Hmmm...

[Summerbee]

Does anybody here ever get the impression that older bkprs don't take you seriously? You know how it goes, you try to strike up a conversation or ask a question about bees, or maybe you're looking for equipment, and they just blow you off. Especially if you're a girl. "Be careful, bees sting." !?!  As if I haven't been stung!  And it'sd not like you can find many really young bkprs around, I have yet to meet one under 30.

Anyone else?

[Horns Pure Honey]

Lol, simple, go to a bee keeper meeting and out smart alot of them, lol. I have never had this problem but if you show them that you know what you are talking about they will give you respect. Are last president of are local beekeeper clunb of like 50 people was only 16. We show we are adult enough and smart enough to handle the job, I was offerd spots on the board too, you just have to find that one time that you can prove yourself. Alot of people are gunna be like "bees sting' and your just gunna have to be like yeah thats apart of it. Some people are very "blonde" about things they say some times, we all do it once in a while. So sooner or latter they will give you the respect you want, on here we treat all as adults and no one is called stupid or dumb. With out questions you cant get answers. When I first got on here I was 16, 17 now and was made a moderator at 16, you just have to show that you can handle the responsibility and know what you are talking about, good luck, hope this helps, bye :D

[Summerbee]

Thnx H.P.H., sorry to blow up like that.  In FL there aren't many bee organizations, at least that I've found; seems the mites are sweeping the state.  So when you do meet someone, it's "Yay! You're one of my people!" The bkprs that I've met seem all gloom and doom about the bkping industry in Fl though, saying 'we're gonna be out of here in 10 years, here take my old supers'.  As long as you are hyped up about what you're doing is what matters i guess. But you are right, i suppose it takes time to build people's faith in you.  This site so rocks!!  it's neat to hear from people far and wide w/ your interest and not feel so solitary, although bkping is a rather solitary art. It's like watching for bees in the field, and seeing one every few weeks, and then stumbling on the hive and finding 40,000 of them.  I do think people (and beekeepers) in general are good, just occasionally you meet a "beesting". :)

[beemaster]

Summerbee:

It's a shame your experiences with "Older" Beekeepers is so uncalled for. I enjoy mentoring to younger Beekeeps, ezpecially those who show real interest and most importantly - I never talk down to a younger person.

I assume some people need to see your comfort level and experience (or at least your interest and willingness to learn) and maybe then you'll have their attention.

But personally, I'd look for better instructors, somewhere the ones you have encountered have lost their love for the hobby and the innate ability that most every beekeeper has to over explain their hobby - especially to anyone willing or interested in learning.

Keep looking and I promise not everyone is like that - they are the few and far between and most importantly, as you age DON'T become like them, share your knowledge, respect your students ability to comprehend what you to say and NEVER think of their question as silly or stupid, we all have questions (no matter how much experience we have) that seems silly and the only way we'll learn is by researching or asking others.

Happy New Year and everyone needs to find a mentor - and eventually become one!!!!!

[Summerbee]

Thanks for your encouragement folks!

[Horns Pure Honey]

Thats what where here for and we wouldnt offer anything else! talk latter :D