I've been curious to note the reactions people have when I broach the topic of Bigfoot during conversation.

The looks I get! People are really astonished.

In my work, I'm paid to look for and explore unique or "alternative" approaches to lots of things, so many of my colleagues are accustomed to me bringing up odd topics or curious angles on things. Even so, a lot of folks react with gaping jaws when I begin explaining that I believe "an undiscovered great ape may exist in North America."

"What, you mean, uh, Bigfoot?" people say, dumbfound.

I find myself giving the same speach over and over about Krantz, dermatoglyphics, and so on.

I'm curious:

- What kind of reactions do you get from people?

- What strategies have you developed for these initial conversations?

- How often do you convert a "newbie" to being open-minded, whether by providing information, making arguments or simply being a "respectable believer"?

-- James

When I'm sober,



When I'm Tippsy,


when I'm drunk








Belle

I get alot of laughs,and then I really let them have the whole story(to the best of my knowledge) then they reply(of late) "didnt THAT GUY admit to making the whole story up",I say yeah(telling them what I think about that) but was he alive to make it up in the 1800's.By the time I'm done telling my side of the story most of the time I have changed their tune a little..

With time, many change from incredulity to allowing the possibility that such could exist. It takes a lot of time, though, to overcome all the obsticles that the media has put in place in many peoples minds, such as the claim that the Patterson film was faked, etc.

The most amazing thing I find, though, is the number of people that will go from initial shock that I am talking about it to relief that they don't have to continue to keep quiet about their OWN experiences! The number of people that have had encounters is really FAR higher than I imagined possible.

Universally, though, this only happens with people that I have known for several years. People around here, at least, will NOT open up concerning this until they have known you for a long time.

I have learned who I can and can't bring up the subject of BF with. Most people are going to give you the "Huh?!" look.
Because of this, I don't bring it up or talk about it much to people (except for my immediate family and friends mostly on here). I don't want to waste my time "converting" an ignorant skeptic that has never read/learned the evidence at hand. If/when they can (on their own) pick up some good books, get some facts, maybe open their eyes a little, then I would discuss it with them if they brought it up first.

I do find it interesting in Ampat's case, as he is in the ministry, of how his church members may react to his experiences(?). My husband is also in the ministry part-time (teaches full-time). Our church has over 2500 members, many of these are doctors, lawyers, political figures, etc. If any of them were to know that I or anyone else have a serious interest in Bigfoot research, I/they would probably be looked at like "Ooookayyyyy." This may not be true of all the church members, but the vast majority, definitely. The members that held a similar interest would not speak up for fear of ridicule on this "taboo" subject." One is expected to be "outstanding" when in the ministry. You and your family are kind of "put on a pedestal" so to speak. You are always in the public eye. Everything you do, wear, and say is noticed. It isn't always easy. (It isn't like this in all churches)
I am not considered the average "minister's wife" though and proud of it. Whoever said I was pious?
We're all human. If you can't be yourself, who can you be?
I just happen to have a intense fascination with Bigfoot...my perogative.

I DO think that as more factual information becomes available to the public that the openess on this subject will change... eventually. It WILL take time. But, there are always going to be negative stories out there (the Wallaces for instance) and outlandish tales (i.e. National Enquirer) blocking the way of serious, overall belief. JMO

Well, I don't discuss the big guy from the pulpit - -

Actually, we have talked to several church members, one on one and OUTSIDE of church, about our experiences. Most of them have had experiences of their own, so were not shocked.

Then, we were looking for a new series we could do for adult Sunday School, and one of the members suggested we enter into a study of 'the weird and the strange', and their impact on Christianity.

We were blown right off our feet by that suggestion, and put it to a vote, which went in favor of having such a series. During the planning session for this series, we suggested Bigfoot be one of the topics, and it was greeted favorably, with no one batting an eyelash. Judy and I already gave our presentation, and it was received quite well; no one called us heretics, tried to excommunicate us, or quit the church in disgust. Everyone was quite interested, and no one was actually shocked by our experiences. A large part of this acceptance was probably due to the number of people present who had also had experiences with him.

