I have to "hide" my teardrop!

[Jazzy Lynn]

As an old-timer, who has many friends that are predjudice, no matter if you have a darker skin or may not agree with your choice of life style, I simply tell them: When I was in my mother's womb, I had no choice of being born with brown or blue eyes, light or dark skin, faulty hair folicles that would fail later in life or being blessed (or cursed) for being attracted to the same sex. No one dislikes me because of my blue eyes, treats me differently because of my white skin or makes fun of me because I am damned near bald and really like the companionship of women.

I choose to thrust my chin out and demand to be treated as an equal, blond, blue-eyed, caucasian, bald and heterosectial male. Now if some of those non-manditory choices had not been met at birth, that's the way the chips fall. Never allow anyone to condem you or your life style. I have gays in my family and my group of fiends, and I can't imagine any of my friends treating them as "different".

Don't hide your partner or your feelings, we are all human and it's different strokes for different folks. Hang in there, enjoy camping, like the rest of us, and if anyone gives you a side-ways look, send them over to me. Teardroppers are a special breed, and I am shocked that all campers can't accept us just as we are. Put away that ez-up, cozy up to the campfire, sit and enjoy a glass of wine and proudly show all others that you are just as good as they are, or maybe even better.

Sorry about jumping on the soap box, but this has touched a raw chord with me. I camp, I accept, I enjoy, and if someone asks to take a tour..........well, I guess that is the best way for me to spread the word about how wonderful our little teardrop trailers are. All they have to do is ask, and I'll show and tell them, and you should do the same, with no explainations or hidden secrets. Damn, it's none of their business, ever!
Roly, happy to be camping with one and all......regardless.

Well said Roly
Barbara

[48Rob]

Hi Matt,

I have the same problem.

Not worrying about what people think about how I live my life, but about privacy.

I love camping, and I love my trailer.

Problem is, a lot of the other folks at the campgrounds love camping, and my trailer too.
Well, maybe they don't love the trailer like I do, but they sure are curious and given the slightest reason, are at the door.

Some are pretty reserved and respectful, "walking by" looking, two, three, or more times, hoping I'll "look" their way and say hi, so they can come over and introduce themselves, and since they're so close now, can we look at the trailer, etc.

And others, the rude ones, are quite happy to walk right up uninvited while we're in the middle of eating dinner and want to talk for 30 minutes...while their cigarette smoke and alcohol breath ruins our appetite

Being gay is a choice you've made; bringing my trailer to the campground is a choice I've made.
Both are sure to bring attention simply because they are different than "normal".

I get most frustrated with people some days, when they just won't leave me alone so I can enjoy my camping experience, as I'm sure you do when you just want to enjoy your life as you see fit, but others make you uncomfortable with what they see, or perceive.

Either way, our choices make us "stand out" from the crowd.
Some days the attention is welcome, some days it is just too much, and we have to lock the door and draw the curtains.

I feel your pain and frustration, but if allowing others at a campground to know you're gay ruins your camping experience, camping with an attention getter teardrop isn't going to make it any easier...

As Mary K. suggests, enjoy your life, do what makes you happy.
Other people won't make you upset, unless you allow them to...

Wish I had a better answer for us both, but when you camp with an unusual trailer like a teardrop, attention is going to come knocking...

Rob

[S. Heisley]

Here's an idea: Get a black board and chalk or a Mylar board and erasable markers and lean it against your trailer with your current message, which might be one of these:

- Visiting hours are from 1:00 to 2:30 PM (or whatever).
- No tours today... we're not feeling up to snuff.
- How about: Got Swine Flu? (...Eh Eh! Couldn't resist.)
- Breakfast (or Dinner) Time....Please come back later.

With this type of erasable board, you could change your message to suit your schedule and/or your feelings.

[Ken J]

Rob

Your post reminds me of one evening when I was in my teardrop, door closed, curtain closed - getting dark, and someone comes up wrapping on my door, scared me to death, wanting to look at the "cute" trailer - man I was annoyed...

Ken J.

[IndyMatt]

Thanks to all of you for your kind words and suggestions. I appreciate all of your open minds.
I am looking forward to a long 3 day weekend of camping this weekend.
I dropped my Little Guy off at my dad's last weekend. I removed the factory shelf in the back and he is putting in a better galley counter. I also recently picked up a PetCool, so I am excited to try everything out this weekend.
Hope you all have a good holiday weekend.
Happy camping to you all!

