Spotters salute

[networkrail1]

This has been bugging me for ages now why do spotters use the nazi hitlers salute when they are in a pic it makes no sence to me at all.

As seen here http://www.photosbyjosh.fotopic.net/p55280429.html

 

[The 158 Man]

I believe it's called 'flailing', but I've no idea why they do it.

 

[Metroland]

It's to show appreciation of a form of traction, apparently. I suspect like all these things, it started one day when some drunken basher or spotter, fell off a rail tour in Preston, and was especially impressed by a storm over Shap. And it just caught on! Well something like that.

There is a whole rail enthusiast sub-culture, a rivalry between spotters, bashers and everyone else. There's also a considerable rivalry between Steam and Diesel/electric fans.

Someone far more knowledgeable than me, might care to explain some elements of the sub-cultures and their names and what choppers are, stoats, vegetables and so on. But there is some info here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railfan

 

[flymo]

Salute, Shmalute, there is only one salute ever, and that is of course the
Rimmer Salute

It still makes me laugh and 'twas the first thing that sprang to mind seeing the title of this here thread.

Gotta love the Dwarf......

 

[Geezertronic]

Salute, Shmalute, there is only one salute ever, and that is of course the
Rimmer Salute

It still makes me laugh and 'twas the first thing that sprang to mind seeing the title of this here thread.

Gotta love the Dwarf......

Agreed 100%

"Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast!"

Back ontrack, I would not consider the salute in the OP's pic to be a Nazi salute - an over-reaction yes, but it does not look anything like a Nazi salute to me. It looks more like a football linesman who has lost his flag

 

[gordonthemoron]

there are a number of variations on the Hitler salute, the picture given by the OP shows someone doing (inadvertently I presume) one of the less well known ones

 

[90019]

Agreed 100%

"Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast!"

Stoke me a clipper, I'll be back for christmas!


Tbh, I always just think people flailing look like prats.

 

[ukrob]

Agreed 100%

"Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast!"

Back ontrack, I would not consider the salute in the OP's pic to be a Nazi salute - an over-reaction yes, but it does not look anything like a Nazi salute to me. It looks more like a football linesman who has lost his flag

Just looks like someone being a tit to me

 

[railwayperson]

Flailing is awful, especially on heritage railways where one arm held out straight from the window means stop immediately.

 

[royaloak]

If you look at the picture from the OP, you will notice his arm is out to the side where-as a nazi salute it is out in front.

 

[yorkie]

This has been bugging me for ages now why do spotters use the nazi hitlers salute when they are in a pic it makes no sence to me at all.

As seen here http://www.photosbyjosh.fotopic.net/p55280429.html

Anyone who thinks that is a nazi salute has a worryingly low IQ, quite frankly.

Oh, look at all those hitler salutes here

Yeah I'm sure they're all nazis aren't they? :roll:

 

[37401]

What a rather large seminar!

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Anyone who thinks that is a nazi salute has a worryingly low IQ, quite frankly.

Oh, look at all those hitler salutes here

Yeah I'm sure they're all nazis aren't they? :roll:

It seems to me that they are waving Yorkie. As far as I am aware, the Nazis didn't wave to each other :roll:

 

[yorkie]

It seems to me that they are waving Yorkie. As far as I am aware, the Nazis didn't wave to each other :roll:

Ahh, so basically we have people who go round 'policing' photos deciding whether an outstretched arm counts as a 'wave' or a 'nazi salute'? Great! :roll:

Is this a wave or a Nazi salute then?

Or are you going to backtrack and admit it's not quite as 'black and white' as you make out....

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Ahh, so basically we have people who go round 'policing' photos deciding whether an outstretched arm counts as a 'wave' or a 'nazi salute'? Great! :roll:

Is this a wave or a Nazi salute then?

Or are you going to backtrack and admit it's not quite as 'black and white' as you make out....

How could I backtrack? I just said it looked rather like they were waving. I haven't even criticised the salutes the spotters were giving yet :roll: Please try and read my posts Yorkie. :roll: And if you did, you would see I was agreeing with you about the original photo.

