The Hookah 'fad'

[[Elmo]]

So I know it's been brought up before, but it seems like a legitimate topic to talk about. Right now in college towns all across the US there are plenty of people who claim to "love hookah" and think it's "totally badass"". People who don't smoke regularly, will never intend to purchase a hookah or become a serious lover, claim to be fanatics.

My question is, what does the forum think about these people?

Just being in college for three weeks, I've met a lot of people who say things like "Yeah, one time we smoked apple and it was soooo tight". And I'll say "What kinda hookah did they have?" or "Oh yeah, what brand?" And in response I get "What? Dude it was apple!"

I know personally I really don't care for it. I know there are people like that that do want to get serious, but it seems like so many others are caught up in a fad.


Short version: What do you think about people that claim to be into hookah but really have no clue?

[GreatPigHookah]

Fad or not, the more people who have a positive experience with the shisha, the better. The more accepted and liked it is, the better it is for everyone. More people enjoying it means less stigma associated with it, more availability and variety of products, etc. It's a win-win, man. Personally, I would try real hard to not be a "hookah snob" because that attitude could turn people off to it, and that's not gonna help. Just my 2 cents.

Edit: Just so ya know, elmo, I'm not saying you are a "hookah snob" or anything, I'm just saying I personally would be careful not act like one. Edited September 5, 2008 by GreatPigHookah

[leadpipecinch21]

i think it's awesome...think about it, if it wasn't a fad there are a whole slew of people that would have never tried it and gotten in to it(i know that'd be the case with me). and as pig said, more people in to it means less people looking badly upon it, and a greater availability of goods...awesome.

[skimo281]

I would have to agree, but at the same time it gets kind of annoying. When I smoke with friends who don't really know about it I let them set it up with me and do everything from step one, it seems they enjoy the sessions more have being apart of it. But yeah in the end it's good that it's becoming more and more popular even if they don't know what they are talking about.

[[Elmo]]

Edit: Just so ya know, elmo, I'm not saying you are a "hookah snob" or anything, I'm just saying I personally would be careful not act like one.

Oh don't worry, I love talking about hookah to new people and getting them familiar with it. I use to be kinda bad about being a 'hookah snob' but I think that phase has passed

I guess I should have rephrased my statement, I know the 'fad' is great for getting more people serious about hookah. I'm talking more about the people who aren't serious and don't know much about hookah that act like because they smoked once or twice they are some sort of Hookah expert.

Sorry for the confusion. Edited September 5, 2008 by [Elmo]

[leadpipecinch21]

well, that happens with everything that's a fad...people just like look smart and in the know...

[melanko]

I kinda use to be one of those types of people when I started smoking going to Hookah Lounges. Then I started to take is more seriously and do it at home, mostly because it was a hellof-alot cheaper but then really started getting into hookah as a hobby.

But the last few times I went to any of these hookah lounges in my area, they are pretty much full of the exact type of people that the OP is talking about. A bunch of punk ass dudes, probably just turned 18 or maybe 19, still too young to buy alcohol but can go out to a lounge to smoke tobacco and think they're badass.

Yea, that's why I don't go to those places any longer.

[Bimmerbro10]

I kinda use to be one of those types of people when I started smoking going to Hookah Lounges. Then I started to take is more seriously and do it at home, mostly because it was a hellof-alot cheaper but then really started getting into hookah as a hobby.

But the last few times I went to any of these hookah lounges in my area, they are pretty much full of the exact type of people that the OP is talking about. A bunch of punk ass dudes, probably just turned 18 or maybe 19, still too young to buy alcohol but can go out to a lounge to smoke tobacco and think they're badass.

Yea, that's why I don't go to those places any longer.

lol True that. I used to smoke back in my country, but when i came here i didnt even go to hookah lounges. Lucky for me I had the Garage lounge xD (Georges place AKA Codename067). There are always haters around so fuc kem.

