General Public Negative Reactions To Our Hobby

[yamita]

Im starting to get annoyed at people asking me 'how fast does it go?'. I mean, they wouldnt bother to ask if my cars were slow, and it's not like these things have speedos on them. My answer every time 'I dunno, fast enough'. Let the cars do the talking.

[Big will fae the rigs]

eh, screw them. much better than hanging out at bars getting into fights.

Why not do both !!, all day saturday bashing RCs then all saturday night drinking - bliss!! (then all sunday morning being nagged at by the wife :-(

[twisty]

Wow,heres a good thread from a while ago.

I have a little more to add.

I think most people don`t understand, as models are generally clubbed together with toys and toys are usually for children.

One time we did have a great reaction from a chap whilst running a 56inch Apache super V speed boat in the local parks lake at dusk,he asked if we were profesionals,which made me chuckle,he was really interested and watched for a good while.

I think when folks actually see what you are up to it`s a bit of an eye opener for them and can usually see it is a lot more than just playing with toys.

I try not to be self consious about it,but the other day whilst rolling around on the floor cursing my old knees and trying to take some pictures for here,i noticed a couple watching me and looking to see if i was ok or having a heart attack/fit or something.

I did feel a tad embarrased lol

You have got to get out and run your models more,it is really important and you will have fun.

Don`t be put off by the odd adverse reaction,if they don`t get it,it`s not your problem.

Cheers

S

[trucknut]

I will admit I've been bombarded with the "How Fast? How Much?"[/i' questions.

to the usual response to my replies..

"What?!! My Mountain Bike Cost Less!"

But when I remind them that there is more chance of me winning a Championship with RC cars,

than them winning a Championship on a Mountain Bike..

They quieten up real quick.

I guess their bike would cost less if they had the cheap walmart bikes, they are only good for scrap metal

[DynaHead]

"What a waste of money and time messing with those stupid little toy cars!" Sounds like that person really, really wants to get into the hobby but is too afraid of what others will think.

[casethejoint]

"What a waste of money and time messing with those stupid little toy cars!" Sounds like that person really, really wants to get into the hobby but is too afraid of what others will think

That's the same thing I thought when I read that

I have a very understanding girlfriend, and none of my friends ever grew up anyway. So the only people that matter totally *get* it. Maybe I'm lucky.

[moxyuk]

i remember one time i was running a savage xl on the beach on tuesday mouring and when i was told by a very nice man walking his dog to p***off and get a job someone of your age with model cars. Was very funny lol

[VinceVegaUK]

I will admit I've been bombarded with the "How Fast? How Much?"[/i' questions.

to the usual response to my replies..

"What?!! My Mountain Bike Cost Less!"

But when I remind them that there is more chance of me winning a Championship with RC cars,

than them winning a Championship on a Mountain Bike..

They quieten up real quick.

Lol then reply you must have a **** mountain bike then :-p

The RC bug at worked has rubbed off on a few people and my dog love chasing my VLB on the beach or in the big park. I took the VLB out with my old UNI friends and they fought between them for about an hour burning up two batteries ragging it around. She fell over and one passer by ran over with a smile and a hand up to say iv got it and flipped her back on her wheels :-p

I don't do it in my street as i cant be bothered with hassle form the local kids wanting ago, you do need skill to drive and most people cat drive them properly.

My GF is ok with it she does think my VLB and my custom drift car is cool!

later

VV

[taliesin]

I've discovered a good technique to make the Haters take a hike.

I like to just frown a little and look a bit sorrowful and then reply that I know its kind of a lame hobby; and then say I used to much prefer getting liquored up and breaking into other people's houses and looting their stuff and then just for kicks trashing the place, but this seemed a like it was worth a try - besides if it gets too boring I can always go back to the fun stuff. Then I just kind of snap out of my sorrowful funk and give them a winning smile and ask if they live around here or what.

The conversation usually comes to a quick halt at that point and they go away looking slightly uncomfortable and never bother me again - which is exactly how I like it.

Mostly however, I get curious people who want to "give it a try - I'll be real careful, honest." Some absolutely don't want to take NO for an answer so I tell them if they've got about $500 cash they want to hand over they can give it a shot. They always seem terribly offended but I tell them if they aren't willing to risk that much money on their ability why should I? That's about what its going to cost me to replace the car they almost certainly are going to destroy because they don't have any idea what they're doing. And if they don't crash it I get my car back and they get their money back and everybody goes away happy. Nobody has agreed to it yet.

