How to hold a cigar

[bambini]

OK, this is a total noob question, but unfortunately I don't know anyone in the real world who smokes cigars, so I'm relying on your collective wisdom!

How do you hold a cigar? I've heard varying accounts, so I'm not sure what's best. My understanding so far is that you don't hold it like a cigarette (between the index and middle fingers), and that you hold it between the index finger and thumb. I know that there's a certain etiquette with cigars, so I don't want to get it wrong and look vulgar

I'm currently holding my sticks like Hanibal Smith:



However, this doesn't quite feel right, and I don't know if it's just becasue I'm a little self conscious about being new to cigars or if I'm just doing it wrong. I also heard somewhere that it's important to keep the stick pointing upwards for a cleaner smoke, and it's hard to do that when I hold my stick like that.

Should I be curling my finger over the top of the cigar, a la Che?:





If someone could give me pointers (or even better, pics) I'd be really grateful.

[Drewmidorn]

I think whatever is comfortable is the key!

[Lionhound]

I'm with Drewmidorn on this one.
Hold it how you want to. If you want to stick with etiquette these days you'll have to give up smoking altogether!!!
So smoke it how you want, hold it however you feel comfortable and enjoy it.

[jibjob79]

lit end away from face usual helps, pinky can be held in or out depending on your personal preference. If it feels right smoke it which every way you want.

[Boss Hog]

What you shouldnt do is lie back on a sun lounger on holiday holding it in your mouth, while looking up at the clear blue sky and thinking how life couldnt get any better. As what often happens is the ash falls off and can nearly blind you for life. Not to mention dropping the cigar and burning your chest when the cigar falls from your mouth.

Not that I've ever done anything so stupid. it was err,,, a friend??

[HabanoSy]

I think whatever is comfortable is the key!

+1

Cheers, HabanoSy

[seanbeer]

http://www.cigars4dummies.com/cigar-etiquette/cigar-psychology.html

anyone read this before? its quite interesting to read but not necessary true.

[Smallclub]

Etiquette requires that you hold it exactly like you hold your CENSORED when you EDITED

[daverave999]

However you like. I don't bother with all that etiquette drivel. They are posh people's rules to try and catch you out.

[Big_T_UK]

How do you hold a cigar? So you don't drop it!

[bambini]

Well that's reassuring. The way I was holding it just didn't feel right, so I might experiment on the Monte No2 I have sitting at home

I need to practise lighting as well, but that's a story for another day

[HabanoSy]

How do you hold a cigar? So you don't drop it!

Oh please...

Where is that picture nic took...!?!

We all know how you hold yours T...

Cheers, HabanoSy

[ctrl]

Do as wolverine does....no hands

[The Rodster]

How to hold a cigar

Whenever this question comes up I always think of the words or wisdom (or utter nonsense) below:

Zino Davidoff's guide to cigar etiquette
In 1967, a man called Zino Davidoff published a now-famous essay for cigar connoisseurs. It includes a charter and code for cigar smokers everywhere, telling them how they should behave when smoking or preparing to smoke their cigars. As to his reasons for publishing what is effectively a guide to cigar etiquette, Davidoff has this to say:

?The important thing to remember is that we cigar aficionados should present ourselves as considerate and understanding individuals. Changing people?s preconceived notions and giving the growing numbers of aficionados a good name is well worth that little extra effort.?

Davidoff featured the following Dos and Don'ts for smoking cigars in public.
Do:

• Warm the foot of the cigar slightly before starting to puff on it.
• Remove the band carefully after lighting the cigar.
• Take your time in smoking it; a puff a minute is about right.
• Hold the cigar between your index finger and thumb.
• Let the cigar die a dignified death. After it's smoked half way, it will go out on its own.
• Dispose of the dead cigar discreetly and quickly.
• Wait at least fifteen minutes between cigars; anything less indicates obsessive behavior.

Don't:

• Use a penknife to cut or a lance to pierce the end of the cigar.
• Touch the flame directly to the foot of the cigar: Instead, simply rotate it around the edge till it starts to burn, then puff lightly.
• Ask someone else for a light (the lighting of a cigar should be a personal affair).
• Light your cigar too quickly or too slowly.
• Indulge in exhibitionism in lighting or any other aspect of smoking.
• Relight your cigar if less than one quarter of it is leaf.
• Put the cigar in your mouth to relight it. Just scrape off the ash and turn it in the flame for several seconds till it relights.
• Clench it between your teeth. Likewise do not get the end of the cigar wet, chew it, or slobber on it.
• Smoke too quickly.
• Use a cigar holder, or worse, stick a toothpick or matchstick in the end of the cigar to help hold it in your mouth.
• Dunk your cigar in port or brandy, a habit attributed to Winston Churchill.
• Smoke while working.
• Hold a cigar between your index and middle finger.
• Smoke when you're walking.
• Smoke more than half the cigar.
• Put the cigar out by crushing it in an ashtray.
• Chain-smoke cigars.

[rokkitsci]

Here, here!

How do you hold a cigar? So you don't drop it!

Couldn't agree more.

Extensive testing has revealed that when the red end of the stogie comes into contact with either clothing or flesh, the results are often highly displeasing.