[DarkParade]

i try and educate peeps about it

[NickReppinThe909]

i usually just laugh at them and straight up tell them they should get more into it and not just smoke crap like starbuzz and fantasia and quit using cheap QL's and stop buying shitty chinese hookahs

so in general i tell them to STEP IT UP !!!!

[lp640man]

Argileh is far from a fad...been around the middle east for centuries and will continue to stay... It is a trip to see how things developed and now becoming mainstream..I used to smoke nakhla an al waha,abu haitham (saudi) tobacco, alfakher,rowan back in the days ,parents garage...and now im smoking in my own family room..., Its cool to now see " tangiers" and how things are developing (funnels,mods,glass funnels...etc...)I see it staying around for centuries more...


I just hope that years from now...health issues wont arise because of the usage of foil, new coals that are out...etc... ...but you only live once so why not go out doing what you love....


About people claiming to be in the know but clueless...well posers will always be posers....so no fixing that...

[staygone]

i usually just laugh at them and straight up tell them they should get more into it and not just smoke crap like starbuzz and fantasia and quit using cheap QL's and stop buying shitty chinese hookahs

so in general i tell them to STEP IT UP !!!!

Bingo.

My folks think that hookah's a fad. I sometimes think it could be too, being that when I'm older that I could potentially be done smoking in general. Pish Posh to that, I'll always have a hookah around. Even if it isn't being smoked every couple of monthes, sometimes a session can be just what you need regardless of age.

-QM

[melanko]

Argileh is far from a fad...been around the middle east for centuries and will continue to stay... It is a trip to see how things developed and now becoming mainstream..I used to smoke nakhla an al waha,abu haitham (saudi) tobacco, alfakher,rowan back in the days ,parents garage...and now im smoking in my own family room..., Its cool to now see " tangiers" and how things are developing (funnels,mods,glass funnels...etc...)I see it staying around for centuries more...


I just hope that years from now...health issues wont arise because of the usage of foil, new coals that are out...etc... ...but you only live once so why not go out doing what you love....


About people claiming to be in the know but clueless...well posers will always be posers....so no fixing that...

It's true when people say that history repeats itself.

[ryno]

I think its great more people are getting into hookah and knowing its not for nht, and shouldnt be used for it. Like every fad, theres people that know nothing about it, but claim to, and you have to deal with it. I do hate when people ask if I've had "Strawberry" or "Apple before, because they dont know the names of the brands.. Usually when I get someone like that I start to explain all the different brands and flavors and all that good stuff, just help pass on the knowledge and there will be less people like that

[r1v3th3ad]

My uncle called me today and told me this was on the news this morning...the college hookah fad being the number one in U.S. at the moment.

I'm glad that people are getting into in general...I run into people and I end up talking with them for 30mins because they start asking questions...I give advice and all.

What I don't like about it is that a lot of college students in U.S. are NHT abusers and I know that that is another thing with the fad, mixing shisha and that...I know, I've talked to people, and I managed to talk a few into never doing it again...told them how doing that could ruin it for everyone, make hookahs illegal because tons of people are using them for that crap.

So...I'm 50/50 on the issue

[Apets22]

To be honest, Im kind of a fanboy. Got in on it when it started to get popular. Then I changed and bought my own hookah, came here and learned. I laughed a little as I was reading this thread because honestly alot of people described me, as the stereotypical hookah noob. But whatever, I dont take offense to it.

After getting a phunnel its really changed the way I smoke. I have my first box of coco naras on the way and a Razan. Ive tried tangiers and wasnt a huge fan, and have 3 different flavors of AF coming.

My favorite thing about his board is people not being snobby and bitchy about how much cooler they are because of all the stuff they know. Everyone here has graciously shared there knowledge and helped me become less of a noob. So dont turn into hookah snobs, because that would be lame. All my friends have no idea what goes on in a hookah, and I dont care, they enjoy it and want to smoke it and Im fine with sharing that and the small bit of knowledge I have. You just have to try to show people the way.

[Codename067]

I have never considered Hookah as a fad, nor will I ever think of it that way. Its been around for WAYY too long to be considered a fad.

