[MR] Your suggestions please => Newcomers thread

[Angela Sanderson]

Greetings! 

I wish to chime in on this point too.  I had wanted to join the SCA nearly
20 years ago, but never knew how. I always thought the SCA was a secret
society with the only way to join was by knowing someone already a member. I
was only introduced to the right people upon making friends with current SCA
members in another Kingdom. I joined the SCA February 3 of this year, after
attending one Baronial meeting.

My first event was one month later. I took that month to heavily research my
persona, the garb, and activities available to me. I did this because my
friends took the SCA seriously, and I did not want to insult anyone's
sensitivities by making a mistake. I had heard a lot about the "Garb Patrol"
and whatnot.  The garb that I wore was actually a gift from another
member/friend... and it looked great. 

I announced myself as a newcomer as soon as I arrived -- and immediately
Baron Axel rushed over and kissed my hand in the most gallant of ways.  Talk
about making a girl blush! After that, I got involved in every activity I
could, from playing Kubb, to water-bearing, to entering A&S competitions.  

It wasn't until weeks later, after the event, when I started making friends
that I realized I did anything out of the usual for newcomers. Few attendees
to the event realized I was new at all, and several said they were
"impressed with my kit".  

One important thing to remember is this: newcomers coming to an event alone
don't want to stick out like a sore thumb, and with the immediate access to
information on the internet, they're likely to learn as much as they can
before committing to attending an event. Unless, of course, they're pulled
in by their friends, who are taking them under their wing anyway.

Since joining, I've had some really fabulous experiences, and I'm certainly
going to be a "lifer".  I've also had really REALLY terrible experiences...
one of which was explained (in a form of apology) as "we didn't realize she
was new because she was dressed so nicely!" What has kept me in the game?

One knight who did gallantly place upon my hand a kiss, and another knight
who spun me around and tossed me into the air in a magical night of
dancing... all at my first event (St. Urho's, 3/10). Come on... no lady can
turn away from moments like THAT!


-- Frida inn hárfagra



-----Original Message-----
From: atlantia-bounces at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org
[mailto:atlantia-bounces at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org] On Behalf Of Olivia
Chandler
Sent: Friday, October 15, 2010 1:34 PM
To: atlantia at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org
Subject: Re: [MR] Your suggestions please => Newcomers thread

Siegfried,

I will gladly help in any way I can.

I had attended one fighter practice in my area, but wanted to go to the
Coronation because it was a special event and was also reasonably close to
my home.

My method of approach was probably not the most common and stems from near
paralytic shyness, respect for the participants, and the fact that I'm a
research nerd. I approach any new situation the same way: intensely
researched, pre-equipped, and as self sufficient as possible.

That doesn't mean I don't want to be friendly or make friends; rather, I'm
so socially awkward that I don't try. As a newcomer, it was not readily
apparent to me that there were people there to help me, and I wouldn't think
of imposing on someone unasked. Something posted at the troll would have
been a benefit.

I hope this helps.

Kindest regards,

Olivia.
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