Why do coaster enthusiasts have a bad image?
As of yet, I've not met up with any other enthusiasts so I don't know what they are like, but the general public seems to have a bad opinion of us!!!
Okay, maybe when I go to Coastermania, or when I attend my first club event I may find out why, but until then I'll keep an open mind.
All I can say is to any of my friends (or anyone else for that matter) who think coasters are "boring" - I'd like to hear them say that when they're sitting on the front seat of S:UE about to be launched up that twisty bit, or racing through the woods on The Beast.
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May/June 2001 - 16 parks in 18 days!!!
Okay, maybe when I go to Coastermania, or when I attend my first club event I may find out why, but until then I'll keep an open mind.
All I can say is to any of my friends (or anyone else for that matter) who think coasters are "boring" - I'd like to hear them say that when they're sitting on the front seat of S:UE about to be launched up that twisty bit, or racing through the woods on The Beast.
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May/June 2001 - 16 parks in 18 days!!!
I don't think that they have a bad image across the board, but there are some seriously over-zealous enthusiasts. Some want to do nothing but impress you with their knowledge, others think they're better than you because they've been on more rides.
That whole scene sucks because quite frankly every group has "bad apples." It's often hard to see around that. I have a lot of good enthusiast friends, but some days I'm ashamed to be associated with the term "enthusiasts."
It's all about who you are around.
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
That whole scene sucks because quite frankly every group has "bad apples." It's often hard to see around that. I have a lot of good enthusiast friends, but some days I'm ashamed to be associated with the term "enthusiasts."
It's all about who you are around.
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
My friends all think coasters are cool.
About the coaster enthusiasts thing, I think we, the coaster enthusiasts, are nice. Most people talk about coasters while waiting in line for coasters, and when I hear someone who definatly knows what they are talking about, I talk to them. Even the adults are nice and friendly even though I'm just a teenager.
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www.geocities.com/coasting_ohio for Real/Defunct/mini coasters and parks for RCT
About the coaster enthusiasts thing, I think we, the coaster enthusiasts, are nice. Most people talk about coasters while waiting in line for coasters, and when I hear someone who definatly knows what they are talking about, I talk to them. Even the adults are nice and friendly even though I'm just a teenager.
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www.geocities.com/coasting_ohio for Real/Defunct/mini coasters and parks for RCT
What? Huh?
I don't get that impression.
Our passion is non violent, doesn't endanger anyone, and is all about fun. What's wrong with that?
I think that people who go on these extravagent adventures are nuts. I'm talking about people who race cars, boats, scuba dive, get close to wild animals, and anything else that can cause you to get killed. Watch the Travel Channel tonight, they're going to have a show on about outrageously expensive vacations, now these people are whacked.
Some people risk their lives.
Others attend sporting events, which boggles my mind. Why go thru all that trouble (parking, food, crowd hassles) just to watch SOMEONE ELSE make a million dollars. And that person doesn't even care about you. Why people attend sporting events is beyond me the way it's become a business.
No, we're not crazy, we're having fun and saving our money at the same time, compared to what others do for fun.
I don't get that impression.
Our passion is non violent, doesn't endanger anyone, and is all about fun. What's wrong with that?
I think that people who go on these extravagent adventures are nuts. I'm talking about people who race cars, boats, scuba dive, get close to wild animals, and anything else that can cause you to get killed. Watch the Travel Channel tonight, they're going to have a show on about outrageously expensive vacations, now these people are whacked.
Some people risk their lives.
Others attend sporting events, which boggles my mind. Why go thru all that trouble (parking, food, crowd hassles) just to watch SOMEONE ELSE make a million dollars. And that person doesn't even care about you. Why people attend sporting events is beyond me the way it's become a business.
No, we're not crazy, we're having fun and saving our money at the same time, compared to what others do for fun.
You're going to find this sort of thing with any social group. Some people are good, some are just plain jerks. Doesn't matter if they're rocket scientists, stamp collectors, or coaster enthusiasts.
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Scott W. Short
scott@midwestcoastercentral.com
http://www.midwestcoastercentral.com
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Scott W. Short
scott@midwestcoastercentral.com
http://www.midwestcoastercentral.com
I didn't think we had a bad image. The non-enthusiasts that I talk to are very interested in what I say, but they just don't understand the drive behind it and how I can stand in line sometimes for hours.
