Finding new members

[+Hobo2]

I am always trying to enlist new members off the street so-to-speak, but most times when I start describing what the sport is, I get this glazed look from people. I was wondering how best to describe what we do (short and sweet), to others on the fly, so there minds don't glaze over, and I would also like to know what has worked the best to get people interested in mass, short of publications of coarse?

[+briansnat]

I don't even try.

 

There are two kids of people. The ones who hear about geocaching and think, "Wow, that is the coolest thing I ever heard" and the ones who hear about geocaching and think "Wow, that has to be the dumbest thing I ever heard". If they are in the first group, all you have to do is mention the sport and you have a possible convert.

If they are in the latter group, there is nothing to do or say that will get them interested.

[+Nochipra]

I usually describe it as kind of like a scavenger hunt. Most people know what a scavenger hunt is and I think that is most closely related to it? Once they say oooohhh, a scavenger hunt? I say " yeah you use your gps to find the hidden containers and most of them have trinkets, toys, and other stuff you can find to trade with. That usually gets their curiosity going, and then I either tell them the site to check out or write it down for them to look up later.

[+Hobo2]

I usually describe it as kind of like a scavenger hunt. Most people know what a scavenger hunt is and I think that is most closely related to it? Once they say oooohhh, a scavenger hunt? I say " yeah you use your gps to find the hidden containers and most of them have trinkets, toys, and other stuff you can find to trade with. That usually gets their curiosity going, and then I either tell them the site to check out or write it down for them to look up later.

 

Scavenger hunt, that sounds better than calling it a treasure hunt as I've been doing... I'll give it a try.

 

Oh, by the way I do have some cards printed up with the info printed on it, which I carry in my wallet just in case they want to know the website, etc.

[+Flo.]

I tell them its a high tech treasure hunt. That usually peaks attention. Then my next sentence is you have to go buy a hand held gps system and usually people go never mind I dont want to know.

[+Hobo2]

Then my next sentence is you have to go buy a hand held gps system and usually people go never mind I dont want to know.

 

Yup, forking out money for anything is a hard sale. I do try and explain there are caches which can be found without using a GPS and they can try it first without being a member, but once in the conversation, maybe it's how I explain things I don't know, but that's when the glaze usually starts.

Edited October 26, 2007 by Hobo2

[+boda]

Then my next sentence is you have to go buy a hand held gps system and usually people go never mind I dont want to know.

 

Yup, forking out money for anything is a hard sale. I do try and explain there are caches which can be found without using a GPS and they can try it first without being a member, but once in the conversation, maybe it's how I explain things I don't know, but that's when the glaze usually starts.

In my experience, the people who are interested in the GPS are the ones who show more interest in Geocaching. If I mention swag, the eyes glaze; they just aren't interested in trading stuff. Also, many are interested when I mention that all I do is sign a log in the cache and then report that fact online.

 

The true selling point, however is seeing great places, both locally and while traveling. I just mention a few of the fun places I've been to due to caching, and the eyes quickly deglaze.

 

One other thing: let them ask the questions. Force feeding this new adventure can cause confusion and turn people off.

[+meralgia]

I say, "It's a treasure hunt for adults, and the kids can come too". If they ask me to explain more, I will, but sometimes that's all they want to know.

 

Hobo: can you upload the card you carry with you? I think it would be good for me to keep one with just in case the police ask. I don't think telling them that I'm treasure hunting will work as easily with them.

Edited October 26, 2007 by meralgia

[+Kealia]

I don't even try.

 

There are two kids of people. The ones who hear about geocaching and think, "Wow, that is the coolest thing I ever heard" and the ones who hear about geocaching and think "Wow, that has to be the dumbest thing I ever heard". If they are in the first group, all you have to do is mention the sport and you have a possible convert.

If they are in the latter group, there is nothing to do or say that will get them interested.

 

This has always been my experience as well. I don't actively recruit people, but if the need arises to describe what I'm doing, I can quickly tell if they are in the former or latter groups.

