Hookah Culture

The Hookah, also called the narghile or shisha, has a rich history behind it and is commonplace in many cultures around the world. It originally came from India and now has found its way all over the world. "Hookah" is the most common term. Originally, hookahs came from India as a form of coconut waterpipe, and are more aptly termed toward the implements from that region. "nargileh" is the Turkish term ("arguileh" in Lebanon), while "shisha" remains the term popular from Egypt to Saudi Arabia.

Smoking hookah is one of the oldest traditions and is one of few affairs enjoyed mutually by men and women. When you smoke a hookah, it takes you away to another time and place. You learn patience and tolerance, and it gives an appreciation of the good company that you’re in. Some of the most prolific leaders of the past centuries enjoyed hookah and respected it for the symbol that it represented.

The flavor and method of the hookah is the most eloquent and exotic in the world. It provides the maximum smoking pleasure and the highest conviviality. Traditionally in many parts of the world, smoking a hookah with someone expressed a gesture of trust and bonding. The ceremonial gesture has translated to our society in that the elevated status of smoking a hookah has been preserved, and that people who smoke one are above and beyond the norm of society. It is a complete experience.

The tobacco made available for hookah smoking comes in a variety of flavors. Traditionally, it is long pieces of tobacco mixed with a sugar-based syrup mixture and fruit bits or extract. The fruit flavors really come out in the smoke, and the cooling action of the hookah provides added smoothness. Flavors include apple, peach, raspberry, mixed fruit, orange, and MANY more. Combining flavors makes for a unique experience. The tobacco isn't burned to complete ash, but rather it is cooked by the coals that sit on top of the hookah.

The Hookah Man

Once you are seated by the host in our lavishly decorated hookah lounge, you will be greeted by one of our “Hookah Man”, our Hookah Master If it’s your first time smoking a hookah he will introduce you to the joy and pleasure of smoking the hookah by guiding you through the entire process. Like a somillier at a fine restaurant helping you select the right wine his first step is the introduction of our many flovors and selection of premium flavored tobaccos we offer. If the guests at a table are unsure of what to order the Hookah Man will step in and displays his expertise by offering selections and describing the flavor, aroma and essence of the various flavors. If the guests are still in unsure, the Hookah Man will suggest a flavor or answer questions on combining the flavors together for a special mixed flavor hookah to please all at the table. Only the hookah man can answer such questions, as some flavored tobaccos do not blend as well as others do. He is an expert on how the various flavored tobaccos burn and at what rate they burn. This, among other factors affects the quality and length of the smoking experience.
 
Once the guests have made their selection, the Hookah Man will personally prepare the hookah. It can take about 15 minutes to 20 minutes to prepare the hookah which gives the guests time to review our fine wine, imported beers and beverage list. Hookah smoking is very different than smoking a cigarette. We have noticed that traditionally, the non-smokers gravitate to the hookah more passionately than their counterparts once that they have given it a try and they find a great way to relax and enjoy the smoking experience void of all the negatives. Smoking and enjoying the hookah comes from the realization that smoking from the Hookah is void of any negative sensation during inhalation like a cigerrete. The look of pure delight and euphoria usually follows after the first puff. In essence, there is no sensation other than the enjoyment of the pure fruit flavors and aromas that fill the air. This is mostly due to the extensive filtration system of the water and hose, and lack of cigarette paper burning while the inhalation is so mild that is essentially nonexistent.

The Hookah Man will personally bring the hookah to your table and will explain the basic details, the preparation method and the etiquette of hookah smoking. The hookah man will give each guest their own hookah mouth piece. The hookah man will start the hookah by taking few deep puffs which is also a gesture of good luck to the guests. Now the guest are ready to experience the splendor and joy that were exclusive to the elite of the Indian, Middle Eastern, and Persian empire dating back hundreds of years. Sit back, relax and let the daily stresses of the life just melt away.

Hookah Etiquette

The pleasure that Hookah smokers receive from this very simple, yet elegant apparatus can be quite remarkable, but one must learn to use respect and play by its rules. For example: Never light your cigarette from the hookah coals, it's considered VERY bad manners. Use the hookah hose with your RIGHT hand. The left hand is considered unclean in many countries.

When sharing a hookah and you're done smoking for the moment, place the hose down on the table for the next person to pick up. Don't pass it directly. A variant of this is if you must pass, use the RIGHT HAND with the tip facing towards you, not the recipient. Turn the hookah toward the recipient or have the hookah placed in a neutral position to prevent tipping. Sometimes the hose is so long that this isn't an issue, or a rotating hookah may be used.

Use the tongs to occasionally tap the coals in the tray on the stem to remove ash and keep the coals hot. Replace the coals to a different position on the bowl.

There is no urgency or competitiveness when smoking a shisha unlike sharing smaller pipes. The bowls last a long time, and this is a leisurely activity. Enjoy it. It is recommended that one shisha be shared among no more than three people.

Don't cause or contribute to a commotion. Shisha smoking is a quieter activity but still may be social without being disturbing to others.

With respect comes respect, and this process is initiated with the successful mastery of the Hookah and social manners in the presence of other masters. When you have mastered the Hookah and know fully and demonstrate the social manners associated with it, you may have confidence in enjoying the Hookah anywhere in the world and in teaching others so that the proper etiquette is perpetuated.