Non-Boating Friends

[Chris]

I've found myself this week speaking with my friends differently. I have no urge whatsoever to tell them anything about last week. Usually when I talk about boating I get those polite, interested looks but I know they don't "get it". Even though I've had them out before. I know they don't understand.

Even more, I find myself referring to them as "civilians". I was doing that in KW too. Didn't want to go into a bar because it was "full of civilians". Wanted to hang with the serious boaters.

Is it just me?

[DAREDEVIL]

NO,,,not just u . Happens all the time ! LOL

[DollaBill]

nope me too. Hard to relate to those "other" people.

[GENERAL LEE]

It's not just you.

It always kind of surprises me just HOW bad some don't "get it", that have been on the water plenty of times before.

"Just sit down, enjoy your beer. Don't get in the way, cool?"

[fund razor]

LOL.
"Civilians."

[cigdaze]

No doubt about it. We're a special breed. Very few people can relate to the family we have. And forget telling them about SOS...they'll never get it. I've tried.

"Oh, a boat club?...boat club website?...gee, that's nice"

Know what I mean?

[Sammyb713]

Feel the same way..

Its tough even holding an interesting convo with someone that doesnt own or enjoy powerboating/racing..

Some people just dont know what they are missing!

[GENERAL LEE]

Then there's the other way around....

When you're with a few boating buddies, and totally ignore the rest of the group all night, talking about the same chit we talked about last time.

[Pat D]

Is it just me?

No.......

nothing worse than a blank stare or a weak "wow".....

that's why SOS therapy website is here........

[PARADOX]

Countless times I sit around the hotel bar after a Poker Run. Countless time "civillians" ask me .. >what's going on? is it a race? Sales? .< or whatever, and I have to do the laymen explaining. Most have no clue what's boating or perfomance boating is all about. We are a unique breed in a unique site. I always wanted to be "one of the few.. not the manny" Case in point.. my boat.. not manny of them around.
The best "civillian" moment at Destin poker run in 2008. Bunch of Cigs at the docks. flags,, banners. etc. a few "Cig girls" and the civillians walking around. I hear a couple blond girls talking.. while lighting up a smoke.. one sais to the other.. "I wonder what brand they are advertising and if they give away free sample packs"..
It took a lot of self restrain not to push them in the water.. Those "civillians" were aboout to get very WETT.

[Pat D]

Someone said to me recently, "when are you and your husband going to give up all that boat racing stuff and START HAVING SOME FUN?"

My brain went into overdrive but luckily my mouth slammed shut........

[scottw]

"Civilians" That is a great term for those who don't understand. hahaha

[DollaBill]

civilians - I love it

[BraceYourself]

I'd classify anyone not in HIGH PERFORMANCE boating as civilians. You're right they don't get it, but that's ok, and that's what makes our sport so unique.

I cringe when I get roped into taking a civilian for a boat ride. Even the guy that has been boating for 10 years (cruisers). I warn them we are going to go fast, and to think of it as a sport, you have to look forward, read the waves, and bend at the knees... Then I get the I'm fine its no big deal... Then out in 1-2 footers at 85mph you hear screams from the back like "Sweet baby Jesus,,, slow down" or the look back and their hugging the seat base on the floor, and have forgot everything I said about the most important thing... Which is "don't loose your feet"

So inevitably I slow down to 60mph, its a rougher ride, and they are like that's better. I think people are just not use to looking to the side and seeing the water whip by so fast.

[2112]

2 categories of friends here too. Those who do and those who don't.

.

[TxHawk]

My wife calls it Boatbook. I guess its true. She has facebook to keep up with the people she wants to, and I have BoatBook to follow the community I enjoy.

Others cannot understand what I am doing when I see a familiar boat, wave them down and talk to a "stranger" about their boat.

[Chris]

OK. I feel better. I was even thinking about not hitting the post button after I wrote that. I was starting to think I was getting just a little too deep into this.

"Civilians". I'm still thinking I might be a little screwy.

[Ted]

Definitely civilians, I used that several times this weekend.

[PARADOX]

A "civillian"... white shirt back seat.
We'r going about 70+-. 08 Sarasota run.. He been around boats all his life.. Details boats.. Nice guy.. but "civillian"... Hangin' on to his dear life. You need to zoom in.. it's a picture of a picture, but funny as heII..

[Blue Oval]

If you only had two bars to drink at on vacation, one full of non-boaters, the other bar with a bunch of blow boaters(sail boaters). Which one would you pick? I know the wait staff would pick the non-boaters, the blow boaters think the word tip is to tip there beer! What do you think?