How Does Anyone Else Handle...

[riki727]

unkind or teasing remarks about this hobby...especially from friends and family members?

Maybe I'm just overly sensitive, but I am getting so tired of remarks from people when they find out I enjoy metal detecting. Take last night, for instance. Joe and I spent a couple of hours hunting (and it was so much fun now that we each have a detector ) and when we came in for dinner (we were at his mothers for a family dinner, as we do each Sunday) and showed everyone our finds, we got a range of comments from "well, if I'd known you were that hard up" to "jeez..$1.58 for two hours work, you'd be better off getting a real job" (which grates my nerves anyway right now as biz is slow LOL)

Frankly, I'm to the point now where I don't even discuss my interests with anyone. But I've love to have a few quips and comebacks for next time someone hands me a dollar as a "joke". Anyone else come across this from friends or family?

[Nighthunter]

Always have a couple of barber coins or indian heads in your pocket. Pull them out and the teasing stops.

['E']

My family (who live in In) love hearing about my finds, I keep them updated & they sometimes get as excited as I do, I told my sister I'm gonna bring my extra detector with me when I go up there next summer & she's very excited, one of my best friends who lives in Tx made fun of me at first & called me a nerd, (I can't accept that) then I told her about all the stuff I've been finding & she shut up quick, now she just calls me Inspector Gadget, I can live with that, let it roll off your shoulders Rikki, as long as you enjoy it, that's all that matters, it's YOUR hobby, not theirs

[John's Detectors]

Well Riki I have always been a loner and I don't care what other's think of what I enjoy in my spare time. I have been a Ham Radio Op. for almost 25 yrs and I know a lot of people didn't understand why I would want to sit there listening to a bunch of dots and dashes! But I told my buddies when my second passion kicks in(metal detecting) I won't be on the air for a long time. That is what happened and I love digging in the dirt! So just ignore those hagglers and enjoy! God Bless.

John Tomlinson,CET,KA5QYR P=VI
John's Detectors
Team Nuggetfinder
Blackwell,Tx.
Best Little Detector Shop in Texas!

[KellycoChick]

Honestly, I get a lot of crap about it too,... BUT, as soon as I talk about some of the jewelry that has been found, it turns into a "man I want one!" convo. And I can also persuade them by enticing them with the history that can be dug up - my family has a LOT of land that a civil war battle was fought on, and my grandfather has found whole cannon balls!

I guess the point is - do what you like to do, and just try to make them understand that it's sooo not about the money! It's about the thrill of finding something great, wrought with value, history or both - and all it costs is your time! If you've tried to explain it to them, and they still give you a hassle, just stop. As long as you and your husband enjoy doing it together that's all that matters. It's just a shame that people who love you don't "get" you.

[pris]

Hey Rikki, I've also gotten these comments and I just tell them that it's not a job, so the way I look at it, I'm getting paid for doing something I like! I think a bunch of my family just think I'm manic when I talk about how excited I am about it. My Mom, Dad, Sister and Niece are excited about it, but my Mom's husband is sort of a kill joy. He's a judge, so he really thinks that if he doesn't like it, it's not worth anything... Just wait until my Mom starts huntin'. I think it would be great if people start seeing the judges wife on the sidewalk strips huntin' and diggin' dirt.

I think it's all in YOUR state of mind. They may just be jealous. Lots of people don't really have hobbies so it's difficult for them to be happy for others who enjoy their time off of work. Keep smilin' and I can't wait to hear what others have to say.

[EPC Guy]

Personally, I've got quite a reputation among my family and friends for not giving a damn what folks think about my interests and hobbies! My thought is if they're talking about me - they're giving someone else a rest...the next time someone offers you a dollar - tell them due to inflation, that $5.00 would be more appropriate - and go buy some new batteries with it! That way, they'll be dirt fishin' by proxy!

[The TINMAN]

Just be a Duck and let it roll off your back. I get it all the time ie.. Oh did ya find Another penny all that time you were out and so on and so forth. Most of it's in good spirits but some times it corrodes my Tin. I've tried to get family members involved and a few people around here I've met but to no avail. You should hear them and see the faces when they see me mailing out a detector I bought then tell them I'm trying a different one, They think I,m out of my Tin. I just go on and enjoy what I'm doing like right now and thats another one, Are you on that site again ? Some folks just have to make up for the empty space inside them by doggin others but When you come across that really nice find, then when ya show them, it shuts em up quick. I tried to explain it's a Hobby, Good excercise, learn about History and Even Geography and Cultures and their beliefs but now I just have the additude If I have to Explain, You wouldn't Understand. Like the others have said carry something cool with ya and that will slow the remarks down and if not then Quack Quack and move on with a smile on your face. You can't have a Positive Life with a Negative Mind !

Quack On
The TINDUCK

[Kentfb]

Not so much family but the guys at work have a field day with it. The old school is between my house and work and the whole crew passes that way and see me there. They know I donate the money I find back to the school but still ride me with statements like "how much of the kids lunch money you got today" or I threw a hand full of pennies in the school yard on my way back from work. Did you find them? Ofcourse with the group there there is an uproar of laughter. I worry them by smiling and saying nothing. I don't get mad I get even.

[ECACE]

Riki,

As others have already mentioned, keep some ammo that quickly shuts them up. I have three containers that my finds go into...the clad jar, the "interesting...I'll keep it for a while then probably throw it away eventually" jar, and the "Really good finds" jar. The last one has the silver, jewelry, and other valuable finds in it. I usually grab the last one, or pull up my wifes hand and show the silver ring she is wearing that I found last summer. That usually flips the conversation 180.

Now if they show an interest in the hobby, I may pull the other jars out to bring them back to reality, but still good stuff to find. This may work...unless the only jar you have is the third one and only find very good stuff every time. In that case, dump the jar out in front of them and that should do it. Also like TINMAN said...let it roll off your back. I have found most people that like to make comments like this, don't have anything better to complain about.

Best of luck,

ECACE