Silly friends and coworkers!

[fulloflead]

This is getting OLD really quick!

I must work for the one of the most gun-friendly and knife-friendly companies in America that isn't ACTUALLY DIRECTLY involved in those industries (save maybe a few of our customers).
Sounds nice don't it? It IS for the most part but, even this, isn't all roses.

I'm known as "The Knife and Gun guy" among my friends and especially among my coworkers. Like I said, I work in a VERY VERY knife and gun friendly company, but STILL I'm the most notorious person in the company. People will say, "Ask Jim, but don't piss him off because he'll get his gun." OR... I take out one of my knives to cut a slit in my frozen dinner for lunch so it doesn't blow up in the microwave and I get, "Look out! Watch out while he's doing that!". They mean it in Jest and they're totally cool with my hobbies, but IT JUST GET'S OLD!

Sure, my buddy brought his tactical .308 rifle to work to take pictures of it and I even got to pick it up and sight it across one of the production floors with people looking in the windows of his die-making workshop. Pretty cool, I think that nobody even flinches when someone brings a tactical rifle to work!

Days later I brought a revolver for the graphic artist to photograph. NO PROBLEM! Everyone thought it was cool and was interested in it.

My buddy and I ALWAYS have a bunch of knives shipped to work and we always show them to each other and other people. Big Mad Dog fixed blades down to little folders and everyone thinks it's cool.

On the other hand, I (and my buddy with the .308) have the reputation of being the big "gun and knife" guys in the company. "Don't piss them off." people say (jokeingly).

I don't want to give the wrong impression. I TRUELY work for a gun and knife-friendly company. It's just that SEVERAL of us have acquired a reputation of being the "Knife and Gun guys" and that worries me because even pro-knife and pro-gun people can say awfully stupid things sometimes.

Can you IMAGINE if one of us had to defend our lives with a gun or sharpened tool? Can you IMAGINE if some of these other *******s in my "pro-gun, pro-knife" company got on the stand? "Yeah, Jim was always totally into knives and guns and stuff".

Wierd situation, huh? Working in a GREAT pro-gun, pro-knife company with a bunch of stupid *******s who can't keep their mouths shut? Strange situation indeed. These people totally support our hobbies to the point that they don't even care if we bring our objects to work. But they still totally enjoy making unappropriate jokes about them at our expense. It's like they're "OK" with what we're into but it's STILL a great target for jokes.

I honestly don't think they know what the side effects of their jokes are. They probably just don't think before they talk. But it still ticks me off.

At least the owners and managers are totally cool about the knife and gun people's hobbies. Actually, all of them express some interest. In fact, ONE of them is somewhat actually a gun and knife enthusiest like us.

The situation has been enjoyable and convenient so far, but I worry about some of the stupid people I work with.

Just thought I'd rant and maybe start a thread.

 

[MelancholyMutt]

I'm glad everyone is so undestanding, but all it takes is one *ssh*le and someone can get into a lot of trouble...

I think exposing your hobbies and/or guns to those other than your closest friends and family only causes liabilities for yourself. Internet forums are exempt as long as you keep a good degree of anonymity.

I wish you the best, but caution you to watch yer back...

 

[DEA]

yeah, i know what you mean
even as a joke, it gets really old really fast when people say "hey, better be careful, you're talking to the man with 5 knives on him"


and to think i was helping that idiot with his knife/film research project :grumpy:

 

[Marcelo Cantu]

Several aspects of life must always be kept separate.
we live in a relatively "free" society but a very fickle one. In any society there are always subtle unspoken and unwritten contraints that pick up where laws leave off.
For example, it is okay to drink socially but it is not okay to be the heavyiest drinker. Being a total alcoholic is viewed with less disdain than smoking the occasional bowl. It is okay to go shirtless and painted at a sporting event but not pantless (boy was that a rough day!), knife collectors are "wierder" than gun collectors. (a friend of mine was arrested in Georgia for driving with a long filet knife in his tackle box but nothing was said about the shotgun behind the seat).

I'm not making much sense here am I?

Basically we must take care about revealing outstanding aspects of ourselves because it seems that the more differences are percieved about you the more poeple are apt to use them against you.

 

[jstewart16701]

I work in a fairly knife friendly enviroment myself. Some of the
guys here even carry knifes openly on their belts (as in a Buck 110
or other folder, no fixed blades), even though the company policy actually forbids it. The policy is something like "only standard issue safety box cutters are permitted" or something along those lines. And actually it is kind of interesting to see just what you
can accomplish with a "standard issue safety cutter".

Anyways even though knives are generaly accepted I still get a kick out of some peoples comments.

ex. A couple a days ago I had a cucumber with my lunch. I got out my
SAK to slice it up. some comments that were made. "Don't piss him off, he's armed" and "look out its MacGyver"

of course then there's my all time favorite. Some numnuts asks to borrow your knife 'cause they don't have the common sense to carry one with them, and immediately after using it and returning it say (and I'm sure everyone here has heard this)

"Why do you carry that thing around with you all the time?"

some people will never learn

Jamie

 

[fulloflead]

Originally posted by Marcelo Cantu

I'm not making much sense here am I?

Yes you are. Wise words in fact and thought-provoking. It's too late to go back from where I am but I CAN be more discreet from now on.

For example, it is okay to drink socially but it is not okay to be the heavyiest drinker. Being a total alcoholic is viewed with less disdain than smoking the occasional bowl. It is okay to go shirtless and painted at a sporting event but not pantless

This is bordering on profound. We hear much talk about being opressed about our government. I believe we live among oppressive people. It's really phucked up how many people would like their personal opinion become law and believe it SHOULD. It's also phucked up how people view with disdain anyone who lives in way that's contrary to their opinions. There's very little "live and let live" attitude in this country. This is starting to go down a road that belongs in a different forum, but it does apply here. When I see someone with 80% of their body pierced, I just schrug and think to myself, "What ever floats your boat." When someone sees me cutting my sandwich with a $400 automatic knife they should do the same.

 

[fulloflead]

Originally posted by jstewart16701
A couple a days ago I had a cucumber with my lunch. I got out my
SAK to slice it up. some comments that were made. "Don't piss him off, he's armed" and "look out its MacGyver"

That's EXACTLY what I'm talking about!

That's just too funny.

 

[Rumble]

I agree, it gets old really quick. I hear some of that at work because I made the mistake of letting some people know that I collect some blades (or carry one).

I just have to ignore them. If I get defensive then they would probably just add "temper" to their image of me. No need to make it worse since I'm there to pay my bills, not convince them of my mild nature.

 

[SPHayes]

For the last year I was the only employee at my office. It is/was a new office set up to serve one client. Last month it was decided that it was time to grow the office and look for more business. We hired a two females, one for sales and one for admin work. Up now I got my work done then played. Cleaned my pistol at my desk, played with knives. Rebuilt the insturment cluster from my car etc. Ran my remote control truck all over the office. Now I have to look busy and mind my manners. I have already recieved several comments about my knives. I miss not having coworkers. Just neede to vent