All eye's on you....?

[tonedeaf]

I'm new to MD. I always thought it was for old retired geezer's....hehe,...I never knew how fun it could be. Recently my family and I went to a local beach to do a little hunting, my kids are very young, a 5 yr old and twins that are 4yrs old. As I was walking to the beach among all the young hard bodies covered in tanning oil, a thought crossed my mind, "What the hell am I doing, I must look like a desperate homeless guy looking for loose change to feed my family". I put my head phones on, turned on the ace 250 and started looking. The wife and kids stayed close while playing in the surf. Even though I was with my family, I felt like the whole beach was watching my every move. One guy came up to me and said "looking for sand dollars"....hehehe....as he walked away.......I blew it off....then I got a strong ding on the detector.....I called the wife and kids over to help dig,...as they were digging, I looked around to see who noticed.....some people sat up and pointed others just watched. As my wife pulled the diamond ring from the sand I started feeling better. Do any of you feel funny about digging around big crowd's? Do you hide your finds? or do you show people what you find? Do I need Prozac....hehe

[pris]

Hey ToneDeaf,

I have dealt with the stares and am pretty well over it. I'm sure they won't think you're homeless since the equipment is pretty spendy for a homeless person.

Also, I wouldn't be too free to show your finds, since a lot of people will try to trick you. I have heard that people will ask you what you found, then an hour later someone will come up to you and describe down to very specifics what you found, that way you sort of have to give it to them. Some will tell a police officer that you have something that belongs to them. I would just tell people that you haven't found much but trash and some coins... Unless of course someone comes to you and asks for your help. That's always a nice feeling, if you can recover their lost item.

No prozac for you!!! Happy your family is getting involved.

[I Can Dig It]

I used to feel the same way when I first started detecting many moons ago. There are a couple ways to look at it. One, most of the people want to do it but don't for the same reasons you outlined in your post. Trust me, they are thinking, "I wish I had the guts to do that" and the other way to look at it is, who cares what they think, they don't even know you. Also, what Pris said is true, keep your finds to yourself, it is no ones business. You can be polite and simply say "Haven't found much today" If they ask to see just tell them you have nothing to show but wish you did. If this becomes a problem for you where you are considering giving up the hobby then I would suggest that you consider night hunting. One of my major gripes is people coming up and taking my time with endless questions. I want to promote the hobby but I also want to detect and not stand there talking all day
Anyway, glad you found the ring. Remember the fun is in the hunt itself
Carl

[I Can Dig It]

Originally Posted by Chuck@TreasureHut

...while they hit it right on the head, I would only add that when you have on a good set of headphones, it is pretty easy to pretend that you just didn't hear them ask you anything. You can usually tell, when someone is genuinely interesting in finding out more about the hobby or your detector, or if they are just curious. Often, I just keep on hunting, and they think I didn't hear their questions.

[pris]

Carl, you're such a sweet salty guy. hehe

[I Can Dig It]

Originally Posted by pris

Carl, you're such a sweet salty guy. hehe

I think I am going to end up buying a headset
Carl

[pris]

Originally Posted by I Can Dig It

I think I am going to end up buying a headset
Carl

I'm proud of ya, buddy. I know it's a big step. I struggled with buying a pinpointer, but just figured it would only help. I also know that our sponsors don't just say stuff so they can make a buck. They actually want us to find that treasure.

WTG

[exnavyguy]

Carl, I just bought a pair of headsets. I love it. I can do my own thing and ignore everything around me. Not to mention I can hear signals better and have been finding more coins and other things in the process. On the other hand, it is kind of fun talking to the kids and having them follow you around while you are detecting. I enjoy that part. It paid off to the point that one little girl that was watching me at the park, was back at the park with her dad. They had rented a detector for a day! Made me proud.

[I Can Dig It]

Originally Posted by exnavyguy

Carl, I just bought a pair of headsets. I love it. I can do my own thing and ignore everything around me. Not to mention I can hear signals better and have been finding more coins and other things in the process. On the other hand, it is kind of fun talking to the kids and having them follow you around while you are detecting. I enjoy that part. It paid off to the point that one little girl that was watching me at the park, was back at the park with her dad. They had rented a detector for a day! Made me proud.

At the risk of my friend Chuck reading this I have a confession to make. I know that I need a good set of earphones..I simply cannot afford to buy them just yet. I just bought that GTP1350 and am still trying to convence the wife it is our ticket to easy street By the way, I am retired AF and also retired Civil Service..you and I have a little in common except you got good earphones and I don't
Carl

[RingDancer]

I also felt that way when I first started out!!! But now I don't care I haven't counted lately, but I have close to 60 rings under my belt...that I have found!!! They can think I am crazy, homeless or what ever they want to think!!! I know what I am doing!!!! I would be careful about showing your finds to strangers...you don't want anyone robbing you!!! Slip that jewel in your pocket and if you want to return it, find the proper way to do it!!! Otherwise, keep it under your belt...You work hard in your hobby and to me that is your choice on what you do with your finds!!! It is also a good feeling to return finds at times if you can find the owners... I also have people coming up to me all the time...What ya finding...I think they are more curious...because most of them tell me they have always wanted to get one but just never had...I had a fellow awhile back,take up alot of my time...He was very interested, him and his wife, talked with me...they were going on vacation...down to Galviston...doing some beach hunting and he was going to buy him one to take...And was very interested and wanted all the information he could get from me on how to hunt...I enjoyed the conversation with them...I hope they found something!!!


Get out there and dig...you only live once and who cares what others think!!!!!!

HH
Pat