[REAL 1]

Certain guys on this forum used to give me crap on this forum because they saw me years ago yell over to someone "DON'T TOUCH" when they were getting too close to my car at a local cruise night. They know who they are.

Back then and now my response is the same "Kiss my a$$". I stay there and most people stay by their cars for one main reason, to make sure nothing happens to it. If you don't watch and care for what you have, no matter where you live there are jerks in every crowd, guaranteed eventually you will only get an "I'm sorry" (if you are lucky) and you are still left with the problem/repair and heartache/aggravation.

Despite your best efforts you can't see everything and catch everything. Over the years I have seen people sitting on my doors for photo ops, small children stepping on my sidepipes, people leaning over with those big boat anchor belt buckles or that big wad of keys hanging from the biker chains or knocking on my fender to somehow try and devine if it's aluminum (despite the fact there is a large sign on the windscreen saying "Yes, it is aluminum, DON'T TOUCH". My reactions were rude and to the point sometime upsetting and startling to the "offenders and parents". I candidly don't give two $hits about people who show no respect and have no brains nor do I give 2 $hits what they think of me. Too bad, don't care.

I used to go to car shows every weekend. I used to enjoy it. However, I found that I enjoy driving the car more then showing it to people the majority of which have no idea or very little idea what they are looking at anyway and answering the same questions over and over and constantly sitting vigil which is exhausting and stressful.

Every now and then I will go a to show but pick the shows carefully based on location and likely crowd e.g. I don't go where there are expected to be "ricers". Thats a $hitty element for sure.
Another tip. Even at the best of shows with the nicest crowds I DO NOT open my hood. Thats a sure fire invitation for people to lean over and look in even when they haven't the slightest notion of what they are looking at and leaving you with that paint divot on your fender. I only open the hood for those that ask to see the engine and I am right there and close it when they are done.

You have to strike a balance. You want to balance the risk and enjoyment. Just pick your shows as best you can and stay "frosty" when there.