ES - Are we welcoming enough?
Richard Threlkeld
rjt at acm.org
Mon May 18 00:07:02 PDT 1998
>
>
> Galen's back.
Actually I was attempting to answer one from Willow. But
I am glad to talk with you also, your Excellency.
> > If I may attempt an answer, your Grace.
>
> Umm, actually, Duchess Willow (and other Dukes & Duchesses)
> are "your Grace". I'm a mere "Excellency".
>
> > I am new enough to easily remember my first encounters with the
> > SCA (and it was Elfsea). You were, in fact, the second person
> > I met and were exceptionally gracious.
>
> Oh good. You caught me on a good day. I don't always come
> off so well.
I met you on my third visit, I believe. You have always been one
of the three or four that I consider the model of Chivalry.
>
> > The problem you mention derives from the authority that a "brass hat"
> > carries (and that seems even greater to the new player). You might
> > use that authority to ask someone to mentor the potential player during
> > the current event and ask the mentor to tell them about titles
> > and such. This would reduce the impact of being told you goofed
> > up on addressing such a high person. In fact, I was told something
> > like that "She should be addressed as Your Grace, but don't
> > worry about it. We don't expect you to know such things until
> > you've been in the SCA a little while. Try calling everyone
> > Lord or Lady when you don't know. They won't take offence."
>
> Which is good advice. But titles in the SCA are more like
> references than ranks. They really don't carry authority,
> just a few perks. And if I'm drafting people to be mentors,
> I'm probably abusing whatever influence I have. Our Baron
> and Baroness could draft people for such a duty, though.
>
> > The mentor is there to answer the mirad of questions that a
> > new player will ask. Our social fabric is very complicated
> > and requires some study. After 1.5 years, I still need help
> > with some of it. Luckily, many are willing and gracious about
> > providing it to me even though I am not still a new player.
>
> Oh, sure you are. At 19 years, Duke Sigmund and Duchess Willow
> have each recently bestowed "oldtimer" status on me, so you have
> a long way to go.
>
> > Mentoring, by the way, teaches you a lot about our society. Most
> > of the questions are easily answered from your own experience, but
> > some require you to ask others or research. It also reminds you
> > what new people want to know and what they need to learn quickly
> > to enjoy the experience.
>
> I'm usually pretty good at answering "customs and courtesies"
> questions, and I usually know who best can answer questions about
> the rules.
>
> > In service to the dream, Ansterroa, and Elfsea,
> > Caelin
>
> In my experience, what new people want to know varies
> widely. Some are intrigued with fighting, others with
> heraldry, others with music. Some are fascinated by titles,
> and what to know what to do to earn them. I'm happy to
> share my perspectives with anyone, but I doubt anyone would
> be well-served to be spoon-fed _only_ my perspectives.
>
> - Galen
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