What single thing at faire hurls you off into the depths of rage?

[Captain Cornelius Howard Duckman]

A couple from this weekend:

Douchebags who either don't acknowledge you, or tell you to eff off: Yes, you get a lot of people trying to get your attention at faire. Still, it would be nice to say SOMETHING when some one tries to interact with you, such as 'Sorry, we're trying to make a show' or 'No thanks, I'm in a hurry.' "efF off" is NEVER an appropriate response to someone trying to start a bit with you.

Drunks: It's been said before, I'll say it again. Why come out to a faire, and get so blitzed you can't remember it? I saw more then one trio, where all three of them were supporting each other. Worse are the families, where mom and dad are trailing three little ones, and both parents are falling down drunk. Also, it always feels like whenever a female friend tells of someone crossing the boundaries, they're always some drunk who has got to the point where any sight of boobies MUST be an invitation. Bah.

Not playing along: Jesus Christ, you'd think we wanted to drag people into actually have their heads chopped off. I've started working at the faires Jail this year, and the number of people who choose to either run away or just flat out say 'I'm not doing this' is astounding! Maybe it's because my parents always played along, but I just can't understand why people come to a ren faire, and then won't get in the spirit.

Last, and the one that is driving me the most up a wall: DON'T PULL MY TAIL! Yes, I have a yellow tail. Yes, I'm the only one in the shire with one that color. It is cool, isn't it? It'll be a lot less cool when it breaks and I can't get a new one cause some moron thought it was a wonderful idea to yank on it.

[crashbot]

I am not 100% sure, but I am pretty sure ff you are in public, you can be photographed with or without your knowledge and/or permission. However I would hope this would fall outside of that rule.

Without specific permission, your picture cannot be published. The faires have in the contract for your tickets that they own the copyrights to all photographs taken on their grounds. Your face can therefore be published without any additional releases. A picture of your bum cannot.

The faires do this so people cannot make money off pictures taken in public. However, consent is not required to take photos of people in public places. It's a gray area for sure, but places where you can expect reasonable privacy are obviously exempt. Up ones skirt being one of those places.

http://www.krages.com/ThePhotographersRight.pdf

[Athena]

I haven't read this whole thread so my apologies if this has already been posted. The one thing that annoys the bejesus outta me is people who attend faire, decide it's lame then proceed to complain loudly and make fun of people in garb. I get that Renaissance faires aren't for everyone, and that's fine. But lingering at an event which is not enjoyable then being a tool about it is so NOT cool.

[Elennare]

Not defending that in the slightest, because it's a REALLY stupid thing to do, and it would get me pretty upset if I saw it as well, but I can understand the thought process behind that one:

"We drove all the way out here (X miles), paid $Y to get in, and, gosh darn it, we are GOING to get our money's worth if it kills us and everyone we come across!"

[will paisley]

Not playing along: Jesus Christ, you'd think we wanted to drag people into actually have their heads chopped off. I've started working at the faires Jail this year, and the number of people who choose to either run away or just flat out say 'I'm not doing this' is astounding! Maybe it's because my parents always played along, but I just can't understand why people come to a ren faire, and then won't get in the spirit.

Unfortunately, many people have the wrong conception of what a Renaissance festival is supposed to be.  Last weekend I heard a dane on his cell phone telling somebody "We're at the other end of the park."  When the audience has a Renaissance faire confused with an amusement park, they're not going to expect to be asked to participate.  They're used to all manner of other shows where you stand in line, sit down, watch, clap at the end, and leave.  I've seen this at the PARF Finale In Song all the time; the Queen or whoever will actually announce the song and tell everybody where to find the lyrics in their program, all the cast not onstage will run up and down the aisles, yelling "Sing along!" and motioning with their hands to get people involved, and not only will the audience just sit there, they'll turn around and give you a dirty look if you join in.  My favorite story about this phenomenon happened to a performer friend of mine at MDRF.  He was in the lanes, playing his miniature harpsichord (virginal), and greeted a lady walking by with "Well met, madame, and how fare you this den?" She snarled back "F*** you and your little piano, where's the beer?" (to be fair, she had just spent two hours waiting in line in the car to park, and then get tickets, on a blistering hot day).

So much of these negative reactions are based on mindset.  People conclude the faire is horrible because they think it's supposed to be Colonial Williamsburg for Tudor England, or Medieval Times with rollercoasters, and then they get upset because a stranger deigns to talk with them in the lanes.  VARF has an especially hard time with this, as they're small and don't have the plethora of stages and shows that larger faires have.  It's an educational process to get people to realize that the funny people in weird costumes walking around the faire are the show, and that they're missing the best part of faire if they merely rush from stage to stage and then go shopping.

[Rowan MacD]

  It's an educational process to get people to realize that the funny people in weird costumes walking around the faire are the show, and that they're missing the best part of faire if they merely rush from stage to stage and then go shopping.

Therein lies the problem-some of the best entertainment at fair is the spontaneous little plays acted out right in front of you in the lanes.  People need to sloooow down and enjoy the atmosphere.
  Over here is a gentleman enjoying a stay in the stocks, singing for his freedom at the request of his wife or SO. Over there we have Prince Charming on his knee, proposing to a tiny little fairy princess all of 5 years old.    Stop and smell the roses, and admire the daisys too.    

[Ferret]

Not playing along: Jesus Christ, you'd think we wanted to drag people into actually have their heads chopped off. I've started working at the faires Jail this year, and the number of people who choose to either run away or just flat out say 'I'm not doing this' is astounding! Maybe it's because my parents always played along, but I just can't understand why people come to a ren faire, and then won't get in the spirit.

I can understand that one. Because of my job/industry I know there are people who would do me harm if given the opportunity.

