Looks on the beach

[Doug H]

This has been referenced in different threads but I couldn't find a thread devoted to the topic. Going to the beach the past year or so has meant grabbing the fishing pole and leaving the AT PRO at home because I wasn't happy with the way the PRO performed in the salt. Yesterday I went to the beach with my equinox for the first time. Here's the thing...I had forgot about all the weird looks and stares I get when metal detecting on public beaches. Detecting on land if someone sees me it's like "oh look, there's a guy metal detecting". But on the beach it seems like its "there's one of those creepy old guys with a metal detector". I equate it to the looks and stares that some handicapped or obese people get. I never do anything to shine a bad light on this hobby but sometimes I think I'd like to scream "what the hell". Just wanted to see if you experience this and what your thoughts are when it happens and do you do what most of us I assume do and just ignore it.

 

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[Peyton Manning]

I know I’m doing nothing illegal or immoral so I don’t care what they think

 

[smokeythecat]

Tell me about it. I get the looks all the time, plus the ones who look but don't want to be "caught" looking!

 

[Terry Soloman]

You just have to wear the right shirt, and smile a lot.

 

[A2coins]

I think your very self concious What does it matter someones gotta be the old creepy guy with the metal detector and gold rings they drop

 

[smallfoot]

Have you been wearing your Border Patrol Hat?

 

[Truth]

Dude you’re on a beach that’s nothing!! Lol Try detecting curb strips in the middle of town in the Historic District where all there is is Lawyer offices, boutiques, restaurants and coffee shops while you’re in full metal detecting gear kneepads,shovel and all you’ll get some looks. Lol

I can remember being embarrassed until I found my 1829 8 Reales after that I never looked back. I love being nuts

 

[cudamark]

Yup, I ignore the "weird" looks. If they smile and seem interested, I don't mind saying hi, or even answering the standard questions that we all get.

 

[ColonelDan]

I have to say that the people I've seen on the beach that take notice of what I'm doing are very friendly and enthusiastically curious about what I've found, my equipment, how long I've been doing this etc. I have yet to run into anyone that looks at me like I'm a nut or intruding on "their beach." I've been beach hunting for years and have had very positive interaction with people on our Florida beaches.

Just the experience in my foxhole....

 

[RustyGold]

All I care about is that I’m out in the day getting on the calendar. Getting some sunshine, exercise and finding cool stuff that makes me feel like a kid again. Cliche? Maybe but then again, I don’t care.
Most people are interested in what you’re finding and if I’m being judged I just haven’t noticed it. Enjoy what you do and let the rest slip away.

 

[Hawks88]

I’ve been detecting beaches for a long time. I know I’m being watched sometimes but it doesn’t bother me. I usually leave before it gets crowded. I enjoy it to much for it to bother me.

 

[Doug H]

Wow, all great replies. I just ignore it like everyone does. I guess A2 your right, I am a little self conscious. Truth, that's cool your detecting in median strips cause yeah, I dont think I'd ever do that. I dont like to bring attention to myself but I guess it unavoidable on a public beach. Like peyton said, I'm not doing anything wrong so I'm not going to let getting looks stop me. Just thought it would be a decent topic of conversation.

 

[Joe-Dirt]

Last summer I had 3 20 somethings kind of messing with me as I was setting up my machine, “hey find any gold yet?” I said, not today and pointed to my new 2018 hemi dodge pick up and said but I did last year (LMAO) a little white lie but they shut right up and I’ll bet at least one of them bought a machine (;

The beaches I hunt have at least 4 other guys detecting when I show up and I always (wife permitting) head out before dawn and leave as the beach starts to get busy. Most of the interactions I have are positive, you’ll run into idiots no matter what you’re doing. I couldn’t care less what people think.

 

[ROIGuy]

I just figure all the women staring want to be with me and all the guys are jealous and want to be me...

 

[bologna321]

I'd say more are curious about the hobby than judging. If they are judging I don't care.....

 

[Toecutter]

I like to dress extra dorky on the beach like socks pulled up with sandals on, wear a dress shirt with my camo sorts.... my daughter says you look like a dork and I said well you ever noticed how some guys dress like they are mental, thats because they just dont want to be bothered.... so now she will point them out and say " look he must not want to be bothered" and we laugh....lol

 

[dsdigger]

Guess I don't pay enough attention to the others around as long as I stay out of their "area". Had lots of kids walk up and ask what i am doing and how does the detector work. Rather be the old, fat guy in T-shirt, shorts and sandals with detector than the old fat guy in a Speedo or big lady in a skimpy bikini. Those are the ones that get the looks from me "like really, you got more guts than me!" Don't worry about them, find the good stuff and enjoy the time out.

 

[ROIGuy]

Guess I don't pay enough attention to the others around as long as I stay out of their "area". Had lots of kids walk up and ask what i am doing and how does the detector work. Rather be the old, fat guy in T-shirt, shorts and sandals with detector than the old fat guy in a Speedo or big lady in a skimpy bikini. Those are the ones that get the looks from me "like really, you got more guts than me!" Don't worry about them, find the good stuff and enjoy the time out.

When I first got my detector about a month ago, I went to a local park and was detecting in the 'beach' (sand volleyball nets) and soon had a crowd of small kids gathered around me asking if I'd found anything. Their moms were curiously looking on as I replied to the that I'd found a quarter! but mostly, sharp metal and bottle caps.
The moms asked what I do with the junk so I showed them the my pouch with all of it and said " I take it so no one cuts their feet". They were thankful for that.

 

[gallileo60]

No one wants to look old, and uncool to the younger generation...Some of us do fringe on the nerdy side..No one reals pays much attention to me atb the beach..Of course I dont even try to detect on a crowded weekend or anything like that...Oh, and I would wear my border patrol hat...

 

[Mudflap]

Ya gotta be careful. Those old CZ21s are real chick magnets.......