[MR] High Table Guests

[Syr Justus de Tyre]

 Perhaps I should have expounded more on this in my first message, but I felt that I was clear about the issue I was addressing which was customs and courtesy, not financial policy. 
   
   But I see that there really are two issues here, and that there has been some confusion, as they need to be addressed separately. 
   
  The first issue is legal and financial. This is a serious issue, I am not in anyway saying that we should ignore the law, or that we should willfully break the laws regarding how we handle the finances of our events. However there are competent people in our kingdom whose responsibility it is to ensure that we maintain the proper legal bearing. I trust them to continue the good work they have been doing all these years. In other words since I know little or nothing about that area, I will not be so foolish as to tell them how to do their job. 
  In my first message, I was not even thinking about that issue, nowhere did I suggest or even mention “official financial policy”. 
   
  My message was directed solely at the societal issue, the issue of how we comport ourselves in courteous manner. I am saddened and ashamed at some of the attitudes I have seen represented in this discussion. Concern over the financial policy and well-being of our Kingdom is one thing, using this issue to take jabs at our Royalty and as cover for selfish behavior is quite another. 
   
  “We need to fix this so we do not get into financial trouble” is a worthy statement. 
  “We need to fix this so I’M not paying for the king to invite guests to his table” is not a worthy statement. 
   
  Look, if I’m eating at Denny’s it is not right for me to pay extra so the manager can have his guests eat for free. This is not Denny’s. 
   
  Whatever we need to do, whether it is to specifically budget for high table guests, pass a hat around at troll, have a specific fundraiser, or as Sir Falcone suggested, to rely on the Knights to ensure that no guest is EVER asked to pay for the privilege then that is what we need to do. 
   
  Financial need has nothing to do with it, we are not paying for people to eat because they cannot afford to pay, we are paying for people because they are guests of the King. 
   
  “The King has invited you to eat at high table, this is a very high honor! By the way that will be $8.00.” 
   
  I have never heard such a ridiculous thing!  If as Sir Falcon does, rightful guests of the King chip in their feast fee anyway, outstanding! I applaud that as a noble deed. But there is a huge difference between that, and expecting or demanding that the guests pay. 
   
  “Why should I pay extra so some guest of the king can eat for free?” belongs with statements like:
   
  “Why should I pick up that can, I didn’t drop it”
“Why should I help set up their tent, I’m not going to use it” 
Why should I stand up for the King, he’s never done anything for me”
   
  Some feel that the King would be “Giving something away that is not his to give”
This is completely wrong headed. The King and Queen represent us! They are Atlantia personified. Would you invite guests to eat at your own table and then expect that they pay for the privilege? There is no difference.  When the king bestows a on peerage on someone, he is spending your capitol! He is drawing from your reserves of honor and courtesy, your labor and goodwill. 
   
  If all this seems old-fashioned and idealistic, that is because it is! That is what we do! We open doors for people in a world that sees that as sexist, offensive or just plain silly.  
   
  I apologize if my first message conveyed the wrong note about our official financial policy. That was not my intent. I hope that this message has made that clear. 
   
  I also want to add that “Online” does not mean, “I can dispense with courtesy without repercussion.”  This is a free country; you can express yourself however you choose, and if you choose to be rude and discourteous, than you should also expect your contributions to be valued as such. I’ve received much e-mail about this subject, most with good points that I have tried to address privately. I’ve also received a few rude and obnoxious e-mails, these go in the trash unanswered where they belong. 
   
   
  -Syr Justus de Tyre 
  
   



Syr Justus de Tyre 

http://syrjustus.livejournal.com/
       
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