I have never been "steam shamed" and would never allowed myself to be...lol, yes, most of my family & friends tolerate my hobby & my wife is fairly supportive of the hobby even going to steam shows ect. Everyone has something that excites them that just don't "get" & that's OK. As you stated before...it's mechanical art to us.
That’s awesome. Yeah I haven’t ever been ridiculed on a serious note, but, jokingly by others yes. “Do you need help?” “Do I need to worry about you?” “I don’t understand it, but okay”
lol!