Actually, I have only had positive dealings with non-enthusiasts. They want to hear more, and some actually convert and join the ranks. Some joke with me about wasting my time in lines, but they respect the fact that it is my hobby. Remember, there are those who get up at the crack of dawn to stand in line for hours just to get Beanie Babies. I respect their ambition and say more power to them. (And those Beanie Babie lines can get pretty rowdy:) )
*** This post was edited by Lorrie on 4/17/2001. ***
Actually, I have only had positive dealings with non-enthusiasts. They want to hear more, and some actually convert and join the ranks. Some joke with me about wasting my time in lines, but they respect the fact that it is my hobby. Remember, there are those who get up at the crack of dawn to stand in line for hours just to get Beanie Babies. I respect their ambition and say more power to them. (And those Beanie Babie lines can get pretty rowdy:) )
*** This post was edited by Lorrie on 4/17/2001. ***
Knowing all this stuff makes me seem smarter to my friends :)
" Do you want me to explain the 2 new coasters in Lehman's terms, or Coaster Lingo?" -me explaining to my friends V2 and DV.
Anyways, bad image?!?! I don't know how we could have gotten that. Everyone I know (basically) LOVES taking the end of year trip to SFGAm. I don't know anyone that doesn't like coasters AT ALL. It's just some like coasters more than others, nothing wrong with that. Some people like Britney Spears more than others
*whistles and tries to hide*
and some people even like.... Carrot Top... more than others *shudder*. There is nothing wrong with any of those things and riding coasters follows that rule too. :)
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May 5th, Gurnee, Illinois, "I'm sprinting for V2"
" Do you want me to explain the 2 new coasters in Lehman's terms, or Coaster Lingo?" -me explaining to my friends V2 and DV.
Anyways, bad image?!?! I don't know how we could have gotten that. Everyone I know (basically) LOVES taking the end of year trip to SFGAm. I don't know anyone that doesn't like coasters AT ALL. It's just some like coasters more than others, nothing wrong with that. Some people like Britney Spears more than others
*whistles and tries to hide*
and some people even like.... Carrot Top... more than others *shudder*. There is nothing wrong with any of those things and riding coasters follows that rule too. :)
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May 5th, Gurnee, Illinois, "I'm sprinting for V2"
With all of the people I've talked to, none of them have had a bad impression of me. Most of them think it's really cool. I guess it could be like a personality thing though, cause some people are just really nice, and others are conceded jerks. If you meet enough conceded jerks, you might give the GP a bad image.
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MF Drops-15
SOB Rides-2
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MF Drops-15
SOB Rides-2
I agree with Jeff, anything taken to an over-zealous extreme can be very detrimental. I absolutely love roller coasters, yet I have also been in situations where I've kept my mouth shut because I didn't want to be associated with the few who give the enthusiasts a bad name. I think it's great to have an interest and pursue it diligently in whatever it is. Sometimes it's the "ROBVIA" comments that get people fired up. I race cars every Saturday night and love roller coasters, I am a Season Ticket holder for a professional football team and love roller coasters, I am a Season Ticket holder for the local Theatre (musicals, ballet, etc.) and love roller coasters. Unfortunately, it's these types of associations that get everyone in trouble and question everyone else's existence, "Why do you do that?" Follow your ambitions, goals and dreams (certainly not harming anyone in the process) and live your life. We're here a short time and gone a very long one, live it the best you can.
Enthusiast have a bad image? No way!! My friends love it when I show them the newest coaster, or convince to drive 7 hours to a park. Yeah sure, they think I,m on crack, because I rode a coaster 20 times in a row, but it is nowhere near a bad image.. Every scene has the odd jerk. That is the way of life!
Well, I've met some great people in my experiences at ACE events and just at parks in general. Sure, there are some people that are a little over-zealous when it comes to coasters, but the ones I've met are just as nice as the next guy, or girl. There are always going to be the ones that think they know more than you, and will do anything to prove it. Then there are the ones that, as Jeff pointed out, think they are better than you because they've actually been on more coasters. I don't think enthusiasts as a whole are viewed negatively, but I think the GP that come in contact with us might think we are a little "out there". I just get this feeling sometimes when I tell someone that I am a coaster enthusiast. I ESPECIALLY got that when I told everyone I was getting married on a coaster. I just take it with a grain of salt. It doesn't mean people see us as bad people, I think people are naturally afraid or shy away from something they don't understand, and so they label us as crazy or whatever. Hope I make sense. Just my opinion on the matter. Peace. :)
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Medusa at Marine World: the best coaster in the west!
