Why are trainspotters so unfriendly ?

[bb21]

Am I seeing train spotters mocking bus spotters in this thread? That made me laugh, and not in a good way.

It's just another hobby, like train spotting, or photting, or whatever.

 

[DarloRich]

WARNING: the following post may offend some of you even though i am trying hard not to! Choosing my words very carefully as I don't want to be banned, here we go:

I don't spot trains but I am interested in railways, their operation, history, development, expansion etc. I enjoy travelling by train (sometimes for no real reason) and i like photographing things including trains as you will see form my flickr page. I think I am a pretty "normal" bloke however I am sure things I do will be seen as odd by others.

Are all spotters soap dodging, social misfit, autism spectrum dwelling, emotionally stunted super virgins with droning Kevin voices, the conversational skills of a gorilla and the breadth of life experiences commonly found in amoeba?

No - of course not at least not all of them. We all know ( yes we do!) where we can find people like this and we all know that there are some (lots?) people like this interested in trains. Whilst there may be a stereotype quite a few spotters seem to fit that picture! I bet some of them use this board.

That's not to say there aren't lots of people like this in any hobby. I see people like this at beer festivals, at the cricket, at music events, at football and while this thread is about train spotters the desire to catalouge, record, order, sift, collect and conquer something runs through many, mainly male, pursuits.

Tiring of people is nothing to be ashamed of, all it takes is one too many encounters with the large minority of highly unpleasant people who unfortunately do exist. Many railway staff go the same way, as unfortunately one bad experience always sticks out over ten good.

Yes it is, at least to my mind! What a sad and lonely way to live that must be. I have dealt with some terrible, horrible people who have done the most awful things but it doesn't mean I want to give up on people.

And before you knock the 'spotters' have a good look at yourself and your hobbies. you may like going to the opera,visiting the Tate Modern, going horse racing, playing golf. watching porn even. to you normal activities, to others perhaps these activities are considered 'strange' to people who are not interested in them.

There is nothing wrong with any of those things, just like train spotting. I would say there IS something wrong when interests reaches obsession.

Are you therefore autistic in their eyes? What next taking the urine out of Downs Syndrome people?

Don't be silly - that barely deserves a response.

I work with people who have these disabilities and more, one lass just sits in a wheel chair all day, possibly severely brain damaged another just rocks, yet these are people like you and i and desreve a life without people like you.

what is that supposed to mean? No one is in any way suggesting abusing those with severe physical or mental disabilities!

And we speak to them like i would speak to you, with respect and consideration, after all they may understand every word that is said, yet cannot reply in kind But you think it is alright to class trainspotters as autistic. have 24hrs doing what i do and them come back to me and bitch about train spotters.

I will "bitxch and moan" now thanks. You aren't the only person ( I am sure) who has experience of supporting people with severe mental or physical disabilities. And you bloody well should talk to disabled people as "normal" people. Everyone should because they are people just like us.

Just live and let live and dont 'dis' others who dont conform to your ideas of normality

Rant over.

No one is "dissing" anyone. We are having a conversation about why some people involved in train spotting are a bit on the extreme end of normal society. No one is suggesting they should be locked away in some facility for 30 years :roll:

I think it is grossly unfair to say we're all unfriendly, miserable, social outcasts who need an introduction to soap etc. Good grief that's insulting!

There are some of us who could do with general hygiene lessons, but then that applies to pretty much the entire population to different degrees, regardless of line of interests.

We are certainly not all social outcasts, certainly not all people who've given up on people. Some people in the hobby are, without any doubt, but to suggest we all have is just ridiculous.

You know, as well as I do, that there are lots of spotters like that and we all know where to find them.

Quite, I'm more than happy to have a natter with those customers who I interact with! Mind you, unless you've ever worked in a retail environment you wouldn't know that, or how to do that...

yes you would: its called being able to talk to people! It is something i find very easy and I don't work in a "customer facing" role. it isn't rocket science. I happily admit that for lots of people having a conversation with a stranger is very difficult unless they have a similar interest to you. You don't have to search for common ground if you have a shared interest but you need to eb able to talk about things other than your obbsession.

If a driver wants to acknowledge my presence whilst I'm on the railway, I'll more than happily return the gesture. Often I have noise cancelling earphones in, or have focus on my phone for any one of many reasons, be it choosing the next track on Tech's Mobile Disco, updating an observation file, finding something on Real Time Trains, updating the latest entry of my autobiography, adding to a moves file, tweeting or just replying to a text. So I'm appearing quite the norm amongst the crowds normally, and all the while reading this thread and posting this reply, I've got Crewe's platform 6 in my head. Quite why this should be I'm not sure!

"Norms" (?) would be doing 1 or 2 of those things. Norms don't have a moves book or observation file!

Stop judging us all in the same manner, some of us are actually nice people!

