[Ansteorra] Re: tractions and problems

[lanphier taylor]

One of the thing that their Majesties asked of the Peers and Nobles at
Coronation was to go out to the people and interact. The fact that our
peers and nobles did interact with their local groups and with people who
were not their associates was one of the reasons that our peers and
nobles so well respected in our kingdom. I went out and I was treated
pretty badly. No one used my title and they made a point of telling me
not to put on any airs. Then they started telling how they were mad at
one group  or another. They wanted the Knights and Master of arms to
teach more at regular practices, they wanted the Laurels to be less
haughty and they wanted the nobles to create more magic. I have listened
to hours to these kinds of complaints and I have a few things to say to
the general populace.

 The peers and nobles are just like the rest of us. Most of us have
problems dealing with people. It is hard to talk to people you don't
know. For example a young Knight gets his belt and want to go out to
teach people. When he gets to fighter practice no one uses his new title
or comes out to fight with him. He doesn't want to be pushy. Everyone
wants him to be just one of the boys but just one of the boys isn't a
teacher. A certain amount of respect needs to be given so new people will
listen to the knights. It would be a good idea that the knight Marshall
in charge rounded up people and told them "here somebody with knowledge".
Our older non-peer member can also affect the situation. Send people
over.

Laurels in general are some of our most shy peers. Artisans are shy
people. That Laurels probably didn't past over your work because they are
haughtily they provably past it over because they could not figure out
how to start the conversation. A lot of people are really touchy about
their work and really don't want the feedback.  If you want to talk to
the Laurels ask a question. Smile at them. Start a conversation. If you
are looking to be a Laurel the fact you will talk to people will be in
your favor. A lot of people have told me that they  are having problems
with the way the competitions are being run.  Most of you have some
Laurel you can talk to so please tell them that you are unhappy. Don't
yell at them just tell them it is not fun. In the last years we have made
a lot of changes to adapt to Gulf War and our interaction with other
kingdoms. The Laurels have been excited with these new ideas. If no one
tells us they don't like them we won't know to stop them. The Laurels in
Ansteorra want to be leaders in the arts community, they want to
represent you but you don't talk to them they don't know what to do.

Focus on the good things. It used to be a tradition in Ansteorra that we
spent a lot of time giving word fame to those who did well. Silence was
our great social force. People are still doing this. That is why many
people are not using titles or calling people by their first names or
mundane names but the silence dose not work if you don't match it with
the verbal, public praise. I realize that this used to be the job of the
bards but we don't have a bardic system any more. Before the bardic
college it was the everyday Ansteorrian's who gave out praise. You the
petite noble, the gentry are going to have to give word fame. Please it
is nice to do it over the list but it is best to do it in social
gathering. If you don't anything else you will educate the potential peer
as to what you think is good behavior.

The peers and nobles are the pathways which we can communicate our needs.
Ansteorra was set up for them to be this. Talk to them and tell them what
is bothering you. Once we identify the problems we can start working on
the solutions.

Duchess Willow de Wisp

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