Would it be too risky to take a friend to the CoinFest show if he may have no interest in coins?
Longacre
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Personally, I always like to broaden people's horizons, and if that involves bringing people into the hobby, all the better. I have written in the past that Mrs. Longacre is jetting out to California on vacation during the weekend that the CoinFest show is scheduled. I am planning on attending the show with the kiddies in tow.
Come to find out, a friend of mine is also going to be a bachelor that weekend. His wife (who is a close friend to Mrs. L.) is jetting out to some very exclusive spa resort in Arizona for a weekend of pampering. He has three kids of similar age to Longacre's kids, and is tasked with entertaining the little munchkins all weekend long, too.
Does anyone think it is risky to invite someone to a big coin show, like CoinFest, especially if my friend has not mentioned any desire or interest in coins? Would it be too much of a burden on me to try to make sure that he is entertained, all while trying to keep track of my kids and his kids (note: not to stereotype, but he is one of those absent-minded computer geeks, and I always fear that he is going to lose a kid in a crowd, like a coin show).
Any thoughts would be appreciated, or should I just make it a Longacre Family Excursion, and meet up with my friend later as we commiserate over how much the ladies are spending on their respective vacations?
Come to find out, a friend of mine is also going to be a bachelor that weekend. His wife (who is a close friend to Mrs. L.) is jetting out to some very exclusive spa resort in Arizona for a weekend of pampering. He has three kids of similar age to Longacre's kids, and is tasked with entertaining the little munchkins all weekend long, too.
Does anyone think it is risky to invite someone to a big coin show, like CoinFest, especially if my friend has not mentioned any desire or interest in coins? Would it be too much of a burden on me to try to make sure that he is entertained, all while trying to keep track of my kids and his kids (note: not to stereotype, but he is one of those absent-minded computer geeks, and I always fear that he is going to lose a kid in a crowd, like a coin show).
Any thoughts would be appreciated, or should I just make it a Longacre Family Excursion, and meet up with my friend later as we commiserate over how much the ladies are spending on their respective vacations?
Always took candy from strangers
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
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Comments
It's sort of like taking a guy who has never seen a baseball game to a double header. If he's bored after the first batter, it's going to be a long, long day. Plus it's going to wreck it for you.
<< <i>I wouldn't do it.
It's sort of like taking a guy who has never seen a baseball game to a double header. If he's bored after the first batter, it's going to be a long, long day. Plus it's going to wreck it for you. >>
Good analogy. At one point someone was going to take me to a crickett game, but after I heard that they last for days on end, I thought the better of it. I also have no idea of how the game is played.
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
If you want some quality time looking for coins then I'd have to say inviting the friend would lower your chances of that happening. Everybody might just get bored really quickly and you might then be obligated to leave.
<< <i>I would give it a go. It isn't like going to a double header in that you can leave at any time. >>
My point was that a better first exposure to coins for a newby might be a Redbook, or a little local show.
Anyway, it's all about the company, right?
Al
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
<< <i>If it's a gay thing I think he'd REALLY enjoy it.
Anyway, it's all about the company, right?
Brokeback Coinfest.
-Randy Newman
<< <i>
<< <i>If it's a gay thing I think he'd REALLY enjoy it.
Anyway, it's all about the company, right?
Brokeback Coinfest.
If your friend lives near you, make sure that he brings his checkbook, as well.
I firmly believe in numismatics as the world's greatest hobby, but recognize that this is a luxury and without collectors, we can all spend/melt our collections/inventories.
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Ray
I'd ask him if he has any interest in going to a coin show, and take it from there.
<< <i>Take your friend and his kids to the show with you and yours. Ask him if he'll take your kids to the bathroom while you're working on one of your many major coin deals. While their gone to the restroom, quickly move the other side of the bourse floor and make sure they don't find you until you're done with the show. Free babysitting! >>
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
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I would say meet up after the coin show and let the kids run around and tire themselves out on the Longacre Estate, while the Brady Men sip Brandy while possibly taking in a non-chic flick.
Didn't one of your darling daughters fall through the collapsing folding chair only to discover that the chair refolded itself right on top of her?
This was all during a very serious children's lecture in which we were trying to learn about coins.
I seriously suggest not making it harder for yourself. Go by yourself for one day and take the kids for a few hours, the following day.
Do not bring the friend unless he insists on going.
If the person is one who you get along well with and who you think is open to the idea of expanding horizons by trying new things (especially if they like history), then I think extending an invite to join you at a coin show would be ok. I have done this before and it has worked out ok. However, a couple of suggestions go a long way to making it enjoyable for both:
1. Take two cars and drive separately (explain that you may want to spend many hours at the show and that if he decides it does not interest him, both will be happy that you drove separately since you won't have to leave early to accomodate him and he won't have to wait around to accomodate you);
2. Explain in advance that you will spend time with him looking at things together, sharing a meal together, watching an auction together and talking together; but that you and he should also take time to wander around the bourse separately with no concern about what the other is doing. Doing so will allow both of you (mostly you, the collector) to have time to do what you want to do and look for what you want to look for;
3. Explain to him that you have no expectation that he will like the show or show an interest in the hobby. Tell him your invite made out of nothing more than a desire to spend some free time together doing something different; and
4. Do not tell him that you are a hard core collector. Tell him that you collected as a kid, dabble in the hobby a little bit as an adult and that you are hoping that your kids may take an interest. That way if he tells others about your hobby, he will not be able to say that you are a "high end" collector who only collects coins worth mega bucks. If he is a one and done kinda guy, then he does not know about the ultra rarities that have the Longacre Pedigree. If he gets interested in the hobby and learns to be discreet about what he says to others, then you can blow his socks off with your high end collection.
With respect to bringing the kids along, well good luck with that. If they are young ones, expect to be chasing them around the bourse instead of chasing coins
Good luck and have fun. I went to a local show last weekend when the wife and kids were away. Skyman and I went together, had lunch before hand and talked about coins and other stuff. A very fun way to spend the day.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
A friend would know if he should take a Trojan™ to a horse show.
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