Well in my case I deserved it. I took two models to work to put on my desk. To my amazement, they became quite popular. Great social pieces. Anyways, one of my co-workers picked up my Tamiya Wepse tank and spun the tracks on it. I just sat there in total awe? I thought "what is this guy doing". He sat it down and walked away. I wanted to cuddle it after its abuse. Fortunately nothing got broke.

Needless to say, I won't be taking my best builds to work.

But it would certainly enlighten people!

I have been asked to rig up a neon transformer as a 'punishment device' ,however I think that would be too extreme (15000volts/60ma) good kick and beleive me they wont touch it again!

In reference to the wet paint one of the guys in our club that builds mostly dioramas has had a big problem with fingerprints in the 'water' he uses in some of his dioramas. Seems that at shows people just have to touch the 'water'......

He also in one with a 1/35 barn with open doors had a woman rip off one door when she tried to close it thinking the hinges were workable...

krow113

Funny/sad readin this one ,reminds me of my custom paint/sign painting days when the 'observer' (for lack of a better term) wouild walk in ,walk up to the fresh paint and feel the need to touch it!!! I almost got fired once for telling the owner (my boss) to get the @!#$%^&* out of his own spray booth !! haHa Yes unfortunatly people are stupid ,and how we havent blown this planet out of the universe is THE greatest mystery yet. We cant be alone in this galaxie/universe and I can see the 'others' out there settling down in front of a TV (or whatever) for the daily ignorant stupidity of planet earth ,how they must laugh and then shake thier heads ,or whatever they shake, in disbelief .At our last contest/show/swap a 300$ model was stolen off the table next to me ,now I am supplying 'security at work' signs for our next one.

eternal vigilance is not a term for the after life any more..........................................

So why is it when you tell someone that there are half a trillion stars in our galaxy, they believe you, but when that same person sees a "WET PAINT" sign, they have to touch the wet paint to be sure!

Agenttg, I have for years avoided the modeling community for the very reason you posted. In the town I live in, 1/72 scale is the main scale the locals use. I was at a show the club had at the local mall and said I prefer 1/48 and was treated like I had the plague.  I never went to the IPMS meetings and now the chapter is closed and the nearest one is 30 miles away. The only hobby shop nearby has cut his hours and stock because the locals will not shop there because he wont cut them a "deal" on prices to meet online prices. I go in when I can and shop and talk to the owner but he is shutting the doors soon.

 I have one story abut a show I was at in Atlanta years ago; I was looking at a display and the broken glasses I had on fell off my face and landed on a beautiful biplane dio. the plane was fine but the ground work was a little worse for the wear. The owner was very nice about it and offered me a piece of string ti tie my specs to my head.

Rob, I didn't mean to imply (in fact I think quite the opposite) that you should have vented at him. And with your further explanation, it's obvious that you did the right thing under difficult circumstances.

What I was saying is that too often today, people are afraid to tell someone that their behavior is unacceptable, for fear of being cast as the bad guy. To me, that is unacceptable. There comes a time when one must be confrontational, albeit civilly. But one must also exercise good judgment, as you obviously did.

Political correctness is political, and therefore anything but correct. Responsible behavior is always correct.

a zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz tink, tank, poonk, psh. The prop flew off and bounced across 3 different tables. Unbelievably, nothing was damaged. I had to walk out there to pick up my prop, I could feel the hole being burned in the back of my head by all the stares and glares.

Now that is a difficult situation, lucky it wasn't a custom turned aluminum prop!

I can relate to it though, my second contest I entered a motorized Ki-43 in 1/48 scale. I lurked around the table when the judges were getting near the 'Super detailed 1/48 scale aircraft' Worried about the battery life I then turned on the prop. Totally out classed by the other entrants the cool effect of a spinning propeller never helped. Out of four in the division I placed.. fourth. The lesson learned was to enter at the last minute when a build could be classified in two or three different divisions. It should have been entered in '1/48 scale, single prop moderate detail' or 'Aircraft dioramas' as it has a pilot and cool display base.

The final victory was mine when the build made 'Great scale modeling 2008' page 38

Triarius

I already put my spoke in, but something Rob said made it necessary to chime in again.

If we tolerate bad behavior, it will only get worse. When someone does something wrong, let them know, in no uncertain terms. Be polite. Be civil. Be stern. No matter how angry you may be, keep your emotions under control, but let them see that you are doing so. Some of the neighborhood kids are real hellions—but they are always respectful (for them) and obedient to me—I may yell to get their attention, but after that I speak quietly but sternly to them—end of problem. When you can do this, you stay in control and cannot be the bad guy.

