What is Friends of Habanos Forum to You?

[Colt45]

Just another internet bulletin board that happens to deal with cigars? A place to post words? A place to gather and / or share cigar information?

A merchant's tool? A virtual community? A real community? All, some, or none of these things?

I've always treated it as a real place with real people, where we carry on conversations and discussions, no different than if we were all sitting

around together having a few drinks and cigars. In the past, Wilkey has used the term community, and I wasn't always quite sure I'd go that

far. But in thinking about it, I believe that may be one of the best ways to describe it for me - community or neighborhood.

If you care to post, post freely.

[SamuraiJack]

I am always hesitant to equate anything on the internets to actually meeting and hanging out face to face. Conversely I do think the internets has achieved "real life" status.

[samb]

Ill tell you what its not... Its not

Cigar Aficionado

. Its a place that I feel comfortably posting in and its a place that I trust to give good information. It is also a merchant's tool, I very good one indeed. It allows for customers to interact with their merchant and other frequenters of the business in a virtual cigar lounge. Its not just putting your info out on the net and in a couple days getting a box of cigars, it's getting to know the people you are doing business with and the people who they are doing business with. Its a place full of the BOTL. Its another internet forum for cigars... Its not for everyone, but its certainly for me.

[sloth]

On my web browser I rename the bookmark to "Website filled with the happiest people on Earth"

[Onsto]

As a new member, I was actually thinking about this the other day. To my mind, it's the virtual equivalent of an old fashioned store front, maybe even a barbers; where like minded people (men) with a shared interest spend a part of their day / week / month in good company.

Shops and stores used to have regular, loyal customers and a personal relationship between vendor and customer - modern retail methods and processes have done away with that in favour of repetitive corporate mediocrity (yes, I work with a number of retail organisations) because its cheaper and because people say its what they want. I know that isn't what I want, and maybe thats why some of us are here.

Either that, or it's a knitting circle for men and I'm just talking out of my arse.

[Ken Gargett]

Just another internet bulletin board that happens to deal with cigars? A place to post words? A place to gather and / or share cigar information?

A merchant's tool? A virtual community? A real community? All, some, or none of these things?

I've always treated it as a real place with real people, where we carry on conversations and discussions, no different than if we were all sitting

around together having a few drinks and cigars. In the past, Wilkey has used the term community, and I wasn't always quite sure I'd go that

far. But in thinking about it, I believe that may be one of the best ways to describe it for me - community or neighborhood.

If you care to post, post freely.

seriously colt, how much have you been drinking? shall we all have a team outing to 'terms of endearment' next?

[asmith]

I'm with Gargett on this one, you been drinking again Colt?

[FlyFishingDude]

Ah, come on mates. group hug and sing kumbaya and all that ****. Actually I'm only here to see what Ken is wearing for the latest fishing attire.......

[bolivr]

Colt's right. This is a terrific group which I think the word community can be applied to.

I remember posts where some members were going through a hard time while others shared some great news with us. In both cases there was real support expressed by many other members. That's what helps make a community and I am sure the guys posting and sharing their triumphs and losses were the better for the support. Also Ken and Smithy have just reminded me here that it is also about fun and having a laugh, absolutely

Plus what keeps me coming back here is the fact that many, probably most of the members are smart people able to communicate complex ideas that have certainly opened my mind. There's all sorts of philosophical, technical and maybe even botanical topics plus those covering business, travel, whatever and while I know there is a rule of sorts about political posts I find these most interesting from the point of view of the debate and they are great when they manage to avoid blinkered partisan support for one side.

I hope everyone here continues to post on absolutely anything they find of interest. It is also diversity and tolerance of each others differences that we treat politely (mostly ) that is a feature of this community and keeps it strong. It's great.

While I have enjoyed cigars for many years it is only since I joined FOH that I have realised that cigar enthusiasts are a thoughtful, you might say philosophical lot and I feel right at home here. Thanks to all.

[anacostiakat]

I'm with Gargett on this one, you been drinking again Colt?

I just thought it was girlie. Not that anything is wrong with that. . .

[El Presidente]

Sending out a cosmic group hug to all .....particularly Colt

FOH started in Feb 2005. It actually started well before that, circa early 2000 when we realised here that locally we had something special in our cigar "community". The local crew were a rumbunctious lot. They still are. Reprobates abound from all income and professional/non professional walks of life. We were loud, laughed a lot, took exception to mention of income and people who used the word "I' excessively. We weeded out wankers, encouraged non compliance, pushed the boundaries of living well, had sensational lunches, dinners and functions that would tke days to recover from and often had a semblence of the movie "Bachelor Party".

