[Ansteorra] maybe an answer to recruitment problems

[Franchesca Bush]

LOL!  We do and we have a lot of fun.  As I mentioned elsewhere, there
comes a point that you are limited by what you don't know.  If you don't
know, you don't know what to ask.  I think that is something to consider.
What are the next steps.  Actually something to consider is what are the
first steps.  I mean I could read that I dont' need a name yet, or fancy
clothes, or what-not, but that doesn't mean I don't feel like I should have
those things.  I know it was something I really got hung up on in the
beginning.  Then once I was trying to pick things, I was afraid to make
clothes before in case my interests change.  I know I'm not the best
seamstress and have little time, so I wanted to spend time on things that
fit.  I also was concerned about documentable clothing.  I realize now that
maybe it was all unneccesary, but I had misconceived notions about the SCA
in general.  :)

Francisca

On Mon, Jan 16, 2012 at 2:22 PM, Owen Van Meter <ovanoff57 at clearwire.net>wrote:

> You and your husband aren't alone. Me and my family are often limited to
> weather we have the money to participate as much as we like to. Our carb is
> a collection of things from the past 8 years. Some stuff we bought and
> other things we have made. We use to attend Ren Faires and find us a shaded
> bench and check out what outfits were wearing and then make them at a
> fraction of the the cost of buying them. When we started the SCA alot of
> the outfits we had crossed over to the SCA. Most people that I know don't
> mind you asking questions about there outfits or even asking for help
> putting some garb together. The people who would criticize you because your
> stuff isn't up to "their" standards I've got a name for but can't use it on
> the list. So keep trying, keep asking questions and have some fun.
>
> And don't even get me started on what my mother thinks about the SCA and
> Ren Fairs.
>
>                                                             Griffin
>
> On Mon, Jan 16, 2012 at 11:08 AM, Bree Flowers <evethejust at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > > On the other hand, I know
> > > for me (and I'll probably say my husband as well) don't want to
> overwhelm
> > > any one we met with too many questions either.  I suppose it could be a
> > > version of peer fear, as we've heard call it.  We don't want to be
> > > annoying, we tend to be pretty shy, and we don't want it to be all
> about
> > > us.... But we want to learn, we want to get better, but we often don't
> > know
> > > where to start.
> >
> > Okay, let me give you a bit of insight... you know how you are seeing
> > the world in an entirely different light when you expose your two year
> > old to it? How showing her something new and seeing her reaction makes
> > it new and exciting for you too? Yeah, the SCA is like that with
> > veteran members and new people. The SCA can get pretty boring and
> > "been there, done that" for those of us who have been around for a
> > while. New blood with new questions, and enthusiasm, and passions for
> > different areas of history can make it all new and shiny again for us.
> > No one is ever going to chastise you for asking too many questions.
> >
> > As a newcomer, the only way you can go really wrong is being the
> > know-it-all. This is true whether you are new to the SCA or a veteran
> > player just moved and newly arrived to an area, and heck, to some
> > extent it's true even if you've been involved for decades in the same
> > group. Everyone can always learn something new and none of us knows
> > everything.
> >
> > > I don't know that the period stuff actually is a turn off.  It is just
> > how
> > > to incorporate the period stuff without a) looking lame and getting
> > > criticized due to a limited budget
> >
> > No one should criticize you for basic "get 'em on the field" gear. If
> > they do, they are rude and a jerk. And when you're ready to make your
> > second outfit, second piece of armor, or collect a second set of feast
> > gear, this is where that asking questions thing comes in handy.
> > There's period solutions in every budget range, and as a new member,
> > the best way to find those solutions is to copy someone else's
> > successful attempt. Never feel shy about approaching someone who has
> > something you'd like and ask them how they made it or where they got
> > it. People with nice things NEVER get tired of the compliment that is
> > someone else asking about it :)
> >
> > b) acting like a fool because you don't
> > > know who is what or when to do/say certain things (I still can't
> remember
> > > what hats are what)
> >
> > Don't worry about it. Treat everyone with respect, whether they are
> > wearing something on their head or not. You can't go wrong with that.
> > And never be afraid to ask someone how they'd like to be addressed.
> > Some people like to take titles that match their personas and thus
> > might be in a different language than is standard. Some people prefer
> > to be more informal and don't like to use their titles except when in
> > court, while others feel like formal address at all times adds to the
> > atmosphere. Asking someone's preference will never steer you wrong :)
> >
> > c) looking or sounding crazy to people who aren't in
> > > the sca (How do you explain it to people who think ren faires are the
> > norm
> > > and are completely filled with devil worshipers -ok that last bit just
> > > might be my mom).
> >
> > "Research and re-creation of the middle ages" is the term I believe I
> > have seen my friends recommend to use in border crossings. Avoid
> > "medieval" because people just hear "evil". And if you avoid
> > renaissance that will avoid confusion with ren faires. Emphasizing the
> > research aspect can also help.
> >
> > ~Eve
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