My incident wasn't the person's bad behavior nor anything evil, it was his ignorance of the modern modeling hobby. He and everyone around him knew what he did was wrong. I have no doubt that he felt badly for destroying my kit. I didn't "tolerate" any bad behavior, it was an accident caused by someone who was unaware of the fragility of a photo etched model. I know he was sorry.

There was no reason for me to vent with any harsh words. It would not have repaired the damage. It would not have informed him that he did something wrong; that, he already knew. It would not have made the situation any better. The only thing my harsh words would have done is to make him feel worse than he probably already felt and in turn, made me the bad guy for yelling at him.

Manstein's revenge

...let's hear some more "horror" stories...

I was the butt for this one.

My first contest, I entered  an Airfix 1/24 P-51. I had motorized the prop, but just stuck the prop to the shaft with a bit of poster-tac. Just as judging was beginning, I flipped the switch and let it run. After about five minutes or so, it got real quiet and we all heard a zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz tink, tank, poonk, psh. The prop flew off and bounced across 3 different tables. Unbelievably, nothing was damaged. I had to walk out there to pick up my prop, I could feel the hole being burned in the back of my head by all the stares and glares.

rjkplasticmod

Could have been a lot worse. I recall an IPMS Contest a couple of years ago where the child of one of the spectators grabbed a 1/48 aircraft model from the Judges table & launched it.  It landed in the middle of the 1/72 twin engine model display, destroying a total of 5 models.

Regards,  Rick

Wow!!! I bet they where chased out my the angry mob!!!

At least they would have time to get away as the utter shock would have taken a few seconds to abate. LOL.

...let's hear some more "horror" stories...

I have to agree, yelling and screaming doesn't help, and expressing yourself clearly and confidently is the key. I'm reminded of the famous quote:

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.

Last time I participated in the 'Western Canadian Regional model contest' someone 'bumped' the table holding motor cycles. it was more than the delicate kick stands could take and all fell over damaging most.

The year before my ex accompanied me, she took off for the afternoon and showed up for the awards. They were announcing the 'special awards' when she asked in a loud voice 'where is yours? everyone else gets one!' Oh boys I felt like hiding under a table! Everyone in the room looked to see who said it as well I won't even tell about the comment she made at the start of the contest, lets just say it was regarding the smell of some modeler's who had put in long shifts before the contest and had not cleaned themselves up properly before the contest.

Needless to say she is now a EX and I never invited her to another contest after that!

I already put my spoke in, but something Rob said made it necessary to chime in again.

If we tolerate bad behavior, it will only get worse. When someone does something wrong, let them know, in no uncertain terms. Be polite. Be civil. Be stern. No matter how angry you may be, keep your emotions under control, but let them see that you are doing so. Some of the neighborhood kids are real hellions—but they are always respectful (for them) and obedient to me—I may yell to get their attention, but after that I speak quietly but sternly to them—end of problem. When you can do this, you stay in control and cannot be the bad guy.

There are some who have learned to raise the level of provocation and irritation. Don't let them, just maintain your demeanor. This can be very hard to do when you know full well that what they deserve and need is a good boot to the seat of the pants, or worse.

Many adults are really only about seven years old. Don't get mad. Don't get even. Treat them like what they are.

And yes, it's hard to follow my own advice, sometimes! "Why don't we just shoot the ******?" Elephino.

JMart

 

HawkeyeHobbies:

 

There are two grave markers in my yard. The first, a neighbor who let his dog poop on my yard and didn't clean it up. Typically if someone walks their dog and it does its duty in my yard and the owner doesn't clean up after them, I scoop it up and deposit it on their door step. The second time, see the first paragraph.

 

 

LOL you should talk to my wife. she does EXACTLY the same thing! (sans grave marker ;)

First model I completed after a LONG hiatus from modelling, show it to my kids, first thing the youngest did was to poke the decal (was an old revell P51D) to see if it was painted on...  "But Dad, looked so realistic, I needed to make sure!".

I know it wasn't the 'correct' or 'right' thing to do, but we have a inconsiderate neighbor that always causes us trouble (see the thing you sit on + something you dig).  He kept walking his dog on our lawn and not cleaning it up.  Well, one fine day he left the sunroof on his truck open... well, we disposed of his dog's leaving into his truck made me feel really good

HawkeyeHobbies

There are two grave markers in my yard. The first, a neighbor who let his dog poop on my yard and didn't clean it up. Typically if someone walks their dog and it does its duty in my yard and the owner doesn't clean up after them, I scoop it up and deposit it on their door step. The second time, see the first paragraph.

LOL you should talk to my wife. she does EXACTLY the same thing! (sans grave marker ;)

First model I completed after a LONG hiatus from modelling, show it to my kids, first thing the youngest did was to poke the decal (was an old revell P51D) to see if it was painted on...  "But Dad, looked so realistic, I needed to make sure!".

