how do you deal with the inevitable hecklings?

[inigo jameson-gatling]

I get a lot of "Little House on the Prairie" comments at work and I haven't heard anything outside, probably brcauxe I am quite big compared with the average person.

[Peacemaker]

Sorry to bring up such an old topic but I was inspired to reply because I was at a thrift store the other day wearing my "normal" clothes. Derby hat, tie, waist coat, steampunk looking bracelet, striped shirt with decorative shirt straps on the sleeves, pocket watch, striped pants with my wing tip shoes. Most of the time people don't even say anything. Sometimes I get amazing complements, and sometimes in this instance I over heard some girls behind me talking about how "foolish and stupid" I look. I always have to remind myself of my signature quote *points down at my signature* "Those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" Dr Seuss.

[mattig89ch]

I was in my get-up in a thrift store.  as i walked by a young couple the husband (trying to be as quiet as possible) said 'huh, hun, look'.  I managed to catch her eye, and smirked.  the two of them laughed the rest of the time they were in the store.

I managed to make someones day.

[Evelyn Adler]

I never had anything other than positive reactions so far; if people comment at all, mostly they tell me I look lovely!

If someone were to annoy me, I'd either ignore them or let them find out, why Berliners are famous for their repartees. *shrug*

[Kieranfoy]

Never dressed very steampunk outdoors yet, but I do tend to use a large (five-ish foot) walking staff, with eyes and runes burned along the length, and the only reactions I've gotten since graduating High School* have been compliments, mainly by young ladies (I suspect the theorems of Herr Freud are elucidating in this regard).

Not about me, but I would like to agree to what someone said a few pages back. Around here (U.S.) at least, women do have a bit more freedom in what outfits they're allowed to 'get away with.' Anything but jeans and tee shirt for a guy can get your sexuality doubted** by your 'peers', steam punk style especially; whereas a woman can dress somewhat more unusually.

Mind you, this may be unique to my area, and heck, I'm a man, I might be utterly mistaken, as I'm only seeing one side of the equation. But it does seem to me that, as varied as womens fashions get, there might be more acceptance of steampunkyness for women than men.

*In High School, naturally I could hardly turn 'round without it being stolen, my poor sore leg be damned, but that's High School, yes? Bunch of pint-sized sadists.

**Which is pretty much the default insult of the crainially deprived.

[Dr Fidelius]

I am far too lazy to check back to see whether I have replied to this topic already, so if any of our more obsessive members find me repeating or contradicting myself, they can go stuff themselves.

As it stands, there is a positive side to being a fifty-year-old man in Connecticut. I have not noticed any "heckling" or even roll-eyes (excepting, of course, from my daughters). My habit of wearing a vest, suspenders, bowtie and a nice hat rarely makes me the most eccentricly dressed person anywhere I go, although I am often the most sartoricaly elegant person at Hot Topic or anywhere else at the mall. (When I go thrift shopping I am very likely to be wearing just chinos and a shirt - less to take off to try on new stuff.)

[Augustus Longeye]

I am far too lazy to check back to see whether I have replied to this topic already, so if any of our more obsessive members find me repeating or contradicting myself, they can go stuff themselves.

You said that last time
~Longeye~

[KABAR2]

I am still making an outfit.... to be honest I have yet to run into anyone Steampunk
in my travels a goth long time back..... a tatooded woman....... a fellow with enough
hardware in his face that he had to have feared lightning storms...... but no one even
remotely Steampunk..... I haven't even noticed any Desielpunks either....

[Dr. Madd]

The Worst I get is an occasional "Dr. Livingstone, I presume" Comments, and that doesn't bother me.

[Dr Fidelius]

I trust you answer "Sorry, no. I'm Dr Madd. Dr. Presume works out of a different office."

[greatestescaper]

Here I certainly more than fit in.  Though still there are snickerings.  But when they do, if there is real humor behind it and not just a "ye-haw" then I laugh with 'em.  If there is nothing more than a real dumb comment, such as "Yo, check out the cow-boy.  Ye-haw."  Then I'll respond sometimes.  I've got a great story for people who ask me if I'm from Texas (when I was living in, or am visiting New York City).  I explain that a few weeks back I was driving a herd 'cross the pan handle when I took a long horn to the head.  When I woke up I was in New York City, but the thing I can't figure on is that they're telling me it's 2012.  The last thing I recall it was 1872.  They usually walk away pretty quickly.  Ha ha.

[robotmastern]

Here I certainly more than fit in.  Though still there are snickerings.  But when they do, if there is real humor behind it and not just a "ye-haw" then I laugh with 'em.  If there is nothing more than a real dumb comment, such as "Yo, check out the cow-boy.  Ye-haw."  Then I'll respond sometimes.  I've got a great story for people who ask me if I'm from Texas (when I was living in, or am visiting New York City).  I explain that a few weeks back I was driving a herd 'cross the pan handle when I took a long horn to the head.  When I woke up I was in New York City, but the thing I can't figure on is that they're telling me it's 2012.  The last thing I recall it was 1872.  They usually walk away pretty quickly.  Ha ha.

yes i used to do cattel drives but then i took a horn to the knee.   
sorry i had to make the skyrim reference   

[greatestescaper]

Here I certainly more than fit in.  Though still there are snickerings.  But when they do, if there is real humor behind it and not just a "ye-haw" then I laugh with 'em.  If there is nothing more than a real dumb comment, such as "Yo, check out the cow-boy.  Ye-haw."  Then I'll respond sometimes.  I've got a great story for people who ask me if I'm from Texas (when I was living in, or am visiting New York City).  I explain that a few weeks back I was driving a herd 'cross the pan handle when I took a long horn to the head.  When I woke up I was in New York City, but the thing I can't figure on is that they're telling me it's 2012.  The last thing I recall it was 1872.  They usually walk away pretty quickly.  Ha ha.

yes i used to do cattel drives but then i took a horn to the knee.   
sorry i had to make the skyrim reference   

That's perfectly ok.  I used to find these jokes funny.  Then I too took a long horn to the knee.  Now I find them hilarious.  (I am certainly borrowing your combination of the old west and Skyrim in the future!)