I know - I have met some board members and they weren't that bad

I wonder when these tired old stereotypes about train spotters will finally die, obviously not 2016.

Judging by some of the posts on this thread it seems that "trainspotters" are the last minority group that it is deemed acceptable to stereotype?

Sadly, the stereotype has more than enough people conforming to it!

Am I seeing train spotters mocking bus spotters in this thread? That made me laugh, and not in a good way.

It's just another hobby, like train spotting, or photting, or whatever.

It made me laugh a great deal. It is almost exactly the same as train spotting!

 

[Drogba11CFC]

Am I seeing train spotters mocking bus spotters in this thread? That made me laugh, and not in a good way.

It's just another hobby, like train spotting, or photting, or whatever.

Whilst I wouldn't laugh at someone else's hobby, "replacement bus spotting" sounds like a Mitchell and Webb sketch.

 

[Master29]

Many of them are socially awkward, if not inadequate. So they seem to be solitary creatures, often living alone and strangers to a bar of soap. This is not a generalisation.

Not a generalisation, really and where did you dig up this "gem." The earth is flat too.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

We're ruining their vantage points, making them carry step ladders to see over bridge parapets and destroying their favourite spots.

That would explain the legendary Doctor Death then

Speaking of him, when was he last spotted?

 

[Robertj21a]

WARNING: the following post may offend some of you even though i am trying hard not to! Choosing my words very carefully as I don't want to be banned, here we go:

I don't spot trains but I am interested in railways, their operation, history, development, expansion etc. I enjoy travelling by train (sometimes for no real reason) and i like photographing things including trains as you will see form my flickr page. I think I am a pretty "normal" bloke however I am sure things I do will be seen as odd by others.

Are all spotters soap dodging, social misfit, autism spectrum dwelling, emotionally stunted super virgins with droning Kevin voices, the conversational skills of a gorilla and the breadth of life experiences commonly found in amoeba?

No - of course not at least not all of them. We all know ( yes we do!) where we can find people like this and we all know that there are some (lots?) people like this interested in trains. Whilst there may be a stereotype quite a few spotters seem to fit that picture! I bet some of them use this board.

That's not to say there aren't lots of people like this in any hobby. I see people like this at beer festivals, at the cricket, at music events, at football and while this thread is about train spotters the desire to catalouge, record, order, sift, collect and conquer something runs through many, mainly male, pursuits.



Yes it is, at least to my mind! What a sad and lonely way to live that must be. I have dealt with some terrible, horrible people who have done the most awful things but it doesn't mean I want to give up on people.



There is nothing wrong with any of those things, just like train spotting. I would say there IS something wrong when interests reaches obsession.



Don't be silly - that barely deserves a response.



what is that supposed to mean? No one is in any way suggesting abusing those with severe physical or mental disabilities!



I will "bitxch and moan" now thanks. You aren't the only person ( I am sure) who has experience of supporting people with severe mental or physical disabilities. And you bloody well should talk to disabled people as "normal" people. Everyone should because they are people just like us.



No one is "dissing" anyone. We are having a conversation about why some people involved in train spotting are a bit on the extreme end of normal society. No one is suggesting they should be locked away in some facility for 30 years :roll:



You know, as well as I do, that there are lots of spotters like that and we all know where to find them.



yes you would: its called being able to talk to people! It is something i find very easy and I don't work in a "customer facing" role. it isn't rocket science. I happily admit that for lots of people having a conversation with a stranger is very difficult unless they have a similar interest to you. You don't have to search for common ground if you have a shared interest but you need to eb able to talk about things other than your obbsession.



"Norms" (?) would be doing 1 or 2 of those things. Norms don't have a moves book or observation file!



I know - I have met some board members and they weren't that bad






Sadly, the stereotype has more than enough people conforming to it!



It made me laugh a great deal. It is almost exactly the same as train spotting!

An excellent post, with very sensible responses throughout.
.

 

[The Ham]

I think most people have a "view" of what they think is a typical [insert hobby, job, or other group of people] and may well make jokes about that view. However when it comes to individuals within any groups people will tend to see how well that person matches that mould. Unfortunately often this means that they trend to only notice aspects that reinforce their view. However few are deliberately looking to hurt people of that group. Although sometimes an overheard comment can cause offence.

As an example when me and a few people from work went to go to watch the Flying Scotsman at the station locally to our offices the comment was made that we don't look much like typical train spotters, to which I joked no as we have a girl with us.

Now does that mean that I think that all train spotters are men with no hope of forming a relationship with a women? No, rather just some banter between work colleagues to mostly raise a laugh but also to limit the chance of someone else saying something that could risk being too close to the bone about some other aspect or a personality trait that either one the group had our someone nearby had.

