John (and all)
If we be nerds, then I guess nerds we be! Personally, I feel like I am
in very good company!
Joe
John Macartney wrote:
>
> Bill Sohl wrote:
>
> The club scene is really for those people that look at the car as more than
>just a piece
> of interesting transportation or the occasional Sunday drive. WE (the club
>joiners in the
> USA) take great pleasure in the friendships built, the knowledge learned, the
>gatherings,
> etc. The car is a conduit to something intangible that not everyone that
>owns one has
> interest in.
>
> In my limited experience, Bill - the intangible bit is so fogbound it's
>difficult to
> determine what it might be. Visitors to Gaydon often ask us where and how
>they can buy the
> car of their preference - and there are some very oddball preferences from
>time to time!
> Our reply is usually to become a club member and we cite all the benefits
>club memberships
> can bring - especially if prospective buyer is short on technical skill or
>knowledge.
> I don't know if this is a peculiarly British thing but quite often these
>suggestions evoke
> the response "Join a Club?!! Are you mad?"
> Depending on the individual, we usually follow through and ask why they are
>so anti-club.
> More often than not, the reply is along the lines "I'm sure the club is
>helpful but I have
> no wish to meet the people who populate them. Enthusiasts fine - but 'nerds'
>NO!" There is
> a general perception by the non-club member in the UK that those who do take
>an active
> part in the UK club scene are one of the lowest forms of life. This may be a
>"class" thing
> at which *skill* we, as a nation, have honed to some perfection. Certainly,
>there are
> 'nerds' out there - but this is not restricted to car clubs. Gardeners, model
>railway
> enthusiasts and others of many ilks can get so passionate about their hobby
>that they can
> bore the pants off most 'average' enthusiasts. When that manifests itself, I
>usually walk
> away - I guess most people do, unless I'm trapped? It's my guess, the
>majority of club
> members join for one thing - and that's the magazine or newsletter. At a
>finger-in-air
> guesstimate, I'd say no more than 20% of any club's total membership takes an
>active part
> in events, rallies, national weekends or WHY. This is sad because it means so
>many cars -
> in all states of repair - are so rarely seen except when the owner goes out -
>ALONE and by
> him or herself.
>
> Jonmac
--
"If you can't excel with talent, triumph with effort."
-- Dave Weinbaum in National Enquirer
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