pocketspill
Elite Member
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2011
- Messages
- 866
Something I've been thinking about. I get emails or PMs regularly from people wanting me to help them learn to use their new detector or learn how to find places to hunt.
I always decline, and feel mildly guilty about it, because I'm generous by nature. But that does not mean I don't wish for someone to hunt with at all. I just don't do the one-sided thing.
I'm sure others won't agree with me on this ...but when someone wants to have me help them "learn," I exit the conversation. I know for a fact that other experienced MD'ers do too. I know I cannot teach them anything in less than 5-10 hours. And I'll end up going back to work Monday without any time relaxing in my hobby!
We have so little time to enjoy our hobby with busy lives. Detecting takes time and patience to enjoy. Permission takes courage and time. Research takes energy and sacrifice. The reward is in overcoming these challenges and then joining someone who has also invested in the effort.
If the newbie brings something to the table (e.g. some permissions or locations, or perhaps other skills, transportation, etc. etc) ... or if it's a friend who's expressed interest in your hobby and wants to check it out...that's a different story. They bring social capital to the arrangement. We find equilibrium.
Am I alone in this way of thinking?
postscript: This post was not a complaint about new detectorists!!! Some responders have interpreted it that way. I'm talking about freeloading. I altered the topic of the post to make it less negative.
I always decline, and feel mildly guilty about it, because I'm generous by nature. But that does not mean I don't wish for someone to hunt with at all. I just don't do the one-sided thing.
I'm sure others won't agree with me on this ...but when someone wants to have me help them "learn," I exit the conversation. I know for a fact that other experienced MD'ers do too. I know I cannot teach them anything in less than 5-10 hours. And I'll end up going back to work Monday without any time relaxing in my hobby!
We have so little time to enjoy our hobby with busy lives. Detecting takes time and patience to enjoy. Permission takes courage and time. Research takes energy and sacrifice. The reward is in overcoming these challenges and then joining someone who has also invested in the effort.
If the newbie brings something to the table (e.g. some permissions or locations, or perhaps other skills, transportation, etc. etc) ... or if it's a friend who's expressed interest in your hobby and wants to check it out...that's a different story. They bring social capital to the arrangement. We find equilibrium.
Am I alone in this way of thinking?
postscript: This post was not a complaint about new detectorists!!! Some responders have interpreted it that way. I'm talking about freeloading. I altered the topic of the post to make it less negative.