ES - Are we welcoming enough?

[Richard Threlkeld]

> 
> 
> 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
> ==================================================================
> ==========
> Go to http://www.ansteorra.org/lists.html to perform mailing list tasks.
> 
============================================================================
Go to http://www.ansteorra.org/lists.html to perform mailing list tasks.