Forums > Social Chat > what do u think about this...
Login/Join to ParticipateSILVER Member
Member
18 posts
Location: Sonora Texas, USA
Member
18 posts
Location: Sonora Texas, USA
Posted:
i am from a small town and i get called wierd, craZ, a druggie because i spin poi! not to mention i get the cops called on me any time i spin in town. i mean sh*t like a week and a half ago i almost go put in jail because they said i was high on drugs and "try'n to get my KICKS by seeing lights" i am new to spinning and it sucks when people in small towns are not open to new stuff and don't give anything a try. how should i deal with all the crap?
i am from a small town and i get called wierd, craZ, a druggie because i spin poi! not to mention i get the cops called on me any time i spin in town. i mean sh*t like a week and a half ago i almost go put in jail because they said i was high on drugs and "try'n to get my KICKS by seeing lights" i am new to spinning and it sucks when people in small towns are not open to new stuff and don't give anything a try. how should i deal with all the crap?
do poi spinners exist in west texas?
SILVER Member
Your friendly neighbourhood mad scientist
479 posts
Location: Over the hills and far away, United Kingdom
Your friendly neighbourhood mad scientist
479 posts
Location: Over the hills and far away, United Kingdom
Posted:
What the hell? That's messed up!
What the hell? That's messed up!
"Love the art in yourself and not yourself in the art."
--Konstantin Stanislavisky
SILVER Member
Member
18 posts
Location: Sonora Texas, USA
Member
18 posts
Location: Sonora Texas, USA
Posted:
yea i know it really sucks i wanna kick peoples asses sometimes, expecially the cops! LOL
yea i know it really sucks i wanna kick peoples asses sometimes, expecially the cops! LOL
do poi spinners exist in west texas?
SILVER Member
Your friendly neighbourhood mad scientist
479 posts
Location: Over the hills and far away, United Kingdom
Your friendly neighbourhood mad scientist
479 posts
Location: Over the hills and far away, United Kingdom
Posted:
It's pretty stupid of them really. Shouldn't they be out chasing down crack heads or something?
Maybe you oughta send a letter to your local station, explain yourself and ask for some advice? The only think I can think of is -- maybe someone in charge might have more sense...?
It's pretty stupid of them really. Shouldn't they be out chasing down crack heads or something?
Maybe you oughta send a letter to your local station, explain yourself and ask for some advice? The only think I can think of is -- maybe someone in charge might have more sense...?
"Love the art in yourself and not yourself in the art."
--Konstantin Stanislavisky
GOLD Member
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Posted:
You stick with it, stand up for your rights, and dare to be different.
Or you move.
Your call...
You stick with it, stand up for your rights, and dare to be different.
Or you move.
Your call...
-Mike
Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella
A buckuht n a hooze! -Valura
GOLD Member
Lv15 Ranger
1,489 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Lv15 Ranger
1,489 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posted:
That sucks! The worst I get is wierd looks when I practise in the park, and that's died down in the regular walkers/joggers. However, Not the same situation because I don't live in a small town.
Perhaps giving the cops a demonstration of what you do would help? In my experience, ignorant people tend to make a lot of assumptions, myself included. Listening to music while twirling is a good way to drown out the rest of the environment!
That sucks! The worst I get is wierd looks when I practise in the park, and that's died down in the regular walkers/joggers. However, Not the same situation because I don't live in a small town.
Perhaps giving the cops a demonstration of what you do would help? In my experience, ignorant people tend to make a lot of assumptions, myself included. Listening to music while twirling is a good way to drown out the rest of the environment!
Kupo!
SILVER Member
Elusive and Bearded
3,597 posts
Location: Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Elusive and Bearded
3,597 posts
Location: Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Posted:
tie guns to strings and spin em lik epoi, then if any one give you crap shoot em....
tie guns to strings and spin em lik epoi, then if any one give you crap shoot em....
O.B.E.S.E.
Owned by Mynci!
SILVER Member
Member
18 posts
Location: Sonora Texas, USA
Member
18 posts
Location: Sonora Texas, USA
Posted:
well i only have one more semester before i leave this [censored] hole but that is not till april!
Written by: Doc Lightning
You stick with it, stand up for your rights, and dare to be different.
Or you move.
