Hookah Disrespect

[AKA]

Who feels like ranting a bit. Im sure you know someone who says "Just sprinkle a little NHT on top of the shisha is great."
Im tired of people ruining the image of hookah. It makes me so mad. IDK theres something extremely immature about how some people use

Hookahs you know. Both for purposes its not for and the young kids who associate with it. What you think?

I prefer to look at hookah as a philosophical tool, or in a way like Einstein viewed his briar pipe. But it seems everyone else thinks otherwise either associating it with

NHT or high school kids. Is hookahs image ruined? Do you think this is the right view? How do you view it? Opinions/comments?

[NIGHTS OF BAGHDAD]

those who know know, and those who dont dont..

[NIGHTS OF BAGHDAD]

adam, read up my friend.. a refresher course for you http://www.hookahforum.com/index.php?act=boardrules

[Acousticadam]

Ahh I can't use that word in any sense, lame! Ha but understandable, sorry!

[AKA]

I hope for my question to be taken seriously. The psychology behind this. To clarify, you see someone smoke briar pipes and people associate them with being the smart, gentlemen, grandfather-like, etc. Now what about hookah? Do you think it could be mostly negative? Edited November 9, 2009 by AKA

[NIGHTS OF BAGHDAD]

I hope for my question to be taken seriously. The psychology behind this. To clarify, you see someone smoke briar pipes and people associate them with being the smart, gentlemen, grandfather-like, etc. Now what about hookah? Do you think it could be mostly negative?

because most people who smoke those old school pipes are people in there upper ages..50+ grand father types..you dont see teens smoking those style pipes..and even if you saw 2 people smoking the same style pipe one in his younger 20's and the other in his 50's the thought would cross your mind one what type of tobacco the 20 year old is smoking..you wouldnt give the old man a second thought..and if he is smoking NHT, thats why hes getting away with it..his age..people tend to go after the young folks..

[Acousticadam]

Not to be a stickler, but this is in the rules.

"the only exception to this rule is in discussions regarding hookah misconceptions or problems you've had while smoking your hookah."

That was my context. Anyways, I'll just never say it regardless.

[NIGHTS OF BAGHDAD]

Not to be a stickler, but this is in the rules.

"the only exception to this rule is in discussions regarding hookah misconceptions or problems you've had while smoking your hookah."

That was my context. Anyways, I'll just never say it regardless.

rule #2) Do not discuss substances that are illegal in the United States. This is a US based forum and we follow US laws. See the separate Stickie for specifics on Illegal Substances. You must be of legal smoking age in your home country to be a member of the Forum. Do not post pictures that include illegal substances or devices for smoking illegal substances. the only exception to this rule is in discussions regarding hookah misconceptions or problems you've had while smoking your hookah. In this situation use the terms NH for a non-hookah device and NHT for non-hookah tobacco. Any other use of these terms will be considered a violation of the rules.

dont worry bro, ive made the same mistake in the past myself..

[AKA]

Ah stereotyping makes perfect since now. Thats a shame.

[NIGHTS OF BAGHDAD]

Ah stereotyping makes perfect since now. Thats a shame.

its a big part of our world from what we do to what we look like, which is why i said those who know know, and those who dont dont..lol

[r1v3th3ad]

he's not breaking the rules...he is discussing misconceptions...he's good as far as I can see


and ya, I'm sick of people and the misconception...I walk all over town with my hookah and get shit all the time

[cotsi95]

Yes the misconceptions can be a PITA, but I use it as an opportunity to Educate not look down upon people. Most people dont know what a hookah is and if they do they usually have a previous idea about it that is usually not correct. Take the time and explain to them the culture/ social aspect to them and 90% of the time they understand. Now getting them to realize that the smoke is not really smoke but vapor and your not burning the tobacco but vaporizing it, is a completely different topic. I even havent gotten my own father to understand this aspect of hookah and ive been explaining to him for the past 4 years.

[AKA]

Lol know what you mean. I just smoked some al fakher mint (its been several weeks *major buzz*) tried to watch the matrix and comprehend its deeper metaphorical meanings. Couldnt handle it maybe another time when I dont get so buzzed jeez.

Matrix+hookah =

[Hookie The Hookah]

Misconceptions are not brought on by people using hookahs for non-hookah tobacco. The image of someone publicly smoking a water pipe is one that Americans are not even remotely familiar with and as such their reaction is likely going to be one of uncertainty. From this uncertainty comes the desire (or in the case of police officers the feeling of obligation) to know for sure what they are seeing, for if it truly is someone smoking NHT then this is a very strange occurrence. Don't blame NHT likers for the image the hookah has in America, blame the lack of knowledge of hookahs that Americans have in general. It may suck that people associate the hookah with "NHT or high school kids" but this isn't an attack on you. You are able to maintain the integrity of your own little hookah world and that's really as good as it gets. Remember as Ghandi said "we must become the change we want to see."

Also, I take issue with this statement "IDK theres something extremely immature about how some people use Hookahs you know" as I'm not really sure you could use a hookah immaturely even if you tried. Pack bowl. Light coals. Suck on it. Heh

[Hookie The Hookah]

Now getting them to realize that the smoke is not really smoke but vapor and your not burning the tobacco but vaporizing it, is a completely different topic. I even havent gotten my own father to understand this aspect of hookah and ive been explaining to him for the past 4 years.

Amen. Even my most open-minded of friends won't buy this.

