[Ansteorra] Telling someone that what they are doing is not period

[L T]

Lady Fionnghuala,

Those were seriously inconsiderate people...or maybe they thought they were
trying to be helpful...but didn't have the people skills to make it come across
in a friendly helpful manner....

Ya got me curious as to what you were wearing that evolked so much commentary. No one I know would walk up out of the blue and criticize someone's clothing. Heck, I knew a lady that wore a red and black, polyester, McCall's pattern, saloongirl outfit for years as her primary clothes for SCA...and didn't get that much commentary.

I don't know anyone that would gripe about cotton either...the majority of the
people who others claim to be "period nazi's" are more interested in the silhouette at 10 feet...unless of course you are entering something in A&S...
they have more stringent standards for themselves...but they don't apply them
to others adhoc.

I will tell you from personal experience...linen is cooler than cotton...
and everyonce in a while...you can catch it on sale at mid-summer or
end of summer for a couple of dollars a yard...and online you can get
some deals...a friend just bought 3 yards of black linen for 3$ a yard...

I've found some of my best "period" finds at garage sales, junk stores, etc.
Don't think that to be "period" it has to be new or expensive...

I think it's very interesting how the language of the more strict re-enactment
organizations has crept into our SCA language...five years ago...no one
would have understood "kit"...but now lots of people do... ;)

I'm glad you told of your experiences...very many people have misconceptions
and putting things out on this list is a good way of uncovering them. Both the
misconceptions of old-timers that people need to be where we are now to enter
our organization...and the misconceptions of the newer folk...that they think they
need to be at the old-timers level of authenticity and knowledge to be in the SCA.

It all takes time...and we all need to remember that...

LDeerSlayer

lizdenpeters at juno.com wrote: Good Gentles,

This is a subject close to my heart as I was "blasted" numerous times as a newbie for my apparel.  In the Knowne World Handbook, it advises " Be gentle to the stranger.  If it is necessary to offer advice or correction
(as when someone in modern dress wanders onto the field), speak in a
friendly manner, informing rather than reproving him and doing everything
necessary possible to help him find proper attire."  I was told in the
beginning that as long as I made an honest attempt to look "period" even if it was inept (and trust me, it was), that I would not be chastised. 
That proved to be untrue.  And, at my second event, I was roundly blasted at least eight (yes, eight!!) times for my attire.  It made me very angry as I had been working a lot of overtime at work and staying up very late to finish clothing for my husband and myself.  The ninth time it
happened, I just smiled as sweetly as I could (seething inside, of
course!) and said that since I obviously had no idea of what materials to
use or what to make that perhaps the lady could make me something
appropriate to wear and I would thenceforth wear what she made me with pride.  The woman was speechless.  During the course of my second event, I was compelled to repeat that another time.  And I did the same thing at every future event I attended when my garb was criticized (and it was) and probably still is.  (I am just not confronted as much as I used to
be.)  

The SCA is an expensive avocation even when you do your best to economize on things.  I wear cotton garb (I have been told many times that cotton is not a period material.) and will continue to do so.  It is very
comfortable in the Ansteorran summers and a very practical material as
well as relatively inexpensive. (Will you wear several layers of felted
wool in 100 degree plus weather??) I hope to make something of linen when I can find a color I like at a price I can afford (Don't hold your breath on this one!).  I try to approximate a "period look" since that is the
best I can do.  When I can afford a $3K Panther Pavilion with all the
various accoutrements to go with it as well as hire people to set it all
up and take it down and pack it all for me, I will do that (Again, don't
hold your breath on this one, either.)  Until then, I will use a nylon
tent because it's what I can afford.  Starting out in the SCA is an
expensive and time consuming proposition.  It requires a real commitment from the newcomer as well as the welcoming group.  You are talking about a dedicated wardrobe with accessories, camping equipment, feast gear, and many other miscellaneous sundries.  Mentoring and spending that precious quantity, TIME, to help a new person is essential.  Getting to know them, just a bit, will make any constructive criticism better received. Unrealistic expectations from either the group or the newcomer only lead to bad feelings on both sides.  An excellent and under used tool to help new people is the Known World Handbook.  I wish I had known about it and
been able to obtain a copy much earlier in my tenure in the SCA.  It
explains so much -- I refer to it for many things even now.  

We all forget stuff even when we have a pretty complete SCA "kit"  -- I
always seem to forget to bring a mug these days. Today I attended an
event and forgot my mug but remembered to bring some fabric to "cover the mundanity" -- go figure.  Some days I forget feast gear.  Other days,
other stuff.  Certain mundanities will "creep in" for various reasons,
even if you have been doing this for a while.  For myself, I try to
overlook as much of this as I can (ignore the Coke can, the modern chair, etc.) and try to focus on the costume, ambiance, heraldry, etc. that make the SCA so special.  To do this is the minimum that chivalry and honor demand.  Forgive others who are not as attentive to some of these details and you will find that they will want to emulate you with your attention to these very details.  Lead by example.  Share information gladly.  This way we all win.

Your in service,

Lady Fionnghuala the Fair "Nuala" and/or my evil twin, Cedric
"Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to a
garage makes you a car."
                              Laurence J. Peter
  


 		
---------------------------------
Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com.  Check it out.