So...I don't post very often here, but what happened to me last night really got me mad and I was just wondering if the same thing has ever happened to anyone here, and if so, how they handled it. Here is the scoop:

My wife and I were invited to a little get together at a friends house. We sat around a small fire in the backyard shooting the breeze for a couple of hours while drinking beers. All was going well. Then some of their friends showed up whom my wide and I did not know. We were introduced and they joined us in the merriment. A couple more hours go by and none of us are feeling any pain. And then it happened. I don't know why, but for some reason my made a comment about my belief in bigfoot (I actually saw one when I was younger so I know they exist). It almost flew over everyones head, but this one guy wouldn't let it go and he insisted I tell him more. He seemed like he was really interested and I got the sense that he may be a believer as well. So I started to tell him my experience. What happened next got me furious to the point where I went home and couldn't sleep last night so I am telling you fine folks.

He started making fun of me. This complete stranger who I just met, making me feel like a complete moron in front of everyone. There he was telling me why what I saw was a bear. He told me that bears can walk on their hind legs for miles. Can you belive that? Miles!?! We got into this big loud argument as my drunken mind tried to point out the mountains of evidence that we have that point to sasquatch being real. It got so bad that my wife had to pull me out of there before I really said some things that I would have regretted.

So, long story short, has anybody else ever been put on the spot to defend your belief? Ever happen while you had been drinking a few too many wobbly pops? How did you handle it?

Don't drink and drive, don't drink and bigfoot? It makes me curious to wonder how this topic would have ended if you and he were sober. I've been sober at get togethers in recent years when everyone else was hammered. The same thoughts run through my mind, "What a bunch of idiots and fools." If you could see a video in your sober state of the events of that party, you'd know why. Too bad it ended that way.

Let's just hope she doesn't read this forum! :laugh: j/k


Might be just your choice of semantics, but my advice is to first let go of the 'believer' syndrom that so many get caught up in. Don't try to search out other 'believers', that's just looking for trouble. Bigfoot is not a belief system, it is the search for an undocumented primate that may exist in various forested areas around the globe, and if you're going to broach the subject in any setting, that's the way it should be approached. That being said, it sounds like the guy was just being a jerk by saying that bears can walk on their hind legs for miles. That's an immature way of attacking your argument by making a big joke out of it. I've had similar things happen to me when I dared mention(to certain people) the mere possibility that 'bigfoot' or 'sasquatch' might exist in our forest. A lot of people don't want to even be remotely associated with something they think is "weird" in the majority of the eyes of society, so they distance themselves any way they possibly can, including poking fun at you and your argument, generally acting like pricks and making asses out of themselves in the process.

I've found the best way to handle approaching the subject in a setting such as the one you were in is to either not say anything at all, or handle it in a very light-hearted way without showing any kind of heated passion to defend the subject. Not saying to participate and make fun of the subject yourself, but take the ribbing and eye-rolling in stride, and if someone does start being a jerk and pisses you off, don't let them see it. Just treat it like "Oh well", shake your head with a smirk and move on to another subject. It's a lost cause to try and discuss the subject with that crowd anyway. This way it might just make them think about their own position in the long run, and let's you keep the upper hand in the process. I've found that it's sad but true, I guess mostly because of the area I live in and the mindset of many of the people who live here. There are bigots everywhere you go, including bigotry against anything out of the ordinary, including bigfoot, UFO's, lake monsters, or anything else that isn't considered part of the 'norm' in society. That's why I don't associate myself with anyone like that in the first place. I try my best to choose my friends and confidants very carefully.

Sounds like you have a lot of passion toward this subject, and that is to be commended. Just know that you've got a place here to discuss bigfoot 24/7, so don't be a stranger. :new_thumbsupsmileyanim:

Yeah. What is really bothering me is that I was obviously not thinking clearly and I let my passion dictate the argument. I had a hard time making reasonable arguments and the whole thing was just a mish-mash of me passionately defending my belief while trying hard not to let people know that I was made to feel like an idiot for believing. Now, with a much clearer head, I would love the opportunity to talk to this guy and provide much more lucid thoughts. I guess I must have looked like a complete nut case last night.

gigabyteman first of all don't let it bother you too much, for all we know if the other person had been sober, none of this may have happened in the first place. Also if the guy was a half-way decent person he more than likely would have never started to make fun of you anyway, but politely took it in stride. Who knows, maybe he was so drunk last night he don't even remember it today. I also find it interesting that when people are really plowed, and get into disagreements over things said, how the hell they really understand what the other is saying? I know when the totally sober people in the area only hear a lot of mumbling and grumbling and slurred unintelligible noises. But by golly the two in disagreement seem to understand every syllable.

Maybe if should ever happen again, and you feel intoxicated at all, simply announce that it's not a subject you want to discuss at this time, but would be happy to at a later date. Maybe what they really wanted was a spooky ghost type story around the campfire. So memorize a few of those to be able to use next time.

