The creator of The Rain Racer is Bob Elston. He lives in northern Virginia with his wife, four kids, his parents and his mother-in-law. The three-generations-under-one-roof arrangement has been in play since 2001 when Bob’s parents sold their home in California and moved in. Bob was at one time a newspaper reporter for the Los Angeles Times in Orange County and later for the Deseret News in Salt Lake City. He has worked in government as an economist and a counterterrorism expert on Southeast Asia. He has spent much time living in Asia, including Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia and China.
Bob has never blogged, admires those who do.
Hi Bob,
Great blog. I would like to speak to you about business. How do I get in touch with you? I have noticed that you have no contact email address.
You can email me at bobnthuan@yahoo.com
Hi Bob,
I have just been reading all this fuss over your Hooters visit and would like to stick my nose in…sorry, I know you want to move past it, but coming from a no-US perspective I have a slightly new take…
Many people have stated (correctly) that the European attitude to nudity and sexuality is very different than in the US. This is true, but not for the reasons (or results) that any posters have stated. It seems that Americans even when admiring us actually misunderstand quite badly… We have way less hang ups about nudity over here, and know that healthy and relaxed attitudes to our bodies do not equate with sexuality – although we are fairly relaxed about that too.
I personally have a VERY open mind about sex and could never be described as puritanical… even in Europe
HOWEVER… those who cited Europe and our attitudes (or lack of) were implying that we would have no issue with Hooters or bringing our kids there.
To be honest this is where again US hang ups about sex and nudity cause problems. From what I have read Hooters seems like a fairly innocuous place in reality, BUT it is named in an absolutely offensive way and is marketed as a sexual location. From a European perspective this is entirely juvenile and to be honest fairly disgusting.
The entire concept is degrading to women, but this is so overwhelmingly prevalent in the US that you can’t even see it. The phrase not being able to see the wood for the trees fits perfectly. It is not surprising that so many men and women have described Hooters as being non-sexual. Sexualising women and girls is so normal in the US you don’t even see it.
The place is called Hooters and the premise of the place is for ONLY attractive women who are young will serve you. Seriously? How can you be ok with that? Look at the comments made toward people who objected to your actions… They were immediately attacked as being jealous or old or ugly or fat women… and I have not seen one comment anywhere finding that behaviour as objectionable.
US society has actually been trained to accept that young sexy women are to be displayed and paid for, and that all other women are nasty and jealous because they have no real value in US culture. So if someone in the US has the perception to see a place like this for what it is (part of the sex industry) crayons and balloons aside, they must be one of those ugly outsiders…
The most fundamental difference between US attitudes to women/nudity/sex is that here women are actually generally respected as full human beings regardless of age or physical appearance. That is immensely freeing – leading to free and healthy attitudes. The most important element of good sex is respect – on a personal or societal level.
You have been asked by a number of posters a very legitimate question… Are you going to bring your daughter (assuming you have one) to “Peckers” or “Cocks”. Actually, given all of the people who seem happy to bring their daughters to Hooters, then your sons should be visiting such places too.
You did state that you would do this but you did not explore such a concept in any detail, whereas you went to lengths to explain why your son going to Hooters was a good idea.
Why have you not addressed this?
Do such places exist in the US? If so, please bring the kids and blog about the experience – something tells me though if you were to do it it would be the end of the blog. I think US reaction would be VERY different if the shoe was on the other foot. You are so accustomed to relating to women and girls this way it is “normal”. Treating men the same way? I think not…
Given this, I doubt such places do exist, or if they do they are clearly acknowledged as the sexual venues they are. Taking your kids there would likely result in their being taken into care!!!
I find it very interesting and not a little disappointing that not one person defending Hooters has bothered to answer or discuss this. If it is ok and healthy for women to be treated this way, explain why it is not ok for men?
So I am hooked and fascinated by the blatant double standard in the US and the fact that the objectification of women over there has become so ingrained it is invisible to even fairly intelligent people.
Please take a little time to address this… I am dying to hear your thoughts
Hello Bob,
My name is Catherine, and over the summer I was your server at Hooters of Fairfax. After reading your blog, and the articles that have come up about your experiment with your son, I found that many people have gotten the wrong idea about the restaurant, the girls, and me. Many people called me, telling me my picture was the home page of aol, in a story that was less than complimentary. I was wondering if you would let me author a guest post on your blog. I would love to get my perspective out there, so everyone could see it from my point of view. I feel that I could shine a new light on a very misunderstood restaurant.
