Perceptions

[Derek 0]

Hockey is expensive to play if you play pickup 5 or 6 times a week. I play all the time and I am addicted to it. I will not even put it aside to take care of responsibilities. I put it before everything else. Having said that, I don't have a whole lot else. I am just curious about perceptions; if someone plays that much, is he or she liable to be suspected to have rich parents or something of that sort?

My other question is concerning wealth also. Can experienced players tell if some kid just has rich parents?

[ndlancer95 0]

Hockey is expensive to play if you play pickup 5 or 6 times a week. I play all the time and I am addicted to it. I will not even put it aside to take care of responsibilities. I put it before everything else. Having said that, I don't have a whole lot else. I am just curious about perceptions; if someone plays that much, is he or she liable to be suspected to have rich parents or something of that sort?

My other question is concerning wealth also. Can experienced players tell if some kid just has rich parents?

for the second question, you can obviously tell Johnny bendsalot with his new x60s one day and then Totalones, and usually Johnny will play for the A team (highest level around here) because his parents are donors to the organization.

For the first, I'd say that it is a variable answer. Because you see Johnny All Star with the handmedown Tackaberrys, that works to pay for his own ice time. But as with everything in the world, there are wealthy people that feel the need to shownoff their wealth andnsend their 3 kids to sticktime every day during the summer. Hockey is not exempt to the wealth game.

[goaliemanshark 6]

The answer is no.

And why do you care? Just play and don't worry about whether someones parents are rich or not. It does not matter.

[Krev 86]

The answer is no.

And why do you care? Just play and don't worry about whether someones parents are rich or not. It does not matter.

This.

Perfect answer.

[shotty 7]

almost everyone has a hobby of some sort, and if you're dedicated, it costs money. whether it be video games, comic books, athletics or what have you. when i recognize a person at drop-in (and this goes for when i was younger too), i don't think "wow, he must be rich" i think "wow, he must love this game as much as i do". its when the kid rolls in with 2 or 3 S19s, and other pimp gear (like the connecticut kid said) that i start wondering what his parents (or these days; what he) does for a living.

golf, on the other hand, is a whole different story.

[IniNew 53]

As I've gotten older, like the person above me, I no longer feel jealousy towards the money people have but more curiosity of what they do, and if it's something I can work towards doing myself. In other words, who cares, just go play.

[PJaeggi97 0]

Why should you care? If your happy with your equipment and happy your skating, why bother?

[eric42434224 1]

I have never once thought of the relationship between the amount of open hockey one plays to the amount of wealth of the persons parents. On another note, a child who always has the best equipment isnt necessarily the parent showing off wealth. In many cases, the amount spent on higher end equipment may be less proportionately to net worth/income than another who spends less.

[Neo5370 132]

I'm not sure I understand your conern. Are you wondering if people think you are rich or are just people that play a lot in general?

I notice your post does not mentino anything about equipment, so going by amt. of time spent alone, I would say no. There tons of people that have avg. to low paying jobs that play a lot. If they play a lot of day-time drop-in, the may work 2nd or 3rd shift and vice versa if they play a lot rec leagues at night.

Maybe they have fewer personaly relationships or responsibilities, by choice or not and prefer to fill all their time w/ hockey. Thus any money spent on socializing, going out, gifts, clothes, blah blah blah, is spent on hockey. I know people like this, they're not rich, and it's ok.

Then again, maybe some people are indpendently wealthy and choose to devote all their time to hockey. Although if they are an adult I would think this is rare b/c (if we're talking really wealthy) usu. have social obligations to upkeep, or business obligations to upkeep (i.e. not necessarily punching in for 8 hrs but maybe business trips, dinners, fundraising, etc.).

In short. No. I have never thought that someone is rich b/c they spend a lot of time at the rink. Just like in any other sphere of life, if you really want to gauge someone's wealth it would be more accurate to gauge outward signs like material possessions, conduct, social affiliations, etc.

But honestly, why bother? I'm neutral as to whether someone cares about the wealth of others. It's your brain, use it to think about whatever you want. But if it's causing you to worry about how people percieve you don't sweat it man. But if it's causing you to treat others based on how wealthy you perceive them, whatever, just don't be a prick about it.

[iceNsteel 0]

I really don't see why anyone else's opinion would matter on the subject. It's a fact of life that some people can afford things others can't. It might not even be an issue of outright wealth, but priority. There are a lot of guys I play with that have more money than I do, but they don't skate as much or have as nice of gear. The why is pretty simple: hockey is a huge priority for me, they have families and other interests competing for their money.

Go skate and enjoy it, if someone thinks you have rich parents what difference does it really make?

[JoeyJ0506 192]

If you have nice gear and can afford to skate every day as a perk of having parents with some money then more power to you. As long as you're not playing, "my daddy is better than your daddy," by shoving it in you fellow skaters' faces, then who cares?

The mentality that the price of gear somehow makes the player is what irks so many people about the PHEW on this board. Get over it and enjoy the game.

[PJaeggi97 0]

Your forgetting what Hockey is all about. Having fun and throwing everything out the window for that hour and half or 2 hours

[sickwilly 37]

Your forgetting what Hockey is all about. Having fun and throwing everything out the window for that hour and half or 2 hours

Bingo!

If you happen to have rich parents, cool. Just be modest, humble and a good guy. Do that and I'd imagine that most others will treat you well, regardless of $$.