In real life, Volsquatch must be a carpenter - because he keeps hitting the nail on the head. I agree you should stay away from B.W.I. (bigfooting while intoxicated) The other guy is either too drunk, or not drunk enough for your arguements to work on. And at the worse the other guy is a jerk who enjoys being a jerk. So your set up to lose.

Personally, I stay away from the subject with strangers. Only mention it to friends - and some of them give me strange looks still. Those of my friends I do talk to about it are ones who live on the site of a sighting some 60 years ago and have some strange happenings reciently. Probibly not bigfoot, but still strange. Or ones who have experience in the outdoors, and maintain an open mind. And of course the 4 friends who have had sightings.


I feel for you. I think all of us have had something like this happen to them before. But just let it slide off of you. They do not deserve your knowledge anyhow.

Next time choose politics or religion, I think those are easier arguments. lol And hell, you might even find someone that will take your side.

I can see myself in this exact situation, (except for the dinking part). I don't think fast enough to make the comebacks that I later think I should have made. Lately, I find myself preparing for this and similar scenarios. If someone told me I saw a bear........I'd ask if he was there with me? If not, how can you say what I saw? To the bear walking on two legs for miles....where did you see or hear that? Make them defend their position. Turn the tables.

Sounds like you had a pretty crappy time G-man. Take Vol's advice. Not a subject you want to have to defend when you've been drinking. It's hard enough to defend stone cold sober.

I had a business aquaintence ask me about 'bigfoot' the other week - I could tell from the expression on his face that he thought it was funny, and was only bringing it up for a laugh - I told him that if was really interested, then the next time he is passing my way, to give me a call, and he can come up to my office to see some plaster casts, a quality copy of the PGF, and I'll take him through all the evidence I have.

That's how I usually deal with it - sometimes they take me up on the offer, sometimes they don't, but I try not to engage with them otherwise.

I sympathize with you, gig man. That must have left you terribly frustrated. BTDT. I had been hanging around here for awhile, reading and gathering info, when I mentioned BF to an online aquaintence. I had worked with this "buddy" on AOL for almost two years, and we had long, involved discussions on other topics. He was bright, articulate, and witty.

The response I got from him was shocking, to say the least. He launched into a tirade such that I couldnt even repeat here, and he basically called me a gullible moron. He also blocked me, and I have not heard a peep from him since! I thought his reaction was SO very odd! I apparently touched a nerve?

Thing is, you never know what kind of response you are going to get, so dont even approach the subject unless you are locked and loaded (in the figurative sense). OR, be prepared to clam up, take the "I know something you dont know" stance, and let it go.

thats really strange that he would do that, and i wonder why he was so freaked about it. and how weird of him to totally block you after a 2 year online friendship. strange....

gig, has anyone called you to see how you are since the party? and what's up with THAT guy? a total stranger picking a fight like that. people can be so weird. many of our life experiences are just fodder for parties later on anyway, right? oh the stories i could tell, and i've surely gotten into more than my share of trouble,

gael

gigabyteman,

When I first got involved with bf research my wife's family was nice about it, even if skeptical. My wife's nephew, Daniel, has hunted coons and deer for years and spents a lot of time in the woods and in the dark.

His statement was "I have not ever seen or heard anything unusual, and I don't know anyone in this county that has either." I asked him if I ever found a footprint would he interested in seeing it. He said "sure".

Well, the day finally came, on Super Bowl Sunday, the 23rd of January 2005, I found a footprint frozen in the slush and ice. Daniel lives 3 miles from the site. I couldn't resist taking a picture of him feeling the impression of each of the toes in the ice.

Sometimes revenge is sweet!

As we were drinking heavily last night my wife had slept in this morning. When she got up she asked if I was upset because she brought up the whole bigfoot thing. She is not convinced about bigfoot but over the years has come to see why I do believe. Anyways, I told her it was OK, but ity just put me in a situation I had never been in before and the booze only made it more difficult. I told her about my posting my thoughts on this board and she told me exactly the same things that Volsquatch and moregon said.

And, by the way liebling, our friend called this afternoon and said that the guy I was arguing with last night took it all in stride and was just trying to get a good laugh. Apparently he wanted to apologize for getting me all worked up and next time he is in town he would like to get together to discuss it rationally!!! How do you like that, eh?

I really appreciate all you guys hereletting me vent my feelings like this. I really do feel a lot better.

Ciao for now,
Gigs

I have told my encounter twice to afew friends and i got the same response.Now i keep my mouth shut when it is brought up .One day the proof will be there.No reason to get upset.

I often believe that when someone responds that way, he has had a frightening encounter themselves and basically they can't face his fears.

My older brother now disses the whole bigfoot thing, tho I know he had 2 experiences when he was younger (at age 14 and later around age 16, maybe 17). However, the second one was extremely frightening for him. Now at age 39, he responds very negatively to anyone bringing up the topic. Even if it's my younger brother, who was with him during the first encounter.

