Guy B. Meredith
Member
Culture in terms of national cultures and range behavior, that is. I have worked at local ranges as RO and Range Safety Officer and had a chance to see all types. Some are scary and am curious about the experiences of others.
I do not intend to stereotype, but describe incidents that I have observed in the most notable/attention getting representatives of the cultural/social/ethnic groups. These notable examples seem to underline similar tendencies in similar groups. In all cases these have to do with those who exhibit traits from "the old country" and have not assimilated.
Chinese: the entire extended family shows up, have a compulsion to be very physically close to each other, can't keep grandma and several others behind the safety line when they don't have eye and ear protection. Big mob clings to shooting bench during cease fire, which is a no-no at our ranges.
Russian, East European: Show up in groups with maybe one speaking minimal English. Our ranges require all firearms containers to be opened at the firing line with muzzles down range. This group has several rifles, open the containers well behind the firing line sweeping almost everyone at the range. "Muzzle up!" elicits a friendly smile, nod and the muzzle end of a rifle in my direction.
Japanese tourists: even the men are giggling over the experience. Way too much frivolity and lack of attention. One gentleman grabs a pistol in each hand, stands well behind the firing line and other customers, waving the pistols in the air and yelling "Rambo!".
I do not intend to stereotype, but describe incidents that I have observed in the most notable/attention getting representatives of the cultural/social/ethnic groups. These notable examples seem to underline similar tendencies in similar groups. In all cases these have to do with those who exhibit traits from "the old country" and have not assimilated.
Chinese: the entire extended family shows up, have a compulsion to be very physically close to each other, can't keep grandma and several others behind the safety line when they don't have eye and ear protection. Big mob clings to shooting bench during cease fire, which is a no-no at our ranges.
Russian, East European: Show up in groups with maybe one speaking minimal English. Our ranges require all firearms containers to be opened at the firing line with muzzles down range. This group has several rifles, open the containers well behind the firing line sweeping almost everyone at the range. "Muzzle up!" elicits a friendly smile, nod and the muzzle end of a rifle in my direction.
Japanese tourists: even the men are giggling over the experience. Way too much frivolity and lack of attention. One gentleman grabs a pistol in each hand, stands well behind the firing line and other customers, waving the pistols in the air and yelling "Rambo!".
