Hated for my Hobbies ?

[Frosty_47]

Good day,

I am trying to figure out the reason why a large number of colleagues at work seem to have a problem with my hobbies involving H.V. experiments and electronic projects. My colleagues are of the electronics technologist profession and thus it boggles me why they would mock me for my hobbies that are related to my profession. Has anyone had this problem with people that turn against you simply because you do not share the interest of the general population (i.e. sports) ?

 

[KeepItSimpleStupid]

Probably because your hobby IS YOUR PROFESSION.

 

[ronsimpson]

I get up and go do my hobby all day and get payed for it.

 

[Menticol]

people that turn against you simply because you do not share the interest of the general population (i.e. sports)

Like a football fan who's talking about football every !"#$@ second of the day, a die-hard electronics fan/computer/gamer can be very annoying when he talks about his projects all time. I learned that the hard way, thanks to being bullied at school and having no success with girls.

Today when I show my projects to other people or colleges I try to keep my language as simplest and honest as possible. If the person doesn't know about electronics I try to show him/her how the project is related with everyday life. Most people enjoys that and may even ask if they can help you. In the other hand I see many enthusiasts who try to speak as technically as possible (some bullsh**** included) to give the impression of intellectual superiority. They just bore the people and got a NERD label stamped on their faces.

It's also important to make fun of one's success or failures (specially if you fail 98% of the time like me) and avoid arrogant attitudes if you succeed.

Last but no least, no matter how much one may love electronics or any other thing, it's very important to get spare time to share new activities with other people and take care of your own personal appearance and hygiene. No matter if you are an electronics professional, a singer or a pornstar: Making the same thing all day, every week, all years will eventually bore you and the others.

 

[tcmtech]

I am not one for sports either. As far as I am concerned it does more towards the further dumbing down of the world in general.

Yea my hobbies have not always been all that well received either being I am not a bar goer or ball chaser so that rules me out of having a typical hobbies comparison conversation with about 85% of the typical population. Not that I mind it anyway!

 

[strantor]

Imagine working at KFC (fried chicken) as a teenager - you do it just for the paycheck; then, there's some dude that's been working there for 20 years and all he talks about is chicken. He tells you about the amazing chicken batter seasoning he invented the night prior and how it's sure to win awards. He tells you how he's got 3 deep freezers in his garage full of nothing but chicken. In a hushed voice he mentions that sometimes rubbing warm chicken skin on his naked body sets the tone for an unforgettable evening. He goes on and on about chicken, assuming that you dig his stories about chicken because, obviously you're a chicken fan as well, or you wouldn't be working at KFC. Well, you don't. Frankly, he creeps you out, and you wish he would shut the hell up about chicken. You may even poke fun at him. Now swap chicken for electronics, and put your name tag on him.

(in English) - Some people choose a profession out of passion, but most for the money. They think "electronics technicians probably make good money" so they study just enough to get the job, and they continue learning only enough to keep the job. They don't share your love for electrons. They probably care more about football than electronics.

 

[johansen]

Good day,

I am trying to figure out the reason why a large number of colleagues at work seem to have a problem with my hobbies involving H.V. experiments and electronic projects. My colleagues are of the electronics technologist profession and thus it boggles me why they would mock me for my hobbies that are related to my profession. Has anyone had this problem with people that turn against you simply because you do not share the interest of the general population (i.e. sports) ?

my experience is the technicians aren't there because they love electronics.

 

[JimB]

Menticol, TCM, Strantor, and Johansen a most insightfull (is there such a word?) series of posts!
I could not have put it better myself.

To the general populace, technical hobbies are definitely not perceived as "cool".

Most of the time when odd persons ask if I have any hobbies, I just say that "I do a bit of electronics and computer stuff, now and again".
This may be considered as an understatement!.

JimB

On edit:
I just remembered, I once worked with a guy who was good at his job and very dependable, but...

He would talk all day long about rugby (the football game played with an oval ball) and Dundee (his home town).
My brain had a filter with good rejection for the topics, but some of the guys there just could not stand it.

JimB

 

[Mikebits]

You can't let your hobby be you sole focus in life. After all there is so much more in this world. Don't be one shade of grey as it is boring, there are many colors in the rainbow, be as colorful as you can, then you will be interesting.

 

[Frosty_47]

Just to clarify a few things. I do not discuss my hobbies in detail at work. Only When I am inquired about my hobbies by colleagues, is when I mention it to them (not in detail). I do not go to work and rant about my weekend projects. I have mentioned my hobbies 4 or 5 times at best, yet this was enough for people to circle me out...