Every time laws toughened the community became stronger. New people, remarkable people found us who have become life long friends and whom we now travel the world together with. We took up Fly Fishing solely as an excuse to get away from our families for a few weeks a year and travel to exotic places to meet local people, smoke cigars, have a laugh, drink excessively and occasionally catch a fish. We arranged dirt bike tours to the toughest and most beautiful places imaginable, started Cigar, Fly Fishing and pig shooting tours to remote locales, we broke ribs, broke up relationships, councelled each other, helped each other when businesses were on the precipice of failure. We were so far from removed as a club from the leather couch cigar divan stereotype that we were often seen as aliens at industry functions.

It was around 2002-2003 that I started travelling extensively meeting clients aorund the world. I found the vast majority of them to be very much like our members back home. It was an eye opening year and I had great fortune in finally convincing a dynamo of a young woman to join me at Cigar Czars. I initially became aware of lisa when she ran the most profitable section of the local Sheraton Hotel. Her reputation as the best people person in hospitality was well established. Her genuine love for people set her apart.

The concept of Friends of Habanos came together in 2004. The aim was to replicate a feeling for what we had locally.... globally. In essence to become a cyber cigar version of the famed show "Cheers". A place where everyone new your name, shared experiences (cigars and other), had a laugh.

We have always had a unique view of business. Do your best, enjoy every moment and never separate business from pleasure. The term "vendor" has never sat well with me. If a member local or international wants to purchase ....purchase. It is no skin off my nose if they do not. Our internal culture is to bring like minded people together and provide the platform to develop genuine friendships. Business has always been secondary and will will take care of itself.

We launched FOH in Feb 2005. I think we started wth 300 members and we are nearing 4000 today. Lise and Ihave also visited many of you around the world and the experience is always as if we have known each other for a long long time. Many members have visited us here and have witnessed first hand the madhouse that is Czars. The greatest compliment we get is when invariably it is said "this is just like being on FOH." That one comment to me means so much. It means we are on our way to achieving what we set out to achieve and that is a cyber cigar verions of "Cheers", a true reflection/window into the soul and lives of the people who love this great hobby and an understanding that the cigars come a long way second to the real jewels of friendship and commeraderie.

[Ken Gargett]

Sending out a cosmic group hug to all .....particularly Colt

FOH started in Feb 2005. It actually started well before that, circa early 2000 when we realised here that locally we had something special in our cigar "community". The local crew were a rumbunctious lot. They still are. Reprobates abound from all income and professional/non professional walks of life. We were loud, laughed a lot, took exception to mention of income and people who used the word "I' excessively. We weeded out wankers, encouraged non compliance, pushed the boundaries of living well, had sensational lunches, dinners and functions that would tke days to recover from and often had a semblence of the movie "Bachelor Party".

Every time laws toughened the community became stronger. New people, remarkable people found us who have become life long friends and whom we now travel the world together with. We took up Fly Fishing solely as an excuse to get away from our families for a few weeks a year and travel to exotic places to meet local people, smoke cigars, have a laugh, drink excessively and occasionally catch a fish. We arranged dirt bike tours to the toughest and most beautiful places imaginable, started Cigar, Fly Fishing and pig shooting tours to remote locales, we broke ribs, broke up relationships, councelled each other, helped each other when businesses were on the precipice of failure. We were so far from removed as a club from the leather couch cigar divan stereotype that we were often seen as aliens at industry functions.

It was around 2002-2003 that I started travelling extensively meeting clients aorund the world. I found the vast majority of them to be very much like our members back home. It was an eye opening year and I had great fortune in finally convincing a dynamo of a young woman to join me at Cigar Czars. I initially became aware of lisa when she ran the most profitable section of the local Sheraton Hotel. Her reputation as the best people person in hospitality was well established. Her genuine love for people set her apart.

The concept of Friends of Habanos came together in 2004. The aim was to replicate a feeling for what we had locally.... globally. In essence to become a cyber cigar version of the famed show "Cheers". A place where everyone new your name, shared experiences (cigars and other), had a laugh.

