Aficionadas: Women And Their Cigars

“These gentlemen gave us some cigars… these are leaves of tobacco rolled up in such a manner that they serve both for a pipe and for tobacco itself. These the ladies, as well as gentlemen, are very fond of smoking.” -John Cockburn, English traveler in Costa Rica, 1735

“I smoked my first cigar during a business trip to South America,” says Dallas-based businesswoman, inventor, author and patent-law expert Tomima Edmark. “I had just returned from a dinner given by one of the embassies in Santiago, Chile, and I was sitting in the hotel lobby with a group of 12 American businessmen when they, en masse, began lighting up Cuban cigars. I was intrigued by the sight. One of them offered me a cigar, but in a very teasing way, never expecting me to accept.”

Having grown up with five brothers, Edmark knew a dare when she saw one. “They were surprised at first when I said, ‘Sure.’ But they loved the fact that I joined them, and they loved showing me the ropes. I have to say I didn’t enjoy the taste right away, but I immediately understood the pleasure in the ritual–cutting it, holding it, gesturing with it.” read more >