My mum when my new argon arrived: "why on earth do you want that for".
me: "Its a project mum, I get to build the power supply to run the head".
26 years later on facebook after posting up pics of the LaserPhysics argon: mum "Hope you dont trip your circuit breaker with that one". She remember I tripped the breaker on several occasions back at home with the NEC
My brother saw my ion laser and thought it was cool, my sister didnt really have much interest, but she liked the colour.
I liked the night me and several radio buddies were camping and one buddy produced a red laser pointer, to which another said "thats a whimpy little laser LOL this ones heaps stronger", and produced what I assumed was about a 20 mw green.
I said "nah those things are just toys. Heres a real laser!", and produced my TR801 encased 1W 445, and proceeded to light up a ciggie with it. Both jaws dropped LOL
After a quick saftey breifing, they both had a good play with the 445, trying to burn things around the camp site (bark, leaves, etc etc). Both are gun heads, so it was easy to explain saftey to them. "treat it like your pistols fella's, dont point that at anyone. Too dangerous"
Its like any niche hobbies. When my non radio friends see my radio, they go "why on earth do you want a CB for? I thought they went out in the 80's". I usually tune it into the cops, that usually changes their tune.