[+Team GeoBlast]

Then my next sentence is you have to go buy a hand held gps system and usually people go never mind I dont want to know.

 

Yup, forking out money for anything is a hard sale. I do try and explain there are caches which can be found without using a GPS and they can try it first without being a member, but once in the conversation, maybe it's how I explain things I don't know, but that's when the glaze usually starts.

In my experience, the people who are interested in the GPS are the ones who show more interest in Geocaching. If I mention swag, the eyes glaze; they just aren't interested in trading stuff. Also, many are interested when I mention that all I do is sign a log in the cache and then report that fact online.

 

The true selling point, however is seeing great places, both locally and while traveling. I just mention a few of the fun places I've been to due to caching, and the eyes quickly deglaze.

 

One other thing: let them ask the questions. Force feeding this new adventure can cause confusion and turn people off.

 

I'd agree with this, it is the technology and the secret places you can discover that are what get most people interested. If someone other than a child starts geocaching for the great things you trade for. there is a world of disappointment ahead of them.

 

Which kind of gets me thinking how people first end up getting interested in running from lamp post to lamp post. Is this a taste you acquire after you learn to play? I'd love to hear someone try to describe urban number caching to a non cacher and try to get them interested.

[+Snoogans]

most times when I start describing what the sport is, I get this glazed look from people.

 

It times like that when I shout, "Hey! Have you been eatin' Donuts? Cuz your eyes surrrre look glazed."

 

Word to the wise. DON'T say that to a cop if he asks you if you've been drinkin'...

[je4wdep's wife]

We talk to people while we are geocaching, if they look interested in seeing what we are doing. If they get it they get it, if they dont they dont.

 

The way we got interested was pretty much like that. My husband was up on a trail, some people came up with the GPS, and they found the cache, explained what they were doing, and showed him the container etc, he came home told me about it, and the rest was history.

[+Hobo2]

Then my next sentence is you have to go buy a hand held gps system and usually people go never mind I dont want to know.

 

Yup, forking out money for anything is a hard sale. I do try and explain there are caches which can be found without using a GPS and they can try it first without being a member, but once in the conversation, maybe it's how I explain things I don't know, but that's when the glaze usually starts.

In my experience, the people who are interested in the GPS are the ones who show more interest in Geocaching. If I mention swag, the eyes glaze; they just aren't interested in trading stuff. Also, many are interested when I mention that all I do is sign a log in the cache and then report that fact online.

 

The true selling point, however is seeing great places, both locally and while traveling. I just mention a few of the fun places I've been to due to caching, and the eyes quickly deglaze.

 

One other thing: let them ask the questions. Force feeding this new adventure can cause confusion and turn people off.

 

All good points!

[+Hobo2]

Hobo: can you upload the card you carry with you? I think it would be good for me to keep one with just in case the police ask. I don't think telling them that I'm treasure hunting will work as easily with them.

 

 

There is a downloadable, printable card from Groundspeek that you can get, look around because it was so long ago I don't remember the thread that told me where it is. I have it stored in one of my Adobe files, but I don't know how to send it to you.

 

Give me some time, I will try and find it for you.

Edited October 27, 2007 by Hobo2

[+Hobo2]

 

Hobo: can you upload the card you carry with you? I think it would be good for me to keep one with just in case the police ask. I don't think telling them that I'm treasure hunting will work as easily with them.

 

I'm going to try to email it to you, if it doesn't work let me know

[+Hobo2]

Hobo: can you upload the card you carry with you? I think it would be good for me to keep one with just in case the police ask. I don't think telling them that I'm treasure hunting will work as easily with them.

 

Try this link http://www.charlotteharbortravel.com/pdfs/...ng_Brochure.pdf

[+Too Tall John]

There are two kids of people. The ones who hear about geocaching and think, "Wow, that is the coolest thing I ever heard" and the ones who hear about geocaching and think "Wow, that has to be the dumbest thing I ever heard". If they are in the first group, all you have to do is mention the sport and you have a possible convert.

If they are in the latter group, there is nothing to do or say that will get them interested.

