Fear Factor :help:

[Wishful-thinker]

you really aren't serious with this post are you,,,this is a joke,,no one in their right mind can be that much of a wimp

Some people are scared of spiders and snakes...I think that's funny.....Phobias are weird things.Like ones phobia of being nice.
As far as being SCARED and "shaking in my boots" no.
I knew this would be a good topic...and a few people understand why i posted it...with one exception/person.


with the help of you guys/gals? I feel better about it already

 

[marcomo]

hey thats it, suck in that stomach, stick out that chest, throw back those shoulders, show the world youre a man, show'em youre not scared of anything,,,,,,,let'em all know you are the charles atlas of the metal detecting world,,,remember the lion only the hunts the weekest out of the herd,,,get tough, give it the ole college try,,,,,be a man,,,,,,,,,you really arent serious with this post are you,,,this is a joke,,no one in their right mind can be that much of a wimp

Wow, you're really being harsh on this guy, USMC.

You come across as a swaggering macho bad arse, but you could sure use a healthy dose of compassion and tolerance for those who don't share your uber confidence.

I promise you Curtis is not the only dirt fisher to feel self-conscious about detecting, although many wouldn't be honest enough to say it for fear of being belittled like this.

Curtis, I do agree with part of what our Semper Fi tough guy is saying. That is, if you feel uncomfortable detecting, ignore your discomfort and act like you're not. Suck it up, so to speak. Over time the self-consciousness and fear will go away.

If you notice somebody watching you, wave and say how ya doin'. They'll usually say hi back and go on with their business. If they want to talk, take a minute to talk to them. Use a salesman's attitude and think of them as a potential resource for new detecting sites as opposed to a nuisance. If you approach the conversation from that angle, they will often become that resource.

Curtis, you handled the mental health crack with self-depreciating humor and grace. If you handle the general public the same way while metal detecting, you'll be just fine.

 

[Wishful-thinker]

Curtis, you handled the mental health crack with self-depreciating humor and grace. If you handle the general public the same way while metal detecting, you'll be just fine.

I just talk to him like I have to talk to my wife,shes a tough one too...lol
Yes he does have a point ,It's silly to be afraid ,especially if its something you enjoy....but it does happen.

 

[marcomo]

Curtis, if you want to keep the one who must be obeyed happy, for gosh sakes clean up any dirt you track in!

Somebody said to me that the wife will start appreciating your hobby when you bring home your first gold ring...

But that's only true if you surrender the ring to her to be scrapped!

USMC would be proud of me for standing tough and not giving up the gold.

 

[oldcoon]

Speaking only for myself, I do not care to detect around other folks. I am a loner. Like was mentioned in a previous post, I try to do my park-play ground work on Saturday-Sunday mornings before anyone is there. McDonalds seem to open around 6:00am so I hit them for breakfast first, then off the park-playground. I don't want to get there much after 7:30-8:00am. The dew is still thick on the grass, yup, but that and the early hour is keeping people out of there. I am usually packed up at out of there by 10:30-11:00am. That's just about when you get the early birds.

Sometimes, no matter what you do or how careful you are, someone is going to get you. First off, always wear headphones in a public place. Second when someone does approach you and start talking always pretend you don't see or hear them even if you do. Finally look up with a "Oh, where did you come from look" on your face. Do NOT SPEAK. Why? Because you are going to point at your head phones, shake your head, shrug and mouth the words "I can't hear with these things on." You don't know what they are saying. Then go back to detecting, head down, ignoring the person. Now, one more little thing, even if you find a good target NEVER NEVER dig it with someone about. Nothing feeds their interest like you stooping to dig a target. If you hit a good signal while they are there, use your heel to grind the spot, marking it for future recovery, usually when the person becomes bored with you and moves on. If you have done all that I have told you, it will be about 2 minutes.

Remember, no speaking, no talking and no recovery. OK?

Now I am predominately a relic hunter and not a coin/jewelry chaser so I am really not beset with persons around me. I am usually out in a farmer's field or woodlot and unless the farmer himself is coming by you are not going to see anybody up close and personal.

The downside of what I do is you will never make money doing it. There are no proceeds to take to the bank to run through the coin counter. If you like the bling and the silver you are going to have to learn to occasionally put up with people.

Good luck and HH

 

[dahut]

Only rarely do people go out of their way to speak to me. The ones who do are most often officious types, like grounds keepers or security minded folks. A little chat up with them and a bit of the old smiling hand pump can often keep them from being arses. They may still ask you to leave, but at least they are asking. Always have your "detectorist card" ready to hand them.

As for "regular people," only the little kids get on my nerves - the rest rarely come around. They may look and sometimes take notice, but that's when I am the first to wave - it's your best "offensive tactic" whenever you are delaing with people.

If someone does say something, I do like the idea of telling them you are "practicing for a ghost town trip...." that is perfect.
People feel best about you when they can label you and your activities. So, give them something to work with. I once told a woman I was monitoring ground radiation levels, as we have a nuclear facility nearby. She accepted that.

Again, try the vest I suggested earlier and keep in mind the whole notion of hiding in plain sight. Most people know what detectors are and what you are doing with one... and most could care less once they can label you. For the vast majority, you are just another guy out doing his thing.

P.S. I would counsel you AGAINST hiding inside a pair of insulating headphones, however. It is tempting to think that because you can't hear them - they wont see you. But, there are a few people out there who may have criminal designs on a lone detectorist. It is best that you remain aware of your surroundings as you pursue your hobby. Besides, you cant be first to wave if you dont see them!

 

[Hombre]

n/t

 

[Wishful-thinker]

I will try some of the tactics you all have told me about. And yes dahut,I usually detect alone..
maybe thats some of my fear,and most of the time I do use ear covering headphones.


thanks again

 

[silversmith]

"Fear of the market", is a tough phobia to overcome. I doubt it can be overcome without "exposing " yourself to the source of the phobia. Your choice, jump in the deep end or ease in a little at a time.
This is usually, but not always, created by trauma, and probably not removable without some *reverse-trauma* applications. Am I a psychologist, giving advise, NO.......... Just a fool thats been there and done that. If that was really a cry out, good luck to you. Be cool, watch your back, and pay little attention the Macho-ists. They usually are trying to cover their own phobias or short-comings.
A hoist to you, sir.