 

[yorkie]

How could I backtrack? I just said it looked rather like they were waving. I haven't even criticised the salutes the spotters were giving yet :roll: Please try and read my posts Yorkie. :roll: And if you did, you would see I was agreeing with you about the original photo.

Firstly, I don't think spotters give salutes, you're thinking of bashers.

Secondly, I did. You said they were waving but actually, all you can see is outstretched arms, not really much difference to a basher stretching his arm, which could also be described as a 'wave' anyway. It's subjective.

So what exactly were you trying to say?

 

[37401]

another flail is flailing downwards, dont have a pic so you have to use your imagination, nazi`s never saluted with their arm downwards, somepeople just need to let it be IMO, bashers flail to show they like the loco end of, its not a nazi salute

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Firstly, I don't think spotters give salutes, you're thinking of bashers.

Secondly, I did. You said they were waving but actually, all you can see is outstretched arms, not really much difference to a basher stretching his arm, which could also be described as a 'wave' anyway. It's subjective.

So what exactly were you trying to say?

Spotters, bashers, there all the same to me.

All I stated was that they looked like they were waving. I haven't looked at the photos the OP provided, nor do I intend to, therefore I can't, and haven't commented on them.

 

[yorkie]

another flail is flailing downwards, dont have a pic so you have to use your imagination, nazi`s never saluted with their arm downwards, somepeople just need to let it be IMO, bashers flail to show they like the loco end of, its not a nazi salute

Indeed. There are loads of salutes, and there is nothing wrong with anyone saluting, or waving, if they want to (ignoring the issue of H&S).

Look at the pictures here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_salute

The Nazi salute points upwards and faces forward, not to the side. This is absolutely nothing like a flail, or a wave, or any other arm movement that is depicted in any of the photographs or videos that I've ever seen of any rail enthusiasts.

Spotters, bashers, there all the same to me.

All I stated was that they looked like they were waving. I haven't looked at the photos the OP provided, nor do I intend to, therefore I can't, and haven't commented on them.

So you are actually agreeing with me? In which case I have to ask, why were you rolling your eyes at me?

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Indeed. There are loads of salutes, and there is nothing wrong with anyone saluting, or waving, if they want to (ignoring the issue of H&S).

And I would agree with that.

To be honest, I find it odd that they would want to salute/wave a locomotive. But then again, I've never really understood these diesel types.

 

[yorkie]

Glad we agree. Sorry for any misunderstanding, but I think it may not have happened if you had viewed the original photo, then you'd probably have seen the point I was trying to make and not rolled your eyes at me

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Maybe not, but you rolled first!

For once we agree on something. This cannot continue!

 

[royaloak]

Bloody hell its an invasion

 

[yorkie]

Maybe not, but you rolled first!

But not at you!

I rolled at the idea that people should be labelled as nazis, just because nazis did a particular salute and these people do a salute that is, in fact, completely different. It's absolute drivel. You hadn't joined the topic at that point.

royaloak also hit the nail on the head...

If you look at the picture from the OP, you will notice his arm is out to the side where-as a nazi salute it is out in front.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

But not at you!

I rolled at the idea that people should be labelled as nazis, just because nazis did a particular salute and these people do a salute that is, in fact, completely different. It's absolute drivel. You hadn't joined the topic at that point.

My mistake then.

 

[royaloak]

royaloak also hit the nail on the head...

Excuse me, did we just agree on ANOTHER thing , do you realise this is becoming a habit, and they say miracles never happen

Now if I was to mention ticket restrictions?

Runs and hides!

 

[yorkie]

My mistake then.

No problem!

Now if I was to mention ticket restrictions?

Runs and hides!

I think we already know that we agree on the basic principles that they're a farce, there's too many of them, and they're often too complicated?

 

[royaloak]

Absolutely, I cant even START to get my head round them, bloody ridiculous all these rules, then easements, then exceptions, just gives me a headache.

 

[the sniper]

The BTP should really crack down on behaviour like this on Railtours...

 

[37401]

The BTP should really crack down on behaviour like this on Railtours...

, "get your head in and sit down properly"