When people thought social media would change the world, presumably for the better, I’m not sure they had cigar groups in mind.

Now, before you think I’m all negative about social media, Facebook, groups, or Circus Peanuts, oops, wrong article, understand this: I love cigar groups. I have met some of my favorite people online.

There, I said it. So if this article seems to take a quick trip to negative town, just go back to that statement.

In theory, Facebook groups exist so people can discuss cigars, share recommendations, and connect with fellow enthusiasts.

In reality, they’ve become a strange digital ecosystem made up of humidity debates, blurry “real or fake?” photos, accidental bourbon influencers, and at least one guy posting a $14,000 watch next to a bundle of cigars from 2017.

After spending far too much time observing the chaos, here are 10 facts that seem to exist in nearly every cigar Facebook group.

1. Every Group Has A Secret Hall Monitor

Before we get too deep into the ins and outs of a cigar Facebook group, keep in mind that none of this can happen without the hard dedication of the hall monitor.

This admin person, or persons, is charged with reading all the posts to make sure they conform to the “agreement” you made to get into the group. Think of them as airport security, but you get to keep your shoes on.

2. Somebody Will Ask “Real Or Fake?” Every 72 Hours

If there is a classic hit in cigar Facebook groups, this is it.

It’s the guy who picked up some Cuban cigars on the beach in Mexico, or on a cruise, from “some guy whose brother works in the factory in Cuba.”

He means well. He is also really hoping he got a deal. The comments are almost as entertaining as the “plume vs. mold” thread.

3. Plume Or Mold

Another top 10 hit.

The answer is mold. Well, at least 99 percent of the time.

But that will not stop people from answering the post in great detail while defending their case like they are arguing before the Supreme Court of Cigars.

4. Is This A Selling Group?

At some point, someone will start selling meat, watches, or crypto.

Why limit the group to cigar talk? Why even stop at trying to sell a few sticks?

Nope. We are going full-blown Craigslist.

“I have an unbelievable Wagyu hookup. DM for more info.”

5. The Phrase “Hidden Gem” Is Done

When there are countless posts online, and you are reading the 12,000th comment about a cigar, it probably is not a hidden gem anymore.

At that point, it is just a gem with a marketing department.

6. Daily Smoke Photos Get Competitive

Thinking of snapping a photo of that Crowned Heads cigar on your way to the patio? Good move. That is how it starts.

Heck, the cigar is not even lit yet.

Four months later, you are staging cinematic lighting, whiskey, a watch, and a tactical flashlight for no reason at all.

At the one-year mark, you have Martin Scorsese on the phone talking you through a flash cut.

7. Every Group Has A Manufacturer Watching

They may not chime in, but they are watching everything you say about them.

They see every comment, complaint, compliment, and every “this was better in 2019” remark.

8. The Guy With The Giant Humidor

There is always that guy who has a giant humidor and snaps a photo saying, “Just a small pickup today.”

Immediately, the comments turn to the stuff that was “not intended” to be in the shot.

Some rare cigars just out of focus. A few unopened boxes in the background. Then the guy can casually mention he has 20 more unopened boxes, just for fun.

9. What Should I Smoke?

This is largely a cry for validation.

Sure, that person might be looking for ideas, but most likely, they have already made their decision.

On Not A Cigar Show, the interviewee gets to pick my cigar, but you can rest assured I have already vetted the choices.

10. No One Leaves

Why would you?

Yes, it might be the same five questions every day. But we take them head-on, without judgment, because that is what the industry is.

As a friend of mine, Billy Mitchell, said, “Cigars are not addictive, cigar people are.”

He is not wrong. Facebook cigar groups are a special community for a lot of cigar smokers, myself included.