We're all BUMS!

[Crusty]

When water hunting I usually just say I'm gathering leaches to sell to fishermen and that I'm getting lots of them.

Dave

 

[Captain PopTop]

I wear all new swim clothes also plus dive boots, I say about 90% of the time I go out I get some kind of similar reaction, I stay out of peoples way and go opposite direction of them. I dont look mean or crazy, the worst was about two yrs ago a meth/crack head mother accused me of stalking her kids and made a huge scene, the whole bch was watching, people knew she had something wrong with her (mental disorder), the whole time I kept trying to get away from them kids, I ended up leaving wasnt worth argueing with a mental case, if kids come near me I ask them which way they are going then I go opposite direction they realize I dont want to be bothered.peoples perception of us is were homeless/stalkers
Doesnt matter if your metal detector,scoop,clothes,shoes you have are about $2000 & you drive a new car,own real estate on saltwater canal,have a business, wife and kids, or donate to charity,Ive had people throw sand on me,footballs at me,frisbees,balls, purposely get in my way so I have to go another way. I even had a kid jump over and grab what I found outta my scoop. I used to like being an ambassador to the hobby and explaining how My detector works but no more, i'll answer their questions but move on. I want to print some shirts up that say im not homeless with a pirate on it. All of this I just accept as part of it. When I find something worth alot $$$$$ makes it all worth it

 

[Goldstrike]

[size=large]Last year, I posted a true account of a young very good looking bikini clad girl who gave me a $100 bill on a very crowded beach here in SoCal. This experience is one of the most unusual experiences I have had while M.D ing. Try as I did, she wouldn't take no for an answer so I accepted it!
To this day, it amazes me that she did that and all I can think of is she figured I needed the money more than anyone else!.....so I don't walk away or ignore that person that asks "have you found anything"? they may just have $$$$$ for me!!! M.D ing seems to attract all kinds of curious people!!![/size]

 

[john sullivan]

reminds me of an experience i had. just came off the application trail backpacking, stoped at a small country store for provisions. out side there was an elderly women in a gingham dress that had been washed a thousand times with a sack of greens she had just bought, a small lad standing next to her, she said to him billy you coming to supper ? he yes mam. don't know why i said this , i said is that an open invatation?
she replyed you are more than welcome but it won't be much, i was lost for words, to this day i wish i would have taken her up on it.

 

[jyt2017]

I can detect fake approaches all the time. Dude. Just don't talk to people. Thats my rule. I just roll my eyes when I am neck deep in water and I get back to back "is that a metal detector?" and "is that waterproof".

99.9999% of time...I act like I cannot hear some one.

Best rule of thumb. I got greeted with a fake smile and scorned once. When you don't let them get a word in...it gets the best of them. HH. -Joe

The other day I was loading up after hunting at the beach and was parked parallel to the sidewalk. An older (70's-ish) woman was walking by and stopped to asked how I did. She then asked me if I found enough to get something to eat! Not thinking I said no, I never do. She asked if I needed some money to eat. I laughed and said no thanks I'm fine, why? She said well, you're a bum right? Bums do that stuff! I was floored and didn't know what to say. I pointed out my car, my 1100.00 metal detector, my Columbia fishing shorts and UV protective surfing shirt and assured here I work for a living and this was just a hobby. Then she started to get a little embarrassed and started asking what I do with all my finds. Do i give them back? I told her that if I find a quarter I'm not going to seek out the owner. Well then, what about the jewelry you find, do you advertise it? I said no. Then everyone including you would be calling me to try and claim it. I told her I hand it all over to the police, then she just walked away. Talk about a pretentious old hag! In hind sight I should have told her, YES I'm starving just to see what she would have done.
DC

 

[Raven69]

I was in a park early one morning a few weeks back detecting. It is a nice part of town with nice big houses, anyway an elderly lady was going for her morning walk and stopped near me and asked, have you lost something? I smiled and said no, just looking for old coins. To this she looked at me strange, said oh! And walked off.
I also had a young bloke stop near me on a beach, when I looked up he threw 20 cents into my scoop and said, there you go, you found something!. I didn't know how to respond to that so said thanks and he walked of laughing.

 

[Smudge]

*Sigh*

The older I get the more I realize Darwin was probably right...

 

[bob.oz]

Only 7 years into detecting for me and i still stop to talk to any one who has questions....My usual answer for "what did you find"or 'do any good' is.... "nickles and dimes"....I promote the hobby to those that ask,and to other MDers our club and this forum...I meet alot of people and family's while water detecting and always glad to give info, especially when kids are involved...When i find a match box car or aluminum ring,I'll give it to a kid that is with their parent....Never had a bad experience ...yet..Good Luck HH bob.oz

 

[jyt2017]

I hunted today. I didnt find squat this time. I found a bunch the other day. However I used your approach. I was nice an polite and tolerant to some questions. I was really suprized at how many friendly people I ran into at this beach.

But. I got a funny one. I can hear one guy saying. "whats that...a metal detector?"...."is that waterproof?" [mind you I am neck deep]. Then I hear the final straw ... he says "that think will electrocute your!". So I turned around and said "It will not electrocute you.".

I laughed my butt off about it. He really thought it was gonna fry some one. lol. But all in all. Very friendly people. I also saw a few striped bass....wooot! one was huge. hh an gl. -Joe

Only 7 years into detecting for me and i still stop to talk to any one who has questions....My usual answer for "what did you find"or 'do any good' is.... "nickles and dimes"....I promote the hobby to those that ask,and to other MDers our club and this forum...I meet alot of people and family's while water detecting and always glad to give info, especially when kids are involved...When i find a match box car or aluminum ring,I'll give it to a kid that is with their parent....Never had a bad experience ...yet..Good Luck HH bob.oz

 

[underwatermetalman]

I get the you are bum will search for food look from time to time when I wade or park hunt, put on the scuba then you transition to a high tech aristocrat.

Get the same questions too, whats the best thing you have found? do you come here often? can you help me find my lost earing? Did you find my expensive gold ring? etc.

Godda love this hobby!!!