a cob of pipe tobacco on an army base. An MP spotted him and he was dragged out of his vehicle, forced to the ground and abused mightily before being cuffed. The only thing that saved him is that the captain of the MPs also was a pipe smoker, and knew the difference between tobacco and marijuana. He had this guy released, but the best he could get was a mere apology.
Given how militarized the general police force is these days, and how ignorant rookie cops may be of something as basic as tobacco, one shudders to think what sort of response the police might have if a “concerned citizen” calls the cops on a snuff user. They are trained about illegal substances, but perhaps not well enough to make a clear distinction of completely legal ones.
As former law enforcement, a lot (but not all) of the treatment you get is a reflection of your own demeanor and attitude.
Example 1 (Worst Case Scenario): When police officer approaches, the snuffer says angrily, “Oh, hell…why the fuck did they call you. I’m not doing a god-damned things wrong!” In this example, the snuffer has his snuff in an odd container in his pocket, and is reluctant to show the police officer what he has. When the police officer is eventually looking at the snuff and asks what it is, the snuffer says, “What the fuck do you think it is?”
Example 2 (Best Case Scenario): When the police officer approaches, the snuffer says in a polite tone, “Hello, officer…how can I help you? I believe they may have called you because I’m using snuff tobacco, and there has been a misunderstanding.” In this example, the snuffer has the snuff in its original container or a snuff box that looks like something other than something in which you would store cocaine. The snuffer pulls out his snuff, shows it to the officer, and is willing to simply hand it over to the officer to examine. When asked what the snuff is, the snuffer says, “Its powered tobacco. Its a somewhat old-fashioned way to use tobacco. Sort of like dipping, except you snuff the tobacco up into your nose. I know people aren’t used to seeing people snuff, so I can understand why they called. But, its just tobacco…completely legal.”
I mean, there is always the chance you would run into a power-mad moron in a uniform, but in most cases, police officers respond to your tone with a similar tone. The more quickly you can get them to see that their time has been wasted and that they can move onto their next call-for-service, or perhaps the lunch they were hoping to get when they received the police call, the more quickly and happily they will be out of your hair. (In most cases).
Mark
@snuffvillian, I like the code you lined out there…
Mark
@markstinson that is exactly my point, a person has a lot of control over how any situation plays out by controlling themselves in the first place. When enjoying any hobby or habit you should not be attempting to deliberately alarm the public by doing it, even if technically it is legal. Here in Berkshire county MA, we have a large heroin problem, so as a new snuff user I choose to be discreet and do it in privacy. I haven’t had any issues waiting till I’m in a bathroom, my car, my office etc.
@snuffvillain Nicely done.
Until I read this thread, it never occurred to me to take snuff in public although I have seen people snuff or dip. It just never occurred to me. I’m usually just trying to get from one place to another and out of public asap. If I were to take part in the company of others, that is definitely the way I’d go. I think it used to be common practice in polite society to offer the snuff box around before taking a pinch.
I did caught once in the car. When we were moving from MA to WV, @cpmcdill and I had to take quite a few 10 hour straight drives in a rented van we couldn’t smoke in and drinking coffee meant too much stopping. I’m a snus lightweight so a pinch now and then helped to keep me awake. I got a honk and looked up to see the driver of a huge truck giving me the thumbs up and a big smile. I have no idea what he thought I was doing but I’m pretty sure he knew it was snuff. I can’t imagine the other bit getting such an amused reaction but you never know.
As a relatively new snuff taker, I was a bit hesitant to snuff publicly or openly at first. I live in the southwestern US, where snuff taking is pretty uncommon. My job affords me a lot of time outdoors alone, so my chances of getting “the look” are pretty minimal. I then decided to try a conventional acrylic bullet, then a posh style bullet, thinking that would allow me maximum discretion at the office, or around town. Well, I found bullets don’t really give me the dose I prefer, and in my opinion they seem to scream either blow or crank to your average person if they actually see you taking with one.
From there, I started my “fast and furious” method: Discretely tap into box car, lift thumb to nose, quickly sniff, and do the side to side itchy nose thing. For the most part, nobody really notices. I’m finding that I really enjoy the pinch method, but it can freak out the uninitiated. When I take out my box, open it unhurriedly, then take a pinch in the most dignified way I can manage, “the look” often switches from one of uncertainty and contempt, to curiosity.
Strangely enough, I recently discovered that our new boss enjoys a pinch. The station has become a place where snuff taking is not only accepted, but encouraged. The boss now keeps a can of Garrett’s Scotch on his desk, and anytime anyone drops in to talk - out comes the snuff!
