View Full Version : The painful reality of a walk in the woods
Eric_Methven
27-12-2008, 23:21
I never really thought too much about the visual impact I portray when dressed in primitive clothing (by that I mean scruffy mountainman look). People at demonstrations, craft fairs and country shows know well enough that what I'm showing is part of a show and while the skills and crafts I demonstrate are real, the persona I portray is not.
Well, on Christmas morning I had to really think hard about how I come across to others. It was a cold and clear morning and I was up early checking out my new bagpipes that Santa brought. The wife got sick of the racket I was making so I decided to go for a bimble in the woods. I figured nobody would be around with it being Christmas day, so I wore my army blanket capote and took along my hobo stove and tin mug to make a cuppa en-route.
I walked a couple of miles, admiring the frost on the twigs and branches, having a close look at spider webs standing out bright and white against the darker vegitation behind. I found a nice clearing about 25 yards from the footpath. I decided to stop fo a cup of tea before going back home for lunch.
I set up my hobo stove, got some dry twigs burning in it, was adding small sticks and waiting for the water to boil when a small dog bounded over and started yapping at me. I befriended the dog and was petting it when a middle aged couple walked over and said hello.
I greeted them and wished them a happy Christmas, passed the time talking about what good weather we were having for the time of year and such, then they wandered off with their dog. They had not gone 50 yards down the path when they came back and asked me if I'd like to come home with them and share their Christmas lunch. Then it dawned on me.
They thought I was a homeless person. I explained that I was just out for a walk, and the blanket coat and my hobo stove were just part of my hobby. I don't know who was more embarrased, me or them. They both blushed profusely though. Anyway, I thanked them for such a kind and selfless gesture but assured them I was OK.
Anyway, when I got back home I felt slightly shaken. I suppose I must have looked like a tramp to them as I had taken the persona completely out of context. So, after lunch I trimmed my beard and moustache and got the shears on my head and gave myself a No1 all over. Now my wife says I look like a gangster. Bloody hell, I can't win, can I?
Eric
British Red
27-12-2008, 23:26
Oh dear lord Eric - thats absolutely priceless
Bless them for their generosity of spirit (and you for not figuring "what the hell - I can manage two dinners" ) :D
I've just mulled this over - that, for all its comedic value - totally restores my faith in people - I'm sending those people some karma points - I really, really hope the world pays them back!!
Red
korvin karbon
27-12-2008, 23:29
LOL
well we can look very earthy.
Hats of to the kind people, a sign of kindness and compassion you rarely see these days.
I think everyone on here probably feels the same Eric when we`re out, I`m just glad it happened to you first.
Thanks for giving me a giggle
I wouldn't worry too much Eric. I have to put up with peoples misconceptions all the time. At least that was a good reaction.
People will always react to something or someone that is different according to their own prejudices.
Kids can't understand why a man has long hair because they only see it on girls or women.
Lads sporting thug cuts assume I'm a hippy and don't understand why I'm just not frightened of them when they act tough for their mates.
Middle class types assume I'm a drop out and are surprised that the camera equipment I use is the stuff they wish they could afford.
Customs men always stop me and search for drugs and old ladies are surprised when I display the good manners that are so rare these days.
None of these things are my problem. I live the life I choose, the way I choose and that is just fine by me.
IntrepidStu
27-12-2008, 23:46
I know Im always worried about what people think im doing in my local green space. Im often kitted out like im walking across the country (and have even been asked how far im going..TWICE),with big boots and camo rucksack to match. Im always Very wary about carrying a knife.
I just dont want to scare anyone. Now youve got that hair cut mate, your in no danger of that.
Go on....Post a Piccy of Eric with a No1.
Stu
firecrest
28-12-2008, 00:33
Well I think its great these people asked you in for christmas dinner. The spirit of christmas isnt dead after all. doesnt matter if you look like tramp, you get to see the best or worst in people in that case
http://www.easyfreesmileys.com/smileys/free-party-smileys-814.gif (http://www.easyfreesmileys.com/Free-Party-Smileys/)
A true Christmas story.
Very nice to hear
That is too funny! And a great holiday story. :cool:
Two things spring to mind, like others have already said:
The couple have restored some of my faith in humanity & the Christmas spirit.
I'm glad it happened to someone else & not me! LOL:lmao:
Simon
10 out of 10 for the couple for inviting you home - would I have been so generous? It shames me to say, probably not.
As for what you wear, I came across the "naked rambler" when I was on the Pennine Way a few years ago. Nice boots...;)
Must admit since I cut my long hair off a couple of years ago after having it for 15 years, people give me less grief/funny looks, but both I and the mrs are missing it, so havent cut it for a few months now, saying I'll grow it again.
firecrest
28-12-2008, 11:26
Hey Eric, what would you have done if they had given you money? :lmao:
w00dsmoke
28-12-2008, 12:23
Oh Eric...I'm really sorry bud that you felt you had to do some body mods to feel like you fitted in! We all loved you the way you were! ;)
And Wayland, I know exactly how you feel, I got those type of reactions right through while on my MA and Post Grad and it continued right through into my present profession (one of the alleged all inclusive, liberalprofessions outside of social work you can get! ). I grew a beard a year or so back and with the long hair and all that my employer made every effort to exclude me from Scot Exec contact due to my appearance. And I was informed in a roundabout way that the beard looked too scary! I ended up shaving the beard off but keeping the hair.