[C.SLO5 0]

I agree with the others. I don't get jealous when I see younger kids or other players with some high price/ high quality items. I'll spend small amounts on pads...buy middle of the line but helmet, stick, gloves and skates I don't want to skimp on. I don't EVER talk about my equipment with people unless they ask me. THey have eyes, they can see the X60 on your stick/skates/gloves etc. Just be humble and glad you have the stuff you do. And if mom and dad helps out, then awesome!!! Just don't be a gaudy monstrosity about it! (I'm 25 and haven't lived with my parents for years. The other day my mom asked me where I was going. I told her to buy a new stick. She asked which one. I said X40. She asked how much the next best up stick was. I told her and she handed me cash for the difference to get it. I didn't ask for it or really need it but she said "score some goals" and that was it. )

Sometimes I will comment on peoples gear and tell them it's sweet and ask them how they like it. Like that guy with the custom Franchises...Rich snobby kid. Just kidding... There are rich snobs out there but in the end...are YOU hitting top shelf or is he? Status isn't everything!

Have fun playing!!

[Chadd 916]

The only time I ever notice how much money someone spends on gear is when I see them show up with new gear every time I see them. If I don't see them frequently, I don't even recall what they use. I couldn't even start to tell you what half the guys on my team use, mostly because I don't care.

Everyone judges people, it's human nature. You form an opinion about everyone the instant you see them, though that opinion should change as you gain more information about them.

Some people will have a problem with you, no matter what gear you use, how you dress or even how you act. That should tell you something about those people. Be your own person, do your own thing and stop caring about what a couple judgmental pricks think about you.

[hockeyherb 1]

I will not even put it aside to take care of responsibilities. I put it before everything else.

This is the only statement that would worry me. The fact you even noticed that you play hockey instead of taking care of shit tells me you probably know better but still put hockey first.

You sound like a young guy. I recommend spending some time learning healthy habits making sure you're taking care of what you need to take care of first before you do the stuff you enjoy. You'll be able to play guilt free and it will definitely pay off for you later in life more than those extra hours of hockey will (unless you're going to make the pros - in that case screw everything else!)

[Derek 0]

Thanks for all the good replies, everyone.

Hockeyherb, I am being partially serious when I say this: perhaps I could rationalize my situation by aiming for the pros...

[Slapshot9123 0]

I go to open hockey as much as I can while im home in the off season. I go with a regular group of guys that just love the game, totally different skill set through us all but, when it comes down to it we are there to forget about everything for a couple of hours, have a good time, and shoot the shit on the bench. I see kids at drop in all the time, when it comes down to it even if you have the money to do it every day or you don't you are there for the sole reason that you want to play the game. I know a few guys that are rich and always have top of the line equipment but never go to drop in.

As for having flashy gear, I must admit I have spent a lot of my hard earned money on my gear but, It serves its purpose for me. I don't go out there bragging about what I have, I just play. I will comment on some guys stuff if I think its cool or I want to know how they like it. Im more than willing to help guys out if they have questions about my equipment or need to know something and that is the only time I talk about my gear.

[Derek 0]

Yeah, I have top of the line skates, but I would never brag about them. I have had enough troubles with skates, including these ones, so that it would be senseless to brag about them. IF I were to brag at all about gear (and I wouldn't!), a piece of equipment would have to be utterly flawless, absolutely perfect in every way, and this just isn't the case. I am downright frustrated with hockey gear. I hate it, in fact. It's all about the game, and even moreso since the whole equipment aspect of it is, in my judgment, miserable.

[Stryker 37]

The only reason I get top end equipment is the performance factor. I couldn't care less what it looks like, if anyone else has it, etc. No bragging, only let the play do the talking. Typically, its the lightest, most protection/newest technology, and why handicap yourself with lower-end gear, if only for the sake of not looking like a rich kid. Honestly, I have to buy almost all the stuff myself, and at 17 it inst that easy :s

[Hradsky 1]

Whenever someone is at pickup or something EVERY TIME I just figure they have a season's pass or something.

[Trooper 8]

Hockey is expensive to play if you play pickup 5 or 6 times a week. I play all the time and I am addicted to it. I will not even put it aside to take care of responsibilities. I put it before everything else. Having said that, I don't have a whole lot else. I am just curious about perceptions; if someone plays that much, is he or she liable to be suspected to have rich parents or something of that sort?

My other question is concerning wealth also. Can experienced players tell if some kid just has rich parents?

Don't worry about what people think and don't judge others, it's a pretty good rule to live by. As for not setting hockey aside to take care of responsibilities, that's a sign of immaturity. Grown ups take care of their responsibilities above all else, period.

[greech 4]

As for having flashy gear, I must admit I have spent a lot of my hard earned money on my gear but, It serves its purpose for me. I don't go out there bragging about what I have, I just play. I will comment on some guys stuff if I think its cool or I want to know how they like it. Im more than willing to help guys out if they have questions about my equipment or need to know something and that is the only time I talk about my gear.

I find that is the best way to go about things. I hate being that guy who butts into a conversation talking about his super fresh whatevers, but if people ask I'll gladly talk about my gear.

[Grinder 2]

Don't fret other people's opinion; enjoy the time you're at in your life where you can play as much hockey as you can handle. With a full time job, a domestic GM, and a couple of kids, I look back and cherish the memories of a much less responsible lifestyle oriented around chasing hockey and skirts.

[Axxion89 32]

If you have the money, you either have rich parents or you work hard to earn that $$$

If you work for it, then feel proud that you have the money to buy nice things for a hobby/sport/lifestyle you enjoy!

If your parents buy it for you, be modest and appreciate that you are lucky to be in a good situation!

This goes for everyone and I go with it, though I do wish I had some rich parents hahaha