If anything, I will smoke less as I get older, but I will still smoke.

[cotsi95]

Its like anything else in this world you find people that are truly interested in it and you'll find people that like it but have no clue how it works (i deal with these people on a daily basis). It will always be around it just wont be as popular.

[shisha fan]

it has never been a fad for me, then i wouldn`t still be smoking hookah after more than 6 years.
i wouldn`t mind seeing hookah getting more popular because then the availability of pipes and tobacco would go up. now i have to rely on internet vendors for most of the tobacco that i buy.

[srawas89]

I so agree with codename, it def. is not a fad. However it does seem that way because it is sweeping the college campus' by storm (I know because I am helping organize an event all around hookah smoking). I see it more as spreading a part of my culture. If you get someone interested in hookah chances are they will end wanting to know where the hookah came from and such and than they may think that since the hookah is so cool what about the rest of the culture? and than they look into other parts of the culture etc. (same thing goes for food). Anyway as far as kids acting like know at all ignorant people if they are hanging out with me I will correct them where they are wrong however if they are not I laugh at them sometimes but either way I am always open to helping people (esp. if its a hot chick cuz we all know hookahs are great at picking up girls . Well that is my 2 cents and as for the comment on not wanting to go to hookah bars anymore because of the ignorant folks just go with a bunch of people who appreciate hookah like you do and you will have a good time (thats what I do).

[natgnat]

I've known about hookah for a long while, but only fairly recently gotten WAY into it. I've been to a lounge less than 5 times in my life... for me it's not a BAD experience if you go with the right people, but you do observe more idiots in those places.

I think what I love about hookah now is how many things there are to keep it new. New flavors, different liquids in the base, new hookahs even. But more importantly, my hookah serves as a great way to relax a little and catch up with friends. It's the antithesis to the typical American lifestyle of hurry and worry.

Unfortunately, I only became of legal age in the middle of this on-going fad. That's something that cannot be helped. But I'd like to think that my willingness to learn more about it would put me in a different catergory.

[zymerholic]

I know personally I really don't care for it. I know there are people like that that do want to get serious, but it seems like so many others are caught up in a fad.

Wow elmo, sounds like you are too narrow minded. You shouldn't think you are special because you know brands of hookah's and others may not. Some people want to try it, enjoy it and share their experience. It dosen't mean they need to embrace every aspect of hookah's and shisha. Some people like to get out and try things, it dosen't mean they then need it to take over their lives. Sounds like you think you are too special because you have you own hookah and spend too much time on the internet reading crap posted on forums like this. You need to get out and experience what else life has to offer.

[[Elmo]]

I know personally I really don't care for it. I know there are people like that that do want to get serious, but it seems like so many others are caught up in a fad.

Wow elmo, sounds like you are too narrow minded. You shouldn't think you are special because you know brands of hookah's and others may not. Some people want to try it, enjoy it and share their experience. It dosen't mean they need to embrace every aspect of hookah's and shisha. Some people like to get out and try things, it dosen't mean they then need it to take over their lives. Sounds like you think you are too special because you have you own hookah and spend too much time on the internet reading crap posted on forums like this. You need to get out and experience what else life has to offer.

Dude it's not like that at all. I think you seriously misunderstood what I was going for.
Anyways I already said I use to be a hookah snob but now I see how arrogant that was.

[Canon]

this is good enough for me..

http://www.google.com/trends?q=hookah

[D-Rock]

Short version: What do you think about people that claim to be into hookah but really have no clue?

Sounds like a bunch of people jumping on the bandwagon. But i think that's ok, that's what forums are for (to share information and learn from).
As a bandwagon member myself, i have to say thanks to the folks that introduced me to hookah smoking, it has helped me quit a long time smokeless tobacco addiction (12 years).
The chewing tobacco has horrible long term effects and i am pleased to be free of it. (I still love fine cigars though).

Hopefully i won't get hit with a NHT ban stick for being vocal about my thoughts on this. Edited September 6, 2008 by D-Rock