Being talked down to (unintentionally)

pkmoor · #1 08-10-2011, 09:46 PM

Not sure if my title is accurate, but here's what happened - this past weekend the band had a showcase. The singer brought her boyfriend who also plays bass. While waiting for the couples to arrive, he asked if he could check out my bass (G&L L-2500). He then starts telling me about Leo founding G&L. I'm practically twice this guy's age and have been playing a long time and certainly did my research before making my purchase. I just wanted to reply with "Really? I just bought it 'cause it was blue." Anybody have a similar experience?

knucklehead G · #2 08-10-2011, 09:50 PM

I don't think he was talking down to you. I know a lot of players who know nothing about their gear. You're an older, more experienced bassist, I probably would have been digging for something to talk to you about also.

JakeAndAirwaves · #3 08-10-2011, 09:54 PM

Doesn't sound like talking down to you. Just talking to you.

**jmattbassplaya** · #4 08-10-2011, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knucklehead G

I don't think he was talking down to you. I know a lot of players who know nothing about their gear. You're an older, more experienced bassist, I probably would have been digging for something to talk to you about also.

Agreed. He probably just wanted to, dare I say it, talk bass with ya

**jmattbassplaya** · #5 08-10-2011, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JakeAndAirwaves

Doesn't sound like talking down to you. Just spewing blatant ignorance.

How is it even ignorance if he's just talking history with the guy?

Mirios · #6 08-10-2011, 09:57 PM

I think he probably just wanted to talk bass. At the same time he didn't want you thinking he knew nothing. But I wasn't there so hard for me to get a reading.

pkmoor · #7 08-10-2011, 10:03 PM

Like I said - I don't think it was intentional. If he wanted to talk bass I would have expected something more like "Leo did some nice stuff with these" instead of a didya know-type history lesson.

JakeAndAirwaves · #8 08-10-2011, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

How is it even ignorance if he's just talking history with the guy?

Wrong wording. I just wouldn't have said that. In case of sounding like he was trying to talk down to someone.

VanillaThundah · #9 08-10-2011, 10:09 PM

Young folks get nervous and sometimes come off looking like pompous jerks when they want to keep the conversation flowing....

speaking from personal flaws here =(

paganjack · #10 08-10-2011, 10:12 PM

Maybe he was just trying to impress you and show you that he cared too! He could have been trying to "talk up" to you too.

pkmoor · #11 08-10-2011, 10:16 PM

I guess I was just a bit offended that he took the stance that I didn't know something instead of that I did know it.

Stumbo · #12 08-10-2011, 10:16 PM

I wouldn't take it personally. YOu don't know the guy and he doesn't know you.

IMO, he's just making conversation.

I would have replied with something like , "yeah, it's cool the stuff Leo did after he left Fender. Tell me about your bass and what music you play."

Get him talking and get to know him. Maybe you can teach him a thing or two. Just be kind about it. I'm sure it's no reflection on what you know or don't know.

walterw · #13 08-10-2011, 10:18 PM

good points.

you should have caught him short as soon as he started, with "yep, the 'L' stands for 'Leo'; now who does the 'G' stand for?"

IncX · #14 08-10-2011, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

good points.

you should have caught him short as soon as he started, with "yep, the 'L' stands for 'Leo'; now who does the 'G' stand for?"

George?

lol

sorry, i just couldnt resist

JimmyM · #15 08-10-2011, 10:51 PM

Wow, a little touchy, eh?

Nev375 · #16 08-10-2011, 11:03 PM

If you don't want to be offended, stop looking for reasons to be offended.

Depth_Charge · #17 08-10-2011, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkmoor

I guess I was just a bit offended that he took the stance that I didn't know something instead of that I did know it.

I don't know many people who go around assuming everyone knows everything and IME age is not an indicator of knowledge. I suspect he was chasing praise, since not many youngsters would know the history behind G&L basses and their relationship to Fender. I'm 38 and I didn't.

pkmoor · #18 08-11-2011, 05:13 AM

OK - I guess the consensus is that I took it the wrong way and I'll keep that in mind for the next time. Thanks everyone.

KillianRussell · #19 08-11-2011, 07:10 AM

Philadelphians are so pugnacious when Santa Claus crossed the football field he was pelted with snowballs. Every third person in the Delaware Valley is a quasi-tuff guy, I am pretty sure it was not what the young buck said as much as it is the tone in which he said it. If you are living in a nice suburb like Maple Glen you need to accept the fact people from places like let's say the Northeast are going to come out of the side of their neck at you.

pkmoor · #20 08-11-2011, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KillianRussell

Philadelphians are so pugnacious when Santa Claus crossed the football field he was pelted with snowballs. Every third person in the Delaware Valley is a quasi-tuff guy, I am pretty sure it was not what the young buck said as much as it is the tone in which he said it. If you are living in a nice suburb like Maple Glen you need to accept the fact people from places like let's say the Northeast are going to come out of the side of their neck at you.

Actually I think he's from CT - they met at school