Spousal retribution

[Jetrock]

I own as many pairs of shoes as my wife, if not more, so I can't use that one...

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Blind Bruce

What do you say to your wife when she tells you that toy trains are for kids, not adults?
Bruce in the Peg

I just remind her that "shoes are for wearing, and not taking up half her closet"[;)]

That usually ends the issue....[:D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by davekelly

Joe . . . wow, that's a good answer . . . ever use it? lol

Thought it, didn't say it out loud. [;)] But I'm happy to report that my 'next wife' (to whom I've been happily wed for over 20 years) does appreciate my hobbies. Her only comment about them has been: "Can't you ever have a hobby that fits in a drawer?" [(-D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Blind Bruce

What do you say to your wife when she tells you that toy trains are for kids, not adults?

Boy, I dunno. But my personal prescription is prodigious preventative spending on the little woman on her special days like today, as it does help keep the dog off my lawn (in a manner of speaking) when it comes to my copious rolling stock acquisitions throughout the rest of the year...call it my "Bribery for Boxcars" program[:D]

That said, I still just keep looking at these receipts for the roses, diamond brooch, and thigh high boots[:O][:P] and thinking about how that outlay represents at least a couple of nice new Genesis locos that won't be circling the tracks hauling freight. Valentine's better be worth it this year LOL! But it usually is [:I]

So a happy VD to all the couples out there today!

[fievel]

[:P] Santa Fe Blondes!

[claycts]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Blind Bruce

What do you say to your wife when she tells you that toy trains are for kids, not adults?
Bruce in the Peg

Simple, TRAINS OR BLONDES whcih would you rather have me collect?[:D]

[davekelly]

Joe . . . wow, that's a good answer . . . ever use it? lol

I have to say that my fiance understands my hobby and my love of trains. I think the key is to explain why you love whatever hobby you enjoy. Of course I do make an effort to understand the things she is intersted in (I do wonder who the crazies are that think building doll houses is cool - just joking). While I do often spend time looking at the various little pieces of furnature, in exchange she spends time at the LHS looking at really cool things - again just joking. What is really neat is I've been able to suggest some ways to do things on her doll house that has ended up saving her time, money and frustration. When she asks how I figured it out - I smile and say - learned it working on the layout!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Blind Bruce

What do you say to your wife when she tells you that toy trains are for kids, not adults?

"Thanks for reminding me to make sure my next wife appreciates my hobbies..." [}:)]

[tigerstripe]

This is a timeless question......BNSF railfan has given the best answer I
have ever heard....to funny

[Jetrock]

Some possible responses to the wife saying "Trains are for kids, not adults":

* "Well, honey, you know how much I love kids! (hint hint)" (Note: Can backfire and result in you having to share your trains with small meddlers.)

* "Pornography is for adults--would you prefer that I brought some of that home instead?"

* "Gee, honey, look, on the way home from the hobby shop I stopped by the jewelry store--here!" (Note: Highly effective, but eats into the hobby budget.)

My wife likes trains, so I don't run into this problem.

[steveblackledge]

i just get these funny look's and i say look at the neighbour, i could be like him in the pub five nights a week getting into allsorts of bother, his hobby costs him ten times as much as mine, this is followed by silence then aggreament , model trains are the better option, !!!!!!!!![;)][;)]

[Anonymous]

I would stand there and just laugh at her.

[Leon Silverman]

I looked at Blind Bruce's Bio and began to wonder if his wife's statement was the result of cabin fever. I had to take my wife shopping one day after she had been cooped up in the house for various reasons (she does not drive).
Both my wife and out close friends know I get bored out of my gord going to shopping malls. As the result of my being a good sport about this, we occasionally to places that only a railfan could enjoy. This included Horseshoe Curve in Altoona, Pa. and a train ride around a tropical island during a Carrabean Cruise. Guess what, everybody enjoyed themselves.
Working on my trainroom at the house (it is not ready for a layout , yet) requires a fee of taking care of other projects for the house first, unless they require the assistance of an able-bodied son-in-law.

[bluepuma]

Once had a girlfriend that thought I spent too much time and money on my motorcycle, she didn't last that long, neither did the wife that resented any money I spent on things *I* wanted, even one record album (1 hour labor) each week. Then when we divorced, she want half my records... she got hers first in her pile, equal in mine. Thus, was unmarried for 23 years.

My new wife appreciates me, and I try to make sure she gets her goodies, have spent a lot of trains on her, Christmas and other days. I'd be going nuts if I didn't have trains to read about, keep my mind busy, and I don't buy much music any more, my CDs were usually the cost of a loco or two or three Micro Trains freight cars, or a Walther's building. I appreciate my wife, she does things for me without keeping score, so I wouldn't deny her what she really wants of we can afford it and can pay it off in a few months.