Your call...
well i only have one more semester before i leave this [censored] hole but that is not till april!
do poi spinners exist in west texas?
SILVER Member
Member
18 posts
Location: Sonora Texas, USA
Member
18 posts
Location: Sonora Texas, USA
Posted:
see i have given a couple of the cops shows some think it is cool after they realize that its not a UFO in the town park. LOL some say that only DRUG USERS spin lights so they can get off on the shows and yes this is exactly what a cop told me. then the music i listen to when i spin don't help like Indian and Techno lol
Written by: jarle
That sucks! The worst I get is wierd looks when I practise in the park, and that's died down in the regular walkers/joggers. However, Not the same situation because I don't live in a small town.
Perhaps giving the cops a demonstration of what you do would help? In my experience, ignorant people tend to make a lot of assumptions, myself included. Listening to music while twirling is a good way to drown out the rest of the environment!
see i have given a couple of the cops shows some think it is cool after they realize that its not a UFO in the town park. LOL some say that only DRUG USERS spin lights so they can get off on the shows and yes this is exactly what a cop told me. then the music i listen to when i spin don't help like Indian and Techno lol
do poi spinners exist in west texas?
SILVER Member
Member
18 posts
Location: Sonora Texas, USA
Member
18 posts
Location: Sonora Texas, USA
Posted:
that is not a bad idea! LOL
Written by: poje
tie guns to strings and spin em lik epoi, then if any one give you crap shoot em....
that is not a bad idea! LOL do poi spinners exist in west texas?
GOLD Member
Now with extra strawberries
810 posts
Location: Canberra, Australia
Now with extra strawberries
810 posts
Location: Canberra, Australia
Posted:
I think in these situations it is best to give them no other reason to dislike you when you are spinning.
As much as it sucks to have to change the way you act/dress/speak/interact when you are educating people about something new or foreign it is best to make sure that they have no other reason to lump you in with the “bad” crowd.
A few things you could try/ keep in mind.
This is a new strange thing to people in your town so they are still forming their opinions on it, help them to form good opinions buy the way you behave when they ask you about it.
-Try not to be rude if the ask you to stop/ move on
-Take extra considerations for safety so people know by looking that you are responsible.
-Pick quite safe and un intrusive places to practice. People are guaranteed to get pissed no mater what if you are disrupting a busy area or you actions look dangerous (to them).
Maybe you could try teaching some classes with day poi in a park or something even just invite some other people to come have a play. If more people are seen enjoying it the more likely it will be accepted
Always conduct your self professionally if you freak out just once when they ask you to move on then you will have less chance of winning them over the next time.
I know those things sound kind of lame but if you want to keep spinning in public you will obviously need to make compromises in the beginning
Good luck : )
EDITED_BY: Blueberry (1190176538)
I think in these situations it is best to give them no other reason to dislike you when you are spinning.
As much as it sucks to have to change the way you act/dress/speak/interact when you are educating people about something new or foreign it is best to make sure that they have no other reason to lump you in with the “bad” crowd.
A few things you could try/ keep in mind.
This is a new strange thing to people in your town so they are still forming their opinions on it, help them to form good opinions buy the way you behave when they ask you about it.
-Try not to be rude if the ask you to stop/ move on
-Take extra considerations for safety so people know by looking that you are responsible.
-Pick quite safe and un intrusive places to practice. People are guaranteed to get pissed no mater what if you are disrupting a busy area or you actions look dangerous (to them).
Maybe you could try teaching some classes with day poi in a park or something even just invite some other people to come have a play. If more people are seen enjoying it the more likely it will be accepted
Always conduct your self professionally if you freak out just once when they ask you to move on then you will have less chance of winning them over the next time.
I know those things sound kind of lame but if you want to keep spinning in public you will obviously need to make compromises in the beginning
Good luck : )
EDITED_BY: Blueberry (1190176538)
I {Heart} hand me downs and spinning in the snow.<br /><br />
AnonymousPLATINUM Member
Posted:
I feel for you. I have had a not nice reception to the art in my hometown. I havent spun fire yet but many of my neighbors think I am insane.
Oh wait, everyone in town flies the US flag, I fly on my flagpole Blackbeard's flag. Maybe thats the problem.
