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Explaining Model Building to one who doesn't understand it.

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  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: New Braunfels , Texas
Explaining Model Building to one who doesn't understand it.
Posted by Tanker - Builder on Tuesday, November 19, 2019 7:49 AM

Here's a good one.

    I was sitting at my favorite tables at WhattaBurgerin New Braunfels,Tx. The Assistant Manager stopped by. She saw the Model Box lovingly placed on the table so I could read the picture and woids.

      She asked me ," Why do you do that" "What"? I asked in return. "Build those Plastic Toys" was her next comment. Of course I had to reply. I asked her is she did sewing or crafting of any type. She said because of limited time she only did Satin Stitch Embroidery.

     When I told her I did that too she was speechless. She wanted to know though "Why the plastic " Toy Model ". I explained to her that this was not a toy. That building it would give me hours of pleasure I would otherwise fritter away if I was to go to the movies for instance.

    Her next comment concerned my shaking hands ( We are neighbors too). I told her that this solved part of that. Then I explained to her that I was born in the middle forties. By building these models I celebrated those who made my freedom from Nazi tyrany possible.

    Why? well, I explained that those who were already fighting in Europe and in the Pacific were to be honored. I can't go to Arlington or a lot of other Memorials. So , I remember their Sacrifice by building a model of their Plane ,Ship, or Armor piece.

 Again " Why ? Then I top it off with this" Did you want to live under Pinochet's rule ?"

 She says " No " Well, thanks to all the folks that gave it all I didn't have to live under Hitler's thumb or afterwards, the Soviet union's dogma is what I tell her. I am originally from Austria. Nuff said. I also do it because it relaxes me and spurs the creativity inside.

      Now , that's when she said  "I can tell when you are building one too "."Oh, Really "? " Yup" "You get this far-away look in your eyes" And that my Modeling friends says it all.

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • From: Vancouver, the "wet coast"
Posted by castelnuovo on Tuesday, November 19, 2019 2:57 PM

I just tell them its a hobby, just like photographing, birtwatching etc. The KISS principle. Works all the time

 

  • Member since
    April 2015
Posted by Mopar Madness on Tuesday, November 19, 2019 5:12 PM

On a different note, she sounds like she's a nice manager. I don't think I've ever been to a Whataburger and had a bad personal experience with any employee. I'll have a #2 with cheese and jalapeños please! Eats

Chad

God, Family, Models...

At the plate: 1/48 Airfix Bf109 & 1/35 Tamiya Famo

On deck: Who knows!

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 8:26 AM

I consider it a craft hobby.  Lots of crafters do their projects from kits rather than from scratch materials.  Further, I consider it a form of sculpture.  Our local art institute has a beautiful model of the USS Constitution on permanent display.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 9:13 AM
If they are condescending,then they don't get any explanation,probably a wise-ass answer in return.Otherwise it has to do with my love of military history and how this brings it alive for me.

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 11:01 AM

I tell them that I'm a recovering alcoholic, that I enjoy this hobby and it gives me something to actually have something to show for my time. Inquiring folks usually get what I'm sayin'. Cool

                   

 Forum | Modelers Social Club Forum (proboards.com) 

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: New Braunfels , Texas
Posted by Tanker - Builder on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 11:17 AM

Mopar Madness;

    Yes,the Whataburger crew in the store I go to is awesome. They even have a " Special Needs" Team member that does awesome Origami! I mentioned to him one day how beautiful his work was. While I was still eating he came by my table and thanked me for the compliment and gave me a beautiful " Paisley Dinosaur."

   This crew is what most fast food places should have ,buy sadly Don't. They know if I come in at lunchtime I want the DoubleCheeseburger Meal with senior Coffee. For Breakfast it's the Cinnamon Bun and Senior Coffee! And all the crew fills the order promptly with a Heartfelt, Smiling, Glad you could come see us today !

 I even get this treatment at Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks when I go there. Living in what is considered a small town is nice that way.  T.B.

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Longmont, Colorado
Posted by Cadet Chuck on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 1:00 PM

Now that's how restaurants oughta be.  Last time I was at Mickey D's, I asked for butter and jelly when picking up my food, and was told I should have ordered that at the register when I first came in!  I shall not return again.

Gimme a pigfoot, and a bottle of beer...

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: New Braunfels , Texas
Posted by Tanker - Builder on Thursday, November 21, 2019 11:41 AM

I have a dear friend that owns three MickyDs franchises. If that EVER happened in any of his stores, even today that crewmember would no longer be on the team. If you get my drift !

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Friday, November 22, 2019 8:35 AM

I was reading an aviation enthusiast's catalog yesterday.  Ready-built models are still very popular among these enthusiasts and prices for such kits run up to 250- 300 bucks.  I can buy a kit cheaper than that and end up with a better, more accurate model.

Catalogs for naval and ship/boat enthusiasts have ready-made ship models.  Those models can go for even more money.  I can buy kits for less and end up with a better model.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: New Braunfels , Texas
Posted by Tanker - Builder on Friday, November 22, 2019 12:27 PM

Hi Don!

 Now you know why if I want a specific vessel for R.C. I build my own. Yes, Scratch -Building is labor intensive, but I find it very enjoyable as well!

 I was just reading a publication that dealt with Full Sized kit Planes. WOW!!  Have they gotten exotic !

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Saturday, November 23, 2019 6:59 AM

Tanker - Builder

Hi Don!

 Now you know why if I want a specific vessel for R.C. I build my own. Yes, Scratch -Building is labor intensive, but I find it very enjoyable as well!

 I was just reading a publication that dealt with Full Sized kit Planes. WOW!!  Have they gotten exotic !

 

Agree fully.  In fact, ship modeling predated the origins of model kits.  Remember the days when mags like Popular Mechanics, and Science and Mechanics would have feature articles, with plans, on building ship models.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Franklin Wi
Posted by Bakster on Saturday, November 23, 2019 8:52 AM

Hey TB, how your approached this with her is awesome! Well done sir. It doesn’t get any better than that.

Yes

  • Member since
    June 2019
Posted by M4Shermanmodeler on Saturday, November 23, 2019 10:04 AM

Many years ago I was an avid railroad photographer. Living in NE Ohio I spent many afternoons sitting under a tree at a beautifully situated curve along the old LS&MS/NYC/PC main at North Kingsville OH. Evidently a N. Kingsville police officer saw me multiple times and got curious. As I was sitting under the tree reading I watched him drive up and stop. He made it clear he wasn’t trying to bust my chops but he was wondering why I’d spend hours sitting by the tracks. I showed him some of my prints and he seemed to have a repressed interest as we got in a conversation. He couldn’t grasp that to me spending hours waiting for the right combination of light,  background and train was fun. Finally he told me he still didn’t quite get it so on a lark I asked; ”Do you golf?” He nodded his head. So I continued. “So here’s my take on golf. You take this little ball and whack it as far as you can; then you hunt it down and do it again and again. So if you want it; why don’t you just put it in your pocket and take it home? Elsewise heave in the trash and be done with it”. He looked very thoughtful for a moment and then grinned. “Never thought of it that way;” he said, “but you’ve got a point.” Then he politely excused himself and drove off. We waved whenever we saw each other from that point on. Moral of the story: To each his/her own. 

 

Tim-M4Shermanmodeler

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