[Ansteorra] A few quick obvious points

[kris hoffman]

I have to agree with you on this....I dont know call me crazy, but after you're been playing this game even a few months, getting in by knowing someone or making friends in your local group as you go along, we can spot a newcomer a mile away!!!  Look for the people that dont really have a full wardrobe of garb, a dazed and confused look on their face, or slightly out of place, and chances are they are new.  Mixing it up by adding sommat else to someone who may or may not feel comfortable in garb let alone a big huge sign that says "hey i'm new to this come and tell me what to do" isnt always the most welcoming thing for people.  When they are ready they wil seek out the advice they want from people that brought them there, and then make friendships from there, if they want.  I have recently brought in 2 new people to our group, and after 3 events they know whats going on enough to get along and fit in, making friends as they go.  If I had made them wear a shash or badge or anything that would have put them out of their comfort zone.  Luckily we are nice people, we are welcoming, and we can spot someone who needs help.  Just my 2c....I am under the impression that on most occassions less is more.....

cheers!
Mirabelis
 


 
> Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:05:05 -0500
> From: rudin at peoplepc.com
> To: ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org
> Subject: [Ansteorra] A few quick obvious points
> 
> 1. DO NOT give a newbie any badge, belt, or other symbol and tell them that it's a newbie badge and will tell people to treat them like they're new unless *EVERY* *SINGLE* *PERSON* at the event they are going to will recognize it as such -- including visitors from out of kingdom and people coming back after a ten year break. Otherwise, you're only setting up yet another awkward situation for them. Oh, joy. Since we don't all know about your new symbol, it cannot work.
> 
> 2. If there are in fact people who are too pushy or scary or rude to newbies by inclination or policy, you are providing them signposts to do so. They will spend more time looking for the badge than the helpful people will, since the helpful people are busy at the event helping.
> 
> 2. Our symbols have value, but the value isn't to tell us which people to be nice to. People in the SCA already have a tendency to sniff each other's symbols like dogs do, to determine how to treat each other. This is the problem newbies suffer from; it isn't the solution.
> 
> 3. The only solution -- the ***ONLY*** solution -- is for us to treat everyone we meet with courtesy and openness. Newbies don't need a badge or belt. They need a smile and polite conversation. 
> 
> And so does everyone else.
> 
> Robvin of Gilwell / Jay Rudin
> 
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