....so we are back from our journey inside the hookah from our previous Hookah 101 blog.
Its now time to go a little further and figure out what the Hookah culture is all about
So what is such a big deal about the Hookah. Firstly the biggest appeal of the Hookah is that its a community thing. So why is it a community thing? What makes it such a community thing?
The way a hookah was designed historically was such that more than one person was expected to share the Hookah. The fact that one hookah can be smoked easily for over an hour by 2-4 people, gives people the opportunity to talk and discuss wide range of topics of interest to the whole group.
Its even fun to "argue" while smoking a hookah :)
Most Sheeshas gives a mild euphoric sensation and they taste great. This provides for a great way to break down that barrier to talk to strangers. A great catalyst for social situations
There are quiet a few etiquette rules when it comes to hookah smoking. Some of these rules have been passed down from the times that hookah was first originated.
The activity of smoking hookah was considered a leisure activity, and all rules are geared towards the fact that its not a competition.
In "Traditional" Hookah lounges most if not all rules are expected to be followed. Some lounges that I've been to even actually post the rules of hookah smoking.
I personally dont like to be very anal about all the rules and like to go with the flow of the venue.
I've seen hookah lounges that are ridiculous in that they have loud club style music with people occasionally knocking down the whole hookah.
On the other end of the spectrum I've seen hookah bars in Cities such as a Chicago and Las Vegas which are very traditional, and its visible from the layout being very spread out, the music is very light arabic music, with perhaps classical bend to it
Its a matter of choice where you want to take your group for an evening of Hookah-fun.
I personally visit lounges that have a nice mix of the traditional and the modern. Since I dont like to be too concerned every minute if I've broken some hookah etiquette rule, and I dont like being watched by the owner or some other Hookah referee.
Having said that the hookah etiquette within the group that I smoke with, is quiet important to me, and I also like to extend the same courtesy to neighboring groups.
So what are some of these rules
1. Hookah is a leisure activity like I said earlier. So every person should be allowed to hold the hookah hose as long as he/she wants. The Sheesha lasts for a long time, and refills are usually cheaper than the original in most places.
2. Corollary to point 1. When you have the hookah hose, if you have no intention of smoking it, then its probably a good idea to be cognizant of the fact that you are holding the hose for 10 minutes and havent smoked. In that case be respectful of other people in the group and hand the hookah hose to the next person.
3. While handing the hookah hose to the next person have the tip of the hose point towards you, and not the person you are handing it to. I always say that this is similar to handing a scissor to someone.
4. Most tables dont have an appointed Hookah master. In the absence of an official Hookah master its a good idea to remember who gets the hose next. Dont hand it over to the cute girl, just because she is cute :)
5. Its a good idea to say thank you while handing the hookah hose over.
6. If given a choice place the hookah in the middle of the group for easy access and preferably on the floor.
7. Before you hand over the hookah to the next person, try and make sure that the coal is not completely ashed out, and if you have been smoking for a while, move the charcoal to a different area of the bowl, so that the next person gets a whiff of a fresher sheesha.
8. In a multi hosed hookah, dont smoke your hose when someone else is smoking their hose. Its socially awkward to do that. The right thing to do is cover your hose with your thumb so that the person smoking doesnt loose vacuum. Of course, if the hookah is being smoked by two people with two hoses, and they are romantically involved lot of these rules changes, and I intend to write a blog soon on Hookah and Romance :)
Generally I try to make sure that I follow group dynamics. Which involves slightly downplaying your own needs and make sure everyone else is having at least as much fun as you.
Remember the hookah is meant to bring people together in a leisure and relaxed way.
As long as everyone in the group is having fun the hookah is serving its purpose.
However the group fun should be along the same fun metrics of the general venue. If its a loud place its probably acceptable to have a little high energy fun while still respecting the hookah.
No matter how high energy the venue is, there are somethings that are just unacceptable in the Hookah culture. For example there is nothing as bad and unappealing as knocking the hookah down, and spilling the charcoal fire all over the floor. In a crowded hookah bar this can actually even be dangerous.
So that was my little take on how fun Hookah Lounges are. In the spirit of fun, I try to keep things simple and civil.
I personally dont condone being a Hookah purist, where there is this one person in the group who keeps telling everyone what they are doing wrong. No one needs that guy in the group.
So in this blog I tried to bring out the soul of Hookah smoking, and although the rules are numbered that is only for easy readability, and its not a checklist that someone needs to enforce.
Bottom line is keep it fun, respect the Hookah be courteous to other people and mindful of their needs.
Until next time, happy Hookaing :)
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