 

[Techniquest]

DarloRich, some interesting points that you make, the only thing I must say in response is about the 'fitting in with the norms' thing. I added the bit about moves files etc after the bit about appearing to be a norm, but as it involves looking at my phone (as so many norms seem to do continuously!) then it still gives the illusion of appearing all norm-ish

Not that I will appear norm-ish today, not with my New York Subway t-shirt on

 

[221129]

That would explain the legendary Doctor Death then

Speaking of him, when was he last spotted?

Yesterday. And for the record, he is actually a really decent bloke if you get to speak to him.

 

[Calthrop]

Are all spotters soap dodging, social misfit, autism spectrum dwelling, emotionally stunted super virgins with droning Kevin voices, the conversational skills of a gorilla and the breadth of life experiences commonly found in amoeba?

Hey, don't knock gorillas -- they're pretty good communicators ! Quoting from Wikipedia: "Twenty-five different vocalisations are recognised, many of which are used primarily for group communication within dense vegetation. Sounds classified as grunts and barks are heard most frequently while travelling, and indicate the whereabouts of individual group members... Screams and roars signal alarm or warning... Deep, rumbling belches suggest contentment..."

 

[Aldaniti]

What a sad thread.....

First, I have - in the past - been on the receiving end of a toot of the horn as I take photographs. Sometimes I've been able to acknowledge a drivers friendliness in time, other times I haven't - and the only reason is that when using a stills camera, if I raise my right hand at the required time I will miss the shot. If I raise my left hand I will drop my camera. It's that simple.

I agree, there are a few enthusiasts - and I imagine the vast majority on here are 'enthusiasts' to some degree - that keep themselves to themselves, and/or for whom personal hygiene is not, should we say, a priority. I've walked out of the Ian Allan shop in Manchester in the past because of odour issues. But in my experience they are in a small minority. I have never been a trainspotter in the absolute sense of the word, a hobby enjoyed by thousands of young lads back in the day, and before words and conditions such as autism and social-misfit became more widely used, but I have - and continue - to take railway photographs with a focus on the historical side. So generally I like to go to stations and include people and other contemporary items in my shots. I don't get the chance to get out as much as I used to because of other commitments, but when I do - and chat to other enthusiasts - I usually come across quite pleasant, enthusiastic and balanced individuals. Yes, I've come across a few who don't immediately want to chat for whatever reason. That's fine, some I have found are just a tad shy at first, but once a conversation flows they soon become more relaxed and engaging - hardly the sort of characteristic reserved exclusively for enthusiasts is it? I have to say, some of the comments I have read in this thread are well over the top, and perhaps reflect more on personal experiences and the type of stereotypes that the media have bandied about for years, rather than the true, bigger picture. Perhaps I just have the social and interpersonal skills required to strike up a conversation and make friends - and I've made good friends whilst out and about on the railway. Who knows... but rather than have a pop at a group of individuals who are usually mild mannered and keep themselves to themselves whilst quietly going about their hobby, perhaps you should turn your energies towards a group more deserving of criticism, the sort that kill animals for what they call 'sport', just as one example?

Yours truly, Aldaniti, who has a bath every morning, uses Clinique for Men soap, and wears Right Guard 48hour deodorant with, now and again, a splash of Issey Miyake.

 

[railnerd]

Hi.

Near quote coming up...

"What is the deal with trainspotters? I saw 15 of them losers today!... but my record is 31"

Stewart Francis - Canadian comedian

NOTE: Im a trainspotter and i find this funny.

 

[bramling]

Yes it is, at least to my mind! What a sad and lonely way to live that must be. I have dealt with some terrible, horrible people who have done the most awful things but it doesn't mean I want to give up on people.

Not at all. Some people are perfectly happy to keep their own company.

In fact I'm quite some way down that road. I have my fair dose of human contact at work and with friends, so when out and about I enjoy exploring the massive amount the world has to offer, or failing that remaining at home with the family.

That's not to say I won't be friendly or enjoy a conversation about a topic I find interesting, but if someone comes up to me and just wants small-talk then forget it.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

Yesterday. And for the record, he is actually a really decent bloke if you get to speak to him.

Really? I heard he is supposed to be very aggressive at times and pushes others around

 

[221129]

Really? I heard he is supposed to be very aggressive at times and pushes others around

Well given that he gets a lot of abuse (mainly from in my mind the worst type of enthusiast, the 'Kiddy Veg') can you blame him?

But if you actually speak to him without being associated with the mindless people that think it is funny to harass an old man and are respectful, he is a decent bloke.

So unless you have actually met him, I don't think you're in a position to really judge.

 

[Harbornite]

Well given that he gets a lot of abuse (mainly from in my mind the worst type of enthusiast, the 'Kiddy Veg') can you blame him?

But if you actually speak to him without being associated with the mindless people that think it is funny to harass an old man and are respectful, he is a decent bloke.

