Question: what does your extended family think of your bus?

[Paladin]

The reason I ask is that recently some of my siblings and in-laws etc who I had little contact with until recently became aware of my owning a bus. The responses have been pretty much all over the map. Some shake their head with the reaffirmed knowledge that I am indeed crazy. One or two have asked me what made me choose such a project though they say little else ( I tend to put these people in with the first group) and a couple have expressed interest and thought it was really cool and ask questions, good ones too.
My older sister wasn't surprised and said that it follows my history of tinkering since I was a kid. My brother wants one and is hoping I'll kick the bucket so he can inherit mine. One brother in law is further convinced that I'm a nut case.

So my question is, what have your extended family outside of spouses and offspring thought or said about your bus? Do they like it and want to go somewhere with you ( have you taken them anywhere?) or are you a tad off center in their view?  Maybe a little of both?

-Dave

[NewbeeMC9]

Yep

[muddog16]

I stopped caring what the extended family thought about the bus........20 years ago and I've only had it for 5 years!

[Jeremy]

Most people I tell are completely nonplussed, or at least perplexed and not sure if they heard correctly. There are exceptions though - I met a very pretty girl quite recently, and in the course of trying to chat her up I mentioned the bus. A mistake you might think - but no, she immediately said "Wow, cool, I can't wait to see that!".

Result, I thought.

As for my family...nothing surprises them anymore. When my parents first saw the bus my Dad tried hard to appear aloof and uninterested, whereas my Mum (surprisingly perhaps) was really into it and wanted to know all the details, and started to plan out the interior for me. The first time I used it for a trip (tin-tenting) they came down in the car one day (probably a 400 mile round trip) to see how I was getting on. Now it's been off the road for a couple of years whilst I slowly work on the conversion, and I doubt either of them really believe that it will ever move under it's own power again - but they did quite recently mention the idea of them hiring a motorhome for a driving holiday in Scotland - so I told them to wait until the bus was finished and do the trip in style.

My sister knows I have a bus but the concept just doesn't show up on her radar - she's never seen my house, never mind my bus. Which is a shame as I'm sure her kids would love it.

Jeremy

[oldmansax]

Most of my extended family already thought I was crazy long before I bought a bus. As far as I know, they still hold that, and a lot of other erroneous opinions.

We have 13 grand kids and they all love the bus & us. I haven't figured out which one they love the most, though...   

TOM

[JackConrad]

We moved to Florida many years ago (long before our first coach) leaving all our family in Illinois. So we had minimal contact with them. Many of our family camp, so they thought it was neat. The rest were pretty much just indifferent until they saw it. Then they were amazed at what we had done.  Jack

[Chopper Scott]

The only reaction I have gotten that wasn't on the positive side came from someone with a 5th wheel sticks and staples rig. Actually I sensed a little jealousy.

[cody]

Mine really don't care what I drive, my older brother has a 2006 marathon conversion, my younger brother has a 2004 marathon so they all know buses, only insanity they see is why do it yoursself when you can tell the engineers what you want and sit back and relax while exactly what you want is being built.

[Kenny]

My wife likes at least the idea of traveling the country when the bus is finished. But until I get further along and start on the interior, she shows no interest and would of settled for something smaller. She's the type of person that cannot imagine the finished product. For now she's patient and I know she will really enjoy it when nearing completion. Maybe someone can pipe in on how to get her more interested in it during the construction phase.

My kids, 19, 25 and 28 think its cool and can't wait till its finished. Some people, although they don't say it give me the preception that its probally a waste of time and money. Others just respond with "that's nice". Have some close friends that hound me to get it finished so we can all take some trips. Only thing in common with all our friends and family is me converting a bus does not surprise anyone. I can't sit still.
Kenny

[robertglines1]

Like the comebacks much of the same responses....I play the game with the sticks and staples bunch but when something breaks on theirs they come and ask for help and even in a bad storm come and stay with us   Have converted several to bus owners or wannabees...Kids and grand kids luv it  Paw Pas  Chucho (2 yr old Cash Carter)...so just smile and know your happy...Bob

[Dreamscape]

Most of our family thinks it pretty cool! The other comments I tend to ignore!

I mean who cares what they think, it's like the Ford and Chevy thing, only ours is much bigger!

[PSmith]

I've had mine for 13 yrs and finally completed.   Now the comments at family events are:

Still got that bus?
Wow, that's a big project. ( eyes glazing over )
What kinda 'gas' mileage do you get? ( while looking away for another conversation to join ).
Are you taking the 'trailer'? ( when talking with mother-in-law about a trip thats' planned ).

99% of them are completely 'not interested'.  The 1% are just being polite 

[bigjohnkub]

Just a list;
1. Older brother currently has 5 buses, two are motorhomes.
2. I have three currently, although 1 is going to new owner soon.
3. Younger brother wants one, but is using ours(and helps with repairs) until he gets one.
4. Wife loves the interior painting, remodeling, and second seat navigator.
5. Father in law thinks I'm crazy, after all I married his daughter.
6. Mother in law thinks 1 is all we need(they are sooo big)
I don't give a dam what they think. I wanted, I bought , and they are mine!!!

[bevans6]

My family thinks it's cool.  They are jealous.  It helps that my wife and I have a reputation for competence in our family, and so whatever we decide to do is usually thought of as the right thing to do.  Lord only knows how that happened...   

Brian

[zimtok]

My family know I have a bus but only my son has seen it.
My son and I are the only ones that live here in the Memphis area.

My son was with me when we first looked at buying it. He said it was hot and smelled old. That was several years ago but now my son likes the bus and shows it off to his friends. (He also shows them my 65 GTO) He is 17 and it has been "cool" for him to hang out with the band at gigs and on the bus....



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