ES - Are we welcoming enough?

[windell gibson]

Richard Threlkeld wrote:
> 
> >
> >
> > 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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> >
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Galen, you make the SCA seem easy and a warm fuzzy.  Thank you for being
you.  bye, barb
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