Can’t wait to hear back from you.
Your friendly, neighborhood Hooter Girl,
Catherine
of course you can write something. i’ll contact you on my personal email and we can go from there. -cheers, bob
EVERYTIME SOMEONE LEAVES A POST ON HERE, YOU SEND ME 3 COPIES OF THE SAME E-MAIL. IT`S FREAKIN ANNOYING. PLEASE STOP SENDING ME E-MAILS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sorry, i had no idea that was happening. I don’t even know how to send emails in that way.
Hi Bob
I’m weighing in on your Hooters experience. We have several things in common. One is the ‘football father’ thing. I have a son and two grandsons who started out in Pop Warner and earned scholarships to USC (son), Northern Arizona (grandson), and UNLV (grandson). To me the experience was more about male bonding (father and son), than the social setting. On that note, the indifference from the left is hypocrisy speaks. And that’s fine. It’s everywhere and unconscious as expression. I also identify with the inclusion of your mother as part of this bonding as social experience (her presence made it more about family and lunch than temptation and femininity on display). Shows me a family tradition of bonding (I can see my mother in that picture). Kudos for your USA Today ‘The Forum’ feature. And by the way, as football father, I’m a Las Vegas author who has written a fictional account of football and family as Baby Boomer rite of passage novel that I think you’ll find interesting. It is featured on the blog A Book Is Born…..http://rosserbook.blogspot.com
Jamy Rosser (read more!)
This is just awesome! I have three boys ages 10, 11, and 13…over Spring break we went to see my parents in SC and man were the boys thrilled…why? The Hooters Golf Tour was going on!! I got some awesome photo’s of them with the girls too! My oldest was shy around them, my youngest loved every moment and my middle one, OMG, I thought his face would bust frm smiling so much! He thought he was hot stuff!! I have photo’s too…you think your photo is giving you flack…email me!
Busy Mom to Thee Boys
The only complaint I have about you taking your son to Hooters is that their food sucks. There are many other places in most cities where you could have conducted your expirement. Now the poor child may be scarred for life thinking that all chicken wing restaurants have lousy food.
Hey Bob!
I just wanted to throw my two cents in for support. Please realize that most of the negative posts are from ignorant (lack of knowledge)(not meant as name calling) people. I was lucky enough to be stationed in Italy for four years. My daughter was 5 months old when we went over there and my son was born there. Their views on living and the body are so refreshing. Over there, a young person is someone to be cherished and nurtured. They are very open minded and nonjudgemental. Nudity is a non-issue. Some Americans are so uptight about their body it is depressing. Nudity and under dressed doesn’t equate to sexuality. Also, alcohol is not a problem over there. There is no alcoholism because kids get a very small glass of wine with their meals as soon as they can hold a glass. When they come of age, they have already been exposed to alcohol so it is no big deal. In fours years living in Italy, I never saw a drunk Italian. Also, breast feeding is the norm rather than the exception. It is disgusting the reaction that some moms get for breastfeeding in public here in the U.S. I love being in the U.S. but we really could learn some things from the Europeans about family and raising kids. There is no right or wrong way to raise kids as long as you do your best to keep them safe and teach them right from wrong. Keep up the good work and I am gonna start reading your blog.
Hank
Bravo! As the father of 3 now-grown children, I remember it as such a hit-or-miss life. I think you showed positive foresight in what you did, where most of us (like the tone set by the politics of our country) are in ‘reaction mode’. Too bad most of the parenting manuals available today are written by unmarried or dysfunctional persons, who haven’t a clue what it’s like to have a ‘normal’ 11 or 12 year-old in the house.
Bob,
Ran across you on AOL. Read all your greatest hits. Big fan, really enjoyed the discipline tip to “let them decide their fate.” I run a big kids’ program at a Fitness Center and I might try that whole apologizing and explaining tactic. I like it better than just time-outs. Also loved the stroller ditching article and getting kids to control their friends. I like your style of liberal yet having follow-through. Intrigued by the instillation of fear with the punching of siblings. Keep writing!
