[PrimeTimePred]

I have finally (recently) warmed my girlfriend up to the idea of me playing paintball. Instead of the constant nag of how "much of a waste of money it is", she realizes that its something thats fun for me (good hobby, etc.) ...keep in mind that she is very athletic, played alot of sports, likes shooting just hasnt grasped the idea how fun it will be to shoot SOMEBODY with paintballs yet... Soooo here's my plan:

I'm going to buy her a gun, undecided on which one so far but im leaning towards a mini mainly because she's about 5'2, no macro line and its definitely a good stater marker that i can get cheap.... I'll need another hopper for her and im really contemplating a black spire...ive already got a spare 45/45 she can have and a great spare mask so im good there... But to make it girly and fit her taste im thinking about getting a freak barrel with a pink back and maybe some new grips just to show i really put some thought into it

If this backfires and she hates it my backup will be to keep the spire (because i want one anyway) re-sell the mini because i'll be leaning towards a black gun anyway, and swap the barrel back for a black and just stick it on my gun lol (so it wouldnt be a huge loss)

U guys have any advice on ANYTHING? Gun/hopper choice, etc.? Ways to go about it? I know she will love paintball, she just needs to get out and try it, and i feel like having her own setup will REALLY help

[gibbeepbroxzor]

She should probably play at least once before you go and buy her a setup.

[paintballguy2255]

gibbeepbroxzor, on 27 December 2012 - 10:33 AM, said:

She should probably play at least once before you go and buy her a setup.

This,because she may decide she just doesn't like paintball.

[TechPB-Mike]

the first time she gets hit with a paintball, that gun will be in the BST

don't force her, imagine if she was a recreational accordion player, and bought you an accordion to play, and wanted to bring you to an accordion club to meet other accordion players

It's the same thing

Yes paintball is fun for YOU, but it's not fun for everyone, which is why it's such a small sport. 99% of the reason why she'll come out and try to play, is because you're nagging her to do it. 1% is actual curiosity

Invite her, don't get pissed if she doesn't want to play. If she thinks it's a waste of time and a waste of money, she's the one who is a waste of time. Any girl/woman who does not respect your hobbies and interest, does not respect you as a person. I'm not trying to give you relationship advice, but ANY girl I've dated that started with that "Why do you ______________________ so much, it's such a waste of time and money" ended up being a complete pain in the ass, and I was pretty happy to toss that chick to the curb and let some other guy deal with that shit.

Jenn quickly learned, that anything that she questioned or interrogated me on, was done 10x more to make a point.

"Why did you buy that motorcycle?" was answered with "I dunno... now I'm wondering why I'm going to spend $3,000 on it this weekend for worthless upgrades"
"Why did you get another RC car, what's wrong with the one you have?" was answered with "Not sure, I was going to just drive it in the backyard for fun, but now I'm realizing that I want to race now, so I'll need 3 more along with hundreds of dollars in upgrades and I'll be at the track every weekend, and maybe twice a week for practice"
"Why did you buy another computer?" was answered with "Well my old one wasn't running the latest videos game too well... but now I'm realizing that I should have gotten the $4,000 computer, instead of the $1,500 one, so I'll be returning this one for another one three times the price"


Don't EVER put up with that shit from women, and women shouldn't put up with that shit from men either. Women blow cash faster and harder than you can ever realize, they'll go to the store for milk, and come home with a pair of Christian Louboutan shoes just because they were "on sale" for 10% off. When you make your own money, you can spend it however you wish.

The next time she gives you a hard time, just say something to the effect of "I don't question your passions and hobbies, don't question mine. I'm sure there are millions of guys out there who would love to have a girlfriend interrogate them and grill them on the shit they buy with their own hard earned money, but I'm not one of them."

I can promise you, if you quit paintball and started saving all of your money and putting it into a savings account, she's be telling you - "Why do you put so much money into the bank? Why don't you spend it on things... or on me

[gibbeepbroxzor]

Also, just throwing in the link to a thread thats pretty helpful http://www.techpb.co...0paintball&st=0

[cockerpunk]

don't

[G4paintballer]

cockerpunk, on 27 December 2012 - 11:40 AM, said:

don't

Exactly my thoughts.

[iStansbury77]

I wouldent do that for her before she even played, take her once and see if she likes it

[kingJurzy]

Take her out there a few times and let her use YOUR marker. I took my girlfriend out paintballing and it took her to the 3rd time before she started to like it.


Be a man, give her your gear i.e. pants, marker, and most importantly MASK if she does go with you.

