sometimes it's hard being a railfan(or easy)

[AntonioFP45]

Wyoming,

Relax. It can be tough but learn to take this all with a calm breath. Even railfans poke fun at the railroads too!  If someone does try to embarass you because you like trains, let it roll of your shoulders with a smile. A response that you could give "lightheartedly" could be something like: Hey, it beats destroying my body with drugs and booze, or listeing to sick twisted music at 130 decibals for 2 hours as I slowly go deaf!  

 It's not just railfans.  Adults and kids are made fun of if:

they collect stamps, collect porcelain cups, collect leaves, are bird watchers, are storm chasers, marine vessel fans,  are Star Trek fans, celebrity chasers, collect old video games, study rocks, collect sports cards, are into RC cars, run RC boats, etc.

Remember....these are crazy times we live in.  Hollywood has helped to warp our values with some of the trash shown on tv today. Hobbyists have often been portrayed as being "abnormal", when in reality the rate of illegal drug use, boozing, and criminal activities are much lower for people with creative, mind building hobbies.  People that make fun of persons that have hobbies are often very shallow minded and become easily bored (kids and adults!). 

It's likely a fair statement to say that a lot of kids that poke fun at others for their hobbies likely spend hours in front of a television, but won't watch the local news.  Some will read fantasy books but won't open a book to study history or science unless forced by a parent or teacher.  IMHO, the categories that they fall into are  1. DULL, 2. MUNDANE 3. BORING!   

Hobbyiests, such as railfans are often very creative and imaginative people. Makes me smile when I realize that most of the railfans/modelrailroaders that I know like to: draw, or play musical instruments, are helpful to people, often ask questions, enjoy discussing ideas, regard family values highly, have a good sense of humor, usually wind up with careers they enjoy.

Wyoming..........

in reading some of your posts, you have a lot of mental energy and are vey intelligent.  You likely fit some of the good categories above.

Just as in the movie "A Bugs Life" you sound like a seed that will eventually grow into a strong oak tree. 

Stay positive and don't let the ignorance of others get you down. You have more to offer than they do.

BTW: If you're into model railroading, stop in at the Model Railroader forum sometimes if you haven't already. Cool group of creative people there too, just as here.

High Greens

[arkansasrailfan]

at my school, somtimes a classmate will say, "Union pacific!", in a slurred, stupid sounding tone. once, I was in a Wal-Mart and a 10-year old points at my shirt and says"choo-choo". I was embarrased because it pointed me out as someone who could mentally disabled or liking what little kids like.(or used to). Sometimes, people have called me retard to my face probably because I like trains. One of my second counsins is two and used to say "choo-choo", but I taught him the right word because he likes trains now.(probably my fault)also one of my aunt was "teaching" him about trains. not so. I instintly was not happy, because she said smoke was hot. I said it cools rapidly and not really hot at all because of my experinces.