How to tell someone that..gasp..your a modeler

Wow, I don't know where y'all live, but down here in Kissimmee, no one has anything but the nicest stuff to say about my models and hobby!
My Dad and stepmom(they're in Italy) are happy, my Stepdad and mom are HIGHLY enthused(my mom loves crafts, so she and I often share our tools!), my friends enjoy listening to me go on and on about modeling mishaps, my gamer friends use my hobby tips to mod their PCs, everyone LOVES my modeling!

Maybe y'all need to move down to Kissimmee? Models(especially R/C, even though I don't consider those models) are VERY popular, especially with the Latino population(don't ask me why, they just are)!

QUOTE: Originally posted by cassibill I always get weird looks for being in the hardware, automotive, or models section. Like they've never seen a woman before.

Courtney:
I was in the Arctic a few years ago with one of our company pilots who just happened to be female. The refueller at one of the sites said to me:
"It's sure nice you let your wife fly the plane a bit."
I thought she was going to make him swallow the hose nozzle while I ROFLMAO!
Bruce

I always get weird looks for being in the hardware, automotive, or models section. Like they've never seen a woman before.

I'm a closet aircraft modeler. My wife really supports my ship building, so when people come over and see them, I start getting tons of questions. The biggest is the "rigging" questions like, "thats relaxing" issues. Hey, I can do a lot of thinking while I tie clove hitches. But when they see my basement, I feel like I'm viewed as too immersed in the hobby and I must be neglecting my family. I have planes all over the place. From 1/4 scale remote control to 1/144 scale jets. But those are not seen because they are not "pretty". But I love them. Same with battleships.
I have taken my ships to art and craft shows and when asked what medium, I say plastic, and then get the "look" like, "this was a plastic toy model".

I'm also popular with my wifes friends since I can now do manicures. When I was seeing what my wife was paying to have her nails done I said I can do that. She gave me that" sniffin too much glue" look but I did some fills and she was very impressed. When I went to the salon for a haircut, the girls there asked how I thought I could do fills and colors, well, "I build scale models of ships and planes". They looked at me like I was really nuts, Then I brought in some of my work and showed them. I now may have a part time job at the salon.
I have been buying supplies a beauty salons and fabric stores since I was in jr. high. Boy was that always fun when I had to explain to the girls there my intentions. Better yet, when kids from school saw me there.

QUOTE: Originally posted by link955 They say "THAT'S relaxing??" And I say yes, because when you're that deep into something it's almost impossible to concentrate on your troubles, and often the distraction allows you to come up with solutions to problems. Ever wonder why women who knit and crochet seem so relaxed? Same idea here.

Hey, great response! Gonna use that from now on!
When I got a new job almost two years ago (in TV news) I started bring a small toolbox to work. When I was working nights, I had about 40 minutes to kill between the 10 & 11 live shots. The one reporter I was mostly with, looked at me like I was looped when I first pulled it out. But as I worked on projects & explained to her what I was doing, she grew more respectful as to the time & energy that I put into it.
When I was nearing completion to a kitbashed Trek starship, she wanted me to bring it in to see how it looked finished.

Converting the world, one person at a time!

My friends still think I model that black spaghetti strap number when I mention my modeling skills.



Phil Dunkel



PS not the most flattering thought since I'm 6'2" 300#

not sure why that is but you throw knives handle first.

I try to avoid using the word "model" when I tell someone new what my hobby is.
"I biuld static displays of.....(insert topic such as historical aircraft,etc)" or
"I build scale replicas of....(again, insert topic)"
Generally the conversation stops there as they don't have a clue how to respond.
If they do ask something like "what do you build them out of?" I tell them that I usually
start with a kit and add from there. This is basically true as I do add paint,glue,time,
effort,blood sweat and tears . The blood and tears are added every time my hobby
knife rolls off my work table and lands point down in my thigh or foot. I haven't quite
figured out how the lite end (blade) always ends up pointing down but it must have
something to do with "the modelers curse" that also includes flying and disappearing parts.

When you are 5 years old they laugh...how qute
At 10 they say you are our little mechanic........
At 15 they say when you are going to study.....
At 20 they say grow up.......
At 25 they say get a life......
At 30 they say you are pathetic
After that I willl let you know as time goes by.....

