Getting talked down to because of wood heat?

[Gasifier]

Hey, I have an Xbox as well as about 15 cords of wood stacked out back and haven't used any other form of heat for many years. I live in an area where it is dark when I leave for work and dark when I return. Gotta have something to do in the darkness other than drink beer.

In the summer, when I'm processing wood I do get the neighbors and friends that think I spend too much time with it.

Hey. What's wrong with drinking beer? Dems fightin words dere.

How ya like my new ride?

 

[Badfish740]

I can't say I've ever been talked down to, but I don't really try to explain either because most people don't get it. It's all about what you're used to-my grandmother thinks its wonderful that we heat primarily with wood, but that's because she grew up on a farm and had a wood cookstove/wood heat. My wife's grandmother on the other hand thought we had fallen on hard times when she found out we got a wood burning furnace (ie: something catastrophic had happened and we couldn't afford heating oil). My wife finally explained that we were doing it to save money (but things were otherwise fine), and that I just liked doing things myself. She still doesn't really get it but at least no longer thinks that we're headed for the poor house

 

[Seasoned Oak]

I dont think anyone with wood heat on long island and staten island and the NJ coastline is being talked down to especially from those who still have NO POWER OR HEAT.

 

[Badfish740]

I dont think anyone with wood heat on long island and staten island and the NJ coastline is being talked down to especially from those who still have NO POWER OR HEAT.

No kidding there. We were the most popular house on the block during the blackout

 

[rideau]

Keep buying those x-boxes. My son likes his job (Kinect for Windows).

He also likes my stove. And hiking, snorkeling, snowboarding, rockclimbing, home maintenance, cooking, music, trail crew at Philmont. Also co-built the award winning Groovex cube, on display at the Pacific Science Center and about to start a world tour..

Let's not make the mistake of stereotyping. That's what the original post was basically discussing.

 

[lukem]

Keep buying those x-boxes. My son likes his job (Kinect for Windows).

He also likes my stove. And hiking, snorkeling, snowboarding, rockclimbing, home maintenance, cooking, music, trail crew at Philmont. Also co-built the award winning Groovex cube, on display at the Pacific Science Center and about to start a world tour..

Let's not make the mistake of stereotyping. That's what the original post was basically discussing.

Stereotype who? The thirty-something college educated, high tech career male. Or the rural folk who burn wood, hunt deer, drive a pickup truck and grow a garden?

I think the point is some people, possibly in increasing number, think that people who burn wood are a little behind the times, poor, or some crazy survivalist. I think there's a lot more effort spent on this thread breaking this stereotype than furthering others.

I fit squarely into both demographics above. They aren't mutually exclusive. Saying people like me enjoy video games more than wood burning is like saying old ladies like quilting more than heavy metal. There's probably a lot of truth in that. Its not.being negative....as long as we realize there are probably some grannies who hate quilting and others that were roadies for Black Sabbath... and maybe even both.

 

[Gasifier]

Stereotype who? The thirty-something college educated, high tech career male. Or the rural folk who burn wood, hunt deer, drive a pickup truck and grow a garden?

I think the point is some people, possibly in increasing number, think that people who burn wood are a little behind the times, poor, or some crazy survivalist. I think there's a lot more effort spent on this thread breaking this stereotype than furthering others.

I fit squarely into both demographics above. They aren't mutually exclusive. Saying people like me enjoy video games more than wood burning is like saying old ladies like quilting more than heavy metal. There's probably a lot of truth in that. Its not.being negative....as long as we realize there are probably some grannies who hate quilting and others that were roadies for Black Sabbath... and maybe even both.

WAR PIGS!, IRON MAN!, SWEET LEAF! THE WIZARD! Can I have song of the week this week?!

I hear ya lukem. I am a wood burner, a runner (most of the year 13.2 ), I love my children and wife and my home. The original post problem is because people don't keep an open mind and only see things they way they want. They never want to hear others opinions.

 

[jharkin]

Stereotype who? The thirty-something college educated, high tech career male. Or the rural folk who burn wood, hunt deer, drive a pickup truck and grow a garden?

I think the point is some people, possibly in increasing number, think that people who burn wood are a little behind the times, poor, or some crazy survivalist. I think there's a lot more effort spent on this thread breaking this stereotype than furthering others.

I fit squarely into both demographics above. They aren't mutually exclusive. Saying people like me enjoy video games more than wood burning is like saying old ladies like quilting more than heavy metal. There's probably a lot of truth in that. Its not.being negative....as long as we realize there are probably some grannies who hate quilting and others that were roadies for Black Sabbath... and maybe even both.

There are a lot of us who live dual lives.. All week I sit behind a computer at a software company conferencing calling all over the globe. On the weekend I'm processing wood,wrenching on the car, restoring windows for the antique house I live in, listening to music on vinyl through a 50 year old stereo I rebuilt, building wood models in my basement shop, helping my wife work her gardens, etc.