We have always had a unique view of business. Do your best, enjoy every moment and never separate business from pleasure. The term "vendor" has never sat well with me. If a member local or international wants to purchase ....purchase. It is no skin off my nose if they do not. Our internal culture is to bring like minded people together and provide the platform to develop genuine friendships. Business has always been secondary and will will take care of itself.

We launched FOH in Feb 2005. I think we started wth 300 members and we are nearing 4000 today. Lise and Ihave also visited many of you around the world and the experience is always as if we have known each other for a long long time. Many members have visited us here and have witnessed first hand the madhouse that is Czars. The greatest compliment we get is when invariably it is said "this is just like being on FOH." That one comment to me means so much. It means we are on our way to achieving what we set out to achieve and that is a cyber cigar verions of "Cheers", a true reflection/window into the soul and lives of the people who love this great hobby and an understanding that the cigars come a long way second to the real jewels of friendship and commeraderie.

forgive me, i should have said 'terms of endearment', 'little women', 'english patient' and 'bridget jones' diary'. break out the tissues.

[Bartolomeo]

Sending out a cosmic group hug to all .....particularly Colt

FOH started in Feb 2005. It actually started well before that, circa early 2000 when we realised here that locally we had something special in our cigar "community". The local crew were a rumbunctious lot. They still are. Reprobates abound from all income and professional/non professional walks of life. We were loud, laughed a lot, took exception to mention of income and people who used the word "I' excessively. We weeded out wankers, encouraged non compliance, pushed the boundaries of living well, had sensational lunches, dinners and functions that would tke days to recover from and often had a semblence of the movie "Bachelor Party".

Every time laws toughened the community became stronger. New people, remarkable people found us who have become life long friends and whom we now travel the world together with. We took up Fly Fishing solely as an excuse to get away from our families for a few weeks a year and travel to exotic places to meet local people, smoke cigars, have a laugh, drink excessively and occasionally catch a fish. We arranged dirt bike tours to the toughest and most beautiful places imaginable, started Cigar, Fly Fishing and pig shooting tours to remote locales, we broke ribs, broke up relationships, councelled each other, helped each other when businesses were on the precipice of failure. We were so far from removed as a club from the leather couch cigar divan stereotype that we were often seen as aliens at industry functions.

It was around 2002-2003 that I started travelling extensively meeting clients aorund the world. I found the vast majority of them to be very much like our members back home. It was an eye opening year and I had great fortune in finally convincing a dynamo of a young woman to join me at Cigar Czars. I initially became aware of lisa when she ran the most profitable section of the local Sheraton Hotel. Her reputation as the best people person in hospitality was well established. Her genuine love for people set her apart.

The concept of Friends of Habanos came together in 2004. The aim was to replicate a feeling for what we had locally.... globally. In essence to become a cyber cigar version of the famed show "Cheers". A place where everyone new your name, shared experiences (cigars and other), had a laugh.

We have always had a unique view of business. Do your best, enjoy every moment and never separate business from pleasure. The term "vendor" has never sat well with me. If a member local or international wants to purchase ....purchase. It is no skin off my nose if they do not. Our internal culture is to bring like minded people together and provide the platform to develop genuine friendships. Business has always been secondary and will will take care of itself.

We launched FOH in Feb 2005. I think we started wth 300 members and we are nearing 4000 today. Lise and Ihave also visited many of you around the world and the experience is always as if we have known each other for a long long time. Many members have visited us here and have witnessed first hand the madhouse that is Czars. The greatest compliment we get is when invariably it is said "this is just like being on FOH." That one comment to me means so much. It means we are on our way to achieving what we set out to achieve and that is a cyber cigar verions of "Cheers", a true reflection/window into the soul and lives of the people who love this great hobby and an understanding that the cigars come a long way second to the real jewels of friendship and commeraderie.

Good stuff Boss, good stuff

Bart

[dicko]

a global town square (pirates haunt?? ). People meet to talk and enjoy in a virtual arena, but there's a definite 'real', tangible aspect when members seek each other out for meetings/herfs/visits in person. I think the nature of the online discussion alone lends itself to be considered a community.

[OZCUBAN]

Well said Guys

To me F.O.H has always been a great source of information and knowledge,the real added bonus is the camaraderie

exhibited between ALL members regardless of their Race, Creed, or colour. (the U.N should adopt this model )

Like some have commented this is also a vendor tool ,this maybe the case but at the end of the day rob has a business to run ,but i suspect that one was born out of the other ,this place and its people are truly unique

A Nexus of the Cigar world

Hats off to all

Cheers Oz

[Colt45]

I'm with Gargett on this one, you been drinking again Colt?

two peas in a latex and gag ball pod.

