Smoke Signals
Volume 4
1996 San Francisco Big Smoke
Well, I have now had several days to get back into the swing of things after returning home from the Big Smoke San Francisco. Hope all of you out there are doing well! I’m doing fine. Things are always a bit busy, but that’s one more good reason to sit down and enjoy a nice premium cigar, right? Let me tell you about San Francisco. As usual, I had a great time. In fact, people ask me one question more than any other question when I go to Big Smokes; “Father, are you having a good time?” And I always respond with the same answer, “I have a great time everywhere I go.” This is especially true at Big Smokes and other cigar related functions.
The Big Smoke has been held in the same San Francisco hotel the two years it has taken place. This is the Hyatt Embarcadero. The space used for the Big Smoke is quite a bit smaller than others, but there is also a smaller crowd. This year there were two sessions to break up the crowd a bit. I was surprised at the first session. There were a lot fewer people there than the second session. However, this made it kind of nice for visiting and getting around the room. Obviously there was lots of room. The second session did fill up though. At the same time however, it wasn’t too much. Last year there was only one session, and that was just too tight. With the two sessions I think the space was just right. I also have to say, it was very laid back. Often at the Big Smoke things are kind of crazy with all the people and getting around etc. San Francisco was certainly laid back. After all, tolerance and getting along with others is a big thing in this great city. I really enjoy getting out there each year for a day or two. Wonderful people, fantastic sights, things to do everywhere!
As I was saying above, the hotel seems to be just right for these events. I want to say a good word or two at this point for all the folks at the Hyatt Embarcadero. I have never been treated better in a hotel. In fact, both years this hotel has bent over backwards to welcome me and take care of me while I was there. If there is anything I look forward to when I go to San Francisco, it’s the people of the Hyatt Embarcacadero. Great job to all of you and your staff.
Another nice thing about this trip was running into several people that were there last year. It really is great seeing people at these events year to year. I have to be honest though, I sometimes have a hard time remembering faces from last year. I can’t begin to tell you how many people I see in a given week. Therefore, I don’t always recognize those of you who come up and say “Hey, I remember you. You were here last year.” I wish I could. Needless to say though, it still is great to have you come up and say that you saw me last year. There was one group there this time that I did remember though. These folks are the greatest. We were horsing around last year in the lobby after the Big Smoke and had our picture taken as a big group. There were about ten or twelve us in this group. Guess who I ran into again this year? The same group. Of course in it was only appropriate to take a second annual photo wouldn’t you say? This is great for me because I keep a photo album entitled “GREAT CIGAR MOMENTS” on the coffee table of my cigar room. I have collected photos from many Big Smokes and other cigar events which are proudly displayed in this album. Now I am starting to get photos of people that are already in the album from previous years. Once again I think about how the cigar brings people together and develops long and lasting friendships, even if we only see each other once a year.
All in all, this was a great trip. However, I must share an experience that most of us have probably encountered from time to time. It was after lunch, I had planned to meet a friend in the main lobby area of the hotel. This is a big hotel and the lobby area includes a registration area, gift shops, a bistro style restaurant, a bar and a massive area for seating. It was the perfect time to sit down and dialog with a Diamond Crown Robusto No. 3. So I head over to the bar area where I see smokers(being considerate as most of us cigar smokers are for those who don’t like smoking), and seat myself. I order a coffee and an ashtray. No great shakes huh? I receive my coffee and ashtray and begin that age old ritual of happiness in preparing my cigar. The Diamond Crown is a great cigar. I just get started on this precious thing, and this waiter comes flying over to the table saying, “You can’t smoke cigars over here sir; if I would have known when I got your ashtray I would have told you sooner.” I look at him and I say “I thought this was a smoking section? I came over here because I saw those guys over there smoking.” He replied, “This section is just for cigarette smokers.” He then pointed me towards the windows(which do not open) and said “that’s where we want cigar smokers.” Then he says in a sarcastic voice, “I have to put up with this all the time. Every day I have to tell people to move.” Now, I am going to let you draw your own conclusion to resolving this, but keep this fact in mind: I am sitting in an open area that rises at least fifteen stories. There had to be at least 3000 square feet of open space and he exiles me thirty-five YARDS away while six or seven others are smoking cigarettes within thirty feet of me. I am amazed by this lack of tolerance for cigar smokers. Obviously I moved and finished my cigar in an area where no one ever came to see if I would like my coffee warmed. Nor was there a television which I was watching in my original chair. Need I say more?