 

[strantor]

Just to clarify a few things. I do not discuss my hobbies in detail at work. Only When I am inquired about my hobbies by colleagues, is when I mention it to them (not in detail). I do not go to work and rant about my weekend projects. I have mentioned my hobbies 4 or 5 times at best, yet this was enough for people to circle me out...

I've had people feign interest in my hobbies, just to get me to talk about it so that they would have material for their comedy sketches while I wasn't around. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.

 

[Frosty_47]

Good point, this is exactly what's been happening to me. Gossip about other colleagues seems to fuel the day for a lot of coworkers. I myself refrain from gossip and prefer to walk away from such conversations

 

[Frosty_47]

I've had people feign interest in my hobbies, just to get me to talk about it so that they would have material for their comedy sketches while I wasn't around. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.

Good point, this is exactly what's been happening to me. Gossip about other colleagues seems to fuel the day for a lot of coworkers. I myself refrain from gossip and prefer to walk away from such conversations
-My apologies for the double post.

 

[tcmtech]

Apparently I must be far more secure about myself than most.

generally I don't have a problem with others having a good laugh at my expence.

I deserve it some days being I am aware I do stupid stuff just like them and fortunately don't mind having a good laugh about it myself too.

 

[strantor]

Apparently I must be far more secure about myself than most.

generally I don't have a problem with others having a good laugh at my expence.

I deserve it some days being I am aware I do stupid stuff just like them and fortunately don't mind having a good laugh about it myself too.

I'll have a good laugh at myself and make light of stupid things I do in the presence of others, as they are laughing with me. That's a different thing than being a laughing stalk and having people laughing at you, while you're not around.

 

[Menticol]

To the general populace, technical hobbies are definitely not perceived as "cool"

That depends Jim! For example look at the guys from Mythbusters, on some places they are almost a cultural icon!

I have mentioned my hobbies 4 or 5 times at best, yet this was enough for people to circle me out

I think that Your hobbies are just an excuse for that people to target you. Check if you are giving them more reasons.

Apparently I must be far more secure about myself than most. generally I don't have a problem with others having a good laugh at my expence.

When people laugh at your expense from time to time is good. But having the same everyday starts drilling your head, no matter how secure your are. The thing is not taking jokes too personal, except when they become truly personal.

 

[Reloadron]

Electronics was a hobby in my life before it ever became my bread and butter. As a kid there were the egg head jokes but they never bothered me. I also don't have a problem with people having a good laugh at my expense. What the hell, those trons have put beanies and weenies on the table for over 40 years and paid for the cost of raising my children. Many of the electrical engineering types here at work take the trons home as a hobby, especially the newer younger ones. I can't imagine anyone ever being called out or ridiculed for making a living at trons and having trons as a hobby.

Many of the people here at work really enjoy golf as a hobby. Personally I do not get up at 6 AM on a Saturday morning to go play golf. More power to those who do as long as they enjoy it. Me? They all know my passion and hobby. I enjoy the shooting sports. I get up at 6 AM on a Saturday morning to go to the range. When they plan a golf outing I like to ask if the course has any grassy knolls or nice wooded tree line areas. That always gets a good laugh. I also have a bullet clock on the wall which sends a message.

Anyway, if your co-workers give you a hard time about trons as a living and a hobby they have some issues. Take up guns as a hobby and you will be amazed at how quiet they become.


On another note:

Hated for my Hobbies ?

Isn't "Hated" a pretty strong word? Sounds a little more to me like harassment.


Ron

 

[Mikebits]

Funny, when I was in high-school, I was a derelict. Somehow the Navy set me right. Never realized I had a propensity with electronics. Go figure.

 

[strantor]

Funny, when I was in high-school, I was a derelict. Somehow the Navy set me right. Never realized I had a propensity with electronics. Go figure.

Wow, that sounds familiar. When I was in high school I thought I was too cool for "nerdy" things like electronics. I wasted my time smoking pot & just being generally delinquent. Convinced that I didn't & never would need a degree, I also went in the Navy. Now, 8 years after I graduated, I'm comfortable being the nerd that I was always destined to be, but I've shot myself in the foot a bit. I am married with 2 kids and I'm quitting my job in September to go to college and get my electrical engineering degree - something I should have done years ago, when it was just me. Say no to drugs, kids.

 

[tcmtech]

In high school I wasn't exactly a delinquent but I did hang around those who were. I was good at electronics back then and had a fair amount of respect for it being I was the go to guy for repairing and installing all those stolen radios and related car electronics devices the real delinquents sticky fingers got! I made good money for it too!

Speaking of the delinquent kids it alway surprised me who was and who wasn't. The poor kids were never my customers but the kids from the wealthy and well known/respected families and Jocks were my #1 customers.
They had to have the latest and greatest gear even if meant shoplifting or outright busting into peoples cars and tearing things right out of the dash.