In my experience, there are two kids of people. The ones who tell others about geocaching and their audience thinks, "Wow, that is the coolest thing I ever heard" and the ones who tell others about geocaching and their audience thinks "Wow, that has to be the dumbest thing I ever heard".

 

If you are in the latter group, there is nothing to do or say that will get them interested.

 

 

The reason I say this is I was talking to someone about geocaching today. They told me "Yeah, so-and-so told me the go geocaching, but it really sounded pretty dull when they told me about it, but the way you talk about it, I think I want to try it." You should know that when she said "I think I want to try it" she was practically jumping up and down and giggling. No, she wasn't a teenager.

Edited October 27, 2007 by Too Tall John

[vannfamily4]

I found this site thanks to our local Top 40 radio station.

 

The "Cindy and Ray" show talked about geo-caching the other day, and had callers call in asking if anyone did it. I guess they were going to go see if they could find a cache that was listed (on here) as being a block or 2 from the studio, with the help of a listener who was a member here.

 

I'd heard about geocaching in the past, but never looked into it. We haven't even gone on our own little hunt yet, but we are excited about it!

 

Hubby is just happy to play with the GPS he got for christmas last year for something other than hunting!

 

Take Care,

 

Lori

[+simpjkee]

I don't get why people have a desire to go out and "convert" other people to be geocachers. Let geocaching grow naturally on its own. People will eventually hear about it and thats when if they are interested, they should go out and cache. Until then why try to "convert" people? It doesn't make sense to me.

[+Hobo2]

I don't get why people have a desire to go out and "convert" other people to be geocachers. Let geocaching grow naturally on its own. People will eventually hear about it and thats when if they are interested, they should go out and cache. Until then why try to "convert" people? It doesn't make sense to me.

 

It’s not that I am walking up to strangers and blurting out “do you want to become a Geocacher”. It’s that I do open myself up to conversation wherever I am. Most people in large city’s don’t understand this, but I’m from a small town, so striking up a conversation with a stranger, while waiting for something for instance, is normal, in fact almost expected. So as small talk goes what do you talk about… that’s right, things you like, like Geocaching.

 

So let me give you a couple of examples as to why it might be important to recruit new members when you get on the subject anyway.

 

First and foremost, you wouldn’t have anything to find if it weren’t for word of mouth. This means the only reason for this sports growth, is because of people out there like me are finding new recruits. You stated “let it grow on it’s own”, well this is how it’s done.

 

Second, it is in my opinion that most people like to share new things they have discovered with others, so wanting to recruit properly is a natural urge and should be a useful skill in growth of this great sport… don’t you agree?

 

I didn’t intend to answer a question like this, that to most has a very clear and obvious answer to. But after I thought about it, we do need to include everyone… even the cynical.

Edited October 27, 2007 by Hobo2

[+Hobo2]

 

The reason I say this is I was talking to someone about geocaching today. They told me "Yeah, so-and-so told me the go geocaching, but it really sounded pretty dull when they told me about it, but the way you talk about it, I think I want to try it." You should know that when she said "I think I want to try it" she was practically jumping up and down and giggling. No, she wasn't a teenager.

 

OK, she is from the second group... I get that, but if she is from the second group, the first person wasn't able to spark her interest, why? What I am trying to say here is, the first group second group theory didn't apply the first time. So why then do you think you were successful... what or how did you explain it?

 

Oops I didn't quote this correctly, hope you reply briansnat.

Edited October 27, 2007 by Hobo2

[+Cache Heads]

I was always taught not to speak to strangers.

 

Except on message boards of course... but that's not really speaking-- it's typing.

[+Too Tall John]

The reason I say this is I was talking to someone about geocaching today. They told me "Yeah, so-and-so told me the go geocaching, but it really sounded pretty dull when they told me about it, but the way you talk about it, I think I want to try it." You should know that when she said "I think I want to try it" she was practically jumping up and down and giggling. No, she wasn't a teenager.