[AKA]

Also, I take issue with this statement "IDK theres something extremely immature about how some people use Hookahs you know" as I'm not really sure you could use a hookah immaturely even if you tried. Pack bowl. Light coals. Suck on it. Heh

Well I think NHT is childish IMO so using NHT in a hookah Is "to me" immature and awful. Sorry for the misunderstanding, its only immature when used for immature things. IMO. And your right about people not understanding it.

Iv really never had a problem with non smokers misunderstanding it but people who are NHT users misunderstanding it. Within there own little group of NHT users, many dont even know its used for shisha at all. To them its just another NH. This is what my number 1 complaint is.

Im not in a good frame of mind right now, so If I made no sense at all please ignore me. Edited November 9, 2009 by AKA

[Hookie The Hookah]

Also, I take issue with this statement "IDK theres something extremely immature about how some people use Hookahs you know" as I'm not really sure you could use a hookah immaturely even if you tried. Pack bowl. Light coals. Suck on it. Heh

Well I think NHT is childish IMO so using NHT in a hookah Is "to me" immature and awful. Sorry for the misunderstanding, its only immature when used for immature things. IMO. And your right about people not understanding it.

Iv really never had a problem with non smokers misunderstanding it but people who are NHT users misunderstanding it. Within there own little group of NHT users, many dont even know its used for shisha at all. To them its just another NH. This is what my number 1 complaint is.

Im not in a good frame of mind right now, so If I made no sense at all please ignore me.

I figured that's what you meant, but I didn't want to come out and say that I absolutely disagree with your sentiment without having you clarify it first. I don't think that this forum exists for me to argue about such things though so as far as this thread goes: I'm out.

[ilikemyusername]

I dunno man, the first time I ever saw anyone smoking a hookah I was at a Deepak Chopra book signing, when he was done a limo was parked outside and 2 guys came out and got one of those "lamp" style hookahs, a 3 hose job all set up and ready. Deepak steps out and sit with them at a table outside of Borders on dalemabry in tampa and smokes with them. I was at the table next to them smoking a cigarette. The thought that they might be doing something illegal didn't even cross my mind.

[white_rabbit]

Misconception, Stereotype, Ignorance, or whatever you want to call it, is just what we Hookah smokers have to deal with. I'm tired of all the stuff but hookah will never be "politically correct" and it a sad possibility that some NHT may become legal and that will be more acceptable than hookah.

My own personaly bitch is that ill be sitting there reading a book, smoking hookah and some asshole comes over to me with a stupid smile and goes "back in college..." you can finish that statement.

90% ignorance 5% willingness to learn 5% hookah lovers

[NIGHTS OF BAGHDAD]

i dont understand why people get mad about how others view the hookah, should take some of that ambition and fight and cure a sickness or something..lol hookah is not that serious its just a hobby..

[destructo]

so i left my hookah over my brother place friday and went to pick it up yesterday when we went food shopping and one of his frat brothers was borrowing it which i dont, but his roommate convinced him to put nht in it. so now my hookah is paraphernalia and my hose is ghosted with with stinky balls smell. and to top that the guy that convinced him, said that phunnels are "the worst bowl ive ever used" and he said what looked like a jumbo mya but glazed was way better. i didnt say anything but after he said the phunnel sucked my brother told him he didnt know shit which i thought was funny.

[destructo]

oh and since i cant edit it i just remember that he asked me to look at his hookah because it "didnt work". he said it wouldnt draw but then he fixed it but there was no smoke. turns out he took the purge ball out of the valve and i held it up to the light and it was almost totally clogged up. turns out that he never cleaned it EVER. also the water was deep yellow and thick like a syrupy urine. it was really gross. not cleaning your hookah is like buying a car and never doing anything to it but fill up gas and expecting it to still run

[mushrat]

Um..not to be the bearer of bad news, but what do you think the hookah was originally used for?? I'll give you a hint, it wasn't tobacco. It's not a misconception, its an aspect of hookah and hookah use we have to deal with. What we need to be showing is that the hookah has multiple uses and that not all of us who have hookahs are using htem for NHT. But we can't really judge those who do use it for NHT i'm afraid. they are closer to those using it for it's original purpose.

Oh ya, and please folks, stop jacking each thread like this with a mini discussion of the rules, If you think there is a violation, just report it and we'll look at it, but don't jack the thread. Thanks.

[ih303]

Good point, mush. Although, considering how few people have actually seen a hookah, I'd imagine even fewer know anything of their history.

It seems like almost every social problem is caused by some combination of ignorance, bigotry, and greed. This is no exception. Ignorance is an obvious factor since people fear what they don't know or understand. When a "normal" American sees a hookah for the first time, they make the easiest association they can which is usually to some sort of NHT smoking device. However, this only seems to happen if the observer has some point of reference for NHT devices. Those who do not have this platform on which to base associations just fear and/or shun it like they do everything else unfamiliar.

Bigotry plays a part now more than ever. With the ongoing conflict in the Middle-East, Arabic culture has developed a negative connotation. No longer are hookahs associated with philosphers and intellectuals (like Einstein's corn cob pipe mentioned earlier). Now, everything Arabic is associated with terrorism. Certainly, there are those who are able to differentiate between the beautiful culture of the Mid-East and the misguided culture of mid-east terrorist organizations. However, the average, feeble-minded American knows and identifies with only what they see on FOX News.

I haven't really worked greed into this issue yet but welcome any theories.

[destructo]

wait are you saying that smoking hookah doesnt make me a badass middle eastern terrorist? well im guess im back to smoking cigs so i can be a indian killing hardass cowboy like john wayne