[Torpo]

What I enjoy most is the humor and unpretentious attitude of this place. I stop in to learn, compare notes/information with people who share the same interest(s). It adds a dimension to this hobby.

Getting to know our hosts has been an invaluable experience.

[gfoster]

I haven't been here long, but as a newcomer I just enjoy being part of a group of men's men... there's no pretentious wankery (wankery?) going on, and the attitude is refreshing.

Besides, I get a chance to pick up interesting slang terms to confuse everyone at work!

-- Gary F.

[Ken Gargett]

two peas in a latex and gag ball pod.

in a what? i'm afraid you've lost me on this one. i try and keep up with your 'alternative' lifestyle but sometimes it is beyond me.

no doubt smithers can interpret.

[Buch0]

To me FOH is the supplier of an infinite loop of knowledge and wisdom, not only in the realm of cigars but life itself. Being only 23 myself, its hard to find company where there are no people trying to be heros or talking rubbish for the sake of attention. FOH provides the safe haven for both mature discussion and insight, couple that with the fact its centred around my most loved hobby I couldn't imagine life without it to be honest.

[asmith]

two peas in a latex and gag ball pod.

Colt, stop describing your fantasies on this forum. There are other forums for that sort of action , this one is for cigars.

[Ellery]

The amount of knowledge and information on this site is incredible. Add that to the friendly people that make up this community, and you have FOH. When I first found this site, I was simply trying to find a legit site to buy cubans, and what I stumbled on was much bigger than I ever anticipated. What keeps me coming back is the welcoming attitude, the camaraderie, the great discussions/posts (if thats what you can call it), and of course the wonderful people at Czar especially Rob/Smithy/Lisa.

To me, FOH is more than cigars, its a culture

[cigaraholic]

FOH is defiantly the best Cuban cigar site on the web to me.

The video reviews are great fun and sometimes educational. Living in the one country that's still teaching Castro a lesson, you take for granted a pleasure I am denied. Walking into a cigar store, looking at all the beautiful cigars, talking to the proprietor and other customers about what's hot and what's not is just a dream for me.

Having a good relationship with your cigar merchant is just as important as a chef having a good relationship with his butcher. Take it easy on me Ken, I'm going easy on you.

If/When I make it down under I look forward to sharing some cigars and wine.

Thanks for enjoying cigars as much as I do.

[MIKA27]

I never imagined such an amazing group of people were located on a forum that is FOH.

I myself was on the internet searching for a place to buy authentic Cuban cigars and on entering 'Cuban cigars' on google, I noticed Czars which I must say, took my attention. Well, here I am, in one of the greatest communities I have ever had the pleaseure of being apart of.

To me, yes, whilst this is 'virtual' to a degree (Bigger part of), it is however to some a daily venue to venture to and catch up with the latest news, views, opinions, peoples experiences, hardships, laughs and commoraderie. I have learnt and continue to learn a great deal about the hobby I enjoy, the Cuban cigar. Many people here have also met in person and those who have not, may so in the future.

I absolutely love heading over to work knowing that especially on a Monday morning, I will no doubt have a headache from the weekend, it's the start of the (My) working week, but I also know that by a simple click in my favourites box on the PC, I can head on over to a place where I can meet up and share posts with, read other members' experiences and discuss the weekend which has just flown by. I guess it is exactly like Prez has stated, it's very similar to 'Cheers' and I hope that one day, many of us can get together in a huge group and share a drink or two and a CC around a bar and put a face to our names.

Until then, I always have and always will look forward to logging in daily on FOH because it is so much more than a forum, I do think the word 'Cummunity' does apply here because it does contain a great deal more than ones views on cigars.

[smll2]

FOH is a place you can easily visit a few times a day....kick up your feet...laugh, learn and share. You don't need to dress up. FOH members treat other members the way they want to be treated. I don't believe this is accidental. It's accomplished by example and a philosophy...starting at the very Top and handed down to the FOH staff....and the moderators. FOH is a tremendously welcoming and friendly place...a place without attitude or arrogance.

Certainly FOH is a lot more...not the least of which are terrific personalities....but as mentioned above...this seperates FOH from the rest in my opinion.