That’s pretty cool. ^^^^^
@rusty_sanchez That’s a great snuff story
One of my employees does snus and wants to cut back, so showed him my snuff that I’ve been closeting at work and he loved it, so gave him some of his own and he now does it in front of others like when he uses snus and has paved the way for me to not keep it under wraps any longer.
I’m surprised that snuff really didn’t take over as the new smoking laws are coming in place…I have a feeling that if we as suiffers begin to bring it out of the Victorian age and normalize the use we as snuf users can get less of “the look” and fear less of what people think. Cause if dippers can dip, sniffers should snuff. Snuff should be at the forefront of cigarette harm reduction as well IMO
@BenStein, I absolutely agree
i used to snuff in public, but my jobs havent afforded me the luxury recently. a ‘work experience’ stint at the jobcentre was good with it, but warehouses it takes too much time (and tobacco not technically allowed) and my current job is at a white dry-wipe marker friendly desk, so i can imagine snuffing at it being frowned upon as it would look like there was enough muck on the desk after a pinch to start a small garden. my snus has got me through, though i reckon im hopelessly addicted to it.
@BenStein on the bright side at least we are so far under the legal radar that the tax nazi’s aren’t after us. Look at the poor cigarette folks, it’s absolutely ridiculous what’s been allowed to be done to cigarette smoker’s. $10+ per pack even, absolutely absurd!!! Outrageous even, just to persecute people into quitting. Quitting smoking should be an individual’s choice not forced by the government.
Me…I would have started to drool my tea…go into fake convulsions…and then start speaking German…once the crowd had gathered…I would have stood up straight…said, “wow good sh*t” …sat back down and proceeded to calmly drink my tea
@Snifs cracked me up, best advise thus far!
I’ve tried to explain to my brother my new love of tobacco and he’s slowly starting to understand, even did a snuff with me last week. Moved into new place today, got internet finally. Gonna place a fresh order of snuff I think to commemorate. It’s all about educating and you can’t educate people about snuff with no snuff, hahaha
@BenStein - just make sure the USPS has your new address figured out before you order. I had a snuff order come in the day after I moved into my new apartment, apparently too soon for the USPS. It got sent back to Mr. Snuff. After 20 days it still hasn’t made it back to the UK.
If you let them push you into the bathroom to take snuff then you’re pretty much done.
Keep it in the factory container, put it on the table next to your coffee, and if staff or anybody else is dumb enough to assult you call the cops and have them arrested. And then sue them in civil court for violating your civil rights.
Enough is enough already.
I am gonna just say you need to change your technique. Bottom line. I can snuff so fast, whilst walking, in the grocery store or where ever. It looks nothing more than like im wiping off my nose. Or I imagine they assume I am clearing a pesky booger. Either way no one will ever say anything about you picking your nose, they just pass you off as some sick person and try to avoid contact. Then again. It could just be me.
Just tell them the honest truth next time. People use drugs in the bathroom, every day at many of your favorite establishments. There is no reason for you to blatantly sit out in the open like a damn fool if you were using drugs. Then ask to use the restroom.
I get that some people --most people- have no idea what snuff is or how it is taken. If someone made a similar comment to me I would tell them it’s tobacco and to mind their own business. If that wasn’t sufficient, a ‘fuck off’ might follow. Its only worth so much time to explain snuff to somebody who is being an asshole.
To date other than a few “odd” looks now and then I have yet to experience anything more. Even crossing numerous borders and the much maligned TSA I have not had issue. I will relish in my luck while remaining ready to explain that I am taking tobacco and not something nefarious.
It’s all about swagger. If you do it like it’s normal and nothing to hide people assume you have nothing to hide. Not that I learned that you can do most things crimes included if you act like it’s cool during my juvinillely mischivious period (it’s too early to spell check sorry)
It depends whether people are rude or not when they say something to you. Ignorance is totally excusable (and can be amended), but there is never an excuse for bad manners (which very often cannot)!
Good topic and some very good advice in these comments.
My own take on this is that being polite is very important but I also support being aggressive to those who insist on calling police or otherwise being rude or threatening you. People have a right to their ignorance and they have a right to be offended but they do not have a right to invade your personal space or use government force to punish you when you’ve done nothing wrong.
I like the idea that we are essentially ambassadors of snuff taking and as such, we should be polite and offer snuff where appropriate, educate others where appropriate but when people are involving cops or accusing you of crimes it may be time to dig your heels in, fight back and assert your rights as firmly as possible! - “walk softly but carry a big stick”
Having said all of that, I don’t take snuff in public. I’ve taken it in my car and in bathroom stalls but that’s as close as I’ve come. Tobacco is about relaxing to me (even for just a moment) and worrying about other people calling the cops and creating a scene while accusing me of crimes is not conducive to relaxation in my book!
