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

Don't tell her .... show her some of your semi-finished work.

Let her figure it out from there ... chances are she'll be impressed by your work.

Most people don't get it. One of my daughter's friends asked me what I like to do besides play softball and I replied "I like modeling" (I realized then that I said it wrong). She said "Really, for what store?". LOL

QUOTE: Originally posted by tigerman I replied "I like modeling" (I realized then that I said it wrong). She said "Really, for what store?". LOL

I get that quite a lot. And for the most part, once you show someone your finished models, they can't help but like them, especially if they don't build models themselves.

yeah i notice that too.

I just end up showing them a photo album of my work - or a finished model. They are usually speechless, then say "you must have a lot of patience".
I must.
Cheers
LeeTree

What y'all said...
Gip Winecoff

I used to get the "RCA Dog" head-tilt a lot when I told people I build models. Sort of the "Aren't you a little old for that?" thing. Also they always assumed I built cars and airplanes. When I said "military" the head tilted in the other direction. But like a lot of others here the idea finally sunk in once I showed them the work I do. I wonder if anyone else has had this experience: most men are impressed with the vehicles, and women are impressed with the large figures (especially the mounted ones... girls always love horses). Dioramas usually impressed both sexes about equally. My first wife had never known a real modeler before; her brother had built car models (like we all did when we were young) and he blew them up with firecrackers (I think we all did that too.. um.. didn't we?). She was a bit unprepared for dedication on my level; it wasn't the reason we got divorced but I used to hear about the time I spent on them a lot!

My roomie pretty well got the idea by the end of the semester. I had a bunch of parts out drying after a post sanding rinse and took one look at them and the window she was gonna open and with a "That would not be good" nixed the idea. I think she pictured me having a nervious breakdown if the wind tossed them all.
Proof that she really got it-Me panicking over a paper and her saying "Stop, take a deep breathe and go...sand something"

I know the feeling. What suprised me, being in the airline industry, is when I pull out a copy of FSM in the cockpit or look at a Squadron catalog etc. or tell them that I build scale model aircraft most of my first officers look at me like I just told them that I still play with GI Joe (hey I did as a kid). Or I get the blank stare. Whatever.

Being at my airline for almost 5 years now I figured that I would run into someone that builds models. I'm still waiting.

Steve

Just wear a Tamiya T shirt.

You know, i never get the level of appreciation that you guys do... with any model! I always get the "That's nice. Ho-hum." look... why am i the only one among my firends that's interested in these things?!?

I remember my wife mentioning to a friend that I like models - there was a pause in the conversation, as her friend thought I was preoccupied with the "Elle McPherson / Cathy Ireland" type of models. Once she realized that "plastic models" were being referred to, she paused again. Perhaps she wondered if I'd ever grow up!

If you really want to go for shock value after hearing comments about modeling being a kids hobby, show them a price list for resin kits or the Trumpeter Leopold or an Accurate Armour Oshkosh truck.

QUOTE: Originally posted by kaleu If you really want to go for shock value after hearing comments about modeling being a kids hobby, show them a price list for resin kits or the Trumpeter Leopold or an Accurate Armour Oshkosh truck.

they'd commit you if you showed them that.

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?"

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.

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

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.

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.

Usually they ask me where I "fly them".

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

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 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.

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.

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 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 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

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 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