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Medusa at Marine World: the best coaster in the west!
I also don't think enthusiasts have a bad image, even though the public looks at many of us as geeks. Come on you know who I'm talking about, the guy or gal who wears the t-shirt, the hat, and pin of every roller coaster they've ridden. Most of the GP doesn't understand traveling the distances we do to ride a "roller coaster" usually said without reverence. Inside the enthusiast circle I have met many nice people, but there are a few really snotty people who have no social skills. And last Saturday at SFA I met an 11-year-old from Minnessota who's already on his way to being the "bad" enthusiast. He was a nice kid but, he rattled off stats left and right, insulted certain manufacturers, and evaluated the ride ops effeciency at the coasters. 11-year's old.
*** This post was edited by Intamin Fan on 4/17/2001. ***
I don't think that all coaster enthusiasts have a bad image... actually, I think that many are valued for their opinions and "expertise" in the area of coasters, just as someone who has a half dozen BMWs might be looked upon as more of an expert in the area of sports cars compared to someone who drives a minivan (sorry if I offend anyone with that statement, its just a general example).
That being said, I know of some enthusiasts who do take things a little too far, and feel they can use things such as their membership in coaster clubs as a means of receiving things they aren't entitled to. On more than one occasion, I have heard an enthusiast threaten to badly publicize a park because of certain policies they maintain... the enthusiast obviously thinking he or she can pull more weight in the industry because they claim themselves to be a profession in the area of coasters.
There is nothing wrong with being enthusiastic, as long as common sense and manners are employed.
That being said, I know of some enthusiasts who do take things a little too far, and feel they can use things such as their membership in coaster clubs as a means of receiving things they aren't entitled to. On more than one occasion, I have heard an enthusiast threaten to badly publicize a park because of certain policies they maintain... the enthusiast obviously thinking he or she can pull more weight in the industry because they claim themselves to be a profession in the area of coasters.
There is nothing wrong with being enthusiastic, as long as common sense and manners are employed.
the public looks at many of us as geeks. Come on you know who I'm talking about, the guy or gal who wears the t-shirt, the hat, and pin of every roller coaster they've ridden
I actually met my very first enthusiast in person the first saturday(two weeks ago) SFGadv was open and you know what,seeing his Ace button and his ride jacket just made it that much more easier for me to approach him to get an honest opinion about something.I am still learning and hoping i can one day be considered an enthisiast so,i appreciate every enthusiast's knowledge of coasters and,i especially appreciate the ones who are willing to share it.I am sure once i get to the point that i can actually go to enthusiast events,i will come across a whole lot of opinions and differant personalities but,i am also sure i am going to learn something whether it be useful or not,regardless.I have learned alot here at CB and have seen lots of differant opinions and some of them have brought many questions to my mind but,some of the harshness that i've seen within the forum has made me a little afraid to post my questions.I respect anyone who has taken the time to learn about the mechanics and science of coasters and,i'm glad for those who are so passionate about what they know that they want to share it but,the ones who don't critisize me are the best because, i'm new to learning the more in depth things about coasters and they appreciate that i have actually taken an interest in more then just riding them :)
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Rickyswmn
I actually met my very first enthusiast in person the first saturday(two weeks ago) SFGadv was open and you know what,seeing his Ace button and his ride jacket just made it that much more easier for me to approach him to get an honest opinion about something.I am still learning and hoping i can one day be considered an enthisiast so,i appreciate every enthusiast's knowledge of coasters and,i especially appreciate the ones who are willing to share it.I am sure once i get to the point that i can actually go to enthusiast events,i will come across a whole lot of opinions and differant personalities but,i am also sure i am going to learn something whether it be useful or not,regardless.I have learned alot here at CB and have seen lots of differant opinions and some of them have brought many questions to my mind but,some of the harshness that i've seen within the forum has made me a little afraid to post my questions.I respect anyone who has taken the time to learn about the mechanics and science of coasters and,i'm glad for those who are so passionate about what they know that they want to share it but,the ones who don't critisize me are the best because, i'm new to learning the more in depth things about coasters and they appreciate that i have actually taken an interest in more then just riding them :)
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Rickyswmn
That "expertise" that Rob mentions is exactly what gets some enthusiasts into trouble. I think we tend to have a fair understanding about the way parks and coasters are run, but when it comes down to it, it's not what we do for a living. I hate it when some enthusiasts act like they know better than the people whose business it is to know. I've seen some do this right to the face of senior managers and PR people.
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
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