No one talks about it: Feeling awkward.

[UncleVinnys]

As a newbie, I find it somewhat awkward to go to a park or somewhere and just start searching.
I have NEVER seen any discussion of this anywhere.
Do you feel any sense of wanting not to be seen while you're detecting??

I have to admit, when I first started I was pretty shy and wanted privacy.
Now, after joining a club, going on group hunts, and becoming more accustomed to it,
I am no longer uncomfortable, but I would like to know how you-all dealt with it.

Turns out, if anything, people really seem to enjoy seeing someone coin shooting,
and the most delightful part now is how children and adults really chum up to you and ask about the hobby. Really a 180-degree change for me.
What has your experience been?

 

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[ivan salis]

never been a problem for me , but I'm a very out going type person by my nature.

 

[Johnny Ringo Silver]

I dont live near beaches and such, soo it is not very common to see people metal detecting here where I live.
At first I would hesitate to put on my knee pad and nail pouch because I thought I would look goofy, but once I did it for a while it didnt bother me at all. I'm 34 years old and married with kids for gods sake.....
I dont care what someone thinks of me as long as they let me hunt there property!!

 

[bootybay]

I feel funny at this one park. the workers watch me... and for some reason that bugs me.. like I am doing something wrong...

at the beach... it evening but still daylight, had two women, bout 10-15 ft from me...had the head phones on..all the sudden the one woman says DO YOU MIND?? I had to remove my headphones n she says cant you see we are trying to have a private conversation here? MOVE... I looked at her n said, YOU dont own the beach, I Have head phones on and frankly I could care less what your discussing nor can I hear it...so I said I will MOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE when I feel like it... and very unlike me .... I shot her the bird.. I guess she pissed me off... thats bout if for the temper kicking in.. and feeling funny at parks...

there is no group near me...theres one in nj but they are up north and I cant drive in the dark..so no can do on that one.

 

[Sandman]

I've been doing this for at least 30 years and when I start out in the spring I still feel conspicuous. I am not a shy person and have done public speaking so I am not uncomfortablebeing in front of people, but I still feel uneasy starting out or walking out on a busy beach. Once I start though I am fine and many people talk to me about the hobby. They all want to try it someday. This is where you might be tempted to show them what you found, DON"T. You can show them some coins, but never any gold.

 

[Old Dog]

If the Metal Detectors come out where we hunt....
There is only one objective. Big stuff.
Who cares what others think.
I probably look like an old fart with a propensity for crawling into holes. LOL
usually wear a thick shirt and a heavy ball cap with an LED light clipped to the brim.
And yes, knee pads, as well as gloves.

No time to be vane... there are more important things to think about
We don't just have snakes and the like but scorpions as well. They can really deliver a painful sting.
But there is a lot of Spanish stuff here too.

Thom
OD

 

[mrs.oroblanco]

I've been trying to think back that far - since the first times I went, it was with people who others already knew, I don't think I even thought about it.

The first few times by myself, I think it crossed my mind, but that's about all. I was way too interested in what my metal detector was doing!




B

 

[Mona Lisa]

Yes....I hunt in the woods.

I won't hunt the downtown parks because so many people know me and would give me grief about detecting. The parks are on the main streets in the city. Very trafficked areas. I'm a pretty private person....and don't want the attention it would bring. I have hunted a few times downtown, but usually early on a weekend morning.

But that's just me. Cellarholes are my favorite place to hunt. I love the solitude of the woods.

I do hunt all week long when we vacation at the beach...and don't care what people think there....but nobody knows me there.

Hunt where you want to hunt!! Be proud!!

 

[Kas]

I hate to say this, but the whole world can kiss my you know what. I'm more bold than I should be, but I'm not beholding to anyone.

I don't worry about what anyone thinks unless they're paying my bills.

I hunt where ever it's legal or I have permission without a thought to embarrassment.

Ken

 

[lessthanzero]

I just put on my DOT hat and vest, everybody thinks I'm on an "official" project.........great fun......

 

[savant365]

For the most part I am a people person and don't have a problem speaking in public or talking to total strangers. But it is unnerving to be wearing headphones and concentrating on a target and all of a sudden someone taps you on the shoulder. I like people but don't trust anyone until I get to know them. 99% of them are just curious but I don't want the 1% that have bad intentions to get that close to me without me seeing them coming. As far as being made fun of...I could give a rats pituty.

 

[Kas]

For the most part I am a people person and don't have a problem speaking in public or talking to total strangers. But it is unnerving to be wearing headphones and concentrating on a target and all of a sudden someone taps you on the shoulder. I like people but don't trust anyone until I get to know them. 99% of them are just curious but I don't want the 1% that have bad intentions to get that close to me without me seeing them coming. As far as being made fun of...I could give a rats pituty.

That's why you should carry a lesch digger. It's a fairly good weapon.

 

[PALEOMAN]

just be confident and ack like you`ve been doing it forever. when is see the park employees i make a point of it to introduce myself. get to know them and they will usually tell you where people congregate. you pay taxes so you have the right to enjoy the park like everyone else. have fun!

 

[UncleVinnys]

Booty "You Go Girl !! "

When going to the beach or park and crowds bother you,,,,,,Make up a tee shirt that says "Bomb Disposal" On it. It's like farting in an elevator,,,,People ought to give plenty of room to detect then LOL

GREAT IDEA, there, Zip!!!
Or maybe I'll get one that says "land mine removal squad."

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

You can usually solve it either by wearing a button shirt, shorts, black socks and oxford shoes, or by talking loudly to yourself about "the voices" and not bathing much.

 

[BillyC]

I prefer to hunt where people will not be. It is not that I mind the people, but the interuptions. I work around people all day at work and enjoy the quiet. I dunno it is just more enjoyable to be left alone for me.

 

[BuckleBoy]

I try to be as inconspicuous as possible when I hunt--at all times. I don't want anyone getting any ideas that I'm finding the Mother Lode or Grand Jackpot in Aunt Bessie's yard. I also don't want any detector Vultures swooping in for a piece of the pie when I'm not there.


-Buckleboy

 

[johnnycat]

I will smile at you but, please don't bother me. However, if I have a pocket full of coins I might explain to you how the detector works and then, leave me alone. 8)

 

[mastereagle22]

In my experience this gets better as you go along. You just have to ignore everyone and do what you enjoy. Of course you cannot ignore them in a way that puts you in danger but don't worry about it.

I see people playing rugby in a near by park, to me a total waste of time, but they don't feel awkward about it so why should I about detecting? It is just another hobby or activity.

Just don't let people know you are finding anything good or they are likely to claim they lost it and try and take it from you. I carry a few odd pieces of scrap, pulltabs, twist off tops etc in a part of my pouch if anyone asks what I am finding I say a few pennies and these and pull that stuff out, they usually lose interst quickly and walk away.

 

[robert roy]

Yea, I know what you mean. I used to feel that way.
When I told my eighteen year old granddaughter I had taken up metal detecting she
was sincerely embarrased! Her image was/is like so many other people of some old geaser
with a beard haunting the parks and beaches hopeing to get enough money for a meal? Hummmmm.
Never know WHO these people are. Keep your distance!

I got over it.

However, there are alot of individuals who are hostile towards people with metal detectors. For some reason they feel you shouldn't be there. I guess they think we're going to steal their children. Well, believe me, I have had kids, and I don't want anymore, certainly not rheres!

Regards
RObert R