Actually I haven't had too many negative comments, head shakes, or the like. Anyone who sees my models, books, magazines, etc. lying around my den seem more or less impressed. I even get 'cool' a lot from my kids' friends. Most people figure I can crank them out at about one or two a week and seem surprised that it takes me months ...

Just my experience,
Bruce

QUOTE: Originally posted by renarts Its easier than telling them some of the other stuff I do for fun. Dress in armor and fight medieval tournaments. Dress in 18thc. military uniforms and fire cannons. Run German shepards and let them bite me while I wear a bite suit or sleeve. So what can possibly be harder to tell them other than that? Mike

Hmm. Well the armor part sounds like fun; I guess we've all wanted the chance to bash someone over the head with a mace. And don't the neighbors complain about the cannons? Actually, Mike, your pastimes sound more harmless than a lot I could name.

Its easier than telling them some of the other stuff I do for fun.

Dress in armor and fight medieval tournaments.
Dress in 18thc. military uniforms and fire cannons.
Run German shepards and let them bite me while I wear a bite suit or sleeve.

So what can possibly be harder to tell them other than that?

Mike

Sometimes I cringe a bit when my girlfriend drops it into a conversation, like when she's telling someone how we need an extra overhead light in our dining room so its easier to do paperwork and for when I'm doing "my tanks and soldiers". Occasionally it goes over their heads but sometimes they'll ask what I build soldiers for. Some understand better when you explain about the work it takes to make a realistic model but often they go away with an image of a grown adult playing armies on the loungeroom floor.
Jeff

" everyone here knows me, knows what i do fer a livin'..."
just quote (or paraphrase, in my case since i'm not a pro ) Captain Quint's line from 'Jaws'...
and yeah, when i once told a certain snobby girl at school i did modeling as a hobby, she kind of turned up her nose & said : "No way ! " i think she thought i meant fashion modeling... i was LOL too hard !
frosty

QUOTE: Originally posted by loggerbruce I've been hesitant to mention my hobby in the past as well but then have had some "hard core"loggers to my house and they have seen the amount of work that goes into each kit and how realistic they are and now I get "could you build me an EX200 or build me a tank drill". Most of these guys run machinery that costs $750,000- $2,000,000 but they all want miniature copies so they can show their kids what they do for a living.

hey, dude !
did u see that huge Bucyrus-Erie excavator that was featured awhile back in FSM
(i think it was built as a demo model by Lee Van De Visse, and just about all the
parts were moveable, because it was supposed to demonstrate exactly how the real thing works)... i was truly amazed !
it's definitely worth a look, i'll see if i can find my back issue & give u the info...
frosty

QUOTE: Originally posted by HistoryinScale You could do it for them.....or you could help them do it. I think the latter would be better and promote a growth to the hobby by at least one....

You know, I've been trying to find some snap-tite models i can give to my younger cousins, etc... But basic kits are few and far between! I found a simple revell corvette, and the darn thing cost more than my PBY or F-86F!! [:0] It's criminal, i tell you! How am i going to be a "bad influence" on these kids without an appropreate kit to give them??

QUOTE: Originally posted by South Aussie I just come out and tell them that I build models. I usually ignore any negitive comments from them or warn them that my insanity has led me to modelling and it keeps me under control.

South Aussie,

That is funny, kind of along the line of basket weaving! I used to work as a basket weaver and when I told people that I was a weaver they weren't sure if it was for a job or therapy...I used to be rather tightly wound and only age has started to cure that...and my wife who is a mental health nurse.

Jerry

I just come out and tell them that I build models. I usually ignore any negitive comments from them or warn them that my insanity has led me to modelling and it keeps me under control.

QUOTE: Originally posted by loggerbruce I've been hesitant to mention my hobby in the past as well but then have had some "hard core"loggers to my house and they have seen the amount of work that goes into each kit and how realistic they are and now I get "could you build me an EX200 or build me a tank drill". Most of these guys run machinery that costs $750,000- $2,000,000 but they all want miniature copies so they can show their kids what they do for a living.

You could do it for them.....or you could help them do it. I think the latter would be better and promote a growth to the hobby by at least one....
Personally Ive had no problem telling people I build scale models...
With maybe a few exceptions...they all ask why and how is that relaxing?
To some it is to others its not....just like I dont enjoy watching football on tv...others choose to spend all weekend doing it. I dont knock it...just not my thing.

