Shooter Snobbery

[Standing Wolf]

Wait until you get to be my age. Everybody addresses you as "sir" and "Mister." People say, "...and with the seniors' discount, that'll be..." without my asking for it. Cute girls in short skirts hasten to open doors for me. Heck, young bucks even ask for advice now and then.

If they only knew...!

 

[Black Snowman]

There were some wild looking folks at the range last time I went. Tatoos, piercings, dyed hair, etc . . . 1st thing I noticed was how poorly they shot. 2nd thing I noticed was how ignorant their comments were.

I had really hoped they were some college friends or a band there to shoot but no such luck. It makes it harder for others to be treated like a decent human being with gang-banger-wanabies like these guys reenforcing negative stereotypes.

I myself never got into the wild outfits, hair, and body mods but I certainly don't consider myself "normal" by almost any measure. It just makes sheeple easier to deal with if your in camoflage

Continue being yourself, it's OK to be annoyed by them. Not everyone is raised as tolerant as they shuld be.

 

[Soap]

Imagine a minority 21 year old pulling up in a Benz wearing a suit...most gun counter folk instantly think they smell a##hole. But little do they know it might be the supreme ninja Frory-san at their counter

 

[NewShooter78]

Driving a Benz doesn't make one an hole, but cutting me off in traffic does.

 

[JohnKSa]

I dress and look the way I do because I feel comfortable that way.

Ummm....

When you were stretching the holes in your ears, how could you tell when they were finally big enough that you could feel comfortable?

Or put another way, when you were having multiple holes punched in your ears did you start getting more comfortable after the second set, or did you have to get to the third or fourth set of holes before you started to notice an increase in comfort?

(In other words, 'BS!')

Your look is calculated to be unusual, not "normal" (your words), it is SUPPOSED to set you apart from the crowd.

It does.

If you want to look different, DO IT! But you will be treated differently as a result--plain old common sense. I'm not making a judgement either way, just stating the facts.

Complaining about different treatment that results from choices you have made is hypocritical.

For the record, I'm not anywhere near to a fashion model myself. I trim my full beard only when I can't stand it anymore and get 3 or 4 haircuts a year whether I need them or not. I wear tennis shoes, jeans and wrinkled plaid shirts about 99% of the time. My neutral expression has been described to me as "alarming" by people who know me well.

People treat me different when I trim my beard, get a haircut, try to smile a bit more and wear a suit--no question. But I don't complain about the treatment I get when I'm my normal shaggy, wrinkled, sour-looking, casual self--that would be foolish.

 

[Mike Irwin]

Hang around the hard-core shotgunners a bit more if you REALLY want some high-class snobbery.

Some of the most obnoxious people I've ever met have been shotgunners.

Now, that said, I had a GREAT conversation this afternoon at Bull Run Shooting Center (shot gun) with a guy who was obviously HARD CORE. Extemely friendly, very knowledgeable, and more than willing to pass along a little wisdom to someone who's not as familiar (me) with the game we were shooting today.

Other times, though? I've really thought that the Beretta/Benelli/Perazzi folks were going to ride me out of the venue with a rail because I've pulled a Winchester 1200 out of my case.

In my experience, these are largely also the people who are anti-gun. Of course, their shotguns aren't guns, they're sporting equipment, so they don't have to worry about all of the new laws...

 

[Mike Irwin]

"That is your perception, but unless you can read minds you have no idea what he was thinking."

Blades, sorry, but I strongly disagree. Reading a person's reaction/facial expression isn't difficult, especially if it's a "first sight reaction" expression.

It's another one of those innate built in abilities that humans share with other animals; the ability to read the body language and expressions as a social interaction/survival mechanism.



John,

Psychological comfort with one's appearance isn't necessarily related to the amount of physical comfort/discomfort one undergoes to look a particular way.