Seriously do for yourself and be different, it will al work out in the end.
I feel for you. I have had a not nice reception to the art in my hometown. I havent spun fire yet but many of my neighbors think I am insane.
Oh wait, everyone in town flies the US flag, I fly on my flagpole Blackbeard's flag. Maybe thats the problem.
Seriously do for yourself and be different, it will al work out in the end.
GOLD Member
Now with extra strawberries
810 posts
Location: Canberra, Australia
Now with extra strawberries
810 posts
Location: Canberra, Australia
Posted:
Oh, and the truth is that pretty much no matter when you live %90 of the people will not understand/think your insaine.
Oh, and the truth is that pretty much no matter when you live %90 of the people will not understand/think your insaine.
I {Heart} hand me downs and spinning in the snow.<br /><br />
AnonymousPLATINUM Member
Posted:
Thats because people are sheep and choose not to understand, be judgemental and convict you of crimes you never committed.
Thats because people are sheep and choose not to understand, be judgemental and convict you of crimes you never committed.
BRONZE Member
Insert Champagne Here
13,215 posts
Location: without class distinction, Australia
Insert Champagne Here
13,215 posts
Location: without class distinction, Australia
Posted:
I agree with Blueberry; don't give them other reasons to hate you. As much as you want to swear at them and tell them their intelligence resembles the runt of a litter of piglets - don't. Be upstanding and respectful so they can associate poi with good things rather than negative ones.
I agree with Blueberry; don't give them other reasons to hate you. As much as you want to swear at them and tell them their intelligence resembles the runt of a litter of piglets - don't. Be upstanding and respectful so they can associate poi with good things rather than negative ones.
i would have changed ***** to phallus, and claire to petey Petey
Rougie: but that's what I'm doing here
Arnwyn: what letting me adjust myself in your room?..don't you dare quote that on HoP...
SILVER Member
Member
18 posts
Location: Sonora Texas, USA
Member
18 posts
Location: Sonora Texas, USA
Posted:
by any chance Anuebunnie do u live in Austin Texas? cause i have seen a house there that is done in a pirate ship theme...
Written by: Anuebunnie
I feel for you. I have had a not nice reception to the art in my hometown. I havent spun fire yet but many of my neighbors think I am insane.
Oh wait, everyone in town flies the US flag, I fly on my flagpole Blackbeard's flag. Maybe thats the problem.
Seriously do for yourself and be different, it will al work out in the end.
by any chance Anuebunnie do u live in Austin Texas? cause i have seen a house there that is done in a pirate ship theme...
do poi spinners exist in west texas?
SILVER Member
Member
18 posts
Location: Sonora Texas, USA
Member
18 posts
Location: Sonora Texas, USA
Posted:
any time people make fun of my sock poi by calling them a BIG NUT SACK! i don't make a big deal and get mad i just start to spin them and show them what u do with them. like when people drive by where i spin lights and stop i turn towards them and give them a show and i move out of the dark so they can see me and not freak out thinking its UFO. the biggest problem is the cops, i go to a quite place away on the farm roads and the sheriff's go out there cause they see the lights from a distance and mess with me
any time people make fun of my sock poi by calling them a BIG NUT SACK! i don't make a big deal and get mad i just start to spin them and show them what u do with them. like when people drive by where i spin lights and stop i turn towards them and give them a show and i move out of the dark so they can see me and not freak out thinking its UFO. the biggest problem is the cops, i go to a quite place away on the farm roads and the sheriff's go out there cause they see the lights from a distance and mess with me
do poi spinners exist in west texas?
AnonymousPLATINUM Member
Posted:
nope. I'm in PA. Get pics of that house if you could I wanna see them
Written by: texashoney07Written by: Anuebunnie
I feel for you. I have had a not nice reception to the art in my hometown. I havent spun fire yet but many of my neighbors think I am insane.
Oh wait, everyone in town flies the US flag, I fly on my flagpole Blackbeard's flag. Maybe thats the problem.
Seriously do for yourself and be different, it will al work out in the end.
by any chance Anuebunnie do u live in Austin Texas? cause i have seen a house there that is done in a pirate ship theme...
nope. I'm in PA. Get pics of that house if you could I wanna see them
GOLD Member
Now with extra strawberries
810 posts
Location: Canberra, Australia
Now with extra strawberries
810 posts
Location: Canberra, Australia
Posted:
In that case i would suggest maybe giving the fire a rest for a while and doing more practice in the day or could you practice in your back yard or some thing?