OK, she is from the second group... I get that, but if she is from the second group, the first person wasn't able to spark her interest, why? What I am trying to say here is, the first group second group theory didn't apply the first time. So why then do you think you were successful... what or how did you explain it?

 

Oops I didn't quote this correctly, hope you reply briansnat.

Actually, you almost quoted it right, but I am the one who gave that example, so I'll try to answer.

 

I work at a camp and conference center as a retreat specialist. Basically I work with groups who come up on retreat, help them decide what they want to do, make sure they have the materials they need, lead activities, and just hang out and visit. I geocache almost every chance I get, even taking some retreat groups out caching.

 

If I'm just chitchatting with someone and the subject happens to come up (as it frequently does), I'll explain geocaching as "A global, high-tech scavenger hunt that uses GPS to find containers hidden by others." They'll typically ask a question like "Oh, what kinds of things have you found?" and I'll tell them a story about a fun hike I had, or explain there are trinkets but I especially enjoy finding travel bugs. Basically, I only give them enough information to not make their eyes glaze over, but not so little that they think I'm being evasive, or just plain loony.

 

I suspect, from what the woman said, that the person who tried to explain geocaching to her was a minimalist: "Yeah, I look for stuff people hid." I've also had people who got excited about the idea who had heard about it from someone who bored them to tears, because I've had reactions of "Well, when my cousin told me about this, it just sounded way too complicated to get into. It isn't complicated at all!"

 

Basically, tell people enough that they want to hear more, but leave them wanting more. They'll just have to go try it!

[+Hobo2]

 

Basically, tell people enough that they want to hear more, but leave them wanting more. They'll just have to go try it!

 

I think your right, I may be one of those "explain more than they wanted to hear" type... I'll try and tone it down a bit. I like the fishing idea you have, I'll try hooking them with just a little info at first... leaving them wanting more, then I'll set the hook.

 

Thanks Too Tall John, for this sound advice, now how do we let the rest Know?

 

Oops, I did it again

Edited October 28, 2007 by Hobo2

[+Too Tall John]

...now how do we let the rest Know?

If people want to tell others about geocaching, they will. If they don't, they won't. I don't think we need to make orchestrated efforts to recruit new geocachers. We just finally got rid of the "Server Busy" errors, after all...

[+Trucker Lee]

The best way to recruit someone, take them out with you to hunt a few. They can decide whether or not they like it or not, and go from there.

[+Vinny & Sue Team]

I am always trying to enlist new members off the street so-to-speak, but most times when I start describing what the sport is, I get this glazed look from people. I was wondering how best to describe what we do (short and sweet), to others on the fly, so there minds don't glaze over, and I would also like to know what has worked the best to get people interested in mass, short of publications of coarse?

Eeeww... I get cold shudders at the thought of trying to proselytize anyone about ANYTHING, much less about geocaching. I have never tried converting anyone to geocaching, nor to anything else. And, I am not sure why you are mentioning coarse publications on this forum -- this is a family forum after all. I would not recommend coarse publications in such an environment as this.

Edited October 30, 2007 by Vinny & Sue Team

[T Wenz]

I don't even try.

 

There are two kids of people. The ones who hear about geocaching and think, "Wow, that is the coolest thing I ever heard" and the ones who hear about geocaching and think "Wow, that has to be the dumbest thing I ever heard". If they are in the first group, all you have to do is mention the sport and you have a possible convert.

If they are in the latter group, there is nothing to do or say that will get them interested.

 

I agree I am of the first group and just learning about it, but the few people I've told have thought it is ridiculous.

[+Hobo2]

I am always trying to enlist new members off the street so-to-speak, but most times when I start describing what the sport is, I get this glazed look from people. I was wondering how best to describe what we do (short and sweet), to others on the fly, so there minds don't glaze over, and I would also like to know what has worked the best to get people interested in mass, short of publications of coarse?

Eeeww... I get cold shudders at the thought of trying to proselytize anyone about ANYTHING, much less about geocaching. I have never tried converting anyone to geocaching, nor to anything else. And, I am not sure why you are mentioning coarse publications on this forum -- this is a family forum after all. I would not recommend coarse publications in such an environment as this.

very funny

[+Hobo2]

...now how do we let the rest Know?