 

[Sven]

Shooter snobbery really bothers me too - especially at gunstores. The least snobby place I've found so far is Highpower competition... but I really do love every 'clique' I pass though... the Trappers, IDPA...

Three years ago, I had long blonde hair and drove a Vanagon (good to haul my rock band around in and for road trips)... every border crossing it seemed we were searched. I lived that way because that was where I was at the time. Eventually, it started to bother me that I was so high profile.

Now I drive a large sedan and have short hair - the picture of Mr. Average Young Suburb Guy. Wasn't a conscious 'make-over', just sorted of moved that way.

At this point, I'd rather be the 'wolf in sheeps clothing' and stay off radar.

Seems to be working in a variety of ways. Funny how buiness people wouldn't share their business card with me when I had the pony tail, now it's all changed... I feel that consideration of how people view you is important, more so than I used to. Maybe the cycle will repeat and I'll grow it back out for my 1/3 life crisis.

Regardless of all that...as shooters we need to unite. Anyone on our side is on the 'team'. The 'haters' forget that divided, our house will fall.

 

[BerettaNut92]

DG Flory:

Imagine a minority 21 year old pulling up in a Benz wearing a suit...most gun counter folk instantly think they smell a##hole. But little do they know it might be the supreme ninja Frory-san at their counter

Really, I smelled gun dork....

When going to town, I stopped wearing my Royal Robbins 5.11s and solid colored polo shirts because people would think I'm a cop.

"If you are screaming 'Here I am', don't be surprised when the world points and says 'there you are'" Nothing against people who dress different; everyone is a possible threat--just some are more likely to be threats than others.

[paranoid]In God we trust, everyone else, keep your hands where I can see 'em.[/paranoid]

 

[mcshot]

appearance thingy and treatment

It's interesting how some dress or alter themselves to project an image that is unlike who they are. My son, for example, is a heavy metal band rocker and he projects the image with tattos, piercings etc.. Those who have gotten to know him are impressed by what a nice man is underneath his appearance. So yes he dresses different for attention but it's a mask. He is treated by some based solely on his calculated look but he understands and accepts the price.

A Dad who doesn't understand but cares,
mc

Yes, I've experienced the shotgunner snobbery and some are not pro gun.

 

[CatsDieNow]

Oh please, you guys have it easy.

At least the gunshop people actually assume you are there to look at the gunstuff. When I went to buy my scope, the guy behind the counter waited on every man in the store before he bothered to talk to me.

Try being female and getting service without being talked down to like a six year old.

 

[BlkHawk73]

When I went to buy my scope, the guy behind the counter waited on every man in the store before he bothered to talk to me.

I'd have seen them wait on 2-3 others and left. More than likely not to return. I've had this happen to me 3 times at proberly the most well known shop in the state 3 times. Each time I wrote a carefully worded note to the store w/o a response. They will never again have 1 cent of mine go across their counters.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

While the situation happened to you, New Shooter, I don't think you fully understand what went on. Based on your description of events, you looked like a sort of unsavory character and were in a place not occupied by unsavory characters. The fact that they viewed you suspiciously has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that the people were in a gun store. You described it as 'shooter snobbery' only nobody was shooting.

Understand that situationally aware people will take notice of you. Within the store you described, you dress did not fit. Had you robbed the store, witnesses to the event would be telling the cops and reporters that you looked suspicious when you came in the door as your dress didn't fit the store or other customers. So you were different, stood out, looked unsavory and so sure enough you got eyeballed. That had nothing to do with snobbery or shooting.

 

[NewShooter78]

Well to me it is shooter snobbery since I was in a gun store and the people reacting dumbly were shooters. But some of you are getting to hung up on one thing and not looking at the picture as a whole. I'm not so naive to think that I won't be treated differently if I dress a little out of the "norm". I'm just making the point that it is detrimental to our "sport" for people to be acting this way towards other shooters.

But telling me I should not complain about it is like telling a female or black shooter that they shouldn't complain about being treated or looked at badly in a gun store either.