So unless you have actually met him, I don't think you're in a position to really judge.

I've heard about this death chap, he wears an old coat doesn't he? Either way, he's an irrelevant trainspotter and I don't the fuss.

 

[trash80]

Is he the bloke in the ancient black coat?

 

[221129]

Is he the bloke in the ancient black coat?

Not a black coat no.

 

[6Gman]

Am I seeing train spotters mocking bus spotters in this thread? That made me laugh, and not in a good way.

It's just another hobby, like train spotting, or photting, or whatever.

Agree.

The idea that because trainspotters get p***ed on (metaphorically) because of their hobby they should then, in turn, p*** on some other group they consider to be in some way "sadder" is not a good reflection on them.

Incidentally, despite being a trainspotter, and a bus spotter, I consider myself to be a normal human being, happily married (for 30 years), served as a councillor for years, been a school governor, trustee to two charities etc. etc.

Each to their own I say.

 

[Bromley boy]

When I was at the SVR recently I was standing on a platform looking at a loco. I became aware of a bloke on an adjacent platform gesticulating at me. At first I thought he was waving and then realised he was asking me to move so that he could photograph the loco without me in shot!

I did think it was strange and somewhat arrogant to ask a complete stranger to move just so that he could take a photo. I've paid my fare so I'll stand where I bloody well like, thanks very much!

 

[Stampy]

I've been bowled over at Peterborough station TWICE now in recent years by so called "enthusiasts" wanting to take THE shot on their camera...

 

[bb21]

Whilst I wouldn't laugh at someone else's hobby, "replacement bus spotting" sounds like a Mitchell and Webb sketch.

Now are they classed as train spotters or bus spotters?

 

[Harbornite]

When I was at the SVR recently I was standing on a platform looking at a loco. I became aware of a bloke on an adjacent platform gesticulating at me. At first I thought he was waving and then realised he was asking me to move so that he could photograph the loco without me in shot!

I did think it was strange and somewhat arrogant to ask a complete stranger to move just so that he could take a photo. I've paid my fare so I'll stand where I bloody well like, thanks very much!

If he asked politely then it would be unreasonable not to move. If not, then stuff it.

 

[dave87016]

I certainly welcome drivers waving or making conversation regardless of if I'm trying to take a pic or write numbers down I wish there was more drivers willing to converse if the time permits

 

[Haig paxton]

He should learn to accept judgemental weirdoes making a spectacle of themselves? I doubt that is the reason he embarked on a TV career.

Did you just call me a weirdo?

 

[trash80]

I did think it was strange and somewhat arrogant to ask a complete stranger to move just so that he could take a photo. I've paid my fare so I'll stand where I bloody well like, thanks very much!

I would have probably obliged unless he was rude

Can't we all just get along? Kum ba ya et cetera

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

I certainly welcome drivers waving or making conversation regardless of if I'm trying to take a pic or write numbers down I wish there was more drivers willing to converse if the time permits

So do I - indeed, when I made the effort to go on the last train of the old Northern Rail, the train crew was happy to spend time and chat to me... Even picked up a memento as well as getting the train crew to pose for some crazy pictures

 

[bramling]

Did you just call me a weirdo? Another "keyboard warrior". Obviously sarcasm doesn't register with you either. I think a friendly wave from a driver at someone standing at the very end of the platform should be met with more than a stare.

Difference in expectations?

A bit like (generalisation) when northerners arrive in the London area and start trying to chat to strangers. It's not that people are being rude by ignoring them, just it's not the done thing and many southerners find it slightly abnormal.

 

[dave87016]

About a decade ago i was taking pics of class 87's and 90's at Euston while they were still in mainline service for VTWC and a couple of drivers let me in the cab to take a pic and show me stuff and chat before departure -an amazing experience st the time as i was in my late teens I really appreciated that doubt such a thing occurs these days

 

[70014IronDuke]

In days of yore, when on many station there would be long waits between (steam-hauled) trains it was just normal for groups of spotters to chat away. If you turned up on a platform and someone else was there, that's what you did. Swapping notes on what had been seen - and always getting suspicious of anyone who claimed just too many rare 'cops'.

Of course, there were no i-pads, texting phones and such stuff - heck, most ordinary families did not have landlines. I think my parents only got a landline around 1972, and they lived in the country. Only posh folks had phones in the 60s.

As for cameras, same thing for most of us. Nobody had a half-decent camera under who was aged under 16 in the early 60s that i remember. Even if you had a camera (of sorts) film and prints were an expense that ate into ticket money. It was a finely balanced set of needs in those days.

It was also normal to try to cab locomotives at the more important stations, where locos typically took water, so were stood for 4 mins or so. The drivers typically liked to see the young lads take an interest.

I can't remember drivers waving to us when on expresses - they were probably too busy concentrating on signals and just making sure there was steam and enough water in the boiler.