If people want to tell others about geocaching, they will. If they don't, they won't. I don't think we need to make orchestrated efforts to recruit new geocachers. We just finally got rid of the "Server Busy" errors, after all...

You, quite often, seem to have a chip on your shoulder. If you don't want to recruit, then don't! I happen to want to... need I say more.

[+Hobo2]

...now how do we let the rest Know?

We just finally got rid of the "Server Busy" errors, after all...

Quiet everyone, there is someone more important than you wanting to use forums.

[+Hobo2]

...now how do we let the rest Know?

We just finally got rid of the "Server Busy" errors, after all...

Quiet everyone, there is someone more important than you wanting to use forums.

[+simpjkee]

I don't get why people have a desire to go out and "convert" other people to be geocachers. Let geocaching grow naturally on its own. People will eventually hear about it and thats when if they are interested, they should go out and cache. Until then why try to "convert" people? It doesn't make sense to me.

 

It’s not that I am walking up to strangers and blurting out “do you want to become a Geocacher”. It’s that I do open myself up to conversation wherever I am. Most people in large city’s don’t understand this, but I’m from a small town, so striking up a conversation with a stranger, while waiting for something for instance, is normal, in fact almost expected. So as small talk goes what do you talk about… that’s right, things you like, like Geocaching.

 

First and foremost, you wouldn’t have anything to find if it weren’t for word of mouth. This means the only reason for this sports growth, is because of people out there like me are finding new recruits. You stated “let it grow on it’s own”, well this is how it’s done.

 

"finding" new members suggests you are seeking them out.

 

Engaging in small talk is good and if you are having your small talk and talk about geocaching and then that person based on that small talk decides to grab or buy a gps and go caching and then decide to place a cache, then great. I'm down with that. Typically though, I doubt the people you have small talk with ever consider the hobby. If they do then I'd bet they go find 3 lamp post hides and then decide to place their own lamp post hide. Then two years later when they don't care anymore. Finally their lamp post cache disappears and then it still takes another 6 months before it is finally archived. The point being that the chance that your small talk leads to someone going out and placing some great hides and maintaining them is slim to none.

 

At this point, I have plenty of caches to find wether there are new cachers or not, but I get your point.

 

Second, it is in my opinion that most people like to share new things they have discovered with others, so wanting to recruit properly is a natural urge and should be a useful skill in growth of this great sport… don’t you agree?

 

No I don't agree. The definition that I see of recruit is "to attempt to enroll or enlist". You use the word "recruit" while I would use the word "familiarize". I will give you an example. I have a coworker I get along with well and I have told her about my hobby and have showed her one of my caches and how to retrieve it. I have "familiarized" her to the hobby. If I were "recruiting" her, I would be trying to convince her to take up the hobby and encouraging her to go find caches and place caches. I think familiarizing people with the hobby is a "useful skill in growth of this great sport". Especially since it leaves the familiarized person final say in deciding if the hobby is right for them. I think recruiting people to take part in the sport is a destructive act that will lead to ignored caches and many Johnny-come-latelys that will do no good for the sport as a whole.

 

I didn’t intend to answer a question like this, that to most has a very clear and obvious answer to. But after I thought about it, we do need to include everyone… even the cynical.

 

You post a thread to thousands of geocachers. Of course you should expect to have a variety of different opinions from a variety of different cachers. To you, my question has a very clear and obvious answer, but thats the great thing about open discussion; expanding peoples thoughts, ideas, etc., etc. Discussing many differences of opinions and such. It's highly unfortunate that you would call another geocachers opinion cynical just because you don't agree....or at least, because have a warped idea of the definition of the word "recruit".

[+Too Tall John]

...now how do we let the rest Know?

If people want to tell others about geocaching, they will. If they don't, they won't. I don't think we need to make orchestrated efforts to recruit new geocachers. We just finally got rid of the "Server Busy" errors, after all...