So, why do I bring this up? Well, I bring this up as a reminder. There has certainly been a greater acceptance of cigar smokers everywhere. However, there is still a lot of work to be done. So do your part. Cigar smokers have rights too. We want to be considerate of others who do not like to be around smoke. For that reason we often will comply if the space would warrant that. However, if there is ample space for us too, use it. One way to help with this endeavor is to choose cigar friendly establishments as often as you can. I do and I think it is making a difference. You can make a difference too.
The Big Smoke has been held in the same San Francisco hotel the two years it has taken place. This is the Hyatt Embarcadero. The space used for the Big Smoke is quite a bit smaller than others, but there is also a smaller crowd. This year there were two sessions to break up the crowd a bit. I was surprised at the first session. There were a lot fewer people there than the second session. However, this made it kind of nice for visiting and getting around the room. Obviously there was lots of room. The second session did fill up though. At the same time however, it wasn’t too much. Last year there was only one session, and that was just too tight. With the two sessions I think the space was just right. I also have to say, it was very laid back. Often at the Big Smoke things are kind of crazy with all the people and getting around etc. San Francisco was certainly laid back. After all, tolerance and getting along with others is a big thing in this great city. I really enjoy getting out there each year for a day or two. Wonderful people, fantastic sights, things to do everywhere!
As I was saying above, the hotel seems to be just right for these events. I want to say a good word or two at this point for all the folks at the Hyatt Embarcadero. I have never been treated better in a hotel. In fact, both years this hotel has bent over backwards to welcome me and take care of me while I was there. If there is anything I look forward to when I go to San Francisco, it’s the people of the Hyatt Embarcacadero. Great job to all of you and your staff.
Another nice thing about this trip was running into several people that were there last year. It really is great seeing people at these events year to year. I have to be honest though, I sometimes have a hard time remembering faces from last year. I can’t begin to tell you how many people I see in a given week. Therefore, I don’t always recognize those of you who come up and say “Hey, I remember you. You were here last year.” I wish I could. Needless to say though, it still is great to have you come up and say that you saw me last year. There was one group there this time that I did remember though. These folks are the greatest. We were horsing around last year in the lobby after the Big Smoke and had our picture taken as a big group. There were about ten or twelve us in this group. Guess who I ran into again this year? The same group. Of course in it was only appropriate to take a second annual photo wouldn’t you say? This is great for me because I keep a photo album entitled “GREAT CIGAR MOMENTS” on the coffee table of my cigar room. I have collected photos from many Big Smokes and other cigar events which are proudly displayed in this album. Now I am starting to get photos of people that are already in the album from previous years. Once again I think about how the cigar brings people together and develops long and lasting friendships, even if we only see each other once a year.
All in all, this was a great trip. However, I must share an experience that most of us have probably encountered from time to time. It was after lunch, I had planned to meet a friend in the main lobby area of the hotel. This is a big hotel and the lobby area includes a registration area, gift shops, a bistro style restaurant, a bar and a massive area for seating. It was the perfect time to sit down and dialog with a Diamond Crown Robusto No. 3. So I head over to the bar area where I see smokers(being considerate as most of us cigar smokers are for those who don’t like smoking), and seat myself. I order a coffee and an ashtray. No great shakes huh? I receive my coffee and ashtray and begin that age old ritual of happiness in preparing my cigar. The Diamond Crown is a great cigar. I just get started on this precious thing, and this waiter comes flying over to the table saying, “You can’t smoke cigars over here sir; if I would have known when I got your ashtray I would have told you sooner.” I look at him and I say “I thought this was a smoking section? I came over here because I saw those guys over there smoking.” He replied, “This section is just for cigarette smokers.” He then pointed me towards the windows(which do not open) and said “that’s where we want cigar smokers.” Then he says in a sarcastic voice, “I have to put up with this all the time. Every day I have to tell people to move.” Now, I am going to let you draw your own conclusion to resolving this, but keep this fact in mind: I am sitting in an open area that rises at least fifteen stories. There had to be at least 3000 square feet of open space and he exiles me thirty-five YARDS away while six or seven others are smoking cigarettes within thirty feet of me. I am amazed by this lack of tolerance for cigar smokers. Obviously I moved and finished my cigar in an area where no one ever came to see if I would like my coffee warmed. Nor was there a television which I was watching in my original chair. Need I say more?
So, why do I bring this up? Well, I bring this up as a reminder. There has certainly been a greater acceptance of cigar smokers everywhere. However, there is still a lot of work to be done. So do your part. Cigar smokers have rights too. We want to be considerate of others who do not like to be around smoke. For that reason we often will comply if the space would warrant that. However, if there is ample space for us too, use it. One way to help with this endeavor is to choose cigar friendly establishments as often as you can. I do and I think it is making a difference. You can make a difference too.
Keep Your Smoking Holy!
