When I think of the various shops and lounges I have visited - Berlin, Cologne, Tokyo, London, New York... - many of the women I see smoking cigars are curious, they intend to socialize with the world of men (or that of Gentlemen), they are trying a cigar themselves or agree to serve as company while having a drink, but it seems to me that they seldom go with the serious intention to experience a cigar with depth of mind and goal-oriented readiness of palate. Looking at the women that are present as employees, very often they offer their beauty, their sensuality and friendliness, but are not relevant for their knowledge of the culture and science of fine-smoking. And - please - let it be clear that I am referring to a general tendency.
It was thus a joy to witness a lady who carries beauty as a name - while being it, too - but seemed as knowledgeable and observant of her own cigar, as we expect it to be the case with the male tobacconists. Linda contemplated her cigar critically, moved her mouth investigating what her palate was telling her about the cigar, went to the humidor, checked the inventory, provided information to her guests and with humor even scolded those that tried to cross the line too much.
I love beauty and love it greatly when it gets displayed on a woman, but my appreciation for beauty will clearly increase when not just my eyes are delighted, and I will feel much more at home, much better served when the beauty is NOT the focus.