It looks like people need a bit of educating. How about printing a little info sheet about poi to give to people when they ask.
I know living in a small town can be difficult I lived in a small country town with 7 houses for a large part of my life.
In that case i would suggest maybe giving the fire a rest for a while and doing more practice in the day or could you practice in your back yard or some thing?
It looks like people need a bit of educating. How about printing a little info sheet about poi to give to people when they ask.
I know living in a small town can be difficult I lived in a small country town with 7 houses for a large part of my life.
I {Heart} hand me downs and spinning in the snow.<br /><br />
SILVER Member
Your friendly neighbourhood mad scientist
479 posts
Location: Over the hills and far away, United Kingdom
Your friendly neighbourhood mad scientist
479 posts
Location: Over the hills and far away, United Kingdom
Posted:
Yeah, it's ok, it's your right to bear arms!
Written by: poje
tie guns to strings and spin em lik epoi, then if any one give you crap shoot em....
Yeah, it's ok, it's your right to bear arms!
"Love the art in yourself and not yourself in the art."
--Konstantin Stanislavisky
SILVER Member
Hitman
985 posts
Location: Gloucester England
Hitman
985 posts
Location: Gloucester England
Posted:
could always organise a fire meet and get lots of people down just to show its not just u that does it and were not all drugies!!!
could always organise a fire meet and get lots of people down just to show its not just u that does it and were not all drugies!!!
he he i am mike the amazing gloscircus person who is mike.
Officaly an exception to the Poi Boys are Girls Thing
BRONZE Member
delectatio morosa, gaudium, desiderium
160 posts
Location: furthur..., Germany
delectatio morosa, gaudium, desiderium
160 posts
Location: furthur..., Germany
Posted:
arent we?!?!
sorry, im not being very helpful really am i?
arent we?!?!
sorry, im not being very helpful really am i?
meow happy little panda bear 
i love you
BRONZE Member
wandering thru the woods of WI
3,556 posts
Location: Wisconsin, USA
wandering thru the woods of WI
3,556 posts
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posted:
Maybe you can send them some information like that article about the history of poi, or some videos. We are pretty harmless
Small town attitudes are hard to overcome.
Do you guys have a drill team in your town, maybe you can compare it to that and show the similarities in the moves.
Maybe you can send them some information like that article about the history of poi, or some videos. We are pretty harmless
Small town attitudes are hard to overcome.
Do you guys have a drill team in your town, maybe you can compare it to that and show the similarities in the moves.
Faith
Nay, whatever comes one hour was sunlit and the most high gods may not make boast of any better thing than to have watched that hour as it passed
SILVER Member
old hand
853 posts
Location: Behind you...
old hand
853 posts
Location: Behind you...
Posted:
Perseverance i guess... it's just ignorance. Surely if you do it often enough they'll get used to you doing it and realise that it is in fact harmless? Is there anyone you can make a complaint to about police harrassment if they keep doing it?
Perseverance i guess... it's just ignorance. Surely if you do it often enough they'll get used to you doing it and realise that it is in fact harmless? Is there anyone you can make a complaint to about police harrassment if they keep doing it?
Idolized by Aurinoko
Take me disappearing through the smoke rings of my mind....
Bob Dylan
SILVER Member
Poi junkie
75 posts
Location: In your face!, United Kingdom
Poi junkie
75 posts
Location: In your face!, United Kingdom
Posted:
I've found doin shot's are good for situations like these- Make sure you hit'em where it hurts!!
I've found doin shot's are good for situations like these- Make sure you hit'em where it hurts!!
man who go bed with itchy bum wake up with smelly finger!
PLATINUM Member
bastard child of satan
1,113 posts
Location: Raanana, Israel
bastard child of satan
1,113 posts
Location: Raanana, Israel
Posted:
you going to fire marshall again?
Written by: MikefromGlos
could always organise a fire meet and get lots of people down just to show its not just u that does it and were not all drugies!!!
you going to fire marshall again?
