Letting Off Steam- No Pun intended

[Green_Elite_Cab]

Its unfortunate that you aren't finding more people like yourself for face to face conversations and shared modeling of your favorite electrics but I think you must be doing a good job interacting with the folks who give you funny looks initially but then relax once you talk about things they have a better understanding or appreciation of. You're not coming across as the weird commuter train guy! Maybe you can joke about that and then make a comment or two about why you find your specialty interest so...interesting! You might lure in one or two folks.

People like the uncomfortably strange types you mentioned who dominate conversation and aren't fun to talk to pop up anytime there is a gathering focused on a hobby interest. I've seen them at train shows, flea markets, home improvement shows, Bluegrass festivals; you name it. I seem to be a magnet for them, or else there is a lighted sign over my head that says, "come and talk to me!" I found it hard to extract myself from them (I felt like a deer in the headlights) until I started practicing things I might say in advance. I'd imagine being cornered by one of those guys and then come up with a friendly but assertive statement (nothing more complicated than, "Nice talking to you but I'm going to go and see what some of the other folks here are up to")...and then GO! Say "Seeya later!" if they persist and keep walking.

I hope you find more modelers who will at least appreciate your interest if not actually participate in it as well!

Ralph

Oh boy, lots of responses right after the other!

You're right, and thats how i've been trying to angle conversations. Still, it agitates me that i have to do that. If i came in out of the blue discussing something like a Conrail Dash-8 or something, i wouldn't be hitting any weird rocks at all, i'd just seem like another interested modeler.

guess i just need to adapt.

I'm terrible with those folks because i try to not be rude, and i have a high enough tolerance that i'm not going to just shut people down, so i tend to get trapped unless i really have to move on or go!