I may not know anything about friendships, but it has come to my attention, that recently I have met plenty of people who are my age that own horses and recently when I try to talk to them, or start a conversation, they tend to blow me off, just because I was grown up in the city. The other thing I have noticed is that when I offer my services to local farmers who raise dairy cows, they too blow me off like I am some sort of virus. Now, I am not here to complain, or cause conflict, but to me, it just strikes me as odd that our society has become so narrow minded that we forget who we are as we shut ourselves away from the world, and only accept help from those who are close to us. Now, to those of you who ARE in the farming industry, I know it's not a job, but a lifestyle, what is your input on the situation?

Sometimes people who grew up in cities are just as snobby. I think it depends who you meet. My school was full of a mixed variety of people. I think some can be friendlier than others. I think ego makes people want to ignore strangers. People often seem to be living in their own bubble. I wouldn't let it bother me. It could be MUCH worse. I mean just a look at people who have really painful illnesses. Life is random anyway. Sometimes I think it's good that we can't predict what comes next. Some things can happen to you that you would have otherwise been prepared for if only you knew. Ignore the ones who ignore you. Choose friends wisely. Laugh often.

My girlfriend's husband is a farmer, and he does it well for years, he does not need any advice or help at this point. Maybe that is the way other farmers, that are doing well, and are wealthy, think too. Although, they do need the good weather, and the crops all play a part, but Nature is in charge of that. And, God is in charge of Nature.
Many people ask for advice and help in some areas, maybe you just are not meeting the Right people. JMO

I wonder too if maybe you're just not finding the right people. But another thing to keep in mind is that farming and ranching are very demanding, and maybe these people are just extremely busy. Or maybe they're worried about the economy and are taking it out on you. Or maybe it's something in the way you approach them. No way to tell, because we aren't there. I'd say just keep trying, making sure not to be a pest. It can be a fine line sometimes.

Ya know it is funny I'm a country girl trapped in the city.... I've had many friends that live in the country and deal with many issues when it comes to that way of life...

Ya know when someone that does not live the country life and deal with it daily goes and tells those that do, how to do it. Well it all comes out wrong.. These people have dealt with things all their lives.. And you could say they are in a show me state.

I had horses for 17 years to have those that had them long before me tell me how to do things I listened. To have those that either never had them and was book smart or just recently acquired them tell me what I should do at times made my eyes roll.

As far as the respect part. Respect is something one earns. Unless one can show a farmer that he is wrong in the way he has been doing something for years and it worked don't count on them to listen to you.

Honestly when it comes down to it, would not matter if he was a farmer or a doctor neither will listen to one that has not been in the situations they have dealt with and told to do it a different way...Just saying..

All in all it could be the way you are going about things...

People do become narrowminded when they feel threatened by somebody who is different from them. The fear of change will see most people panic to the point of huddling together in thier ignorant circle of hatred and looking sideways at someone who they feel doesn't fit in with their set of "rules"

Tis an easy thing to overcome if you really want to work the land. Become like them...blend in and chew on a piece of straw ;-)