Non caver's responses to caving part 1

[kay]

There's a lot of elitism on this topic - just because people don't want to mess about in holes in the ground doesn't make them boring! And just because they don't do outdoor stuff doesn't automatically mean that all they do is sit at home and watch telly.

Ok, there *are* a lot of people who just do that, but there's an equal number of people out there with diverse interests, and also many many people who don't have the spare time for such activities due to kids/being carers/etc.

Well said!

And of course a lot of people you take for their first caving trip won't ever want to come back. That doesn't make them a numpty. How on earth do you know whether you enjoy something until you try it (1)? Education (in the widest sense) is about putting opportunities in the way of people, and not getting hung up if they choose not to take the opportunity.

(1) if only one could apply that to having children ... :wink:

 

[dunc]

There's a lot of elitism on this topic - just because people don't want to mess about in holes in the ground doesn't make them boring!

Are you saying we can't call them boring etc but they can call us weird, oddballs and god knows what else!? I don't mind being elitist as it's gotta be better than them that are clueless! (which is what this topic kinda started out as - what others think of us..)

Take those blinkers off....

I don't have any on, I understand others have hobbies/interests which I find incredibly boring but likewise I know they would probably think the same for my interests but the difference is I wouldn't go round preaching the joys of caving etc to them every Monday morning..

:wink:

 

[bubba]

But they're right - caving is weird

 

[dunc]

Speak for yourself!

I consider squirming around, grovelling, getting cold, wet, muddy and generally shat-up-to-the-eyeballs and abusing my body in various ways perfectly normal! :twisted:

 

[cavewidow]

You can be a caver & not odd, or into self-harm though.
Is it that caving attracts those who actually find it difficult to engage in the so called social norms of clubs/T.V?
By the way, Bubba made a good point noting that more often than not it is our obligations that may limit what we can do. There are only so many hours in a day!

 

[ian mckenzie]

There's no right or wrong to this argument. One must pursue their own passions in an ethical manner and let the opinions of others hang in the wind. I do what I do for myself, not to impress others. And that cuts both ways. I don't play ice-hockey, but I don't disparage the rest of my countrymen/women who do...