You, quite often, seem to have a chip on your shoulder. If you don't want to recruit, then don't! I happen to want to... need I say more.

I'm not sure where you are seeing evidence of a chip, but...

 

I was responding to your question "how do we let the rest know." I assumed what you meant was "How do we let the rest of our fellow geocachers know how to find new members". My answer was simply meant to say "Some geocachers don't care to be recruiters." The ones who do will either

• Inherently know how to tell others about it
  
• Search the forums and find this thread and the others like it
  
• Or will start a new thread
  

To assume that every geocacher out there wants to recruit new geocachers is presumptuous, not to mention incorrect.

 

Don't get me wrong, if you want to tell people about geocaching, do it. I do, and I'll be ever thankful to the person responsible for letting me know about it.

[+Hobo2]

I start threads ether asking for help, or wanting some suggestions to a problem, or how to do something better, but I inevitably run into people like the last two. They seem to not want to hear what I’m asking... all they want to do is criticize and or debate about why I asked the question. My question was… “how do “I” become a better recruiter“, because “I” want to and because “I” haven’t had any luck at all recruiting anyone in my sparsely populated area. I didn’t ask if I should, I didn’t ask if anyone thought there are enough caches out there, I never asked for smart-aleck spelling corrections, I simply asked if anyone had any suggestions that “I” could use to present (notice I didn’t use the word recruit, even though this is a very good descriptive word for what I want to do, others seem to have a tough time with it), this great sport to others in a better light.

 

I don’t understand people who turn a question into a debate, who feel free to jump into someone else’s thread and point out why they shouldn’t do or ask something, this is perplexing to me and not what I was asking from them at all. I read other threads and if the question is a debate type, which clearly this question was not, then I’ll add my input., but otherwise I stay out.

 

Sorry for getting off tract and for spending time explaining to others off topic subjects. Please, I would just like go back to the question? I would like to know (from those of you that want to do this as well), the best way to present this sport to others… so it will spark their interest.

 

Thank you.

[+wing-nut]

When someone asks about my hobby I tell them it is a scavenger hunt. If they want to go along, I hand them the GPSr and tell them to follow the arrow and let them lead us to the cache. (pick an easy interesting one)

If they aren't hooked by the time we find it--they usually won't be. But if they are interested, they soon will spend their grocery money, forget about their lawns and call in sick just to go find another moldy McToy.

[+Too Tall John]

I start threads ether asking for help, or wanting some suggestions to a problem, or how to do something better, but I inevitably run into people like the last two. They seem to not want to hear what I’m asking... all they want to do is criticize and or debate about why I asked the question.

But I answered your question. You thanked me for it!

Basically, tell people enough that they want to hear more, but leave them wanting more. They'll just have to go try it!

I think your right, I may be one of those "explain more than they wanted to hear" type... I'll try and tone it down a bit. I like the fishing idea you have, I'll try hooking them with just a little info at first... leaving them wanting more, then I'll set the hook.

 

Thanks Too Tall John, for this sound advice, now how do we let the rest Know?

My question was… “how do “I” become a better recruiter“, because “I” want to and because “I” haven’t had any luck at all recruiting anyone in my sparsely populated area. I didn’t ask if I should, I didn’t ask if anyone thought there are enough caches out there, I never asked for smart-aleck spelling corrections, I simply asked if anyone had any suggestions that “I” could use to present (notice I didn’t use the word recruit, even though this is a very good descriptive word for what I want to do, others seem to have a tough time with it), this great sport to others in a better light.

 

I don’t understand people who turn a question into a debate, who feel free to jump into someone else’s thread and point out why they shouldn’t do or ask something, this is perplexing to me and not what I was asking from them at all.

I never, ever said that you shouldn't! Not once! In fact, I said:

Don't get me wrong, if you want to tell people about geocaching, do it. I do, and I'll be ever thankful to the person responsible for letting me know about it.

I read other threads and if the question is a debate type, which clearly this question was not, then I’ll add my input., but otherwise I stay out.