Carpal \'Tunnel
7,193 posts
Location: in the trees
7,193 posts
Location: in the trees
Posted:
ahhh the age old texas redneck reactionarys.............you aint normal unless you play football, spit ina bucket, call anyone with a understanding of people a "fag" infact i know a video of what life in the future would be like in america..............
https://youtube.com/watch?v=F8O17VYGcM0
ahhh the age old texas redneck reactionarys.............you aint normal unless you play football, spit ina bucket, call anyone with a understanding of people a "fag" infact i know a video of what life in the future would be like in america..............
https://youtube.com/watch?v=F8O17VYGcM0
PLATINUM Member
bastard child of satan
1,113 posts
Location: Raanana, Israel
bastard child of satan
1,113 posts
Location: Raanana, Israel
Posted:
dude!
Idiocracy is incredible
dude!
Idiocracy is incredible
SILVER Member
Member
18 posts
Location: Sonora Texas, USA
Member
18 posts
Location: Sonora Texas, USA
Posted:
i am in college and i have no yard to spin, what i did try was going to the local high school and talk to the flag team coach, i figured if they might be open to being the first school in West Texas to learn poi, at least then everyone in town would get off my ass. the coach said she would call me back but still hasn't.
i am in college and i have no yard to spin, what i did try was going to the local high school and talk to the flag team coach, i figured if they might be open to being the first school in West Texas to learn poi, at least then everyone in town would get off my ass. the coach said she would call me back but still hasn't.
do poi spinners exist in west texas?
SILVER Member
Member
18 posts
Location: Sonora Texas, USA
Member
18 posts
Location: Sonora Texas, USA
Posted:
yeah u r soooo right about the rednecks they just don't get it. everyone thinks i am such a weirdo but its kool cause it just makes me unique...i would hate to be normal.
yeah u r soooo right about the rednecks they just don't get it. everyone thinks i am such a weirdo but its kool cause it just makes me unique...i would hate to be normal.
do poi spinners exist in west texas?
Good Ol' Yarn For Hair
422 posts
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
422 posts
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Posted:
HoP has some wonderfully delightful articles on poi, the history of poi, and even the usage of the word "poi" in western culture to describe the art. I'd recommend printing a couple of copies of these articles to bring with you when you spin so you can offer them to your local officers when they harass you. This way, you can get info out on what it is you're actually doing, as opposed to encouraging their stereotype that poi is reserved for e-tards.
I'm also going to agree that being aggressive or rude isn't going to help your case, so be as polite and coorperative as possible. Offer them more information if they want. Follow your local park's rules. Your local law enforcement could be harassing you because you might be out when the park's closed (yes, public parks generally close at sundown in most areas of the US, as I have often found out the hard way) or because of an issue with drug usage associated with that particular park. Make sure that there's no question of whether or not you are "busking," since many states do not allowing it.
My only other good suggestion would be to find a local juggling/spin club, form one on campus, or find out about open gym time.
......
My last, remaining BAD suggestion would be to volunteer for a hair test if you're clean, bothered again, and really want to prove local law enforcement wrong about you and your supposed drug usage related to poi. But that's because, well, I'm a jerk.
HoP has some wonderfully delightful articles on poi, the history of poi, and even the usage of the word "poi" in western culture to describe the art. I'd recommend printing a couple of copies of these articles to bring with you when you spin so you can offer them to your local officers when they harass you. This way, you can get info out on what it is you're actually doing, as opposed to encouraging their stereotype that poi is reserved for e-tards.
I'm also going to agree that being aggressive or rude isn't going to help your case, so be as polite and coorperative as possible. Offer them more information if they want. Follow your local park's rules. Your local law enforcement could be harassing you because you might be out when the park's closed (yes, public parks generally close at sundown in most areas of the US, as I have often found out the hard way) or because of an issue with drug usage associated with that particular park. Make sure that there's no question of whether or not you are "busking," since many states do not allowing it.
My only other good suggestion would be to find a local juggling/spin club, form one on campus, or find out about open gym time.
......
My last, remaining BAD suggestion would be to volunteer for a hair test if you're clean, bothered again, and really want to prove local law enforcement wrong about you and your supposed drug usage related to poi. But that's because, well, I'm a jerk.
"So long and thanks for all the fish."
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