Up here in BC there's usually someone in the group that has, at least, heard or seen something weird in the bush that can back you up a little bit.

thats not cool, but at least he wants to apologize. are you gonna meet up with him when he comes back to town?


gael

Hi Sassfoot,
I sure would like to hear about your encounter, if you want just PM me and I would call you back, and or we could discuss it over the net anyway that you would like to communicate.
BbaH

I always try to be very careful about bringing up the issue of bigfoot around strangers. Once I mentioned
it to a hunter who put me in a half-nelson and told me this wild story about encountering "screaming monkeys"
in the New Jersey Pine Barrens.

I had a friend who used to laugh at me if I broached the subject, then I told him to watch "Legend meets Science". Funny thing, he's not so skeptical anymore...
And yes being under the influence doesnt help when you're trying to sound logical. Hey when you see this guy next time, hand him a Bigfoot Ale. Um, unopened of course.:wink:

Gigbyteman,

Funny how things change because just a little over a year I would have laughed in your face if I heard the word "Bigfoot" also.

If you ever do meet up with that guy again, point him in the direction of some of the better websites and I bet he would change his tune, or just invite him here to the forum then let him come to his own conclusions.

Sunflower

sorry meant "gigabyteman"

I think the idea of turning him on to this forum is a great idea...I think I will do that. On a side note: My father-in-law I think always sort of thought I was a little nuts because of my belief in bigfoot. Then one day he sat down and watched Legend Meets Science with me and he doesn't tease me anymore. He has worked in the bush all his life and I think maybe he might have had an encounter that he wasn't sure of. It is almost as if now he seems a lot more open about the whole subject.

Gigs

In response to the opening post if it was me and if I was drunk I probably would have punched the swine. :laugh:

Yea, ten year ago i probably would have too but you hafta understand how far out on a limb you go when you acknowledge that they exist.A lot of people are not secure enough to go there so they try to belittle it.Peer pressure or something.

I've always found that a good squirt in the face with the ol' lapel-pin flower... and who looks like a fool now? :icon_clown_v2:

Mate ,

I have been in your shoes many times-The trouble is I and most of my pals live in England so I have never had an encounter-But crikey I believe allright.

The last time this situation arose I had some friends round and my partner had gone to bed as she was working early the following morning.As the evening went on we discussed many subjects-ghost etc.
One of my friends had recetly seen some programme exposing the worlds greatest hoaxes and the PGF was the pride of the programme and how gleefully the show claimed to debunk the film.My friend asked how anyone could believe that the film was real and secondly bigfoot existed!!!!

It was like a red rag to a bull.Within seconds he was drowning in a sea of books and could not get a word out quick enough to apologise!

The funny thing is now that he actually (i dont think he is just humouring me either) has a vague interest and for some reason feels that the Malaysia situation will yeild a bigfoot.Not sure why he thinks that of Malaysia and not the US/Canada-but at least he now has an open mind.

Keep the faith!

[quote name='gigabyteman' post='319836' date='Jun 4 2006, 11:40 AM']
[quote name='Sunflower' post='319834' date='Jun 4 2006, 10:31 AM']
Don't drink and drive, don't drink and bigfoot? It makes me curious to wonder how this topic would have ended if you and he were sober. I've been sober at get togethers in recent years when everyone else was hammered. The same thoughts run through my mind, "What a bunch of idiots and fools." If you could see a video in your sober state of the events of that party, you'd know why. Too bad it ended that way.
[/quote]

Yeah. What is really bothering me is that I was obviously not thinking clearly and I let my passion dictate the argument. I had a hard time making reasonable arguments and the whole thing was just a mish-mash of me passionately defending my belief while trying hard not to let people know that I was made to feel like an idiot for believing. Now, with a much clearer head, I would love the opportunity to talk to this guy and provide much more lucid thoughts. I guess I must have looked like a complete nut case last night.
[/quote]

But, it could also give you cold, steely resolve to go back out where you had your encounter (not that far away from Victoria, I imagine) and get proof.

That's when you could tell your detractor "This is not a bear walking for miles on hind legs, meathead"!

And that is a moment that you will enjoy.

cheers

Alex



The funny thing is now that he actually (i dont think he is just humouring me either) has a vague interest and for some reason feels that the Malaysia situation will yeild a bigfoot.Not sure why he thinks that of Malaysia and not the US/Canada-but at least he now has an open mind.

Keep the faith!
[/quote]

The funny thing is that you have given me a great idea!

Along the lines of our friend Gary Geldmacher over there, I will start my own brand of Canadian Bigfoot hotspot coach tours for the British!

We could then expand it to the PNW, Ohio (anywhere that geldmacher has an expedition).

We could bring our tourists from Britain (who know how to have a good time) and catch them a bigfoot, guaranteed, every time!

Wow, then we could get into the Asian travel market and the sky really is the limit.

I can't believe nobody has done this yet. Look at the success the plains natives have had with German tourism!

golly!

Cheers

Alex

That's not legal here (swine punching), you have to kick them, sort of disinterestedly