Ok, I think this is the post you had a problem with:

...now how do we let the rest Know?

If people want to tell others about geocaching, they will. If they don't, they won't. I don't think we need to make orchestrated efforts to recruit new geocachers. We just finally got rid of the "Server Busy" errors, after all...

To repeat myself:

I was responding to your question "how do we let the rest know." I assumed what you meant was "How do we let the rest of our fellow geocachers know how to find new members". My answer was simply meant to say "Some geocachers don't care to be recruiters."

If I misread what you meant by "how do we let others know" I apologize for the misunderstanding.

Sorry for getting off tract and for spending time explaining to others off topic subjects. Please, I would just like go back to the question? I would like to know (from those of you that want to do this as well), the best way to present this sport to others… so it will spark their interest.

 

Thank you.

Stop.

 

Breath.

 

Before you respond to my post, realize that I am not arguing about your right to tell others about geocaching. In fact, I applaud your efforts, and am thankful to the person who, like you, told me about geocaching. After my initial answer, the only thing I've been trying to say is that we don't need to tell other cachers how to tell others about geocaching. That is all I was trying to say.

 

P.S. Spelling corrections? None from here...

 

Edit: Clarifying the "That is all" statement, so it can't be taken any more out of context than it already has.

Edited October 30, 2007 by Too Tall John

[+Hobo2]

 

Stop.

 

we don't need to tell other cachers how to tell others about geocaching. That is all.

 

Thanks for trying to straighten this out, but I still feel you don't quite understand what I'm after. As I said some of us do want to know a better way to recruit. So "telling others how to tell others about geocaching", as you stated, is just what I want. I do think it is helpful to have a thread posted for reference in this matter, in fact I tried to find one. So please, let me hear the suggestions the rest have (I did like one or two of yours), so in my little area I might get another cacher interested, or maybe even find a new friend to go out geocaching with.

[+imajeep]

Hide-n-seek for grownups.

[+Too Tall John]

Just feel the need to point out the extremely poor job of quoting me out of context:

Stop.

 

we don't need to tell other cachers how to tell others about geocaching. That is all.

What I actually said:

Stop.

 

Breath.

 

Before you respond to my post, realize that I am not arguing about your right to tell others about geocaching.

So, by cutting out the part in blue, which is directly related to the "Stop," you cut out the fact that "I am not arguing about your right to tell others about geocaching."

In fact, I applaud your efforts, and am thankful to the person who, like you, told me about geocaching.

This whole segment, left out of your quote, is an essential part of my point. Apparently it spoiled your fun of being victimized?

After my initial answer, the only thing I've been trying to say is that we don't need to tell other cachers how to tell others about geocaching. That is all.

Reading the full quote, the parts in blue now show that they are actually complimenting each other. "The only thing I've been saying is {insert any statement here} and that is all (I've been trying to say)" sounds much more reasonable than "{insert any statement here}, and that is all," doesn't it?

 

Well, in your attempt to make me look unreasonable, you've revealed yourself. I'm not taking the bait again.

 

My last piece of advice in trying to spread the word about geocaching:

 

Be reasonable. Perhaps in real life you are, but it sure isn't showing in your intentional misquoting here in that last post of yours.

[+simpjkee]

I start threads ether asking for help, or wanting some suggestions to a problem, or how to do something better, but I inevitably run into people like the last two. They seem to not want to hear what I’m asking... all they want to do is criticize and or debate about why I asked the question. My question was… “how do “I” become a better recruiter“, because “I” want to and because “I” haven’t had any luck at all recruiting anyone in my sparsely populated area. I didn’t ask if I should, I didn’t ask if anyone thought there are enough caches out there, I never asked for smart-aleck spelling corrections, I simply asked if anyone had any suggestions that “I” could use to present (notice I didn’t use the word recruit, even though this is a very good descriptive word for what I want to do, others seem to have a tough time with it), this great sport to others in a better light.

