[MR] newbie

[Eventblues at aol.com]

I attended my first event in Atlantia not very long ago.  I won't say where 
or when.  I would like to describe my experience and see if you can come to 
some consensus for an answer.
Saturday, during the event, I could get almost noone to talk to me.  
I was dressed appropriately in period garb -- nothing ostentatious but not 
cheap or gawdy looking, -- period cut and fabric (linen and wool cotehardie) 
-- quality sewing skills and am not new to costuming.  I am a reasonably 
attractive female (many people say I am pretty), and in middle age, not over 
or underweight.  No hairlips or missing body parts. I am not in any way 
physically repulsive.  I bathed and wore deodorant, changed my underwear, 
brushed my teeth and wore no perfume.  I was not trying to pick up men (I am 
married), but trying to make friends primarily with other women.
However, no matter how many people I tried to make friends with -- people 
just generally ignored me.  I tried to strike up conversations with different 
folks who were not otherwise engaged in an activity.  They would make polite 
conversation for about 1 minute, then leave.  Later, they would look at me as 
if I did not exist.
I have good social skills, have a college degree that is not in some aspect 
of medieval life -- so I could have things to talk about.  But, no one would 
give me the chance.
No one ever invited me to sit with their group of friends for a minute.  No 
one ever approached me unless I approached them.  I even offered to help 
people out with some of the work.
Many people would not even make eye contact with me during the day.
And, I noticed that I was not the only one at the event in that "no man's 
land".  Many other people were likewise ostracized.  By about 3:00, I just 
gave up and sat in a corner and watched what was going on.
The people at my feast table were nice (they were newbies, too).
But when the feast was over, the cliques of folks started again.  I looked 
around for some of the other folks who had been "left out", but they all left 
either before, or as soon as the feast was over.
Now I realize that folks like to visit with their friends, but does mean 
excluding people  who could add to your list of friends?  Does no one have a 
heart when someone is obviously new or in unfamiliar surroundings?  I admit 
that I am a little shy, but I have a good sense of humor and have a lot to 
contribute.  But noone bothered to find out.
Not sure I will ever go to another event.
Any suggestions?