Moderators: Jenise, Robin Garr, David M. Bueker
Daniel Rogov wrote:I do have the feeling that I am about to be attacked on all of this. Fair enough and I shall rise to my defense. Let me request only one thing though.....let's avoid deep emotions and try to stay with facts.
Mike Filigenzi
Known for his fashionable hair
8187
Mon Mar 20, 2006 4:43 pm
Sacramento, CA
Daniel Rogov wrote:I am indeed a smoker, fairly heavy on cigarettes and moderate on cigars.
Before I go into a defense of my smoking and how it does/does not impact on my palate, I will say that any intelligent person (myself included) who smokes cigarettes is an ass and that precisely because we know exactly what smoking cigarettes does to our hearts, lungs, circulation system, skin and other parts of our body and how it impacts on our health, well-being and possibly longevity. I have never encouraged anyone to smoke and never will. On the other hand, being both intelligent and informed, smoking is a life option.
As to palate and nose - a good deal of research has shown that those who started smoking at a quite early age develop their repertoire of tastes and aromas on the background of the cigarettes. What that means is that smoking changes but does not harm the ability to taste or smell. When I talk about blackcurrants or gooseberries, the people with whom I am talking and I have precisely the same repertoire and language. Whether our brains are perceiving exactly the same sensations is something I will leave to God and the MRI people to decide.
As to the question of how my smoking impacts on others (the issues of passive smoking and of annoying others), there too I have no problem, the solution to that being simply behaving as ladies and gentlemen, respecting in both cases the rights of others. As to the draconic laws in the USA, Israel and much of Europe these days, let it merely be said that I am opposed to draconic laws of any nature, especially when those come more from Puritanical than logical needs.
In my defense (justification?) let it be said that the majority of chefs and winemakers as well as owners of chateaux and other wine estates in Europe smoke as do the majority of wine and restaurant critics on that continent.
I do have the feeling that I am about to be attacked on all of this. Fair enough and I shall rise to my defense. Let me request only one thing though.....let's avoid deep emotions and try to stay with facts.
Best
Rogov
Alan Wolfe wrote:Slightly off-subject but Jacques Recht was still smoking last I heard, and Andre Tchelistcheff was also a smoker. My understanding is that quitting changes the palate, but does not necessarily make it better or worse. Apparently one does have to recalibrate.
James Roscoe
Chat Prince
11015
Wed Mar 22, 2006 6:43 pm
D.C. Metro Area - Maryland
AlexR wrote:Honestly, how can you help to have a discussion when remarks like this are introduced?
AlexR wrote:It is often said that this is not a medium where irony works well...
James Roscoe
Chat Prince
11015
Wed Mar 22, 2006 6:43 pm
D.C. Metro Area - Maryland
Bill Spohn
He put the 'bar' in 'barrister'
9538
Tue Mar 21, 2006 7:31 pm
Vancouver BC
Bill Spohn wrote:I treat tobacco like single malt - I enjoy it, and I partake of it whenever the urge comes over me, which usually is infrequently. Do I call myself a scotch drinker? Yup, even though I haven't had a dram in over a month (too much to do in the summer, and too many wine events - both malts and cigars are a leisurely indulgence often best suited to the fall or winter).
Bill Spohn
He put the 'bar' in 'barrister'
9538
Tue Mar 21, 2006 7:31 pm
Vancouver BC
ChefJCarey
Wine guru
4508
Sat Mar 10, 2007 8:06 pm
Noir Side of the Moon
As to the question of how my smoking impacts on others (the issues of passive smoking and of annoying others), there too I have no problem, the solution to that being simply behaving as ladies and gentlemen, respecting in both cases the rights of others. As to the draconic laws in the USA, Israel and much of Europe these days, let it merely be said that I am opposed to draconic laws of any nature, especially when those come more from Puritanical than logical needs.
In my defense (justification?) let it be said that the majority of chefs and winemakers as well as owners of chateaux and other wine estates in Europe smoke as do the majority of wine and restaurant critics on that continent.
Robert Reynolds
1000th member!
3577
Fri Jun 08, 2007 11:52 pm
Sapulpa, OK
James Roscoe
Chat Prince
11015
Wed Mar 22, 2006 6:43 pm
D.C. Metro Area - Maryland
Robert Reynolds wrote:Never have smoked, never had any slightest desire to do so, and just being around fresh tobacco smoke gives me a headache.
Jenise
FLDG Dishwasher
42664
Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:45 pm
The Pacific Northest Westest
ChefJCarey wrote:
I would put your taste buds (and even mine, for that matter) up against several of the more militant, smug, non-smokers posting in this venue.
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