 

I don’t understand people who turn a question into a debate, who feel free to jump into someone else’s thread and point out why they shouldn’t do or ask something, this is perplexing to me and not what I was asking from them at all. I read other threads and if the question is a debate type, which clearly this question was not, then I’ll add my input., but otherwise I stay out.

 

Sorry for getting off tract and for spending time explaining to others off topic subjects. Please, I would just like go back to the question? I would like to know (from those of you that want to do this as well), the best way to present this sport to others… so it will spark their interest.

 

Thank you.

 

I hear what you're asking.

 

I'm not criticizing or debating anything. I'm discussing and questioning in order to learn from other cachers ideas and thoughts.

 

I understand your question. I simply wondered why someone would want to recruit and/or find new cachers.

 

Did I give you spelling corrections? I don't remember that. Maybe that was Too Tall John

 

You are the only person having trouble with the word recruit because you use it and then contradict yourself by saying you are not trying to recruit people. Needless to say, but recruit is not a descriptive word. It is a verb not an adjective.

 

You turned this thread into a debate. You asked your question. I wondered why you would want to recruit and/or find new cachers and then you responded by arguing your point and then asking my opinion. Thus, a "debate". I still would call it a discussion though.

 

I have a forum account with posting privledges and I am welcome to jump in to any thread of interest.

 

I never tried to point out why you should or should not do something. I plainly wondered you why you'd want to do what you want to do.

 

Ok. This question you ask is different from your original question. The best way to present this sport to others is to talk to them about it and ask if they'd like to join you. Doing this is far different from finding and/or recruiting new members.

Edited October 31, 2007 by simpjkee

[+Hobo2]

I am always trying to enlist new members off the street so-to-speak, but most times when I start describing what the sport is, I get this glazed look from people. I was wondering how best to describe what we do (short and sweet), to others on the fly, so there minds don't glaze over, and I would also like to know what has worked the best to get people interested in mass, short of publications of coarse?

 

This was my question, it was to the point, it was in no way offered up as a debate, this seems to escape some here. This thread has turned into a nightmare, so I'm closing it down. The disappointment I have in the regulars who do this sort of thing is great. They walk in on a nice conversation and feel free to take over the thread, without respect or regard to the authors wishes, or even after the author request to stay on subject, they just keep pushing. They have an agenda, which is to get in an argument and to keep it going, this I think is part of the sport for them... for which I stupidly fall for each time.

 

Big thanks to all who answered my question... I know some of you understand what I mean. I hope to "recruit" more geocachers soon with your help.

 

Thanks again

[+simpjkee]

I am always trying to enlist new members off the street so-to-speak, but most times when I start describing what the sport is, I get this glazed look from people. I was wondering how best to describe what we do (short and sweet), to others on the fly, so there minds don't glaze over, and I would also like to know what has worked the best to get people interested in mass, short of publications of coarse?

 

This was my question, it was to the point, it was in no way offered up as a debate, this seems to escape some here. This thread has turned into a nightmare, so I'm closing it down. The disappointment I have in the regulars who do this sort of thing is great. They walk in on a nice conversation and feel free to take over the thread, without respect or regard to the authors wishes, or even after the author request to stay on subject, they just keep pushing. They have an agenda, which is to get in an argument and to keep it going, this I think is part of the sport for them... for which I stupidly fall for each time.

 

Big thanks to all who answered my question... I know some of you understand what I mean. I hope to "recruit" more geocachers soon with your help.

 

Thanks again

 

lol. if you don't want "debates" then don't start them.

[+Too Tall John]

They have an agenda, which is to get in an argument and to keep it going, this I think is part of the sport for them...

I answer your question, get called names, apologize for the misunderstanding, get called more names, try to tell you I appreciate your efforts, get misquoted, and I have an agenda?!?

 

*Plonk*

 

(Shoulda done that a while ago, hope your potential recruits don't have to do the same!)

Edit to add: As this is my first official plonking, I feel compelled to say "Wow, that felt good," but at the same time:

"I've been in some pretty heated debates, and never felt the need to put someone on ignore. Congratulations!"

Edited November 1, 2007 by Too Tall John