 

[Sam Fisher]

Newshooter. -- I disagree. I for one don't want the "norm" to be people dressed and ornamented like you to be the crowd at the gun shop. I don't want to "hang out" with people dressed like you. Why you ask? For one, you and your friends are more than likely a lot younger than me which means we share very little in common. One of them being the way we dress. I dress conservatively, and for what the occasion requires. Two - I don't like to draw attention to myself where as it seems you do.

I can't say as I blame the guy's attitude at their gun shop. More than likely they looked at you and figured you were immature. And immaturity has no place where guns are involved.

 

[Soap]

Newshooter78- Was that you!?

Skunk- Moi? Je suis un gun dork? Je ne sais pas mon ami! The real gun dork is the guy who: "stopped wearing my Royal Robbins 5.11s and solid colored polo shirts because people would think I'm a cop."

 

[Art Eatman]

NewShooter78, guns have noting to do with the deal. It's not at all about "shooters". You got the same reaction that would happen if a guy in a suit walked into a biker bar. "What's HE doing in here?"

It's the gut reaction to "otherness".

Art

 

[BamBam]

More than likely they looked at you and figured you were immature. And immaturity has no place where guns are involved.

I think Sam has made a very important point here. And I have to concur.

BamBam

 

[BerettaNut92]

Dan, I only wear them when playing Ghost Recon, remember? [french]Aww haww haww HAWWW!![/french]

Newshooter, I have friends that look like you...Took me an extra minute to let my guard down but they're still my friends

 

[QuickDraw]

I'll chime in here.
I have 2 vehicles.1. 1985 nissan pickup (work truck)
2. 1985 BMW 535i.
Theres a big difference in how people react to me
by which vehicle I drive.When I pull up to the range in
my pickup =good old boy
When I drive the BMW=uh oh,yuppie scum
The way I look at it is we are all in this together.
If the person has a gun (and its not pointed at me )
I don't really care what they look like,I'll talk to them.
I've experienced gun snobbery.I give'em a chance to get
to know me and prove them wrong.If that doesn't work....scroom!

Now go out there and shoot...today (I am!)

QuickDraw

 

[ysr_racer]

If you are screaming 'Here I am', don't be surprised when the world points and says 'there you are'

Yep, be careful what you wish for, it might come true.

 

[another okie]

What a wimpy culture we have become when an unpleasant look is grounds for whining. It's not like they held you down and pulled your piercings out, or tortured until you agreed to follow the teachings of Brother Rush. I agree with many of the posters above. If you dress to make a statement, then it seems absurd to be surprised when people hear you.

 

[A. Partisan]

My appearance tends to keep people at arms length + 6" away from me. It's my buffer zone. People that know me know I treat people with respect and dignity(unless they are idiots). People that don't know me ..........I don't care what they think.

 

[NewShooter78]

Sam,
Dresssing conservatively doesn't make me think someone is more mature. I see plenty of people who dress conservatively and act immature.

Stereotypes=bad mojo.

So if someone wouldn't want to talk to me because of the way I dress and look, oh well. I don't want to turn this into a whining session, I just don't understand why some people can't take the time to look past the way someone looks.

QuickDraw

Now go out there and shoot...today (I am!)

I am too! But I'll be dressed for the occasion. Boots, jeans, and polo.

 

[PzGren]

Do you really wonder??????

When I buy gas for my Nissan Sentra, I have to prepay the $8. When I go with my Lexus, I can pay the $20 afterwards. In the same clothes.

Does none of you ever discriminate? Being on this board does not separate us from the rest of this world, we are still a part of it.

I discriminate , I also know when I am wrong- afterwards, it happens too often. It is hard to admit it, but we all make mistakes. While I do not give people dirty looks, I felt them by really tough guys, because I was wearing a suit. They might not have spend half the time in the ring that I did, but they look tougher.