[Ansteorra] Awards and Manners Was--> Things to think about....

[CE Huse/Lady Maria Cabeca de Vaca]

Hola!

I have been watching this thread with some interest the past couple of days.
Awards have become a touchy subject for me lately.

I have been playing for only 3 years now. Every event I go to, I work my
rear end off. I have washed dishes, watched and fed other people's children,
water-beared, I've 2 offices consecutively, for a time I Chirurgeoned, and
even stepped up when there was a needed for a hand in other folks campsites.
I got my AoA before my 12 month anniversary. Why did I do all this work? Was
it for an award? Was it for "political power"? No and No. I did it because I
thought that my hard work was appreciated and I looked forward to someone
saying a simple "thanks".

That was over two years ago. I have still worked my butt off at several
events and only 2 people have said thank you. I have even watched as my 8
year son and 9 year old daughter worked so very hard at events too and not
been thanked...this hurts me deeply. This is just bad manners folks and
there is no excuse for bad manners! To be truthful, I'm sick and tired of
working so very hard just to have the people I have helped turn their backs
and walk off. I joined the SCA because I thought I would meet kind, generous
and polite people. This hurts me to ask this but...Was I wrong in this
assumption?

Awards are pieces of paper (some come with little bits of leather, metal or
cloth to hang on your clothes) that mean alot to those in the SCA. But what
do they mean to the mundane world that we must live in? Not a thing. I agree
with Gilli, awards are gifts. But what I don't agree with is that they are
gifs from the crown. They are gifts from your friends and acquaintances
because it is your friends and acquaintances that recommend you for an
award. Without them, the crown would never know what you have done.

I have been watching the last few years as people have left and those that
have just quit working events because they weren't thanked for their hard
work. If we want more people helping with events or getting help with your
personal items, then it is high time we start using a bit of manners and say
a simple thank you to those who have helped you.

I'm sorry that this post has come off a bit brusque, but this has just hit a
sore spot with me.

Yours in Service,
Maria