Model Building Stereotypes

[MustangGuy23]

So this is something I'm sure some of you have no interest in discussing, but my always-thinking mind has been thinking a lot about this lately. As I've moved back to my college apartment, I'm trying to integrate my model, study, and hangout space all into one. None of my friends know about my hobby, but with the kit stash I have on the way, it'll be impossible to hide everything when they come over. I know I shouldn't be embarrassed by my hobby. I take true pride in the work I do. But it always feel like when someone finds out they are silently judging me. They think a 20 year old like me should be doing 'normal' college stuff. It's like there's a stigma with model building. We all either fit the stereotype of a little kid playing around, the weird one in his parent's basement, or the retired old guy with nothing to do. Some of us fit those, some of us don't. But what's so bad about it? So what if I'd rather stay in and do some art then go out and get drunk with my college friends? Or if some of you experienced guys would rather build cars than play bingo? I'm proud of what I do, but it seems not many outside of the hobby appreciate or understand our work. They see the finished product and think "I could buy that for $20 at Walmart." They have no idea what we started with or how much we have in tools and supplies or how many hours go into a single model. I guess it's just one more misunderstood hobby.

This turned into more of a rant than a question and I apologize, but it's late and I can't sleep so I thought I'd share my thoughts.

[slusher]

When I was 18 I gave up models because it was looked at as kid stuff. That was in the 80's. I gave away what few I had built. I started back building in 89 or 90 and decided I did not care what friends and family thought. So glad I got back into it...

[CJ1971]

I hear ya mate ? I don't fit any "mold" I'm not as young as you nor am I an old fella.. I've just turned 43yo. I got interested in this hobby from a young age, mainly because I love cars, thanks to the Dukes of Hazzard's General Lee. Since then it's been an on/off love affair with the hobby. There's been years ( mostly teenage ) that I took a sabbatical & years when I just couldn't buy/build enough. I don't fit the "modelling/modeller" stereotype either. I've had plenty of girls come & go, ( still single- no wife or kids ), I look after myself, I'm fit & healthy & told I'm easy on the eyes ? I socialise just as much as the next guy but I'm not an alcoholic. I don't do drugs or gamble. I spend as much on myself, clothes/men's products, as I do on kits/supplies.

My real friends know & can appreciate my hobby & it doesn't matter to me if they don't... It's MY hobby. Just as I don't care they like to fish, golf, paint etc... The friendship is what matters to me... Not what they do in their leisure time.

At the end of the day, it is what it is. It's your hobby, no-one else's, & it only matters if YOU enjoy it... Not anyone else.

You're not alone champ... Just remember that ???

Cheers Cliff

Edited July 24, 2014 by CJ1971

[Lunajammer]

I dated a girl who saw the model bench in my apt. and recommended I not spread it around that I build model cars. She thought it was kind of embarrassing for me. I brought her to an IPMS "ModelCon" to enlighten her but at first she was convinced anything that ended in "con" was a nerd convention. She was blown away by some of the magazine caliber military dioramas and I almost had her completely changed until, in a heavy crowd, a very nerdy nerd parting his way through the crowd said in the wimpiest and most nasally voice you can imagine, "Excuse me kind sir."

That moment validated all her prejudices and derailed all my progress.

[CJ1971]

  On 7/24/2014 at 7:03 AM, Lunajammer said:

I dated a girl who saw the model bench in my apt. and recommended I not spread it around that I build model cars. She thought it was kind of embarrassing for me. I brought her to an IPMS "ModelCon" to enlighten her but at first she was convinced anything that ended in "con" was a nerd convention. She was blown away by some of the magazine caliber military dioramas and I almost had her completely changed until, in a heavy crowd, a very nerdy nerd parting his way through the crowd said in the wimpiest and most nasally voice you can imagine, "Excuse me kind sir."

That moment validated all her prejudices and derailed all my progress.

LMFAO ???

[Speedfreak]

Let's face it, there are some real nurd's that build models. Oh well. The most beautiful woman I've ever known helped me build a tank and tank crew once, (I was 19, she was 18) she was a painter/artist, she did the faces on the tank crew. I should have married her.

[disabled modeler]

I have gone through the same stigma from others before too. My wife never understood the love of the hobby life but women like doing crafts?...so whats the difference right? My wife now understands to a point what all it can take to build and the work that goes into it....its a art form with a high level of skill to make a few pieces of plastic look like a replica of the real thing or ones version of. My 69 Plymouth 4door wagon I made under my photobucket here in my profile took a month to do just the body alone...she was very enlightened at the amount of real work involved to do it starting from a 68 GTX kit.

#1...build for yourself it only has to make you the builder happy.

#2...never let anyone keep you from what you love to do.

#3...modeling is how the real car manufacturers come up with the new body styles of real cars/trucks.

#4...its not just for kids but all ages...build because you love to.

[ianguilly]

When I moved into my apartment and put my models on display again, I heard nothing but positive comments. Most people thought it was cool that I could build something like that and be proud to display it.

[tbill]

i march to the beat of my own drum, not real interested if someone doesn't like what i do on my own time.

having said that, most people that find out i build, often comment that they did it as a kid, then when they see what i have built they think it's cool.

[cobraman]

I myself never did or do give a rats behind what anyone thinks. That's their problem not mine. I also don't judge what others may choose for a hobby. If they enjoy it whatever it is, good for them.