And you are so right about the kids/young adults perceptions about hair. I work with some of the most dangerous young people that society creates and having long hair = TARGET.Now I'd really like to take one of your viking axes into work...;) for some reality education lessons! pmsl
I wouldn't worry too much Eric. I have to put up with peoples misconceptions all the time. At least that was a good reaction.
People will always react to something or someone that is different according to their own prejudices.
Kids can't understand why a man has long hair because they only see it on girls or women.
Lads sporting thug cuts assume I'm a hippy and don't understand why I'm just not frightened of them when they act tough for their mates.
Middle class types assume I'm a drop out and are surprised that the camera equipment I use is the stuff they wish they could afford.
Customs men always stop me and search for drugs and old ladies are surprised when I display the good manners that are so rare these days.
None of these things are my problem. I live the life I choose, the way I choose and that is just fine by me.
Interesting, the hair thing. When I was a long-haired 20 year old - back in the 70's - I was cast as the bad guy. Now it's the other way around.
The missus is always saying I look like a tramp!
What nice folks you met though.
Mistwalker
28-12-2008, 18:43
Oh dear lord Eric - thats absolutely priceless
Bless them for their generosity of spirit (and you for not figuring "what the hell - I can manage two dinners" ) :D
I've just mulled this over - that, for all its comedic value - totally restores my faith in people - I'm sending those people some karma points - I really, really hope the world pays them back!!
Red
Finding myself alone with no parents at the age of fifteen and wandering all over the southern part of the U.S. ...(even ventured north once...got frostbite and barely kept my toes) I owe my being alive to just such people as those. Later...striving to be one of those people whenever possible I can tell you Karmah is always returned.
tommy the cat
28-12-2008, 18:55
Must admit I kind of have a 'I'm on my own kit' ie not gonna see people so possibly camo,o.g sass smock spose army kit + 'posh walking kit' berghaus n.f kit not scruffy and 'suitable' for walking mountains and seeing people!
Daft really as at one time IDGAS what people thought and had blue hair at one point.
Dave
Fitting in is hard to do, too many cliques and too many cultures mixed in together these days.
I am the office guy to the factory crew and the artist to the office folks, the city worker to my farm neighbors and the country guy to all the city folks, the old guy to my kids friends and the kid to my clients, a survivalist to bushcrafters and just a camper to the real survivalists, an expert to some and a beginner to others.
The best you can do is to be yourself. Let everyone else think what they will.
I pray for the old couple, the next guy they ask home may not be so kind as our lovable brother Eric.
Hi Eric, I've just shaved off my beard as my daughter said on christmas day that I looked like a Hobo, I took it as a compliment but my wife assures me it was not meant that way. At least I'll get to use the shaving kit I got for crimbo...
all the best
jon
Priceless
The people that I work with just can't understand why I want to get into the country and camp at my age
I have a screensaver of my hammock and tarp set up and it never fails to get people talking when I do a power point presentation and it flashes up on screen
In all my surplus kit, I'd come across as a military type, which I make up for by an outstanding lack of fitness.
I'd have gone with them, a free feed is a free feed at the end of the day
I wouldn't worry too much Eric. I have to put up with peoples misconceptions all the time. At least that was a good reaction.
People will always react to something or someone that is different according to their own prejudices.
Kids can't understand why a man has long hair because they only see it on girls or women.
Lads sporting thug cuts assume I'm a hippy and don't understand why I'm just not frightened of them when they act tough for their mates.
Middle class types assume I'm a drop out and are surprised that the camera equipment I use is the stuff they wish they could afford.
Customs men always stop me and search for drugs and old ladies are surprised when I display the good manners that are so rare these days.
None of these things are my problem. I live the life I choose, the way I choose and that is just fine by me.
All very familiar - though I've jsut had a Christmas hair cut this morning.
Boatswain
31-12-2008, 11:45
If this story had been reported in the Daily M&^L I'm sure the couple would have dowsed you in petrol and set you on fire, so it is really nice to hear that there are still genuine people in this world and that the spirit of Christmas does still exist.
God bless you every one.
Cheers
That's a quite heart warming story really. So many people would have been scared of inviting someone back regardless of how nice they may come across. The fact they invited you in the current climate of horror stories throughout the tabloids speaks volumes of the couples spirit. Even though I will never meet that couple, I wish them well and all the best, I heartedly hope that that act of kindness is paid back to them many times over, and that they aren't taken advantage of.
Of course, they may have been part of a secret government organisation and were going to drug you and use you in weird mind bending experiments... ;)
WoodWildling
31-12-2008, 12:55
totally restores faith in humanity don't it?
I understand about the judging by appearence thing - At the moment I have purple hair and with all my piercings and tattoos, people assume I'm going to be a horror (which I'm not of course!), I just like to look the way i do.
Wild