[anthony263]

One of my freinds at university today was asking me this , which i couldnt really answer.

My current Girlfreind doesnt really mind me being a train enthusiast since she likes to collect and watch anime and she likes lorries. I only told her after we started going out plus she didnt tell me til around the same time anyway.

She has come with me when i have gone train spotting in London and she does regulary go to transport rallies mostly so she can go lorry spotting which i am always happy to tag along.

what is everyone else opinion or advice on this matter?

[90019]

How about unsubtle hinting?

Like having the background on the computer as a collage of various pics of trains. or something like that.

[mrcheek]

Originally Posted by 90019

How about unsubtle hinting?

Like having the background on the computer as a collage of various pics of trains. or something like that.

...so screaming out "WHOOO WHOOOOOOOO" like a steam engine when youre about to have sex with her isnt recommended?

[90019]

Originally Posted by mrcheek

...so screaming out "WHOOO WHOOOOOOOO" like a steam engine when youre about to have sex with her isnt recommended?

Yes, I'd say it is!

Or constantly making railway references when in intimate situations.

[mumrar]

Originally Posted by 90019

Yes, I'd say it is!

Or constantly making railway references when in intimate situations.

Or making innuendoes references to coupling, buffers, entering tunnels, assistance from the rear and tender behinds. On a different note, if the relationship has a future then it shouldn't matter how the subject is broached. If it does matter it's saved you a lot of wasted time. You should be loved for who you are not what you do

[Ascot]

They know it means cheap train travel and top UK attractions in the country

[me123]

You shouldn't have to make it a big revelation, so don't make a big thing of it. Don't sit her down and tell her as if it's a major event; it's not the same as having a child or AIDS or anything.

If you feel like you can't be open about being a rail enthusiast, maybe you should question whether the relationship's going in the right direction.

[90019]

The guy I'm with just now kinda worked it out when I disappeared off to Waverley for a couple of hours and then reappeared triumphantly with pics of the first railtour I'd ever seen

[berwickspotter]

reappeared triumphantly with pics of the first railtour I'd ever seen [/QUOTE]

WHICH WAS?

[90019]

Originally Posted by 37718

WHICH WAS?

Umm, I forget, but it was double headed duffs and was only a few months ago because I never really paid any attention to railtours before.
Also, why the shouting?

[Metroland]

I'm still waiting for me to someone to prove what the difference is between interested in cars, planes, boats or motorbikes. All the same thing, essentially.

One advantage of getting older, is one gives less of a stuff what other people think anyway, especially the shallow media driven crap.

Though I agree people are so pig ignorant about railways, very few of them know why Britain is at the centre of a world map or what the original name of Manchester United was...

If she's that shallow and knocks you back for your interests, you really are in trouble anyway. Course you don't talk about trains with ladies, but one should have one's own life as well as together.

[me123]

Originally Posted by Metroland

I'm still waiting for me to someone to prove what the difference is between interested in cars, planes, boats or motorbikes. All the same thing, essentially.

When people think rail enthusiast, they think "trainspotter" and they think of this:

People think car enthusiast, they think of fast cars and they think of this:


The comparison in the media is between the image of a typical anorak and that of someone who looks successful and "cool". Which one of those would you rather be? I know my answer, and it ain't the first one!

That said, it's a completely wrong stereotype. I know plenty of car enthusiasts who are anoraks, and plenty of rail enthusiasts who are anything but anoraks.

I also think there's a bit of rail enthusiast in everyone. There's something about going on a train that brings out the child in you. I know plenty of non rail enthusiasts who nonetheless enjoy a ride on the train; doesn't mean they go bashing, but they enjoy their travels. Whereas people travelling by car, especially nowadays, either love or aren't that bothered.

[anthony263]

At the moment my current Girlfreind doesnt really mind me disapearing at 3am in the morning to go galavanting somewhere by train, since she does do it when she goes to these anime conferences or she always playing lorrry spotting when u take her out in the car..

she is hapy to tag along sometimes with me when i go on my travels especially since i suppose she does get something out of it.

and unlike my ex girlfreind she isnt always on your back about wanting quality time ( I will leave that bit to your imaginations all i will tell u is this her new boyfreind who i used to work with and still have the occasional drink with says she is very hard to keep under control)

[Metroland]

Originally Posted by me123

When people think rail enthusiast, they think "trainspotter" and they think of this:

People think car enthusiast, they think of fast cars and they think of this:


The comparison in the media is between the image of a typical anorak and that of someone who looks successful and "cool". Which one of those would you rather be? I know my answer, and it ain't the first one!

That said, it's a completely wrong stereotype. I know plenty of car enthusiasts who are anoraks, and plenty of rail enthusiasts who are anything but anoraks.

I also think there's a bit of rail enthusiast in everyone. There's something about going on a train that brings out the child in you. I know plenty of non rail enthusiasts who nonetheless enjoy a ride on the train; doesn't mean they go bashing, but they enjoy their travels. Whereas people travelling by car, especially nowadays, either love or aren't that bothered.

Ah so its all down to materialism and wanting to go everywhere on your own? Oh well that explains the sad society we have become. And what about the great majority of enthusiasts that don't stand on stations collecting numbers, including those with highly successful careers in business, media, music and politics? The vice president of the most powerful nation on earth is a rail enthusiast, clearly he obviously fits into person 1.

Of course I'm being disingenuous, but perhaps stereotypes need to be challenged sometimes? It seems to me rail enthusiasts need to stick up for themselves like car enthusiasts do on Top gear. Oh course the other irony is many of us are both. So I ask again, what is the difference? The fact is, there is none. Engineering, is engineering (the bottom line is whatever form of transport you like, that's what you are in interested in) and if you don't know what railway engineering has contributed to the world, and especially to this country, you have no business being an enthusiast.

[whoshotjimmi]

I have an interest in anything with an engine. Cars, planes, trains, bikes - you name it! That certainly makes it easier to introduce the idea! I have always found having an interest in everything is easier than having an interest in purely trains.

I always find it difficult to explain the interest in trains. Cars and bikes are about the thrill and adrenaline; boats (assuming you are not rowing it) are about lifestyle and glamour; planes are about majesty and poetry; trains? Sorry, stuck.

I am single now, but my last girlfriend did not have a problem with any of my enthusiasms. By the time we broke up, I think she thought I was more bothered with my interests and friends and playing football instead of her. At that time, I think I probably was, to be honest! Remember, a train does not argue with you. She did enjoy playing with my model trains though, and was especially fond of my Virgin HST. I bought a Voyager so she had a choice, but she didn't like it (sound familiar?).

Having said all that, I think it is important to know a couple of her quirks just in case she does say something! Also, ensure that your interests do not get in the way of your relationship and make sure you are taking a keen interest in her hobbies too! That way, she might be more receptive when you tell her about your rail enthusiasm!

Me123 got it absolutely spot on with the image thing. Have you ever been to a rail event?! All you see are older men with large bellies, beige jackets, scruffy hair and an attitude problem. Having said that, I have been to a number of car exhibitions that were very similar - the Capri owners club springs to mind......