[Barefoot]

How about a sign like the one a man spray painted on what was left of the front wall of his living room later the morning of our tornado? "Tours $2"? Great New York City humor. After all, the curious had expected something for free and most just scurried on past.

A few got the joke and called out, "Love your sign!" Most were told, "Thanks," and were invited (dared) to come help. A very few accepted and became pretty good friends.

[Kelleyaynn]

I'm a newbie here, but I have to say that this thread has really shown what a wonderful group of people hang out here.

If only the rest of the world could be so open minded......

[caseydog]

Thanks to all of you for your kind words and suggestions. I appreciate all of your open minds.
I am looking forward to a long 3 day weekend of camping this weekend.
I dropped my Little Guy off at my dad's last weekend. I removed the factory shelf in the back and he is putting in a better galley counter. I also recently picked up a PetCool, so I am excited to try everything out this weekend.
Hope you all have a good holiday weekend.
Happy camping to you all!

I built my own galley in my little guy. The factory one is the weak link in an overall good product.

CD

[48Rob]

I'm a newbie here, but I have to say that this thread has really shown what a wonderful group of people hang out here.

If only the rest of the world could be so open minded......

'Circles...

We are open minded here...because we share a common interest, and feed each others need for support and recognition with the understanding that if we give, we will receive.
We are comfortable talking with complete strangers because, after all, they must be okay since they like teardrops, just like us!



Outside of this circle, the same as every other human being outside their own circle, "different" is strange, unknown, scary, and to be feared.
The general reaction to fear and the unknown is to run, or become defensive and exclude that which is not something comforting within our circle.



Social activites that we engage in thrive, partially because we "like" the particular activity, but more because we feel safe, secure, and we "belong".

Any group or individual, person, idea, lifestyle, etc, outside our comfort circle is treated with suspicion, mistrust, or hatred.

Some one, or some group is always being viewed as "the enemy" by some other group.

Matt, and anyone else who is "different" is in general welcomed and accepted here...gay or not gay, because we are comfortable with those with who we share our circle.

Peace is a nice thought, but unlikely to happen...too many circles...

Rob

[S.Anderson]

Hmmm, interesting topic. When I clicked the topic, I expected you telling everyone about people always wanting to see the TD. I didn't see you other issue coming.

I used to be unaccepting of gay lifestyles. Thinking back on it, for no good reason at all. It was easier to go along with the crowd. But, that all changed one day when I actually met a gay couple. After getting to know them we have became life long fiends. I was surprised to discover all they wanted to do was be happy and had the same hopes/dreams that we all do. Looking back on it, it seems silly that I thought any different but that is how some people think before they are exposed to the unknown.

You probably don't think about it this way but you actually have a chance to enlighten people and maybe make some friends along the way.

Nowadays I enjoy a good gay topic debate. It's always interesting to hear peoples reasons for not accepting someone elses lifestyle. Its not difficult to find so many people that can't think for themselves because someone else has already told them what to think.

[RC]

I just don't get this gay topic debate thing. If anyone wants to debate my bedroom lifestyle, they're likely to get some knuckle bumps. It isn't their choice, or business, of what sex or how many of each kind I have in there.

[Jst83]

So Matt you gonna join us at the Chain O Lakes gathering . You'll be mixed in the middle of 33 (so far) other Teardrops and no one will even notice or care for that matter.

[Beachbuggy]

I don't know how much hiding your teardrop will help.
We just went camping this weekend, and they way we had our TD set up, with the EZ up and tent attatchment basically blocked the view of it from the road, we were scolded several times by visitors that we should not have blocked the view since it made it more difficult for them to see it.

I di think a sign that said Tours $4, would help pay for our camp wood

[Aaron Coffee]

I haven't had someone come knocking on my door yet, but have always thought if someone did come knocking that I would holler,"Can you come back later I'm in the shower"or soemthing to that effect.

[48Rob]

but have always thought if someone did come knocking that I would holler,"Can you come back later I'm in the shower"or soemthing to that effect.

Yea, thats what I tell 'em too...

Rob