TEENS: do you ever feel looked down upon

[Anonymous]

All I have to say is that my experience with older modelers have always been on the positive side, most of the older modelers I've met were excited to see a younger modeler and were happy happy give advice and knowledge gained to a 15 year old .

[Anonymous]

Old Farts and Long Nosesers will be the least of your problems - its when you go looking for women - that when the trouble starts!

[CNJ831]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CubanRailways

Old Farts and Long Nosesers will be the least of your problems - its when you go looking for women - that when the trouble starts!

The most sage piece of advice in this entire thread!

CNJ831

[Anonymous]

I'm in the upper half of my forties.

This is only my second post to the forum so you outrank me there 'Yoshi.

I got started in the hobby when my age was in the single digits. I loved building kits of all types. My dad set up a 4 x 8 layout back then and that's when I got my start in the model RR area.

Building things has always been a passion for me. While some people shunned the expression "assembly required", I have always welcomed it. As I entered my middle teen years my interests changed. Photography was another hobby of mine. I eventually got involved with volunteer firefighting and when I entered "models/photography" on my fire department application they all figured " hey! nothing wrong with him (wink-wink-nudge-nudge)"

After high school I spent time mananging a camera/hobby shop. Later, after falling in love (for real) and realizing the need for higher education, I went to college during the evenings and eventually got my degree in mechanical engineering. I will emphatically say that any time spent on the hobby was not wasted time.

I went to a local NMRA meet this spring and felt like a youngster. There were maybe one or two people younger than me. Sure, I felt a little strange at first. Some groups are just close knit - it takes time to become a "regular".

To paraphrase Eleanor Roosevelt - only *you* can let yourself feel looked down upon.

Last night my 12 year old daughter expressed an interest in scenicking; my son wants to build a model sailboat (like in Stewart Little) with me. Some assembly required! [:D][:D][:D]

Yoshi - and all the other "teens" responding to this topic - I think it's great that you're perpetuating the hobby. And remember . . .
[soapbox]
(I'm really not pointing my finger and looking down at you) the time you spend researching, building, collecting, painting, wiring, programming, engineering, etc., will pay off more that the time spent hanging at the mall collecting tatoos and body piercings.

-slim

[railroadyoshi]

Selector, yes, perception is a big part
This whole thing could just be me
But im very happy about all the positive support

Plus, i never realized how young a lot of contributors are!
I thought many people were much older because of the experience they have portrayed in other threads!
Well, as was said before, 8 year olds can be just as smart as a veteran

[SpaceMouse]

I want to follow up on what selector said up there somewhere. Learn from your mistakes, but get out there and make them. Schools teach us just the opposite--don't make mistakes, mistakes are bad, loosers make mistakes. See it's just the opposite. The people out there making mistakes are the ones that succeed far beyond the people that don't venture out of their comfy world. Take Thomas Edison--took 10,000 attempts before he got the light bulb right. The people who are out there making mistakes are the ones leading our society.

[brothaslide]

People will always find something to "look down on you" for. I was in the marching band in high school - I caught some flack for that (band geek, etc.). Liberals looking down on conservatives and visa versa. It's everywhere in life.

Choose your friends wisely and you'll be fine.

I'm going to be 40 this year and there is a ton of stuff that I need to improve on with model railroading. My next goal is to custom paint and wheather an engine. That is a simple chore for some but it will be difficult for me.

Take care,

[davekelly]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CNJ831

QUOTE: Originally posted by CubanRailways

Old Farts and Long Nosesers will be the least of your problems - its when you go looking for women - that when the trouble starts!

The most sage piece of advice in this entire thread!

CNJ831

On my second wife - but still on first hobby!!

[potlatcher]

My biggest beef with older modelers when I was a teen was joining a club and never being given the opportunity to help out on projects. The older club members greeted me well enough when I showed up for work nights, but then each went on to whatever project he was working on and when I asked what I could do to help, I got sent over to another member, who sent me over to another member, etc . . . It bothered me that they wouldn't take the time to help me get involved. Needless to say I dumped them after a few months and never went back to that club, or any club for that matter. All they needed to do, if they were too busy with their own projects, was give me a list of things that needed to be done and help me find the stuff I needed to do the work. That would've been great, but oh well, it was their loss when I left, not mine.

Tom

[selector]

At the risk of hogging space, and of incurring the wrath of others, I wonder if, secretly, model railroaders are selfish. Let's face it, we spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about our trains and hobbies. How many of you have nodded appropriately and made intelligent sounds when needed as you stand in front of (name), when half of your thought energy is working on that darned turntable gear, or those rock castings that should be ready about now (looks down at watch while wife is waiting for an anwer..oh, oh!).

This might explain Tom's experience. [:D][:O][:I]

[davekelly]

Crandell,

It's kinda like that bumper sticker "My wife says I never listen to her - or something like that."

[selector]

[(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D]

[Anonymous]

I agree. I don't think "age" has too much to do with it. I'm almost 40, but I get accused of being "childish" on a regular basis. I think much to do with the hobby is attitude. There are diehard modelers that ONLY want this scale, or that roadname, or this manufacturer.... There is still a debate over DC and DCC. It all boils down to personal preference, and respect for others possessions and opinions. Being young, you may want to jump into the DCC side of it, if finances allow for it. I would say one of the biggest advantages youngsters have is they are computer literate, and can grasp the concept of DCC very easily. If you are trying to earn respect, this would be a great way to go. If you can teach an old dog new tricks, they will be most grateful.

[alcodave]

I am 26 and I become a junior member of my model rr club when I was 13.I was lucky too have a club in my town that had members who were very cool and willing to get to know the kid with all the questions about trains.Im sure there are some people who dont want kids around,but in my case they were outnumbered by the people willing to teach and share their love of trains.

[railroadyoshi]

interesting thoughts

[davekelly]

railroadyoshi,

Your original post has brought alot of replies and, as you pointed out, some interesting thoughts. Perhaps when you are older - you'll remember what it was like to be 12 and help out the younger folks.

[railroadyoshi]

I really hope so

would be kinda hypocritical if i didnt, dont ya think

[selector]

But that's just the irony of it all; most of us DO forget. Ergo, this thread.