[tubbs]

  On 7/24/2014 at 11:57 AM, tbill said:

i march to the beat of my own drum, not real interested if someone doesn't like what i do on my own time.

having said that, most people that find out i build, often comment that they did it as a kid, then when they see what i have built they think it's cool.

took the word right out of my mouth Tom. I bring my stuff into work here sometimes, the only ones that even give me the slightest hard time are some of the younger guys that are really protecting their own image. I have gotten more free models and tools just from polishing up a body. it kind of backfires though when some of the people at work ask me when I am going to bring in something that is complete...... really!?

Edited July 24, 2014 by tubbs

[johnbuzzed]

  On 7/24/2014 at 12:18 PM, cobraman said:

I myself never did or do give a rats behind what anyone thinks. That's their problem not mine. I also don't judge what others may choose for a hobby. If they enjoy it whatever it is, good for them.

Amen. I haven't stopped building since I was 5- that's 54 years. Through high school, the Army (I've left models behind at many duty stations), marriage, 3 kids, and the other stuff of life as most of us know it. Some people can deal with it, others have... "problems" with it. Too bad for them. We are artists, no different than those who paint, draw, etch, compose, quilt... we are creative people. Not everyone is, and those who aren't have a difficult time understanding the concept. At the very least, I have a hobby that I enjoy. That's more than many people can say.

[unclescott58]

I'm glad I'm not young anymore. At my point in life, I really could care less if anybody approves or disapproves of my hobbies or not. 9 times out of 10, most people I meet think they're pretty cool. The rest? Who cares? They are nothing but a bunch of wet blankets and need to stop judging people. As for our hobby being nothing but young nerds hanging out in their parents basements. Go to any model meeting or other model events. It's mostly old farts like me. I wish we could get more kids interested in the hobby. The farther you get past your teens and 20's the less you'll care what others think about things like your building models. And I've also found most people past their 20's, less judgmental about things like that. In the mean, time the heck with what others think. If it's legal and doesn't hurt others, go for it.

Scott

[Daddyfink]

[unclescott58]

  On 7/24/2014 at 1:58 PM, Daddyfink said:

Hey! I'm a Trekkie and a model car builder!

Scott

Edited July 24, 2014 by unclescott58

[1930fordpickup]

The fear of not being accepted is what triggers people to be judgemental about others hobbies. They just do not want to people to think less of them so they throw the muck on you so that no one is looking at them. I have always wondered why only some forms of art are looked as ok and others like childs play.

I say build on and enjoy your hobby Michael , if your friends think it is childs play challenge them to build one with you.

[Jantrix]

My advice is to do what you like. However, from experience, no one cares about your work as much as you. Friends will come over and handle them eithout asking as if they are a toy. I recommend sending your finished work home to your parental units for safekeeping. I had several models destroyed by thoughtless roommates and their idiot guests.

[Tonioseven]

I build because I enjoy the process. I really don't care what others think about it though most people seem to respect what I do.

[Quick GMC]

My receptionist grew up around her dad's auto body shop. She thinks I'm insane gong through all the stuff we do to paint little car bodies.

[southpier]

they're not dolls, they're scale action figures....

[pharoah]

People that think model building is 'kid stuff' are a little behind the times.

From what I've seen and heard ,there aren't that many kids building models. It's not the 60's. A lot of builders now are the 'boomer's like me,who built back them. And at $15 to $25 for a kit,not many kids can afford it.

And I was wondering what 'normal college activities' were? Around here it seems to be binge drinking and falling from 2nd floor balconies..

[Art Anderson]

  On 7/24/2014 at 6:12 AM, MustangGuy23 said:

So this is something I'm sure some of you have no interest in discussing, but my always-thinking mind has been thinking a lot about this lately. As I've moved back to my college apartment, I'm trying to integrate my model, study, and hangout space all into one. None of my friends know about my hobby, but with the kit stash I have on the way, it'll be impossible to hide everything when they come over. I know I shouldn't be embarrassed by my hobby. I take true pride in the work I do. But it always feel like when someone finds out they are silently judging me. They think a 20 year old like me should be doing 'normal' college stuff. It's like there's a stigma with model building. We all either fit the stereotype of a little kid playing around, the weird one in his parent's basement, or the retired old guy with nothing to do. Some of us fit those, some of us don't. But what's so bad about it? So what if I'd rather stay in and do some art then go out and get drunk with my college friends? Or if some of you experienced guys would rather build cars than play bingo? I'm proud of what I do, but it seems not many outside of the hobby appreciate or understand our work. They see the finished product and think "I could buy that for $20 at Walmart." They have no idea what we started with or how much we have in tools and supplies or how many hours go into a single model. I guess it's just one more misunderstood hobby.

This turned into more of a rant than a question and I apologize, but it's late and I can't sleep so I thought I'd share my thoughts.

Being on staff at a major (Big Ten) university, and having lived near it for almost all my life: Is there really any such thing as "Normal college stuff"? As for model building in college, I did that, 40-50 years ago.

Art

[Harry P.]

  On 7/24/2014 at 6:24 PM, Art Anderson said:

Being on staff at a major (Big Ten) university, and having lived near it for almost all my life: Is there really any such thing as "Normal college stuff"?

Of course there is. Partying!

[cobraman]

Beer pong ! : )

[DynoMight]

  On 7/24/2014 at 6:22 PM, pharoah said:

And I was wondering what 'normal college activities' were? Around here it seems to be binge drinking and falling from 2nd floor balconies..