How has the Patch changed your smoking tastes?

The thing I notice the most since joining a few months back is that the patcher's (copywrite pending) have encouraged me to smoke what I like. Even though I have branched off considerably from my first love in pipes (1Q), the culture around here of "there is no tobacco/pipe that can claim being better than any other tobacco" is warm and inviting.

I think the culture here is befitting of pipe smoking. Even though there seems to be a wide range of ages and personalities on here I always picture a group of older gentlemen from a simpler time sitting on a front porch when reading posts. It comforts me in this age of go go go and constant bombardment of stimulation.

I still smoke the blends I’ve enjoyed for many years before joining the Patch, but I have picked up a few new tobacco’s that I noticed many pipe smokers of the Patch enjoy. Even though I’m enjoying pipe smoking for just over 50 years I still learn something new from time to time on here, like different techniques on breathe smoking is one example.

Many other posts/threads on the Patch that have nothing to do with smoking I find interesting and knowledgeable, I’ve learned much. More open communication on the Patch than any other forum I was a member of prior. Here we can completely go “ off track “ within a thread and members here don’t start “ bitch whining like” every other pipe forum I participated in prior, eventually we ALL get back on track. If any member of the Patch decides to comment or have a question and re-opens an “ old “ thread, members here don’t jump down your throat, like other forums have done “ often “ on other pipe forums. A perfect example, I once opened an old thread on “ another popular pipe forum “ about making pipes. It was an honest and sincere question pertaining to “ making a Reverse Calabash Pipe “, I was jumped on by three members immediately stating “ we don’t usually open old threads on here “! I actually received two nasty PM’s, which I thought were quite funny!!!

The BIG difference “ I find “ between the Patch and other “ forums “, for the “ most “ part, members within this forum must come from a different planet......lol....they are personable, caring, thoughtful of others and show “ respect “ to each other!!!

Also, so much generosity between members of the Patch, which tells me this forum is made up of many truly wonderful people, there is NO other forum on the Internet that comes close to the “ quality “ of people within the Patch. What more can I say, other than I’ve met some good friends here, whether we meet in person or communicate within this forum, I am honored to meet ALL of you👌👍👍👍

Amen