[Ansteorra] Answers to Questions-Waterbearer proposal

[Elisabeth B. Zakes]

On 6/20/08, SoldierGrrrl <soldier.grrrl at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I think what is being referred to is not the fighter who accidentally
> leaves the water sitting on the counter, but rather the people who do
> not bring anything, and do not plan to bring anything.  There is a
> difference between forgetting something at an event and poor planning
> because you assume someone will cover your butt.
>

Right. I've seen people who don't bring a thing for themselves because "Oh,
the waterbearers are there. I don't need to bring water since they provide
for everyone." It's almost gotten to where some people -expect- to be
provided for and have ceased to bring their own.

At first, water was provided by some kind people as a gift to the fighters
and marshals. Then those kind people extended their gifts to the people at
list side. Then it got organised and there was more water, some gatorade and
such, and fruits. The more organised and prevalent it became, the less
people depended upon themselves to feed and water themselves during the day,
"knowing" that water and fruit would be "provided" for free. (And it wasn't
truly free; it became part of the site fee. But not everyone thinks of
that.)

I'm a huge proponent of personal responsibility. I'd be just as happy if the
waterbearing went back to its roots -- kind people providing a service as a
gift rather than an "expected" activity to supply everyone's water for the
day. I don't mind at all if these kind people are organised. I'm also a huge
proponent of organisation. :) I don't mind if groups (households, baronies,
what-have-you) gather funds to help the kind people out financially.

But I -do- mind the people who take it for granted.

Aethelyan Moondragon
Bryn Gwlad
(and old fuddy-duddy, according to my children :)  )