That's really cool AmPat, I would go to church more often if I could hear about Bigfoot stories!

In my opinion, people tend to open their minds more as they learn more about the subject. Think about it: The believers know everything there is to know about Bigfoot, the naysayers know next to nothing. It makes sense if you think about it. I usually tell people "If you learn a lot about the subject and study it a little, you'll start to believe it." I think that's true.

How do they react? Well they look at me like i'm NUTZ!!Then i tell them that I AM!!

being raisedin Sonora ca a long time history of sightings most are open minded. I am surprised how many people I talk to that have had an experince or think they have had one but have never really talk to anyone about it, I`ve said this before- I feel well over 90% of sighting go unreported. It can be for many reasons yet they just have the encounter and never say a word. Thats my experiences anyway here in Tuolumne County, ca

Reactions range for out-right disbelief to cautious exceptence.



I occasionally wear my International Bigfoot Symposium t-shirt, and wait for someone to comment on it. Sometimes I will bring up the subject if someone is talking about hunting or hiking.


Don't think I've ever converted anyone from non-believer, but I do correct the mistaken impression that Ray Wallace was resposible for the whole Bigfoot phenomena.


Most people seem to believe Bigfoot is a hoax created by Ray Wallace - "... didn't I hear (or read) that some guy came out and said he was the hoaxer?"
I've also had hunters and horseman who maintain it can't possibly exist; after all they've never seen as much as a track.

Well, most of the people I tell tend to be in college (peer group, of course) . . . and the general response there is, "Oh, cool. Anything ever happen?" One started out thinking “sasquatch” was a really long acronym . . . Another guy who I played some sounds I recorded for has sworn he’d never go camping with me. Folks I figure will be unreceptive to it, I just don’t mention it with.


Alicia

I have a plaster cast (of Patty) in my office, and when folks see it and comment on it, they are usually receptive. I guess looking at a 15 inch foot makes the possibility more plausible to them.

No one has laughed at me (yet).

Well, I've only been doing this "for real" for about 6 months, but I've had pretty good luck so far.

I try to only talk about it to people who might be in a position to help me, like the local cops or DNR folks but most of them, after the intial check to make sure no one else is listening in on us, have been pretty cool.

Back in early November, I had to give myself a crash course in lifting fingerprints, and went straight to the Mooresville PD to see if I could get some fingerprint powder. They couldn't give/sell me any because it was a cost controlled item, and the captain came out to tell me why, and then we started talking about my reason for wanting to try it.

He wanted to know what I wanted to get prints off of and why, and I told him the pan out of my neighbors hogroaster (roughly 4.5' x 2' x 6") had been carried out of their yard and into my cornfield where the remaining scraps were picked over. He said, "Well, you know, if your guy isn't on the books as a known offender, there really isn't anything you can do with prints-" And I went into Tommy Lee Jones, "Men-In-Black" mode and blurted out, "He's not a known offender Captain... He's not even a known species..."

At this point, his face took on the aspect of a 4 year old boy lost in Wal-Mart, and I told him yes, I was looking for a sasquatch, and quickly reminded him of the handfull of reports in their own records from the '80s. Once he realized I was serious, and after I told him about Jimmy Chilcutt's work, he really opened up, and was telling all kinds of alternative things I could use to try lifting prints.

After dusting the entire pan, (powdered graphite, clear packing tape and index cards) I got a smeared oval shaped "print" that looked like it might have had dermals at one time, which I sent off to Det. Chilcutt, and am still waiting to hear yea or nay on.

So far, I've found (in all two cases. ) that if you present yourself seriously, and can cut most of the popular arguments to ribbons at a moments notice, most people will listen with an open mind.

Cheers!

-Sarge