kendall ' ... friend in the car business and he used to say "I hate to see a pipe smoker coming. They can't be manipulated into buying before they are ready. They think too much."'

Secondary school teacher said our older son's approach to, probably, maths or physics problems was 'this is interesting' and that he was metaphorically getting a pipe going. The lad's a consulting engineer now.

One boss of mine smoked little but reckoned that pipes were great as a delaying tactic in negotiations.

Used to smoke them, not vast volumes, until the mid-90s. In principle still would once in awhile and indeed have the necessary supplies, but just don't get round to it. Probably play music instead.

Reminds me - man in our guitar group a bit back - a rather stressed solicitor - said playing the guitar stopped him drinking.