I started a new job the other day, and so I took a heads-on approach. I noticed my co-workers either dipped or smoked, so on our break I casually pulled out my snuff like it was no big deal. I asked them if they had ever taken snuff tobacco, and then took some off the back of my hand. None of my coworkers had seen snuff before, so they asked to smell it and see what it smelled like. I told them they could try it if they wanted, but there were no takers. Beyond that, no worries.
Now I can stop and take some snuff at work, and not worry about a thing. It nice.
Mark
Depending on your location, at least here in the colonies, there can be an omnipresent troop of PC Police that have appointed themselves the arbiter of socially acceptable behaviour be it the size of your beverage, smoking, sniffing, choice of entree or whatever blows their skirt up. I actually enjoy the confrontations with these folks. Their arrogance, combined with their ignorance, makes for a jolly good time when they get their panties in a bunch.
That’s how I met a local sheriff’s deputy a few months back. A cocktail server called them because of my suspicious behaviour. This guy showed up and just happened to be a long time snuffer of Swisher Starr. A good time was enjoyed by a few.
I would have loved to have seen the cocktail server’s face if the Sheriff accepted a pinch of snuff from you within her view!
Not to start a class-warfare discussion here, but in general, this is why I like being around working-class blue-collar people. They tend to somewhat reject the whole PC movement. They usually have their “bad” habits, and they don’t give a $#!t if you have “bad” habits. They are actually more comfortable to learn that you have your own “bad” habits and that you are willing to be yourself in front of them.
To illustrate my point. Picture yourself in the USA at a party with lawyers, doctors, and business professionals and you pull out some snuff and take a pinch. Now picture yourself in the USA at a backyard BBQ with some construction workers, firemen, and good-old-boys (and good-old-girls, of course) and you put out some snuff and take a pinch. Where would you be more likely to be accepted, and where would you be more likely to generate some drama?
Mark
@markstinson True that. I’m southern California by youth. Southern by choice. I’d rather share a jar of 'shine on the tail gate of a beat up pick up truck than go cork sniffing at some wine tasting.
Don’t get me wrong. I made a nice living taking care of the “upper crust” of society, so I had no choice but to learn all the disciplines required. In fact, I was damned good at it. I enjoyed it other than the customers
Now that I’m retired I prefer overalls, the company of dogs, good old boys and turnip greens. Ya’ll can keep all that snooty shit for yourselves :))
I just do nice big piles off the back of my hand. I don’t really care what people think, I live in south Florida where everyone is flaky all around you and people are more worried about homeless harrassing them. No one ever pays any one mind. But I actually turned a couple people on to snuff that are around me, but I have given them to start with. But I doubt they ever ordered any…
If you spend any time around adult watering holes that don’t allow smoking, you’ll find a target rich environment for snuff newbies. Especially those of the female variety if you play your cards right.
Offer a pinch from a nice snuff box with a little info on the contents and folks will come around. The PC types are hopeless. F__k 'em.
Works damned good, just don’t let anyone try your WE, there’s always at least one hard ass who says they want to. I don’t even tell anyone I’ve got it anymore, ruins the first experience pretty promptly.
I don’t really know how to educate my friends about snuff to well. More like they tolerate me snuffing, but they still smoke themselves. Really I don’t understand whats wrong with some snuff. The other day may friend was joking that my nose will fall off and I’ll be like Michael Jackson lol. It’s funny the people around here at my local pubs and other places, the facial reactions I get when taking a pinch is funny. Most of the people insist that what it looks like is that I’m a hardcore user of Cocaine or Heroin. Really I just blow my nose and everything is fine since I kicked the cigs.
@mrsniffles - Yeah, I don’t understand why people go on about “your nose is going to fall off”, when to my knowledge there has never been any case of that sort of thing happening with nasal tobacco snuff. It kind of reminds of how people automatically associate dip with oral cancer, when in fact the vast majority of cases of oral cancer among tobacco users are found in cigarette smokers.
Ill get folks who want to tell me how snuff is worse then smoking. Like hows it healthier? I understand they’re concern, but I think things are fine.
My coworkers gave me strange looks initially. But after a brief explanation they understood. I even got one of them to try a pinch of Viking Dark. I was questioned about it in public a few weeks ago at a bar. I had a tin of Toque Quit open on the bar. Luckily the bartender was intelligent and realized that it was tobacco. “I’ve never seen anyone snort tobacco before”. I explained from there that you don’t snort it, but I don’t think that she fully understood it.