If i'm toking in my car I just drop a nug in so i don't get crumbs all over and yes, it does burn slower, but you also don't get great hits. As for glass pipes, I totally agree with you, if you get quality glass it won't break easily, I have dropped one of my pipes so many times and all that has ever happened is 1 little chip that is hardly noticeable. as for your friends cousin, perhaps he just likes burning his lips on metal pipes, i personally hate that.

Chuck