New bloke problems

[MonaLisaHair]

Been seeing someone for a few weeks. At weekend we were discussing hobbies and he said he was a WF Hunter. I asked what that was and he said it was a wolf fleece hunter?! Has anyone heard of this before?

So that was first issue. Second issue was that he says he's also an urban explorer (I know what that is!!) and he says he has found an abandoned mansion in Yorkshire that he has found a way into. He's suggested we go at weekend at 6am Saturday and have breakfast there. Then afterwards he'll do his photos for his blog.

I'm all for being different and interesting but a) isn't this illegal? And b) it's a bit too odd isn't it? I like old buildings but sneaking into them and having meals in them etc doesn't seem right? He's also taking props for his photos like old dolls and stuff.

It's putting me off him a bit but otherwise he's lovely. AIBU to be wary about all this?

[MrsLupo]

Urban exploring can be fascinating, though the props thing is weird and unnecessary. The wolf fleece thing is a childish waste of time imo, but then I'm a miserable old git. Not exactly a 'hobby' though, is it. It does sound like you may not be ideally suited, which is probably more the point.

[whatsthecomingoverthehill]

Urban exploring is not necessarily illegal. Trespass is not a crime (exceptions apply), and a lot of the buildings are pretty fascinating. The main problem I have with it is that it can encourage predominantly young men to put themselves in danger trying to find ways into the property.

[Pidlan]

I think the wolf (when did MN stop saying wolef?!) fleece thing is funny, and I love Urbex. Does he have a brother?

[ButchyRestingFace]

It's a bit childish but a bit of a laugh. The second hobby, would put me off, it is illegal, and I would not be happy.

See, I'd be the opposite. The urban exploring sounds quite intriguing to me. As long as it doesn't involve potentially falling three stories through rotting floorboards.

Wolf fleece photographing - not so much.

[Aquamarine1029]

Well, he certainly is trying VERY hard to be "interesting." The wolf fleece thing is ridiculous and mean spirited, which is a huge turn off, and breaking into abandoned buildings is illegal and dangerous, and if you got caught you would have the law to deal with, something that I personally would never entertain the possibility of. Call me a straight-laced dull lady, and I cheerfully agree.

I will stick with grown men who act like it. Run for the hills.

[IJustLostTheGame]

He's weird and boring but trying to be quirky and different.
Run like the wolf OP

[DollyPartonsBeard]

I missed the taking props bit. That's a bit naff really.

[LaGattaNera]

I wouldn't want to trespass at 6am on a Saturday with various props and have brekkie. A nice brunch around 10/11am would suit me

As regards the Wolf Fleeces, does he just "hunt" them or does he photo and post online to shame them? They aren't to my taste but I kind of like that people like them and that it makes them happy to wear them.

[TheViceOfReason]

He sounds like a bit of a damp squib that's latched onto 2 things to make him seem "crazy and adventurous" and "oh so funny".

The wolf fleece thing is nasty bullying. Would it be ok to post pictures onto a FB site with the sole aim of ridiculing said person if it was wheelchair users? Or black people? Or fat people? Or to be "complimentary" about attractive women and leer over them? No. it's disturbing actually.

The house thing. Meh. he's a bit late on the scene - it was "cool and edgy" 10-15 years ago, but is just jumping on a bandwagon now.

[ILoveMillhousesDad]

So it's clothing he's on about??,

Well let's hope so

He's winding you up, but he also sounds like a bit of a divvy.

[Lovemusic33]

Urban exploring is quite popular apparently, I like the sound of it. I have trespassed a few times to look at buildings. I don't think it's odd or scary. Not sure about the wolf fleece thing though.

[maxthemartian]

He sounds a bit twatty.

[HundredMilesAnHour]

The wolf fleece thing sounds cruel, a bit like bullying. That would be enough to put me off him.

Not a big fan of trespassing either.

Call me square but I respect for individuals (and their property) is something I value. I don't think this guy does - or he's thick-skinned and oblivious (which isn't necessarily any better!)

[DollyPartonsBeard]

If you don't break and enter (ie the property is already open) and you don't steal or cause damage, then urban exploration isn't illegal. I think (although could be wrong) that trespass is a civil not criminal offence. Some urbexers are great, some are knobs. Have a look at his blog and see which category he falls into.

Taking the piss out of people's fashion choices is just nasty though, and while mens' 'hobbies' get short shrift on MN, I think in this case it's well deserved.

[MonaLisaHair]

The way he went on about the wolf fleece hunting made me think it was real animals.

"No fleece is ever hurt during the hunts"

"We try not to disturb the fleeces or distract them from their natural behaviour"

"I once caught a whole pack of fleeces out in the wild, a full family of them"

So it's clothing he's on about??

[sukitea]

Do people actually wear those wolf fleece things nowadays? I think Ricky Butcher had one of those in EastEnders circa 1988....haven't seen one since.

OP I would probably move on.

[thenightsky]

The old buildings thing is quite normal I believe. People have blogs full of arty photos. I quite like looking at them. Someone did some great pics of an old psychiatric hospital locally.

The wolef fleece thing is just a bit of a laugh I expect.

[Babyblade]

I'm not a fan of the wolf-fleece "fashion" trend, but it sounds a bit sneering to go out hunting people who wear them - I'd steer clear.

[pasturesgreen]

I don’t know about anyone else, but I generally don’t go into abandoned buildings with men I’ve just met

^This!

He could be an axe murderer for all you know.

[keepcalmandfuckon]

I don’t know about anyone else, but I generally don’t go into abandoned buildings with men I’ve just met.
Get to know him longer. Suss him out and what kind of person he is. Odd hobbies, but he could be a lovely person with odd hobbies. He could also be a fruit loop with odd hobbies. Either way, I wouldn’t go trespassing with him!

[fantasmasgoria1]

Personally I like urbex though never been but I would go but I like that type of risk! But you don’t have to like each other’s hobbies! To me he does sound daft but a laugh!

[Nandoshoes]

I mean if you don't enjoy each other's hobbies which sound like are a big part of his life , is this going to work long term?

Obviously not everyone is going to have the same hobbies but if he wants to involve you and your not interested I'd have a think.

Maybe go once see if you like it. If not evaluate the stiatuion from there.

Good luck and enjoy (hopefully)?

[Booboobooboo84]

I love urban exploring. It is technically trespassing but most have a philosophy of as long as no one knows I was here then it's fine. Taking props is cheating. You got to find weird stuff four yourself in these places. The wolf fleece thing is pretty childish

[scottishdiem]

If he likes this type of thing then ditch him. If he ironically enjoys other people wearing them then as long as he is not cruel about it then its ok.

[scottishdiem]

I though the Wolf Fleece hunter / appreciation thing was a comedy thing to do with the awful fleece jackets/jumpers with wolves and forest scenes on them.

The urban explorer thing is also good if he has a solid photo portfolio. Having breakfast whilst doing just seems very hipsterish. There will be photos taken of the breakfast.....

If you like him, neither of these things bad.