scorpius73
Well-known
I was on the escalator coming out of the metro when I saw an very older gentleman with a Leica III (it appeared to me) with a collapsible Elmar. He and his wife where on the escalator beside mine. When we both stepped off. I pointed to the camera and said nice camera with a smile. If looks could kill, I'd be dead. The wife gave me a look that all I could think was "Wow". Sad we live in a world where people are still afraid because of skin color. I like talking to older people. I kinda wondered how old the camera was etc. I could have learned a little something maybe. Oh well.
zauhar
Veteran
Not to excuse them (age is no excuse for racism or just bad manners), but if you said "Is that a IIIf?" and revealed that you know something about the camera, I bet their attitude would have turned 180 degrees.
Or not. Some people are just beyond decency. And they may even go to church. ;-(
Randy
Or not. Some people are just beyond decency. And they may even go to church. ;-(
Randy
dazedgonebye
Veteran
Typically, the older you get the more you (justifiably) worry about being victimized.
I think Randy is right. Mentioning the gear by name might have told them you are a camera fan, not a mugger.
I think Randy is right. Mentioning the gear by name might have told them you are a camera fan, not a mugger.
scorpius73
Well-known
You are right? That would have been a better intro. Oh well. What really intrigued me was the Elmar. I have been wanting one for a while. Finally got it (black 50mm Elmar M). Had it in my bag on the M6. Would have been cool to compare advances on the Leica bodies and Elmars. God forbid that I reached for my bag. I have to laugh things off sometimes.
scorpius73
Well-known
LOL! I think I will stick to taking pictures and not asking questions like Piers Morgan or someone.
Spleenrippa
Yes, Right There
Going to church automatically imbues one with superior morals?
nikon_sam
Shooter of Film...
Next time try a British accent...people like British accents...
I'm of the darker brown group (Hispanic, I think...I'm adopted) and have been thrown into many different nationalities, lately I've been asked if I'm Middle Eastern and this is from Middle-Easterners...they are convinced that I am one of them...
So far I haven't had any real bad experiences or at least I haven't noticed any...
Most groups welcome me and I pretty much get along with everyone...
As far as the older couple goes...you really don't know their history when it comes to others...let it go...it's not your problem it's theirs...they were just trying to share it with you...
I'm of the darker brown group (Hispanic, I think...I'm adopted) and have been thrown into many different nationalities, lately I've been asked if I'm Middle Eastern and this is from Middle-Easterners...they are convinced that I am one of them...
So far I haven't had any real bad experiences or at least I haven't noticed any...
Most groups welcome me and I pretty much get along with everyone...
As far as the older couple goes...you really don't know their history when it comes to others...let it go...it's not your problem it's theirs...they were just trying to share it with you...
Last edited:
zauhar
Veteran
Uhm - that was sort of my point. I was being sarcastic.
I am not sure if there is a "sarcasticon" I can attach to my messages.
Randy
nikon_sam
Shooter of Film...
Juan Valdenebro
Truth is beauty
It's happened to me too... A couple times when I said "nice camera" or "nice Leica" in the street, tourists got a bit worried... Then I learned it's a better idea to talk about the lens, camera model, film, etc... But most other times Leica users are not that paranoid... By the way, those two times, they were young people... And sometimes I've felt worried too when someone comes close to my cameras asking things: once I was robbed (a Nikon 20 years ago) and I was robbed by two guys after we had talked for 20 minutes about history while I was shooting sculptures in a park...
For sure it's not about color skin: depending on their pasts, peoples' fears can be so different...
Cheers,
Juan
For sure it's not about color skin: depending on their pasts, peoples' fears can be so different...
Cheers,
Juan
spiderfrank
just a dreamer
"Non ti curar di lor, ma guarda e passa" (cit. Dante Alighieri: Inferno)
"don't care about them, but take a look and go straight away"
"don't care about them, but take a look and go straight away"
dovi
Well-known
people are random
people are random
You never know how people will react, but dont let a sour-puss make you one. It does curb the enthusiasm. lol
people are random
You never know how people will react, but dont let a sour-puss make you one. It does curb the enthusiasm. lol
ChrisP
Grain Lover
We need a font for sarcastic. You'd know someone was being sarcastic if they wrote their message in "sarcastica"
scorpius73
Well-known
Outside the USA, it becomes a game. I was out to happy hour in London with a friend and was asked what part of Sri Lanka I was from. In Istanbul, I had an Arab ask if I was Arab. The guys that I befriended at the cafe said I was Pakistani or Moroccan. Refused to believe anything else.
Istanbul, now that is a place to take photos!
daveleo
what?
Similar experience
Similar experience
Of course, I can't speak for these people you met, but I was on the other side of the fence once.
In a mall in Dallas, I had my Billingham bag on my shoulder while my wife shopped. Two kids ( 20 ? years old) stopped and said "Must be a nice camera in that bag."
Being an old cynical, feeling vulnerable guy, I held the strap and said "Yeh, it's nice." But I did not jump into "Would you like to see it. It's a Leica." which I probably would have if they had gray hair.
This wasn't racial prejudice on my part but definitely age prejudice.
Similar experience
Of course, I can't speak for these people you met, but I was on the other side of the fence once.
In a mall in Dallas, I had my Billingham bag on my shoulder while my wife shopped. Two kids ( 20 ? years old) stopped and said "Must be a nice camera in that bag."
Being an old cynical, feeling vulnerable guy, I held the strap and said "Yeh, it's nice." But I did not jump into "Would you like to see it. It's a Leica." which I probably would have if they had gray hair.
This wasn't racial prejudice on my part but definitely age prejudice.
ashfaque
Learning
Probably the wife is fed up with his husband running around with his old camera and suddenly another young bloke encourages him! You never know. Anyway, some people are just too rude.
Yes, the British accent does have some charm [heard similar things from many people and programmes]. But not sure if it works most of the time. Probably because I'm in UK.
Yes, the British accent does have some charm [heard similar things from many people and programmes]. But not sure if it works most of the time. Probably because I'm in UK.
scorpius73
Well-known
Monz
Monz
Here is a slightly different story.
Random Strangers [2] by *monz*, on Flickr
I met William by chance whilst walking around in my home town (in UK). I had a camera around my neck (Leica M6). He came up to me and asked about the camera. His English wasn't too good but I got the impression that he wasn't a camera buff, just someone who was being curious. I asked if he wanted a picture taken.
"How much?" he replied.
"Free," I said.
"Okay!"
I then had to explain that I was using film not digital and that I would have to post the photos to him in a week or two. I took several shots of him. He took that cigarette out of his pocket and used it as a prop! I have sent him a couple of prints. I hope he liked them.
Random Strangers [2] by *monz*, on Flickr
I met William by chance whilst walking around in my home town (in UK). I had a camera around my neck (Leica M6). He came up to me and asked about the camera. His English wasn't too good but I got the impression that he wasn't a camera buff, just someone who was being curious. I asked if he wanted a picture taken.
"How much?" he replied.
"Free," I said.
"Okay!"
I then had to explain that I was using film not digital and that I would have to post the photos to him in a week or two. I took several shots of him. He took that cigarette out of his pocket and used it as a prop! I have sent him a couple of prints. I hope he liked them.
Last edited:
Rayt
Nonplayer Character
I don't start conversations with strangers in the US. In Asia and many parts of Europe it is ok but we Yanks are too paranoid. Don't even look at the children.
dave lackey
Veteran
Odd...never have that problem (talking to strangers) around Atlanta. And most people here are from up north! We must live in one of the friendlier areas of the U.S.
We must live in one of the friendlier areas of the U.S.