TEENS: do you ever feel looked down upon

[selector]

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

[railroadyoshi]

I really hope so

would be kinda hypocritical if i didnt, dont ya think

[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]

interesting thoughts

[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.

[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.

[selector]

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

[davekelly]

Crandell,

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

[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]

[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

[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!!

[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,

[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.

[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

[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

[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]

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

[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 .

[selector]

I agree with all that has been said since my last post. If I may be permitted to add to it, I can recall making dumb mistakes all through my life. A mature person learns to regret, but also to profit from, those mistakes. I think the overbearing adults that youth encounter are being protective of both themselves (they don't want to relive their mistakes), and YOU! They do it by warning you, or lecturing you younger guys, about the risks and dangers that you might encounter if you do X, Y, or Z. They mean to be kind and helpful, but sometimes they come across as indifferent or condescending.

Dave and Chuck are wise. Every organization has its 'pecking order' because all creatures relate to order and leadership. You DO have to put in your time, and earn your merit badges. They are signs of respect for what the organization (or hobby) represents, as well as indicators of 'competency'. We need to be licensed to drive cars to show respect and competency for the benefit of others as well as ourselves, and a hobby will require that same regard for learning whever humans interact on common ground...or turf.

I can remember wondering what adults though of me when I was your age. Sometimes they told me that I was doing well, other times I got a kick in the pants. That won't stop when you get to be an adult, by the way. Your bosses will give you both pats on the back, and swift kicks when you don't measure up.

Gee, I have gone on at length, so, thanks for reading yet another long-winded opinion.

[trainboyH16-44]

I do occasionally get looked down upon, but it can also go the other way with things like DCC.
Matthew, age 16

[cwclark]

you are going through a very tough time in your life, trying to fit in is a hard thing to do at your age especially with the old geezers...throughout your life you are going to meet people that you're not going to "click" with, but on the other hand you're going to meet people that will become life long friends that you can count on...i was a scoutmaster for 8 years and each and every boy that came through my troop had their own identity and personality and not all of them got along together if put in one big group... each one of them eventually found another guy or group of guys in the troop that they got along with and they usually hung together and became real good friends... it's going to be like that your entire life..don't worry about it if you can't save or befriend the entire world, but instead, consentrate on the one's that will be your friend and share with you your unique interests...it's only a matter of time before you'll realize who your friends will be to share things in this hobby and when you do realize who is your friend , it's not gonna be so bad after all...Chuck

[davekelly]

Canazar brings up a good point. Although it may not seem fair, as a younger person you sometimes have to earn the respect of adults and always remember to thank those that help you. You'll be surprised at the reaction. I'm trying to teach my 11 year old to do that - he's pretty good about the doing that and the reaction he gets is amazing. Showing appreciation (even if it's a "I tried that method you showed me about mounting couplers and it worked great - thank's for the tip!") is a sure way to earn respect among adults. It reminds us of what things were like when we were younger (it wasn't that long ago - honest!) and the difficulties and challenges that were there. Adults can sometimes be weird people. They'll appear to look down on you - and then suddenly there's a bunch of them fighting in line to help you with a problem.

Is this effort worth it? I've been involved in a R/C car racing club and have begun to get involved with a dog agility club - both nearly all adult. The "jr" members, once they've shown maturity, interest, respect and politeness have all been treated like adults. I also think they have received more than share of advice/tips/assistance etc. from the most experienced members!

Yes, sometimes we adults stereotype kids and that is wrong. On the other hand - show that in your case the stereotype is wrong and I'll bet you get big time rewards!

[Anonymous]

I'm happy im not the only 12 year old on the forum.

DRew

[canazar]

I am 30 and I get the long "nose treatment" sometimes. I think the biggest one for me when I get the little attitudeo f some dont trust you cause your young, is have to earn your stripes. But that is true with just about anything in life. Sports, jobs, freinds etc. Put in your time and your best and it will work out for you.
Some, just come across that way even though they maybe just waiting for you to ask and could be great guys. Then there is the small segement that are just buttheads and think they know everything and brush everyoen the wrong way. They are dorks and nothing you can do will impress them, dont evven waste your time. As this thread should show you, they are plenty of folks willing to help, guide or encoruage.
if you run across some long noses, just move on and make sure you thank the ones that help. There are plenty to help in this hobby, and most people will remember, we all started out as "rookies" , "newbies" or "FNG's" at some point in our lives.

Good luck,
John k

[twhite]

Actually, as an old fart, I'm both surprised and very pleased to see how many younger modelers are on just this forum. I'm an ex-high school teacher, so I've spent a great deal of my life around the younger generation (at least three of 'em), and it's rewarding to see the enthusiasm that happens when they decide on something they like. And not just model railroading. That enthusiasm in turn makes ME enthusiastic. After all, my generation didn't invent this wonderful hobby, even if some of us tend to act as if we did. What we did was to take the hobby to a newer level, and the younger hobbyists, God willing, will take it to the next level.
Look down on younger model railroaders? Not THIS old fart, LOL! You guys are as welcome as can be in my book!
Tom [^][:D][:D]

[GDRMCo]

Well I dont feel looked down upon pretty much cuz I'm 6' AND I'm only 13.

[selector]

Some adults are very poor parents, and are probably the ones, hopefully a very tiny minority, who look down on you because they don't have time for you. Makes you wonder how they treat their own children! In other cases, it may just be your own misperception of their reaction to you. We all have limitations based on our experience, or lack thereof, and some people have had (recent) bad experiences with young folk.

Also, we older folk forget what our own youth was like oftentimes, and we become intolerant of the exuberance and energy of the younger generation. We are into the hobby because we like the control, patience, and relative quiet of our trains. Perhaps younger folk operate their trains in a way that brings anxiety, especially to those older guys whose finances are limited by meagre pensions, and who are afraid that you might damage an irreplaceable locomotive.

Some people are bossy and enjoy lecturing, or they may only want to remenisce about fond memories of their own learning experience. That can seem to be like getting talked down to, and is annoying, to be sure. Perhaps an attitude adjustment on your own initiative might make such exchanges richer and more rewarding for both of you.

Also, some people have made it a point to learn how to relate to others so that they feel they are being treated as an equal. It is a studied gift, but so few people ever take the time to master the various techniques of making a person feel welcome and valued. Some have to bluster and bully in order to feel important; your best bet in that respect is to avoid them.. an old person who is grumpy and untrusting may very well be hard to 'retrain'!

Your question is provocative, and has generated what I would consider to be a very positive response. I hope you see it that way. [:)]

[Anonymous]

I'm 14 and I usually get enthusiastic looks from older modelers. As teens we're the future of this hobby.

[Anonymous]

i'm 13 and alot of people on this forum (like my friend Ken Larsen) appreciate my comments. I am in no way looked down upon.