The problem I have is when I tell people about my RC Car Hobby....they instantly visualize the Radio Shack Cars and want to know why....Why becuase its fun, it also requires some attention to detail though not as much as some aspects of plastic modeling....it requires a mechanical knowledge as well as knowledge of electronics....by the end of the conversation they either respect me or think Im a nut! Either way I dont care I enjoy the hell out of it! They usually catch me trackside while Im working on the car and ask questions about getting lil Johnny one for his birthday....hes always wanted one of those toys....thats when I have to jump on my Make em realize these arent toys...but rather expensive pieces of machinery....On any given Sunday I have 4 cars with me as I race 4 classes and dabble in 2 others....I love the looks when they point and ask how much is that one....Well that one is the cheap one I have with me today....$400 for the kit $189 for the motor....another $129 for the RX The Transmitter(Radio) Ive had and use with all my cars but it cost $339 2 years ago...but now can be had for about $100 less.....and on and on....Sorry I hopped on that rabbit trail....

I've been hesitant to mention my hobby in the past as well but then have had some "hard core"loggers to my house and they have seen the amount of work that goes into each kit and how realistic they are and now I get "could you build me an EX200 or build me a tank drill". Most of these guys run machinery that costs $750,000- $2,000,000 but they all want miniature copies so they can show their kids what they do for a living.

I always have some hesitation when I mention my hobby...not because I am embarrassed or anythings... I just always think about all of those understandings mentioned above. If I say I build model planes it sounds like the kind that actually fly. If I say I do modelling, they think for clothes. SO I usually clarify "I build plastic models". It always seems to take longer than it should to explain the hobby to people that haven't realy experienced it.

While most people say I must have a lot of patience to work on models... I usually tell them I don't and that is why I have 8 unfinished models going at the moment. I can't just sit around waiting for a part to dry ... so I have others to occupy the time in between. I am actually very impatient, and that is why it takes me sometimes a few years to finish even simple kits.

QUOTE: Originally posted by coldwar68 I just usually tell them that I build plastic models...ok, truth be known I should probably say that I half-build plastic models! (I have five on the work bench right now in various stages of construction.) Most everybody that I talk to show some sort of interest...I think it is because I have so little patience and they can't figure out how I build these small plastic models and paint small "lead" figures. They are really dumbfounded when I tell them that it relaxes me. Jerry

I get that one too. Especially when I show people the completed Trumpeter "Leopold", and explain there were about 750 parts just in the wheel trucks and something like 48 repetitive assemblies. They say "THAT'S relaxing??" And I say yes, because when you're that deep into something it's almost impossible to concentrate on your troubles, and often the distraction allows you to come up with solutions to problems. Ever wonder why women who knit and crochet seem so relaxed? Same idea here.

I just usually tell them that I build plastic models...ok, truth be known I should probably say that I half-build plastic models! (I have five on the work bench right now in various stages of construction.) Most everybody that I talk to show some sort of interest...I think it is because I have so little patience and they can't figure out how I build these small plastic models and paint small "lead" figures. They are really dumbfounded when I tell them that it relaxes me.

Jerry

Usually they ask me where I "fly them".

I once was asked by a woman, after I told her I build scale plastic models, "What do you wan't to be when you grow up". I told her I tried being an adult once, didn't like it, so I went back to being a child.

I have a good bit of friends that love to see the finished ones. They get amazed at what can actually be done with a piece of plastic.

Cassibill, I've nearly commited myself when I try to total what I have spent on this hobby. At the very least it is college tuition

In the 4 years or so that I've been modeling as an adult - there have been very few instances where the topic has come up. When it has - it's usually met with indifference.

Something came up at work the other day though - and I'm wondering what kind of responses I will get. (if any). At work I do product training once in a while - so our company asked all the "teachers" to fill out these mini-biography questionaires. One of the questions of course was "what are your hobbies" - so I said "plastic modeling" and a few other things. The bio's are supposed to be used in the brochure that they put out to advertise the training. It'll probably take a few months before anyone sees the thing - I wonder if it will generate any response at all. My guess is - I doubt it.

When I was yonger I used to hesitate when speaking of my favorite hobby. Now at 49 I just come right out and say " I build models." I would say 90% to 95% of the responses are positive and no funny looks.Funny thing though, most ask " Oh, railroading?"