Re: silly question

Harry Fisher (fish8553@dpnet.net)
Sat, 26 Sep 1998 09:50:35 -0400 

Mates444@aol.com wrote:

> yes, it's enough to just explain what you are doing.  there are so many
> birders now that most people at least know what you are talking about when you
> say you are one.  you might get some funny looks and will probably get some
> "that's neat" comments.  i really did have one (somewhat odd) neighbor ask me
> years ago if i was spying on her house.
>
> don't be intimidated, just go out and enjoy.
>
> francine nietubicz


Hi All:

I thought would share this little story that ties in with the " getting
funny
looks", with which I can definitely sympathize!  Our ( Cecil ) club has
been
working hard with various publicity ideas, so Thurs. afternoon I strode
enthusiastically into Armstrong Cable, the local monopoly in Rising
Sun.  The idea
was that they would gladly allow the Club ( as a non-profit org.) free
advertisement on their channel 4 for meetings etc, which is a service
they
provide.    Encounter as follows.

Me:" Hi, I`m from the Cecil Bird Club, and interested in advertising
some of our
club meetings on channel 4. I heard there was no charge for this type of
thing.
( A lengthy silence, activity ceases, all 4 clerks are giving me the
eye).

Clerk:  ( Suspiciously ) " Well, are you environmentalists "?
Me:  No, we`re birdwatchers.
Clerk:  Are you a non-profit organization?
(  All eyes still upon me ).
Me:  " Yes, we conduct field trips and have guest speakers at our
meetings.  We do
a lot of education.  Here is one of our club brochures."
( Brochure is handed over counter and passed to a ( senior?) clerk, who
holds it
at arms length , looks from me, to the brochure,to me , and back to the
brochure.
Her face is a study of bewilderment, she`s never encountered this one
before. I`m
beginning think I should have just declared " Take me to your leader".
Clerk: ( Finally ) Well, I`m going to have to run this by my manager. 
Write your
phone # on here.
Have I heard from them yet? In a word, no!  But they won`t get off that
easy, I`ll
be calling back!  This was truly a ground breaking experience in Rising
Sun, Cecil
Co.
Leslie Fisher