I'll never put up with living the other sort of life again, life is too short, I deserve respect, and current wife gives it too me. The other, it was always about her, new wife, it's about US. Tomcat

[Favrefan04]

I am one of the lucky ones I guess. One of our family friends said to my wife one day that she thought that it was sad that a grown man was playing with toy trains. My wifes reply was "1st off they are not toy trains, because toys don't cost that much, and 2nd it give me something to do and keeps him at home." Of course this comes from a woman who gets upset if I spend too much time researching my trains and not enough time with her.

[IRONROOSTER]

Depending on how antagonistic you want to be you could point out that people who have 100+ pair of shoes have some mental health issues also.

But the real issue is more likely that she resents the time and / or money you're spending on the hobby.

My wife bought me my first train that started me in the hobby, so it's all her fault anyway. Her hobby is making jewelry so we don't have a problem on the money issue. Timewise I have a folding table that I can set up in the family room for model building and she has a lap tray for her jewelry, so that works out okay.[:)][:)]

Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

According to my wife, my model rr hobby is cheap. Cheap compared to drag racing, 4-wheeling, and snowmodiles. Little does she know, I haven't given up on the others, just let them take a back burner for a while[}:)]

[SilverSpike]

Bruce,

I agree with Darkstar974 and wayman, having the wife and family involved in the hobby is definitely an option for reducing the possibility of spousal retribution. As an example, my grandfather had a layout back in the 50’s and 60’s and my grandmother would paint all the backgrounds and scenery, she was an artist, so she participated at that level. There are so many aspects to this hobby that when you start to think of all the different things that need to be done on a layout there is just about something for everyone. It might be difficult at first especially if a family member is not supportive of the hobby, but start slow and let them get comfortable with the idea of helping along with the different aspects of the hobby. Sometimes even asking them for input on the layout helps to make them feel a part of the hobby. My wife knew before we got married, I already had a layout in progress when we met, so it was a given that I would be building another one some day.

Good luck and happy modeling!

Ryan

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TrevorG

Before I "Played" with Trains, I played Everquest. Before Everquest (1 year), I played Warhammer (Fantasy desktop wargame 7 years). Before that I played/collect Magic the Gathering cards (2 years), before that hockey cards)....and so on and so on. My wife is so used to me having some sort of toy or hobby that now she just accepts it. I guess I just wore her down...lol [:D]

Trevor

Well I never Played EQ but I used to play StarWars Galaxies.... I also used to play Warhammer 40k and fantasy battles... Magic the Gathering.... I was into that when it first came out....

I may not be married but I know that Trains can be just as expensive as these other hobbies then again it could be less expensive.... afterall in Warhammer you could spend several thousand dollars just to get your army close to where you want it..... Been there Done that.

[darkstar974]

hey there Bruce, I think my wife is related to your wife. lol Well i have to agree with the other posts about boozin and sports and womanizing the more I share with my wife the more she is getting to like the hobby. Mainly the scenery part more and more she is seeing the light

Dark

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by simon1966

Agree, and point out that scale model railroads are for skilled adults with interests other than drinking, sports and womanizing!!!

Other than? My interests include all these and more! Well not really the drinking one. But the other two...

[Anonymous]

Not a word out of my sposue. When we were dating she learned of my love for trains.. "Ooohh cute toy trains"

After telling her that it keeps me off the street, out of trouble and maintains skills in different fields revelant to the hobby and I suppose brings out the kid... she was ok with it.

I have gotten very crafty in smuggling certain items into the house but there is really no need for it. So I feel blessed with such a good spouse.

With that said, keep quiet about how much things really cost to a point. Jewelry is one thing but a item made of plastic and paint is "HOW MUCH!?" I am on a budget (more and sometimes less) and that keeps it under control.

Retribution for being a "bad boy" includes everything from freezing weather all the way up to hard labor in the salt mines depending on severity of offence.

[Anonymous]

Before I "Played" with Trains, I played Everquest. Before Everquest (1 year), I played Warhammer (Fantasy desktop wargame 7 years). Before that I played/collect Magic the Gathering cards (2 years), before that hockey cards)....and so on and so on. My wife is so used to me having some sort of toy or hobby that now she just accepts it. I guess I just wore her down...lol [:D]

Trevor

[Anonymous]

I am sorry to hear that. My wife is very supportive of my hobby, though she has no interest in it herself. I think she sees it as a great father-son activity.

Mike

[davekelly]

I'm just a big kid, so it fits me perfectly!

[Pruitt]

I don't know what I'd tell her. She would never dump that way on something in which I am so involved. Even in jest.

Did she suggest something as an alternative?

You could say something like, "You're right. Instead of toy trains here at home, I'll get into sports and hang out all the time at the local sports bar."

[Anonymous]

Same thing that I tell my wife ... "Well I'm my Mom and Dad's kid, so I'll ALWAYS be a kid".

Actually she is right though. Toy trains ARE for kids. Now model railroads on the other hand, are specifically made for adults. So it's a good thing that we all "play" with Model Railroads here, and not toy trains!!

[simon1966]

Agree, and point out that scale model railroads are for skilled adults with interests other than drinking, sports and womanizing!!!

[Blind Bruce]

What do you say to your wife when she tells you that toy trains are for kids, not adults?
Bruce in the Peg