general cigar question for all...

[Lucky_Hippo]

I've never seen anyone looked down on for smoking a "finer quality product", however, I have seen persons looked down upon for smoking a LESS quality product.

Personaly I remove them if they are easy to remove and keep them on if they're not.

I've seen several references to this, for example:
http://www.cigartrends.com/etiquette.php
Zino Davidoff's guide to cigar etiquette

Remove the band carefully after lighting the cigar.

It's somewhat contradicted here:
http://www.cigarsinternational.com/html/cig101_1boo.asp

Why remove it? The arguments range from the potential of the band damaging the wrapper to the steadfast belief that only the most naive smokers would actually leave the band on. Most experts, including Zino Davidoff, believe that the removal of a cigar band is a "personal choice," claiming that in today's world there is no shame in leaving the band on a cigar, citing references to both practices in literature as evidence. He personally removes his bands, but only after a few puffs, when the cigar is well-lighted and "running." Waiting a few minutes allows the heat of the smoke to make the gum on the band less adhesive and easier to remove without tearing the fragile wrapper.

I found this one to be interesing...
http://www.essortment.com/lifestyle/...ngeti_snfb.htm
Rule Six

You've seen actors do it in the movies, but, actually, smelling a cigar is a sign of bad etiquette. Instead, if you're selecting a cigar, look at the color of the wrapper, the name on the band, and its other characteristics in order to determine whether its your type or not.

I take them off before lighting or shortly there after, if they are easily removed. But I don't care if others leave them on or not.