The Cigar Forum Newbie Guide
Am I a Newbie?
If you are new to the world of cigars, the answer to this question is an obvious yes. However, long time cigar smokers who are new to the forums often don't like to be called "newbies", and this is where problems can arise. Think of a forum like you would your house. If someone you didn't know barged through the front door and starting telling you how to arrange the furniture and what color to paint the walls, even if they were an interior designer by trade, you'd probably take issue. You may be bringing a wealth of cigar knowledge with you to the forum, but you are still a stranger to the established membership. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a newbie on the forum. Just be prepared to pay your dues like everybody else.
Read the rules!
Before you begin posting, make sure to check the rules of the forum. Many online forums (and pretty much all cigar forums) have a posted set of rules dictating what is and what is not allowed on the boards. It is imperative that you take the time to familiarize yourself with these rules in order to avoid starting off on the wrong foot.
Introduce Yourself
If the board you join has an Intro forum, this needs to be where you make your first post. It doesn't need to be anything more than a quick hello, where you're from, and the level of your cigar experience. However, feel free to share as much or as little about yourself as you are comfortable with. You will often receive several messages of welcome from the established membership, and you may even discover that some of them are in your area.