Hookah Etiquette, A Very Serious Thing.

[Karma]

Smoking Hookah is and
always will be a social experience. As if I needed to tell you!
“Hookah Culture” is a vast umbrella that covers history,
customs/traditions, etiquette, atmosphere, and more. Today, as the wave
of hookah culture is spreading to newer regions of the world, some
traditions get left behind and forgotten. Some, on the other hand, are
often ignored. Below is a list of unofficial “rules” that are
associated with proper hookah etiquette.

1. The first thing to understand and consider is what I call “house
   rules”. This is the most important one to remember. If you’re at your
   friends house and he has a set of rules, follow them. If you’re in
   another country, know their customs and traditions. You never want to
   offend your hosts.

2. Usually, the person who sets up the hookah gets to smoke first in
   the rotation. The person in charge of coals goes second. Does this mean
   that if you set up the hookah and coals you get a longer turn? Not
   necessarily. However, some people believe that if you supplied the
   hookah and/or hookah tobacco, you reserve the right to smoke longer if
   you so desire.

3. Rotation is always CLOCKWISE (meaning – if you’re in a circle, it
   is your turn when the person on your right has completed their turn and
   placed the hose down). So why didn’t I just say “pass it to your left”?
   Because it is considered rude to pass the hose to someone directly in
   some parts of the world.

4. If you do pass it to someone, always angle the end of the hose
   with the mouth tip away from the person you’re giving it to. This rule
   is frequently ignored. But be aware that you may offend and disrespect
   your host, fellow participants, or country by overlooking their customs.

5. Speaking of passing the hose, always use your RIGHT hand when
   smoking hookah. In some parts of the world, the left hand is considered
   to be unclean. You may be thinking to yourself, “My left hand is just as
   clean as my right”. By ignoring this rule, you run the risk of
   insulting and offending your hosts or guests.

6. Traditionally, hookahs are thought to belong on the floor and not
   on tables or on any other risen platform. It stems from the idea that
   hookahs are objects of service. Putting it on a pedestal (or any other
   seemingly glorifying alter) is considered to be Bad News Bears! Again,
   this is more of a tradition than a rule. Hookah lounges often adhere to
   the customs but cannot in every situation.

7. Be mindful not to blow smoke into another person’s face. While
   shotgunning (a term used to describe the act of blowing smoke from one
   person’s mouth to another person’s mouth) is not necessarily insulting, a
   good rule to go by is if the person doesn’t want you to blow your smoke
   in their face, simply don’t do it! Unwanted smoke in your face (not to
   mention subsequent breath) is considered rude, impolite, and gross.

8. Another quick tip is not to point your hose directly at someone. Tisk tisk.

9. If you’re smoking a multi-hose hookah, if someone else is
   smoking, let them finish puffing before taking your turn. Also, do not
   blow into your hose in an attempt to push smoke up through your friend’s
   hose and into their face. That’s just rude. See rule 7. And unless
   you’re in the act of smoking, plug your hose so your friend’s aren’t
   just sucking air.

10. Promote good hygiene. Always use a mouth tip (but don’t share one). If you’re sick, don’t smoke with friends.

11. When it is your turn, rest the hose in your lap. Do not place it
    back on the table. Once you have finished with your hookah session, the
    best way to say “we’re done” is to wrap the hose around the shaft.

12. Don’t be a JONO. Don’t Bogart! While puff puff pass is still
    respected, some think that each participant should be given 2-3 minutes
    per turn. If you’re that guy that spends 5-10 minutes trying to perfect
    the art of smoke rings, do it on your own time. Let your friends/guests
    have a turn too buddy! Be lighthearted if there is a Bogart among you.
    Subtle ways of letting him or her know that they’re chiefing the hookah
    are good enough. Call them out!

13. Hosts should let their guests help in deciding what hookah flavor
    to smoke. And don’t pick a flavor YOU KNOW someone won’t like. That’s
    just uncool. Also, if you’re a guest in my house and I invite you over
    to smoke hookah, do not try and reimburse me. Sharing the hookah
    experience with my friends is my pleasure.

Smoking hookah is a privilege and a civilized pastime. Having fun,
relaxing with your peers, and enjoying a peaceful hookah session is what
it’s all about. Don’t ruin the vibe for others! Follow the rules of
hookah etiquette and experience the hookah culture in all its wealth.
If there are a few tips or rules you would like to add to our list,
please feel free to do so by leaving comments below. This is a forum
for you to discuss your experiences and traditions as well. I look
forward to your feedback! Happy Smoking!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is not mine

Original post on Hookah-Shisha.com

Thanks for reading

 

[Chreees]

Why did you feel the need to copy and paste something from Hookah-Shisha.com's website here? Do you work for them?