I find a lot of the techies at work see what we do as curious, not necessarily odd.

 

[Pallet Pete]

I've run into this lately, not sure what the deal is?

Invite them over them over and wait for them to point out how warm it is at your house. Sweet Justice

Pete

 

[rideau]

There are a lot of us who live dual lives.. All week I sit behind a computer at a software company conferencing calling all over the globe. On the weekend I'm processing wood,wrenching on the car, restoring windows for the antique house I live in, listening to music on vinyl through a 50 year old stereo I rebuilt, building wood models in my basement shop, helping my wife work her gardens, etc.

I find a lot of the techies at work see what we do as curious, not necessarily odd.

My point.

 

[lukem]

There are a lot of us who live dual lives.

I don't see the duality...to me it is just life.

 

[nate379]

I've run into several people that don't understand it I guess.

Have had several that seemed to think only a boiler or furnace would be able to heat a house. When I mention that the air or water can be heated by wood just the same as gas or oil they don't get it.

Had a person the other day start talking about how it'd be so much hard work, etc. The thing that had me thinking was that person has a horse or two that is boarded at a horse farm. Everyday that person has to go by to take care of the horse. Clean the stalls, feed, etc. Seems like a lot of work to me. It's not like the horses are used to skid logs or anything else to make life easier.

 

[fishingpol]

The only people that talk down to me are the folks running smoke dragons when I begin to talk EPA stoves. Like pi**ing into the wind.

 

[Nickolai]

I dont know that Ive ever been talked down to... but definately most people think of it more as a glorified fireplace than a way to heat the entire house..

I tend to get more odd reactions about doing all my own car repair or my own electrical. "Why dont you just pay somebody to do that dirty work?" "wont you get hurt" "isn't it too complicated and hard to figure out?"

A lot of folks have been programmed by the media to think DIY anything is too difficult and manual labor is somethign you pay others for. Sad

I say let them think that about DIY, keeps our brothers and sisters in the trades in business, especially nowadays.

As for wood burning I get heat for it a lot more since moving from the Ottawa valley. (No pun intended)
I don't bother arguing with people anymore, go ahead and pay the oil/gas/propane man every month. I just tell people that you have to love wood heat.
That being said, I've turned quite a few friends over the years, whether it be from my pellet stoves, wood furnace or the unbeatable enjoyment of a Rye and Ginger in front of my super series on a chilly night!

 

[hilbiliarkiboi]

Hey. What's wrong with drinking beer? Dems fightin words dere.

How ya like my new ride?

?
Dat rides defnitly plimped out, mang!

 

[Pallet Pete]

Don't you be a mokin how we does it in them here houses wes can fits a whole tree in our outdoor burner now see !

 

[Adios Pantalones]

I'm in a high tech job and yearn to have time for the simpler things. I know a few people that are like that- many I met through self bow making.

Next year I go part time (3 days a week) in my science job, and full time as a craftsman. I'll have more garden/canning/wood processing type time. My sugar mama is as excited about it as I am (I feel very fortunate for the opportunity and supportive wife). I always talked a good game about quality of loife- now is the time to make that trade.

Honestly- the way that I dress on my day off (getting things done mode)- I get a real kick out of the assumptions people make about me, and very rarely comment/correct anyone.

 

[gmule]

I listen to my coworkers complain about the high cost of heat while I silently smile on the inside that I am glad I don't have that problem. Burning wood is my little secret. Most of them would also be jealous as where I live as well since I hear them complain about living in the city. What really makes me laugh is that my commute is shorter than theirs too.

 

[katwillny]

It was in the low 20's at nights and early morning where I live all weekend and both stoves were going nice and strong, that reminded my why I do what I do throughout the year so that i can have toasty mornings and eves.

 

[Jags]

Honestly- the way that I dress on my day off (getting things done mode)- I get a real kick out of the assumptions people make about me, and very rarely comment/correct anyone.

Most people that I meet outside of work thinks that I must be a farmer.

 

[Seasoned Oak]

Some people react to high heat bills by wearing a coat and turning to heat down. Iv been to places (including retail stores) were you could hang a side of beef in winter with no threat of it spoiling. Not my idea of embracing the seasons. A generation ago everyone had some type of solid fuel stove in their home,how quickly we forget.

 

[lukem]

Most people that I meet outside of work thinks that I must be a farmer.

Same here...and a poor farmer at that!

 

[swagler85]

Most people that I meet outside of work thinks that I must be a farmer.

I wear a suit to work everyday and its funny when clients/coworkers see me dressed "normal" they barely recognize me. Had our receptionist not know who I was a few weeks ago when I popped in to grab a file.

 

[nate379]

The guys at work joke around that I wear buckskins on the weekend.

 

[stoveguy2esw]

ive had folks refer to me as "contributing to global warming" because i build these products. according to some im an "eco-terrorist"