PSA: My vintage medical tool collection isn't as creepy as people make it out to be

I've been collecting old medical tools for a few years now, and it's a peaceful hobby for me. People always act weird when they find out, like I'm some kind of ghoul. I tried to explain it at a family dinner, and my cousin just changed the subject fast. It's hard to share something you love when it makes others uncomfortable. Maybe that's why I'm posting here.

3 comments

3 Comments

matthew_jackson151mo agoMost Upvoted

Honestly I'm just glad my family only calls me the weird cousin, not a future problem. Solidarity with you and @river_craig21, I guess our hobbies just come with a side of side-eye.

leos891mo ago

Yeah I have to admit, I totally used to be one of those people who would side eye a collection like that. Just seemed macabre for the sake of it. Then a friend dragged me to this tiny medical history museum out of state, and it was a real shift. Seeing the tools laid out with their explanations, you stop thinking about the pain and start seeing the problem solving, the sheer ingenuity it took to try and help people with what they had. Now I get it. Your cousin doesn't know what they're missing.

river_craig211mo ago

I know exactly what you mean about being called a ghoul. My own shelf of antique amputation saws probably doesn't help my case at family events either. You can explain the history all you want, but sometimes you just have to accept you're the creepy one in the room. It's a lonely club, but at least our tools are interesting.