One to remember

[Punch Joe]

Hi mates

In the occasion of Robaina’s 90th birthday celebration to be held soon (March 20th) I want to share this piece of story that you would not find in the aforementioned book. I will do my best in translating the exact meaning of the words for better understanding.

A few years back while in Spain, Robaina was invited to a big reception in a fancy hotel. Many people attended and gathered to welcome the guest and have their own time with a true tobacco legend. Free cigars were offered, champagne glasses everywhere, cool music was on and lovely lasses were greeting everyone at the entrance. Everything was perfect and the celebration was at its peak when someone suddenly approached to Robaina inviting him to go to an adjoining room where he had a surprise for him.

While entering the room, this person told Robaina that he would only ask one question and opened the door and presented the Old Man a table where over 30 naked cigars were lying over white linen.

Then, without further ado, the man assumed an arrogant pose and said: “I’ve just brought you to this room to found out if you can tell me, without touching them, which one is a Cuban of all these”

Robaina looked the man in the eye for some time and went straight to the table and picked the only Cuban while saying: “This …this one is Cuban and this is where it must be placed on” And he put it over their cousins. Everyone was in shock and the Old Man turned his back on this person and went back to the hall.

Shortly afterwards when addressing to the audience for a few words, he coined one of the most memorable phrases I’ve ever heard from him. In a sad tone he said: “Along my lifetime, I have gone across different things and I have met people, people who are so poor …so poor that they only have money.

Guess who it was addressed to. Pride, Respect and Ethics go hand on hand in Alejandro Robaina’s life. Don’t mess with a man who’s got them for a motto. I have been so fortunate to have him told me this story twice when I asked about it. And the little boy inside me who likes to hear stories, only wish he could tell it over and over again.

Thanks for listening.

[kjellfrick]

Fantastic story, Jose! Thank you!

[shrink]

So poor. So poor that the only thing they have is money.

I'll remember that line.

[jeromeroselli]

Thanks for sharing Jose, very nice story.

[Padrino]

Jose, how is Don Alejandro's health as of late ?

[Van55]

Cool! The Don and I share a birthdate!

I've never had the pleasure of meeting him, but I know guys who have. To hear them tell it, he is as much a distinguished gentleman as that story suggests.

[sounddust]

Living life with balls. I'm glad you shared this story

[stargazer14]

The entire FOH fraternity should fire up their favorite Robaina on March 20,

cant think of a better way for the cigar loving world to honor the man.

I have never met him but my readings make me wish I could and

I can honestly say i LOVE the smokes. I hope you'll join me!

[laficion]

A fantastic man and a true human being.

[Jimmy2]

Great story Jose and yes like others here i would love to meet him but does not look like anythime soon.

[Tampa1257]

The Don would humble most if not all of us.

[Ken Gargett]

terrific story, jose.

i will never forget visiting him with rob and a few mates on our first trip back in 03, i think. before we even knew you!

we had a fabulous morning there and a good chat (tho guess hogged the conversation and only translated certain bits). i do remember him being utterly disparaging, in the nicest way, about one of our group who didn't smoke cigars and also him complaining that his doctors had cut him back to 6 cigars a day - given he was already in his 80's and had been smoking since he was about 8, from memory, that is one bucket load of smokes!

one thing i'll always remember is his face - after decades working in the sun it was cracked leathery but he had a really kindly, serene glow about him.

[zuma]

Great story Punch Joe! Don Alejandro is indeed an awesome man...

[anacostiakat]

Hi mates

In the occasion of Robaina’s 90th birthday celebration to be held soon (March 20th) I want to share this piece of story that you would not find in the aforementioned book. I will do my best in translating the exact meaning of the words for better understanding.

A few years back while in Spain, Robaina was invited to a big reception in a fancy hotel. Many people attended and gathered to welcome the guest and have their own time with a true tobacco legend. Free cigars were offered, champagne glasses everywhere, cool music was on and lovely lasses were greeting everyone at the entrance. Everything was perfect and the celebration was at its peak when someone suddenly approached to Robaina inviting him to go to an adjoining room where he had a surprise for him.

While entering the room, this person told Robaina that he would only ask one question and opened the door and presented the Old Man a table where over 30 naked cigars were lying over white linen.

Then, without further ado, the man assumed an arrogant pose and said: “I’ve just brought you to this room to found out if you can tell me, without touching them, which one is a Cuban of all these”

Robaina looked the man in the eye for some time and went straight to the table and picked the only Cuban while saying: “This …this one is Cuban and this is where it must be placed on” And he put it over their cousins. Everyone was in shock and the Old Man turned his back on this person and went back to the hall.

Shortly afterwards when addressing to the audience for a few words, he coined one of the most memorable phrases I’ve ever heard from him. In a sad tone he said: “Along my lifetime, I have gone across different things and I have met people, people who are so poor …so poor that they only have money.

Guess who it was addressed to. Pride, Respect and Ethics go hand on hand in Alejandro Robaina’s life. Don’t mess with a man who’s got them for a motto. I have been so fortunate to have him told me this story twice when I asked about it. And the little boy inside me who likes to hear stories, only wish he could tell it over and over again.

Thanks for listening.

I too like to hear stories. This was a good one. Thanks!

[audio1der]

That is really profound.

Thanks for sharing!

[CigarZen]

Great quote by Robaina -- true and well used. But that guy was disturbed.

[El Presidente]

Pride, Respect, Ethics, Decency.

Pillars of life.

[storeroomjeff]

That is the way to live life.

[asmith]

Pride, Respect, Ethics, Decency.

Pillars of life.

Aren't they all on our Pyramid of Success?

[El Presidente]

Aren't they all on our Pyramid of Success?

....in a roundabout sort of way

[shrink]

Here's my idea of a Pyramid of Success...