Goki's Rantage Engine: Transformers becoming mainstream

[Trailer Park Ninja]

So after your adverse experience with the guy wearing the Optimus Prime t-shirt at the shopping centre, you were interested in a discussion about courtesy between TF fans/appreciators.

Maybe he just liked the shirt and wasn't really into Transformers. So I guess he may not know about Transformer fan ettiquette if there is such a thing.

[GoktimusPrime]

TPN, could you please check your PM inbox. Thanks.

[shokwave2]

Probably true, but it ain't gonna stop me. I freaked out these two guys in a jewellery store yesterday cos I walked in with REV in car mode making car noises, then making skidding and transforming noises as I transformed the toy, then making jump jets and shooting and exploding noises as I played with it in robot mode. I got weird stares and I'll admit that I totally deserved them.

Sorry, but i'd freak out too if you did near me. I don't know any other fan of any other hobby (TF, Star Wars, etc) or even sports for that matter that carries around a toy or ball or something everywhere they go, making noises or playing with it in public. A child under 12 i could understand. But i find that weird. But if you're not embarassed by it and you're having fun, go for gold

[GoktimusPrime]

Sorry, but i'd freak out too if you did near me. I don't know any other fan of any other hobby (TF, Star Wars, etc) or even sports for that matter that carries around a toy or ball or something everywhere they go, making noises or playing with it in public. A child under 12 i could understand. But i find that weird.

Fair enough. Tbh it is weird, but in a harmless fun kind of way IMO.

But if you're not embarassed by it and you're having fun, go for gold

Thank you. We all have different things that we're passionate about in different ways... but I reckon as long as you're not effecting anyone in a bad way, to eachtheir own.

[Burn]

Yesterday I was in Toys R Us and a guy was looking at Transformers toys, and his mate was giving him a hard time and kept on saying, "How old are you?" "Remind me again how old you are." etc. - I so wanted to tell him off, but I needed to catch up with my wife who'd moved on and was waiting for me elsewhere. I walked past and glared at him though and he met my stare and his jolly teasing expression changed to one of an awkward smile - as in, he couldn't say anything with the very embodiment of that which he was teasing walking right by him.

I'm sorry, but I really cannot understand your reaction to this situation.

So one bloke was giving his mate a bit of teasing, what business was it of yours exactly?

Transformers to me is a hobby, an interest, it's MY interest. If people don't like it, that's their business. I'm not going to go around and take issue with everyone who don't share my interest, as long as i'm left to enjoy my hobby then i'm good.

I think this is all a case of, well, "get over it". And i'm not meaning that in an offensive way but I think you've taken things a little too much to heart.

[GoktimusPrime]

I'm sorry, but I really cannot understand your reaction to this situation.

So one bloke was giving his mate a bit of teasing, what business was it of yours exactly?

The way this guy was talking to his friend sounded like a lot more than just friendly ribbing. He was nearly tearing him a second one - it wasn't friendly mockery. The guy sounded absolutely disgusted that his companion would dare to look at a toy. Part of me was unhappy that someone would look down on my hobby like this, and another part of me wanted to help support a fellow Transformers toy collector. I can not imagine any of my non-collector friends or colleagues ever talking to me with such content in their voice. Friendly teasing and malicious bullying aren't the same thing IMO.

P.S.: I believe in treating others the way that I would like to be treated and I feel that if I were in the position of that guy getting ribbed and there was a fellow collector witnessing it, I would appreciate that person sticking up for me. As we often tell kids, a joke's only funny when you're laughing with someone, not at them.

P.P.S.: Someone that can up my ante is Roller - who could ever forget the time when he paraded around Sydney in a Transformers T-shirt and Optimus Prime voice changer helmet, accosting total strangers including:
+ Went on children's play equipment
+ Trying to pick up chicks (and he actually got hugs!)
+ Trying to get a ride from a push-bike taxi
+ Crashing a business convention
+ Having a spasm on a bridge
+ Gratifying himself in the middle of a fountain while checking out the centrefold of a Japanese newspaper
+ Crashing a Chinese New Year lion dance performance
+ Dancing around George Street
+ Accosting a bus-load of total strangers!
+ Conduct a religious faith-healing service
+ Do unspeakable acts to the lower half of a store mannequin
...and I have the video and photos to prove (some of) it!

Aah Roller - I salute you!! (^O^)

[STL]

You haven't obviously met my mates. I copped a fair spray from them when they learnt two years back that I collected TFs. That doesn't change the fact that we're still good mates though. Between good mates, you can expect that type of stuff. Outsiders, not so much.

I give those who I consider to be mates crap all the time. People I'm not mates with, not so much.

[SMHFConvoy]

This is a mountain made out of a mole hill IMHO

[Burn]

The way this guy was talking to his friend sounded like a lot more than just friendly ribbing. He was nearly tearing him a second one - it wasn't friendly mockery. The guy sounded absolutely disgusted that his companion would dare to look at a toy. Part of me was unhappy that someone would look down on my hobby like this, and another part of me wanted to help support a fellow Transformers toy collector. I can not imagine any of my non-collector friends or colleagues ever talking to me with such content in their voice. Friendly teasing and malicious bullying aren't the same thing IMO.

But again, what business was it of yours?

Unless things were going to degenerate into a brawl, I really don't see why anyone need to step in, considering that doing so would no doubt exasberate the situation.

[Trailer Park Ninja]

TPN, could you please check your PM inbox. Thanks.

I've checked my PM inbox and considered your suggestion but respectfully have decided otherwise.