GOLDisGOOD
Senior Member
1. Keep your appearance neat: Don't wear clothes that make you look like a bum or hobo. I wear nice jeans and an izod shirt. A pair of cheap knee pads will keep you pants looking good. I always wear a belt because I know no one wants to see that butt crack when I bend over to dig. 
I stay clean shaven but if you have a beard or mustache just keep it nicely trimmed. Wear deodorant!
2. When someone comes up to talk to you for whatever reason be super nice: I always stop, smile, take off my head phones so I can hear them. Tell them anything they want to know. Just being polite in itself can get you out of a situation where someone has a problem with you digging.
3. Offer to show how your MD works if someone is curious: Every time I have done this the people who ask me questions walk away thinking "that is so cool!"
4. Always show the dangerous things you pull out of the ground to people: Especially hunting tot lots! If some parents show up with kids... don't wait for them to ask what you have found. Two days ago I was digging the dirt chips and uncovered a pair of pretty sharp scissors. I said "well this needs to be taken care of" loud enough for every one close to hear. I got a couple of "oh my" and "thanks you!"'s from that. In fact, now I always carry those same scissors on any tot lot hunt in case I don't find something hazardous to kids.
5. Cold Knocking: When doing so always offer to let them keep 50% of the finds. Most of the time they will just let you keep all your finds anyway. If they do not like the 50% offer and you just really want to hunt for whatever reason, offer to do it for free. Tell them how much you like the hobby and what it does for you (exercise, getting out, enjoying the day, etc).
6. Advertise: Make some flyers and post them where it is legal. Something like "Lost something? Ever wondered what is in your property?" Tell them how careful you will be and let them know if it looks like a decent property you would consider doing it for free. You'll be surprised how many calls you will get. Create a business card for the curious, it might land you another hunt or make a great story of a reunited object.
7. Kids: If they are curious talk to them. Don't be a hermit and grumble "damn ankle biters!" under your breath. If they ask to dig for you, why not? In woods chips now there is no reason not to. If you are on a lawn tell them "Only if you can dig responsively". Show them how to dig a proper plug first with a ground cloth, if they can... hey, it saves your back and knees!!!
Let them keep all the zincolns and matchbox cars. You keep the GOOD stuff.
What can happen it that the kid goes home with his pennies and tells his parents. They might see you hunting it the next day and come over to thank you at how excited the kid was. This is also awesome because it does two things... 1. You are creating an interest in your hobby. 2. You are establishing a responsible enthusiast. Win Win.
8. Always make attempts to show your cool finds as well: People want to see the good stuff too. If you are concerned that you found something really good like gold nuggets and don't want people coming in and digging the heck out of the place to look for more... that is different.
9. Always fill your holes no matter what: Even in the woods and especially if you are in park woods. I always fill in the beach holes too. Who wants to come to the beach to see pits everywhere? Nuff said!
10. Don't label yourself: I guess i mean by what you wear with quotes or symbols meaning -> Religious, non-religious, sports teams, racial, political, etc... It gives a reason for someone to hate you before they know you when they disagree.
11. Consider charity: I recently hunted a site that had a lot of history and did it for free. Metal detecting should not be a selfish hobby. Consider history! Consider using the proceeds of a great find being used towards a restoration!. You could be a part of that history.
That's it for now!
Thanks for looking and happy hunting!
I stay clean shaven but if you have a beard or mustache just keep it nicely trimmed. Wear deodorant!2. When someone comes up to talk to you for whatever reason be super nice: I always stop, smile, take off my head phones so I can hear them. Tell them anything they want to know. Just being polite in itself can get you out of a situation where someone has a problem with you digging.
3. Offer to show how your MD works if someone is curious: Every time I have done this the people who ask me questions walk away thinking "that is so cool!"
4. Always show the dangerous things you pull out of the ground to people: Especially hunting tot lots! If some parents show up with kids... don't wait for them to ask what you have found. Two days ago I was digging the dirt chips and uncovered a pair of pretty sharp scissors. I said "well this needs to be taken care of" loud enough for every one close to hear. I got a couple of "oh my" and "thanks you!"'s from that. In fact, now I always carry those same scissors on any tot lot hunt in case I don't find something hazardous to kids.
5. Cold Knocking: When doing so always offer to let them keep 50% of the finds. Most of the time they will just let you keep all your finds anyway. If they do not like the 50% offer and you just really want to hunt for whatever reason, offer to do it for free. Tell them how much you like the hobby and what it does for you (exercise, getting out, enjoying the day, etc).
6. Advertise: Make some flyers and post them where it is legal. Something like "Lost something? Ever wondered what is in your property?" Tell them how careful you will be and let them know if it looks like a decent property you would consider doing it for free. You'll be surprised how many calls you will get. Create a business card for the curious, it might land you another hunt or make a great story of a reunited object.
7. Kids: If they are curious talk to them. Don't be a hermit and grumble "damn ankle biters!" under your breath. If they ask to dig for you, why not? In woods chips now there is no reason not to. If you are on a lawn tell them "Only if you can dig responsively". Show them how to dig a proper plug first with a ground cloth, if they can... hey, it saves your back and knees!!!
Let them keep all the zincolns and matchbox cars. You keep the GOOD stuff.What can happen it that the kid goes home with his pennies and tells his parents. They might see you hunting it the next day and come over to thank you at how excited the kid was. This is also awesome because it does two things... 1. You are creating an interest in your hobby. 2. You are establishing a responsible enthusiast. Win Win.
8. Always make attempts to show your cool finds as well: People want to see the good stuff too. If you are concerned that you found something really good like gold nuggets and don't want people coming in and digging the heck out of the place to look for more... that is different.
9. Always fill your holes no matter what: Even in the woods and especially if you are in park woods. I always fill in the beach holes too. Who wants to come to the beach to see pits everywhere? Nuff said!
10. Don't label yourself: I guess i mean by what you wear with quotes or symbols meaning -> Religious, non-religious, sports teams, racial, political, etc... It gives a reason for someone to hate you before they know you when they disagree.
11. Consider charity: I recently hunted a site that had a lot of history and did it for free. Metal detecting should not be a selfish hobby. Consider history! Consider using the proceeds of a great find being used towards a restoration!. You could be a part of that history.
That's it for now!
Thanks for looking and happy hunting!
Maybe I should have not used the term Izod. 
Its just that I could not think of a better example by name.