Occasionally though somebody who is actually interested comes over and asks a ton of questions about how fast it goes, and how much it costs, and where they can buy one, and if I built it, etc. These people are awesome and it always makes my day when I see somebody with that same gleam in their eyes that I used to have just before I got started. Sometimes the next time I see them they have an R/C car and want to come play too. Priceless!

[theRuggedMan]

The thing is you have to do what YOU want to do (Within reason) and sod everyone else

If you start worrying over what other people think about you when your running your cars then your not going to enjoy the experience.

Yes it can be very expensive hobby and people can take the mick when you tell em how much you paid for your bruiser just because its not the latest

HPIsavagetraxxaslocobigwheelgrasscutterpetrolnitrothingy that hit 6000mph every time a passing cat farts (and looks nothing like a real truck to boot)

Its just that in the eye of average joe public that bruiser seems like a waste of money when you have big nitro truck for less!

[tpsolid]

Im getting good feedback from people in my area. My buddy and I usually do a 1/2 mile hike up the hill with our scale trucks. Walkers and bikers usually stop and take a quick look and give us thumbs up.

Maybe people here like to keep bad feedback to themselves.

[lee172]

i think it is sad that people are so judgemental, as long as your having fun and not affecting anyone else, what does it matter?

[taliesin]

A few days ago I was out driving my Tb-02 in the driveway and a bit in the street until traffic got too busy when an old[er] lady slowed down and lowered her window. She was driving a Honda Accord 4 door sedan and she had a big grin. She said, "I'll race you." I told her that I just might beat her and we had a good laugh, but unfortunately there was too much traffic and she had to pull away and I dared not pull my R/C car into that much traffic. Priceless!

I would have loved to see if my sport tuned motor could have beaten her Honda. Boy, wouldn't she have been surprised!

[evil2004]

I must admit when im doing my cars or im trimming my shell at work, the lads all come up enquiring about my car, and they seem to get all speccy on me with questions like how long to build, was it hard to build and of course the how fast question. Some of them get a bit dare i say it jealous when i answer them, but when they are oiut spending £3-400 on reels for fishing i say nothing (mainly because i cant stand fishing) because thats there hobby and this is mine now that i am getting back into it. Although the skeptical ones do go quiet when i run my car inside work and it is thundering down the main gangway fishtailing at full chat because its a smooth floor. Some people say good on ya and are quite impressed but others just dont seem to want to know which is fine but keep the negative comments to yourself, especially when you get comments like "my bikes better" or my fishing rod costs more than that". I prefer the smaller stuff and i intend to buy a lot more cars than the blackfoot that i have and my xanavi gtr. It is my hobby and i love it. Heres a couple of pics but they dont do it justice. My neighbour is one of those that cant comprehend what it takes to build one of these and then go through the set up process but then he would rather sit and watch football, but i say to all the non believers out there, try it and you will love it.

[DavidKY502]

I experiecnce good and the bad when people ask questions about things. Typical how much its worth and can I drive. Generally just try to take it as it goes too try to keep good attitude about it. Think the wildest or best reaction was at the local skate park we have here in Louisville. I drove past it a time or two and got the bug to do something. There is a 24 foot full pipe at the skate part. Figure I have to go early in the morning to try what I had in mind less people around. Took my Nitro Rustler out to the park. This is not exactly a stock truck either. I have nicknamed it THE MISSLE. It has a Nova Mega SX-15 EVO4 MS engine in it and every RD Racing part made. For thoose not familar with it this was the top the line racing 15s few years back in Serpents. I got it cheap off a freind and for laughs shoe horned it in the Rustler. I say a fair estimate I have 2500 US in that truck.

Well anyway with what had in mind went out in the middle of the night 1 am to try it. There still must have been about 250 or more people hanging around. Went to the full pipe with Rustler starter box and all. Fired her her up started to play around a little. Needless to say very limited traction in most the park concrete is very smooth. I wasnt there for that really. I got over to the full pipe and started to drive up and down the sides of the pipe gettting a rythem to it. Did that for bit toook one last look at her before I went for it. By this time everybody in park gathered around the full pipe to watch me. I was drving it back and forth testing traction finally went for it. I drove the Rustler around the full pipe 7 complete times without it crashing. I think just about every living soul at the skate park was watching and the roar they let out when I did that was awesome. Something I wont forget to hear that many people cheeering for you because of your TOY truck. Then its all teenagers and skaters too so not like a group thats easily impressed. I got a reaction out them like they just saw Tony Hawk do the 900 or something. I keep saying to myself I need to go back and film it. I know whats going to happen too wind up with big pile of twisted up parts too. I have included a pic I found of the pipe and one of my dirty toy. The Rustler needs a bath and tear down bad.