My sister-in-law casually picked up one of my better builds (a 1/35 DML Firefly),scoped it out a bit then handed it off to her boyfriend as if it were an interesting rock or something.My hair was standing on end the entire time.

Bgrigg

True, I'm sure he meant no ill will, and it's only plastic. But still, the cost of the kit and photo-etch is not inconsiderable, let alone your time (admittedly of no value except to you). An offer (at least) to replace the kit and AM should have offered, even if you refused it.

Your ability to forgive and forget is admirable.

In today's PC world, any show of ire on my part would have immediately made me the bad guy. To me, it just wasn't worth it and there was really nothing I could have done or anyone could have done to make it better. Doing nothing was the best course of action.

My first show I noticed myself doing something bad, but I caught myself right away.

I wear a pouch around my neck that has all my stuff in it, iPod, phone, ID, railpass, medical cards, all the stuff Id need if I was stranded somewhere.  I was leaning over the table of models and felt it swinging (it was under the table thank god) I took it off and put it in my coat pocket ASAP.

Also, a tip about cameras.  Dont use the wrist strap.  Take it out, take a picture, put it in your pocket

One other thing I have noticed :After these creeps /idiots / accident causing fools do thier deed they look at thier watch and say something like "oh my look at the time , gotta go seeya!!"I may sound a tad bitter ,its only because someone came in my yard last night and ripped off a security camera!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Funny/sad readin this one ,reminds me of my custom paint/sign painting days when the 'observer' (for lack of a better term) wouild walk in ,walk up to the fresh paint and feel the need to touch it!!! I almost got fired once for telling the owner (my boss) to get the @!#$%^&* out of his own spray booth !! haHa Yes unfortunatly people are stupid ,and how we havent blown this planet out of the universe is THE greatest mystery yet. We cant be alone in this galaxie/universe and I can see the 'others' out there settling down in front of a TV (or whatever) for the daily ignorant stupidity of planet earth ,how they must laugh and then shake thier heads ,or whatever they shake, in disbelief .At our last contest/show/swap a 300$ model was stolen off the table next to me ,now I am supplying 'security at work' signs for our next one.

eternal vigilance is not a term for the after life any more..........................................

Going to model shows with a camera makes me nervous. I always make sure the wrist strap is secure because that would be a huge nightmare to be the center of attention under those circumstances. That would be one quiet show room for sure...

True, I'm sure he meant no ill will, and it's only plastic. But still, the cost of the kit and photo-etch is not inconsiderable, let alone your time (admittedly of no value except to you). An offer (at least) to replace the kit and AM should have offered, even if you refused it.

Your ability to forgive and forget is admirable.

Bgrigg

And he offered no compensation?

The words I use for people like that are not repeatable here.

No, it was an unfortunate accident. Heartbreaking but not life ending. Can't bear to throw away the kit, and I doubt all the king's horses and all the king's men could put the tank back together again.

At a Regional IPMS meeting a photographer was taking a lot of pics and he looked to be a professional....he had one a HUGE flash on top of a 35mm camera....as he was leaning over the single engine prop a/c table, the flash fell forward off of his camera and crashed on top of a densley packed area filled w/ primarily P-47's...I believe 5 were damaged beyond reasonable repair....

A few other things I have observed that make me nervous at these shows: 

- kids in general...have no clue as to what they are looking at---they think they are toys....

- people with drinks or food in their hands...

- women who lean over models and swing their pocketbooks back onto their back---I've seen several swing forward like a pendelum and damage models...

...people are idiots...

And he offered no compensation?

The words I use for people like that are not repeatable here.

Several years ago we were having a build night at my local club. I brought in my Techmod T-50 WW2 Soviet light tank. If any of you have ever seen this kit, you would know it is a very involved build. I replaced the fenders with Eduard PE and had a lot of work done to the hull. The kit mainly looked like a white plastic hull covered with photo etched brass.

An older gentleman who was just returning to the hobby was looking at everyone's work. He saw my kit, and it looked solid because of all the metal. He was unfamiliar with photo etch. Needless to say, he reached down, grabbed it like it was hefty and immediately crunched the fenders off the hull. The fenders breaking off caused him to lose his grip on the kit and it fell to the tile floor.

The brittle eastern European plastic did not like impact nor did the remaining super glued etch. About a half dozen guys helped pick up the pieces we could find and place them back in the box. I have not opened that box in over half a decade.

I didn't see that guy at any subsequent meetings.

I find this wierd, I honestly dont care if people touch my builds (as long as there not ripping parts of dios off the bases)  I like them taking looks at my work