Best Of

^^^ Awesome advice. Truly the key to enjoying a pipe. We, here, buy pipe tobaccos that are widely varied in origin and process. It all matters, the environment such as soil and climate conditions, the technique in curing, many factors to be appreciated.

This is a contrast from cigarettes. I've had people say to me, "Well, you're still smoking tobacco, it's just the same as cigarettes." And, I suppose it could be, if one smokes a pipe in the mindless manner that cigarettes are used.

People don't usually sit back and just enjoy a cigarette the way they will with a pipe. The cigarette is adjunct to whatever other activity is happening. It's just a background stimulant not meant to engage your attention.

Answer the phone, light one up. Start the car, light one up. Sit on the pot, light one up. Working on the car, light one up. The activity proceeds while the cigarette smoker carries on with one dangling from his/her lips. The conversation goes on as one after another cigarette is smoked, etc.

And soon, you can't seem to get anything done without it. All while never truly enjoying the product, you just NEED it. Somehow, it provides a feeling of accomplishment, in the absence of actual accomplishment. Addiction ensues. One is never enough.

So, to do something while smoking a pipe, reading or watching a show or working on something is fine, of course, but take the time to think about the experience of the pipe. What tobacco, from where, with what toppers if you're into aromatics, things like that. Don't just stick a pipe in your face and buy whatever big bag of cigarette tobacco is masquerading as pipe tobacco at the local super-value-discount-tobacco-outlet.

Be mindful.

At least, that's how it works best for me.

@ShawnOL said:
My brother recently mentioned he had tried pipes once but couldn't keep it lit and gave up on it. Doesn't know about tampers. Going to gift him a few small pipes, tamper, pipes cleaners and a bunch of samples of tobacco.
Will teach him how to use a tamper.
Any other suggestions to show him?

Patience

Teach about the benefits of being mindful and present to truly enjoy the experience.

IMHO

Properly dry the tobacco before smoking.