It's an Alien world to them, I'm not justifying their actions just trying to explain not to take it in the worst way. Think of this way, you're a squaddie/ex squaddie, you've never played airsoft, all you see and of heard of it are the Walts, you're going to assume its all that way; we just do as humans, its the same way racism and all other descrimination happens, past experiences being associated with all future experiences, like cavemen learning not to eat a certain berry because it gives you the shits. Of course they're not going to understand, we're all men right (for the most part) , we all like guns and action etc. - They get paid to do it and given all the gear to do it with, of course they're going to think hmmpf mugs paying for kit we get for free and running around with toy guns.... It's just a source of banter for them, just like paintballers are for the majority of airsofters!
I'll be honest before I got into airsofting, I'd always liked guns, had the odd airsoft gun to twat about with shooting my mates and plinking. I saw scout the doggies videos and thought that "airsofters" were insane paying grands for kit and £300 for toy guns. Then, one day I took the plunge, I got involved after enjoying a game of paintballing but desiring realism. I thought this is a perfect excuse to buy all the cool military stuff I've always put off as a waste of money. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying anyone is a c*nt for buying loads of expensive gear, I do it myself now, I'm obssessed with accurate kit!