[Northkeep] On Newcomers

[Bayerl, Petra S.]

If I can speak for the complete newbie... I would love to have those
classes and get to know the Northkeep ways. It's really hard to jump
right in when you don't even know the basics, even though everyone has
been very nice and helpful. But they would definitely be a good start -
also getting to know other 'newbies' would very much help feeling less
lost and foreign. Petra 


-----Original Message-----
From: northkeep-bounces+psbayerl=ou.edu at ansteorra.org
[mailto:northkeep-bounces+psbayerl=ou.edu at ansteorra.org] On Behalf Of
Abigaile
Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2006 3:33 PM
To: The Barony of Northkeep
Subject: Re: [Northkeep] On Newcomers

Wow, you just said everything on how I feel. When I started it was with
a really small group so I got to know everyone really well and quickly
and had an idea on where I stood and was very active, but Northkeep is
ALOT bigger and I was feeling confused, intimidated and was afraid I
would get in the way. I would enjoy the classes you mentioned and not
feel so out of place if I was learning with others instead of worrying
that I was annoying people with my many questions.

Kris Jouwsma <decoysaunt at cox.net> wrote:  Hi all -

I'm kind of an old newcomer. I participated a tiny bit a few years back
but mundane life kept me from becoming very active, even though I've
remained very interested. I lurk on the lists and do some research here
and there and have been looking for the right opportunity to try to get
my feet wet again. Even having read the Known World Handbook cover to
cover multiple times, I am still somewhat intimidated and often at a
loss. The Handbook, as a tool for newcomers, is limited for one big
reason - it can't really convey what level of formality and/or
familiarity is accepted as the norm for their local group.

It's easy for long-term players to say "well, just jump right in," but
as we all know first impressions are generally lasting and none of us
newcomers (old and new) want to offend anyone or embarrass ourselves. 
Because we don't know you "oldtimers" we don't yet have any SCA
experiences or relationships in common. The newcomer's limited SCA
experience makes it harder to maintain an SCA centered conversation but
we don't know what mundane topics are okay to discuss that won't
interfere with someone else's experience. We don't know the rules for
participating in competitions, we don't know how formal or informal to
be with the titled, we don't want to be in anyone's way, we want to help
but given our newness we don't know what we can help with, and we don't
want to be a nuisance because we ask too many questions.

I don't mean to imply that anyone in Northkeep is anything but friendly
and helpful or that newcomer's don't have a responsibility to be
proactive in learning how to play. I don't expect a veteran to spoon
feed me. But some of us are a little shy and none of us want to do
anything stupid. In my humble opinion, a few "etiquette" classes for
newbies would be very helpful and might encourage the timid to
contribute more and feel less anxious. I would gladly attend.

Returning to lurk mode.

Kristyne of Northkeep

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