[Hassouni]

I also call bullshit on the "he who set it up smokes first" thing - that's very contrary to traditions and expectations of Arab and more broadly Middle Eastern hospitality...as for it being a social thing, go to the Middle East, almost nobody shares.

[Bawhee]

the whole setting up = smoking first is just a courtesy thing, cause we all know that the first few puffs arent as great as teh next many puffs :P as far as the rest of these things, I think every group of people that smoke together eventually establish some "rules" (not literally talking about it, they just happen on their own)

[Stuie]

... my ettiquette... my house, my hookah, my rules.

[KnightHawk63]

... my ettiquette... my house, my hookah, my rules.

This.

[kvtaco17]

... my ettiquette... my house, my hookah, my rules.

 

This is why I insist people smoke nude at my house...lol

[Bawhee]

... my ettiquette... my house, my hookah, my rules.

 

This is why I insist people smoke nude at my house...lol

when do we do a forum meet at your house then? :D

[Nerdy]

... my ettiquette... my house, my hookah, my rules.

This.

That.

[Pavo21]

about 99% of the time i set up my own hookah and then i'll set one up for everyone else lol, hell erica and i never even share hookahs we each have our own. but set them both up

[Stuie]

 

... my ettiquette... my house, my hookah, my rules.

 

This is why I insist people smoke nude at my house...lol

when do we do a forum meet at your house then? :D

 

 

One day when I can my house can accomidate more than 3 people.

[Pavo21]

we can do it at my house my back yard can sit about 15 or so or just all sit naked at my lounge.

[joytron]

I think the whole etiquette issue is kind of pompous. Aside from don't be an asshole, if you have rules I would rather just not smoke with you.

[Pavo21]

um jess when you and i smoke we ahve rules. after your lips touch the hose you have to pass it to me.

[joytron]

um jess when you and i smoke we ahve rules. after your lips touch the hose you have to pass it to me.

 

My lips or the hose?

[Pavo21]

both

[Hassouni]

I think the whole etiquette issue is kind of pompous. Aside from don't be an asshole, if you have rules I would rather just not smoke with you.

 

Even I would agree with that (shocking, I know)

[joytron]

I think the whole etiquette issue is kind of pompous. Aside from don't be an asshole, if you have rules I would rather just not smoke with you.

 

Even I would agree with that (shocking, I know)

 

Considering you seem like the kind of person that would be offended is someone asked for chopsticks at a Thai restaurant, yes, quite shocking indeed.

[Pavo21]

 

I think the whole etiquette issue is kind of pompous. Aside from don't be an asshole, if you have rules I would rather just not smoke with you.

 

Even I would agree with that (shocking, I know)

 

Considering you seem like the kind of person that would be offended is someone asked for chopsticks at a Thai restaurant, yes, quite shocking indeed.

why cant i ask for chopsticks at a thai restraunt? hmmm do they not use them? only the Japanese? 

[joytron]

 

 

I think the whole etiquette issue is kind of pompous. Aside from don't be an asshole, if you have rules I would rather just not smoke with you.

 

Even I would agree with that (shocking, I know)

 

Considering you seem like the kind of person that would be offended is someone asked for chopsticks at a Thai restaurant, yes, quite shocking indeed.

why cant i ask for chopsticks at a thai restraunt? hmmm do they not use them? only the Japanese? 

 

 

 

:mellow:

[Pavo21]

ok fine i googled it i wont use chopsticks with thai food any more. forks and spoons for me.

 

i just read a whole thai eating etiquette thing lol, but they said chop sticks if served can be used, but dont ask for them. SO HA! i can use both.

[joytron]

I was just making a joke that I was surprised Chris did not take hookah etiquette seriously. Regardless I am glad you took the time to read a manual on Thai utensil etiquette.  :mellow:

[Pavo21]

anything for you jess

[Hassouni]

Chopsticks are used natively (for lack of a better word at 1 am) by China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam (AKA the 4 Chopstick Countries). In the rest of SE Asia, chopsticks are only used when eating noodles (either in soup or out). In Korea, a long metal spoon is also used for a lot of stuff (namely eating rice and stews).

 

Of course, I prefer Lao food, where you eat with your hands! Sticky rice with a fork and spoon just doesn't work. (But otherwise I use chopsticks very very frequently at home. Just not with Thai food, which I do cook)

[Hassouni]

PS: despite the Japanese using chopsticks even more than the Koreans, Chinese, or Vietnamese, and despite what you see in sushi bars everywhere in the West, sushi is NOT meant to be eaten with chopsticks - both maki and nigiri are finger food. I suppose for chirashizushi you'd have to use chopsticks though...