Interesting threadâŚ
In terms of bringing people into the hobby, thereâs not much we can do. We can put up public displays and have information on where to buy stuff, resources (books, etc.) for beginners, but thatâs about it. Itâs the old âyou can lead a horse to waterâŚâ thing. Thereâs nothing any of us can do to get them to take that first step. If theyâre interested, theyâll seek it out. All we can do is put the idea out there.
That having been said, Iâve seen many times people who have taken that first step come to forums like this and be treated rudely for no other crime than asking a basic question, or asking a good question in a somewhat unrelated thread, or any number of âclueless newbieâ offenses that have nothing to do with trains, but what we perceive a âforum etiquette.â Iâve seen similar âcold shouldersâ turned on newcomers at club meetings. Is it any surprise they never come back?
How we treat people who come into our midst has an immeasurable impact on how they perceive the hobby, whether itâs here, or at our local club, open houses, public displays, even sitting next to someone on an airplane should the topic come up. And that impact is multiplied when it comes to children (and not just little kids, but young teens as well.)
We have no control over the prices of our trains or track. What we can do is show people how weâve adapted to those costs, and how the hobby is enjoyable in the face of those challenges. Few of us are made from money. (I know Iâm not.) Yet weâre all able to enjoy the hobby. Itâs that enjoyment each of us gets on an individual basis we have to effectively present when newcomers wander along our paths. Each of us is here because weâre passionate about our hobby. If we can just communicate that passion without any of the baggage, then weâll create a welcome environment. The rest is still up to them, but at least weâre showing them where the water is making sure thereâs no one getting in their way so they can drink.
Later,
K
