Open-Air Etiquette: Navigating Concerts, Festivals, and Tailgates

In a perfect world, everyone would love cigars. Sadly, we live in the real world instead. And while we love smoking cigars in public, it’s always important to be cognizant of others who can’t or won’t appreciate cigar smoke in their personal space. 

Here’s a quick guide to open-air cigar etiquette. Check it out and learn how to smoke courteously at concerts, festivals, and tailgates.

Open-Air Etiquette: Navigating Concerts, Festivals, and Tailgates

Step 1: Ensure Smoking is Allowed

This might sound incredibly obvious, but you’d be surprised…

Always make sure you’re in a location that allows smoking. Many open-air spaces like golf courses permit cigar smoking, but some don’t (for legal or commercial reasons). When in doubt, call ahead and talk to a representative before you bring your cigars along.

Step 2: Find the Smoking Area

Again, this might sound self-evident, but just because a venue allows smoking doesn’t mean it allows smoking everywhere. Many outdoor festivals or tailgate areas will have dedicated smoking areas for 21+ guests. And again, when in doubt — just ask someone.

Step 3: Be Aware of the Wind

Look, we get it. You can’t control the wind. However, you can try to stand downwind so you don’t blow smoke into a crowd. 

Step 4: Ask Around

The simplest way to make certain you adhere to good smoking etiquette is to ask those around you if they mind you smoking. For large events, this may not be feasible. But for smaller gatherings like tailgates, a few quick questions can spare you a big headache (and some dirty looks).

Step 5: Bring Enough to Share

After all, it’s rude not to. In all seriousness, though, if you suspect that others might like to join you in smoking at an outdoor event, pack a few extras just in case. There’s no faster way to make friends than by passing out a few cigars.

Step 6: Ash and Dispose of Your Cigars Properly

If you’re new to smoking, you should know that you can’t “put out” a cigar like a cigarette. Instead, when you plan on smoking in public, make it a point to dispose of your cigars the right way — by gently placing them in an ashtray and letting them go out on their own. At the same time, be courteous of how and where you ash as you smoke. Some spillage may be unavoidable, but even a little effort goes a long way.

Want to see more articles like this? Sign up for Cigar World and let us know what we should cover next with a comment!