[erg993]

Don't buy anything before you know she wants to play. The best case scenario is to offer to take her to play with you sometime. If she says yes, either borrow a friends setup for her, or let her use your stuff and you rent/borrow from a friend. Take it slow, stay by her side all day, don't let her get destroyed, etc. If she wants to keep playing, you'll know.

I've gotten my girlfriend to play with me before, and she had fun the one time she went, but that was it, ONE time. Even though she doesn't have a desire to play, she's totally fine with me playing, and is supportive of me playing because she knows it's something I love to do. You're not always going to find a girl who will go play Paintball with you, and if she doesn't play no big deal. Like Mike said, if she doesn't want to play, don't make her, but don't put up with getting crap for doing something you love to do.

This post has been edited by erg993: 27 December 2012 - 12:29 PM

[FreeEnterprise]

We have quite a few women who play at my field. Some try it once, and never play again, others play almost every time we have an event. It just depends on the person. My oldest daughter started playing at 10. She played quite a few times over the years but it wasn't that "fun" for her. So she rarely plays anymore. (even though she is quite good as you can see in this video where she shoots ME out (yeah, she wanted to be on the OTHER team to try and take me out...) And then she got my teams flag!



My youngest played her first time a few events ago with one of her friends, and she had fun. But, when she was done for the day, I stopped playing and took her home (not a big deal since my field is in my backyard...) But, you don't want to make someone new play longer than they want to! When they are ready to go, leave!

She said she wants to play this Saturday again, and her friend isn't even coming... So that is a good sign! Just don't force it on her, and let HER decide if she wants to play or not. I let her use a new 98 custom with an Apex 2 barrel. Which is a good starter gun. Here she is playing one game where I asked if they wanted to go to the other teams flag... As they stayed back and guarded the base for the first few games, until they were ready to go after the flag.

This post has been edited by FreeEnterprise: 27 December 2012 - 01:46 PM

[PrimeTimePred]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, this is why i love our techpb family: no sugar coating and only straightforward advice. I see things a little clearer now and will hold off on the gun and see how things go, i hope i didnt make it sound like i was going to "force" paintball on her (DID NOT mean to give off that impression)... Not gonna lie tho, that spire might just get purchased regardless lol

[Cheeks]

My girlfriend loves paintball. But its taken her a few times. Just make sure you remember she is a girl. And they will be just as difficult as they usually are. Even out on the field...

[ChrisHazard]

getting your gf into paintball is a double edged sword to me.. I got mine to go once, she got hooked.. we both play every weekend until winter, she has never touched a Tippmann or BT marker, I let her use my second Vanguard Creed and she has never looked back, infact she is buying a Demon soon!

the pros:

doesn't bitch when you go play often because she likes to play as well
she is actually pretty badass and a valuable asset
everyone likes girls....mostly..
easy to shop for at Christmas time (mine just asked for paintball stuff)
doesn't complain when your entire wardrobe is comprised of paintball apparel because hers is too.

cons:

she lives with me so she is ALWAYS AROUND eliminating almost all my "me" time

[bigx]

How much of this is wanting to get your GF into paintball. I think its more of a case of you wanting to get some new shit!!! People these days will use any excuse to whore guns!!!

[A&MBaller]

bigx, on 28 December 2012 - 10:53 PM, said:

How much of this is wanting to get your GF into paintball. I think its more of a case of you wanting to get some new shit!!! People these days will use any excuse to whore guns!!!

So I wasn't the only person that though this?!?!

[dertydood]

Let her play a few games with the rental first until she gets a good feeling for using a marker and not dropping it, banging it up, etc. If she handles it well, let her use your electronic setup, or just let her borrow the lighter carbon fiber tank.- this will make it less of a strain to hold the marker up. This will make it more fun for her.

Don't put any pressure on her, and maybe skip a few games to let her gather herself. Take it easy, make it fun and pay lots of attention to her. She will love you for it.

[Dakent]

When I first got into paintball, I couldn't afford it and my parents didn't like to buy me paintballs either. So I went out and got a job. Few years later when i got into it more seriously, i wanted to buy a tournament marker. I decided to get an Ego 11. $1100 or something and my parents thought i was crazy. Honestly, no matter who you meet. If they don't play/understand paintball, they will think its a waste of money.

[Nokified]

Dakent, on 29 December 2012 - 12:45 AM, said:

Honestly, no matter who you meet. If they don't play/understand paintball, they will think its a waste of money.

It's like that with every hobby if not everything.

[SCHULER]

paintballguy2255, on 27 December 2012 - 10:46 AM, said:

gibbeepbroxzor, on 27 December 2012 - 10:33 AM, said:

She should probably play at least once before you go and buy her a setup.

This,because she may decide she just doesn't like paintball.

well said