[MR] newcomers

[Lady Rhiannon of Berra]

Smoking in one's tent can be a fire hazard, that's something that should
definitely be mentioned.. but as someone who had her garb harshly criticized
at her second event, THAT can leave a sour taste in one's mouth long after
the garb is gone.  In short, recognize it for what it is.. someone's attempt
to fit in and make that reasonable attempt we're all discussing.

Okay, so a belt other than black or brown isn't what we'd consider
"appropriate", but in all honesty, why bring a black cloud to someone's
first few events and make someone who probably feels a little out of place
feel even moreso.  We need newcomers to come and feel a part of things and
to see that we're a friendly and engaging lot.  The SCA lives on in the
newcomers.  If we inundate them too soon, they're liable to run away and
then where will we be without them.

I'm not saying we should turn a blind eye, I'm just saying that there's a
time and place for correcting garb mistakes.  One should never turn a blind
eye to safety, but as for garb, well.... as Sir Andras said, knights
generally aren't offended by the use of white belts, why should we as a
general populace be offended for them?  The knights know who their brother
knights are, just as we all know who the Knights are.  Let the newcomer be
and pick a time and place to discuss it later.


-- 
Gina MacNeill
AKA Lady Rhiannon of Berra, CP
List Moderator of the Atlantianweavers Yahoogroup

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