[Professor J. Cogsworthy]

I also do medieval re-enacting and am starting to get into US colonial and a little US civil war
so I've gotten this many times before in MANY different sets of clothing.

It kinda goes like this....

"Are you in a play?"

Yes, it is a musical adaptation of "the Andromeda Strain".... I'm playing the virus.

They laugh nervously and back away or they laugh and I tell them why I am really dressed
'oddly'.

[greatestescaper]

I also do medieval re-enacting and am starting to get into US colonial and a little US civil war
so I've gotten this many times before in MANY different sets of clothing.

It kinda goes like this....

"Are you in a play?"

Yes, it is a musical adaptation of "the Andromeda Strain".... I'm playing the virus.

They laugh nervously and back away or they laugh and I tell them why I am really dressed
'oddly'.

At least they're aware of "The Andromeda Strain".  The heathens where I'm from probably wouldn't make sense of that line themselves.

[mattig89ch]

I also do medieval re-enacting and am starting to get into US colonial and a little US civil war
so I've gotten this many times before in MANY different sets of clothing.

It kinda goes like this....

"Are you in a play?"

Yes, it is a musical adaptation of "the Andromeda Strain".... I'm playing the virus.

They laugh nervously and back away or they laugh and I tell them why I am really dressed
'oddly'.

At least they're aware of "The Andromeda Strain".  The heathens where I'm from probably wouldn't make sense of that line themselves.

i don't even know what the Andromeda strain is.

[Herr Döktor]

I also do medieval re-enacting and am starting to get into US colonial and a little US civil war
so I've gotten this many times before in MANY different sets of clothing.

It kinda goes like this....

"Are you in a play?"

Yes, it is a musical adaptation of "the Andromeda Strain".... I'm playing the virus.

They laugh nervously and back away or they laugh and I tell them why I am really dressed
'oddly'.

At least they're aware of "The Andromeda Strain".  The heathens where I'm from probably wouldn't make sense of that line themselves.

i don't even know what the Andromeda strain is.

Allow me to Google that on your behalf.

[Rockula]

I've just had a young 'man' in the pub remark on no less than 6 occasions that my bowler hat was stupid.
 This from a guy in a tracksuit wearing his cap on sideways.

I beat him to death with my walking stick.

Actually, I did no such thing. But I thought about it.

[Professor J. Cogsworthy]

I've just had a young 'man' in the pub remark on no less than 6 occasions that my bowler hat was stupid.
 This from a guy in a tracksuit wearing his cap on sideways.

I beat him to death with my walking stick.

Actually, I did no such thing. But I thought about it.

It's not very Steampunk, but if you use a wiffleball bat you get to hit him a lot more before you do any real damage.... Its a nice way to relieve stress

[Captain Lyerly]

Or to quote The Doctor:

"Cricket bat!"



Cheers!

Chas.

[greatestescaper]

I've just had a young 'man' in the pub remark on no less than 6 occasions that my bowler hat was stupid.
 This from a guy in a tracksuit wearing his cap on sideways.

I beat him to death with my walking stick.

Actually, I did no such thing. But I thought about it.

O, I've thought of similar a few times.  Similar experiences cause me to write a short story that's floating somewhere around this forum.

[Indigo Spire]

More simply--find good friends and good company, and the rest will follow!

Here-Here! Well said! 

[Lady Toadflinger]

I have gone shopping with friends in Ren garb, Pirate garb, and now, SP outfits. We get surprisingly little reactions from the mundanes. I feel that this is due to the fact that most Californians are so used to weird sights, that they pride themselves on not reacting to anything. I have been asked about my clothes, but never been heckled. the worst we got was unsolicited advice from the server at a food stand. She told my daughter and me that we didn't have enough SP accessories. Well, thank you for that fashion review! So, no heckling.

[greatestescaper]

A friend of mine recently asked my lady and I why it was we dressed the way we do.  He was very worried of how to ask without offending us.  We explained our fashion sense and then I added my real philosophy on the matter.  If I've the gall to wear it I expect others to have the gall to ask.  To be honest the only reaction that does tweak me a bit is the snickering behind my back amongst a group of people.  They've got me outnumbered and yet are still afraid to face me.  However, I usually respond with a joke, partially at my expense that sails over all their heads.

[Captain Marcus Stahlsturm]

I live near Leeds which is rather student oriented. Fashion there is pretty much anything goes.  Iv seen a couple of guys dressed as Vash and Alucard (dressed in long red leather coats if you're not familiar with manga) having a pretend gunfight in the middle of the busy town centre.  Leeds is the only place nearby, outside parties and special occasions, where I would actually dress in steampunk attire because nobody of any significant intellect cares how you dress.  I haven't gone dressed really steampunk yet (I've just worn pinstripe waistcoat, metal gauntlets and a flatcap-goggles combo) but I can tell you that girls love it.  I think its easier to avoid the heckling if you're older since people just assume you're senile and leave you alone.  I, sadly, do not have a vast quantity of years behind me.  Also, staying in groups is a good idea:

• In a group of people dressed in steampunk gear - people leave you alone
• Dressed in 'punk gear and with a group of people in normal clothes - you look unique and awesome but not strange because you have friends
• Alone, dressed in steampunk gear - alas, most people will think you're a friendless weirdo