A muggle question for ya'...

[JagerSoldat]

Are we supposed to let muggles know what we are up to or do we keep it a secret? I mean, do I located a large cache and crack into it in front of every one or do I wait and come back later for it? I just think that locating something in front of a lot of prying eyes would make it fair game for them to take whatever they wanted. If this is a complete noob question, I apologize. Just curious about protocol.

[+the_bell_dingers]

It depends. Say you were in the woods near someones house and they come out an ask you what your doing. then I would tell them. But, if you were in a public place like, in a park, then make up a reasonable excuse why you are grabbing that stump in an odd way!

[GOF and Bacall]

I always play this one by ear. If I arrive at the cache site and there are people around I usually just come back later. If I get caught red handed I usually explain. There just isn't a cut and dried answer to this question. Just do the best you can to avoid the loss of caches.

[JagerSoldat]

Makes sense. Thanks for the clarification!

[+bittsen]

I think the whole question is situational. It all depends on the circumstances.

I try to be stealthy for the most part but when it comes down to it I have explained geocaching to a few who were wondering what I was doing.

 

While I would tell someone who appears average in most ways, I wouldn't tell someone in a business suit nor someone who was homeless. I wouldn't tell most who are younger than 18 and some elderly get paranoid very quickly.

 

It all depends. I'm sure you will know when it's right to tell and when it's right to hide your hobby.

[knowschad]

I will add my two cents towards situational ethics here as well. Most "muggles" are not a risk, to be frank. Youngers... especially males in their adolescent years... MAJOR MUGGLES!!! but most older folks are more curious than anything. Use your own judgement.

[+ras_oscar]

I usually make sure nobody is watching before I retreive the cache. Then I take itna short distancwe away to open it, check again before replacing. Haven't been caught yet (probably will be on the next find after angering the caching gods this way)

[+briansnat]

As others mentioned it depends on the situation. If the person just appears to be curious, particularly if its a mom or dad with kids, I would probably explain what I was doing. If the person seems agitated or confrontational, I'd probably make something up. With teenagers I'd probably do the same. It all depends on the vibe I get from the encounter.