“He knew a ‘No Smoking’ sign when he saw one, and if he did not see one, he knew the no-smoking places libraries, museums, concert halls, courts, streetcars, day coaches, airfields, most large department stores, etc. It was ridiculous, Bogart knew, to get arrested for smoking in these places when you can get nabbed for something big…”

Bogie the Model Smoker

When the late Humphrey Bogart smoked a cigarette, it was pure art. All the little acts involved lighting up, inhaling, exhaling were handled with devastating ease. But it wasn't put on. The cigarette was part of Humphrey, and ashes never toppled on his vest and smoke never got in anyone's eyes. For years, whenever kids took a fling at smoking, they had a mental picture Humphrey Bogart. Many of them, no doubt, found they couldn't copy Bogie's' technique, so they dropped the habit out of shame. Thus, the man was not a total bad influence. Today there are other movie heroes to imitate, but if a man MUST smoke, he still can't beat Bogie for a model. 

Here are some things he did not do: 

• HE didn't take chances. He knew a "No Smoking" sign when he saw one, and if he did not see one, he knew the no-smoking places libraries, museums, concert halls, courts, streetcars, day coaches, airfields, most large department stores, etc. It was ridiculous, Bogart knew, to get arrested for smoking in these places when you can get nabbed for something big, like shooting Sidney Greenstreet, for example. 
• He seldom danced, being a sedentary drinking type, but when he did, he left his cigarette behind. 
• Neither did he spend a conspicuous amount of time in church. Still, he knew better than to smoke in one. 
• For that matter, you shouldn't smoke at any religious or ceremonial function, such as a wedding or christening, but the chances of Bogie attending the latter were remote, indeed. 

WHEN he chose to wipe out somebody, he generally used his rod and not his cigarette. He didn't asphyxiate his victim, that is, with clouds of smoke. Polished mobster that he was, he even watched where the , fumes drifted when his weed was at rest. And when he finally extinguished the thing, he did a thorough job, agreeing with Emily Post that nothing induces "nicotine nausea" like a smoldering cigarette. He knew, too, that ashes are for ashtrays. 

If his hostess (or prop man) hadn't provided one, why, Humphrey just didn't smoke. There is no record on celluloid of his putting ashes in his pant cuffs, either. Or in lamp bases. Or in flowerpots. (Okay, so maybe ashes ARE good for flowers, or even rugs. Does this justify flicking ashes on same? Not in Humphrey's book.) He didn't lay his cigarette on the edge of a table or other piece of furniture. His reasoning probably went this way: If the table burns, so will its owner. And if the owner burns, he may rat on me to the cops (not about the table, but about plugging Louie). Then I’ll burn! Even men without this particular concern should be careful where they put their cigarettes. 

Q & A on P's & Q's 

(Q) "Neighbors had my husband and me for dinner recently and when we went to the table my husband took his cigar with him. Between courses he would light it up and take a few drags. I think maybe he had too many Martinis before dinner, but this was no excuse, was it?" Mrs. T. S., Philadelphia.

 

(A) Certainly not. If cigars are smoked at the dinner table at all, it should be after the meal is over. Watch those Martinis, by the way.

By Don Goodwin in “Male Polish,” 1958

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia