I can't think of a single country that hasn't had a culture of pipe smoking. Pipes have been around forever.
I love cigars but I'm about ready to try my hand at pipe smoking for the first time.
Can't wait.
@UncleIroh true, pipes precede cigars by A LOT. but pipe smoking is maybe 10% of the cigar smoking experience = waste of time. give it a go but don't get your hopes up too much. especially if you've smoked cigars before.
Sure, pipe smoking will be a change of pace, which is itself part of the enjoyment.
It's possible to enjoy an entire evening smoking a pipe while reading a book, so I'm looking forward to that.