Women and Cigars

For years, the art of cigar smoking has fallen undercompany cars, the jetting off to Paris, and the
the category of a male activity, like rebuildingbusiness meetings at cigar bars.
carburetors or prostate exams. But, time has a wayWith theses advances in the corporate world,
of changing things; it is the ultimate makeover. Whilewomen have found themselves with more disposable
decades ago women were consumed with burningincome. While they certainly treat themselves to
their bras, they are now becoming intrigued bymainstream female activities - going to spas, getting
burning something else: cigars.a pedicure, dying their hair at the first sight of a gray
This may seem like an odd concept. Cigars maintain astrand - they've also adopted activities once
certain masculinity that eludes women: the femalereserved only for men, including cigar smoking. A
gender has always been equated with more femininecigar has long been held as a luxury of the
smokes, mainly cigarettes. Even old Hollywood filmsbusinessman - a way to celebrate a promotion or a
are filled with women smoking cigarettes. From thesuccessful merger - and women are grabbing on to
Bacalls to the Hepburns, women were portrayed inthat luxury, using cigars as a way to celebrate their
sensual manners, their lusting voices coming through aown successes.
cloud of cigarette smoke. Men, on the other hand,But, the advances in the corporate world aren't
were portrayed as powerful, smoking their cigars andalways good. Along with professional advancement
plotting to take over the world.comes stress, a lot of it. It's always included, as if
Now, women are taking the bull by the horns and thepart of some sort of anti-benefits package. With the
cigar by the head, throwing away their Virginia Slimsaccumulation of stress, women have searched for a
for something that demands more presence. It mayway to relieve tension and unrest, a way to grip a
seem like an odd concept, this women and cigarssense of control. A cigar facilitates this grip, calming
thing. But the reason females everywhere are turningthe nerves and providing an outlet for release.
to stogies is the same reason men turn to them: aWhile all the above are solid reasons women are
cigar gives the smoker a sense of power, ofhaving a love affair with cigars, leading a Smoking
freedom, and the ability to show off without comingRenaissance, the art of tradition adds another major
across as arrogant: there is no such thing as ancomponent. Cigars are about camaraderie with
unconfident cigar smoker.coworkers and friends, celebration of
But, there's more. Because women have becomeaccomplishment, and traditions of intellect and
major players in the corporate world, climbing thesophistication. They are all about things in which
corporate ladder with speed and eloquence, theywomen deserve to have a hand.
have also become major players of the amenitiesWhen it comes down to it, cigars are also about
that come along with the corporate world: thepower and prestige. And now, so are women.