Hello. I really enjoyed your Hooters and Drunk Dad blog posts.
I guess I just wanted your thoughts on a problem I’m facing. My girlfriend and I live together with her son 4 and daughter 3. I’m not their biological father, but I’m the closest thing to a dad they’ve ever had. It is tradition for my family to spend a night together when a members birthday comes around. The person picks the resturant. Normally I pick some random Italian or Seafood place. I haven’t been to a Hooters in a long time (5 years or more) and thought it would be a fun change. My girlfriend is ok with it. Unfortunetly my mother thinks it isn’t a place for 3 and 4 year olds. My feelings are along these lines. Either kids are too young to even care about girls in tank tops and hot pants, or they are old enough and fall into line with your blog.
Do you have any thoughts?
Where is your wife’s opinion in all this? She does have the right to speak on it….
Lori, my wife would have done the same as I. I consulted her first before going to Hooters and she laughed at the notion that I needed her permission to take him there. Actually, I have found that the reactions to this blog post do not correlate to gender. An equal number of men and women are offended. And an equal number of men and women are supportive. Go figure. cheers, -bob
Hi Bob,
I’m a reporter for ParentDish, AOL’s parenting site. We would love to do a QA with you about your Hooters post. Can you contact me ASAP? I can be reached 24/7 at the email address listed on this comment.
Cheers!
Amy
Hey, Bob.
Everyone gets 15 minutes, eh? I was surprised to see your name pop up in the Pat’s Papers column I read, but nice to see you’re blogging; I’m a real fan of the medium.
TTFN
Travis Smith
Hop Studios
Daily Trojan alumni.
Hi Bob-
Not sure if you are still doing follow-up on the Hooters story, if so I would love to chat with you about it! Feel free to email me!
I went through the same thing with my two sons concerning Hooters. We went to Washington DC on the 5th grade field trip. Some kids wanted to go to the Orioles Staduim and some wanted to look around the Harbor in Baltimore. My group along with one other wanted to head straight to Hooters. Which we did. We did not go in, we ate outside and I ask the girls if they would come out and take a picture with the boys and the all did, not just one or two, but all the girls. My son took that picture to college with him. The next year it was my younger sons turn to go on the DC trip. Once again as soon as the bus stopped in Balitmore we headed for Hooters. This time we went in to eat. The boys had a great time. We once again ask the girls for a picture and once again they all come over. A lot of the same girls are in both pictures. Still today one of his favorite pictures and memories. I was told the next year by some of the parents that went that the teachers made an annoucement that no one would be allowed to take their groups to Hooters. I just wondered how many 5th grade boys missed out on one of the best pictures of thier life time. Anyway having said all of that, keep up the good work. Sounds to me (a father of 3) that you are doing a great job with your kids.
Thanks
John
Hi Rain:
Great blog! Is there a way I can send you some books that you might find interesting for your blog? I am a literary publicist and have a few you might be interested in that tie in perfectly with your blog. I really enjoyed your article, “How My Kids Learned About the Great Depression.”
Best,
Ken
Hi Bob, would like to do radio interview with you this Frdiay afternoon on WJR Radio, based in Detroit Michigan but heard all over the country.
Warren Pierce
248/626-6610
Hey Bob! Longtime listener, first time caller.
Loved your Hooters story. Please do another but provide lots of pics.
Thanks!
J
Enjoyed reading some of your blog posts – especially, “dump the stroller.” I am an at-home-dad by choice in NYC. I am part of a growing network of at home dads that get together every week.
check out what we are up to at http://www.nycdadsgroup.com.
I will link your site to our blog. We would appreciate the “link love” when you add a section for dad blogs.
thanks
I ran across your blog on Facebook. I’ve got it bookmarked! Keep writing. I enjoy your stories since I have a 9 month son of my own.
Thanks for reading my blog, Anthony. I find parenting to be an interesting and complex topic to write about, much less actually being one. I am happy that at least one person out there bookmarked me.
Hey there – are you up for an interview? I’m writing a story about recession dads and came across your blog.
Kirsten 801-257-8779
sure, i’ll give you a call and we’ll chat. -bob
BE – I’m diggin’ your blogs, man.
Hey nice. I will link it with mine. I used to blog alot but have not updated it much.
http://transter68.blogspot.com/
Good that you put your envy into action!