At MNRF years ago someone paid to have them get me and put me in the stocks. No way that was going to happen. I tried to explain they couldn't guarantee my safety and no way was I going to be locked in stocks with a crowd of people I didn't know. I had to physically resist.

The next time someone isn't in the spirit, consider there might be a good reason.
Ferret

[analise]

  It's an educational process to get people to realize that the funny people in weird costumes walking around the faire are the show, and that they're missing the best part of faire if they merely rush from stage to stage and then go shopping.

Therein lies the problem-some of the best entertainment at fair is the spontaneous little plays acted out right in front of you in the lanes.  People need to sloooow down and enjoy the atmosphere.
  Over here is a gentleman enjoying a stay in the stocks, singing for his freedom at the request of his wife or SO. Over there we have Prince Charming on his knee, proposing to a tiny little fairy princess all of 5 years old.    Stop and smell the roses, and admire the daisys too.    

Yeah, I've actually had to make myself really slow down and just spend time walking in the lanes. I caught myself a lot last year just going to the couple of shows I liked, spending some time in a booth with friends, spending the rest of the day working in a booth, and then going straight home. This year I'm making a concerted effort to go do things I don't "normally" do, or just get out and enjoy the lanes more. And hey, it paid off already and I have a bent fork from Ivanovich to prove it.

[Captain Cornelius Howard Duckman]

Not playing along: Jesus Christ, you'd think we wanted to drag people into actually have their heads chopped off. I've started working at the faires Jail this year, and the number of people who choose to either run away or just flat out say 'I'm not doing this' is astounding! Maybe it's because my parents always played along, but I just can't understand why people come to a ren faire, and then won't get in the spirit.

I can understand that one. Because of my job/industry I know there are people who would do me harm if given the opportunity.

At MNRF years ago someone paid to have them get me and put me in the stocks. No way that was going to happen. I tried to explain they couldn't guarantee my safety and no way was I going to be locked in stocks with a crowd of people I didn't know. I had to physically resist.

The next time someone isn't in the spirit, consider there might be a good reason.
Ferret

That? is a good reason. However, the majority of these people don't have ANY reason, besides just not wanting to play along.

[eldatari]

Not playing along: Jesus Christ, you'd think we wanted to drag people into actually have their heads chopped off. I've started working at the faires Jail this year, and the number of people who choose to either run away or just flat out say 'I'm not doing this' is astounding! Maybe it's because my parents always played along, but I just can't understand why people come to a ren faire, and then won't get in the spirit.

I can understand that one. Because of my job/industry I know there are people who would do me harm if given the opportunity.

At MNRF years ago someone paid to have them get me and put me in the stocks. No way that was going to happen. I tried to explain they couldn't guarantee my safety and no way was I going to be locked in stocks with a crowd of people I didn't know. I had to physically resist.

The next time someone isn't in the spirit, consider there might be a good reason.
Ferret

That? is a good reason. However, the majority of these people don't have ANY reason, besides just not wanting to play along.

Some people are just painfully shy, and are uncomfortable interacting.  Therefor they just prefer to watch, that doesn't mean they aren't having a good time.  And by trying to force them to interact you are making them embarrassed or otherwise uncomfortable.  You may become the reason that they don't have as good of a time.  If someone says they don't want to play along don't take it personally just move on to the next mark.

[Cateyes]

Not playing along: Jesus Christ, you'd think we wanted to drag people into actually have their heads chopped off. I've started working at the faires Jail this year, and the number of people who choose to either run away or just flat out say 'I'm not doing this' is astounding! Maybe it's because my parents always played along, but I just can't understand why people come to a ren faire, and then won't get in the spirit.

I can understand that one. Because of my job/industry I know there are people who would do me harm if given the opportunity.

At MNRF years ago someone paid to have them get me and put me in the stocks. No way that was going to happen. I tried to explain they couldn't guarantee my safety and no way was I going to be locked in stocks with a crowd of people I didn't know. I had to physically resist.

The next time someone isn't in the spirit, consider there might be a good reason.
Ferret

That? is a good reason. However, the majority of these people don't have ANY reason, besides just not wanting to play along.

At our faire if you end up being put in jail you could end up in a small cell in the sun with several other people for a few hours.  I know it's fun for some people but that is not something I would like to do after spending $20 to get into faire.  The jailers back in the day would not take no for an answer and started to make a big scene and act like I was being a total *itch in front of everyone for not playing along.  After I composed myself I simply told them that they did not have the right to touch me and I moved along.  I don't think anyone should have to do something they don't want to and people should remember that not everyone likes the same activities.

[crashbot]

If I laugh and say "no thank you" to someone wanting to put me in jail, in stocks, or lop off my head, I expect to have my space respected and then left alone. 

[Captain Cornelius Howard Duckman]

If you laugh and say 'no thank you' you're still more polite then a good half of the patrons.

[Dinobabe]

OK, step back for a moment.  I think the point here is patrons who are totally rude to actors for just saying hi.  F* off is never a good response.  No one said anything (I don't think) about physically forcing someone to do something they don't want to do.

[Hoowil]

As to the various mentions of weapons and peace ties, its not so much a rage as a worry. I've been a regular attendant at a number of NorCal faires for years. Most require zip-tied weapons, though enforcement changes from year to year, and seemingly from p(l)aytron to p(l)aytron. What bothers me is the massive pile of broken/cut ties immediately outside the gates where people discard (on the ground) them as quickly as possible upon leaving. Even worse is at one faire you can tell where people think nobody will notice, becasue there are corners with the busted ties piled up on the ground INSIDE. I know that people who would be so determined to have ties off are not likely to respect the weapons as such, nad just from personal experience, are the ones who might cause trouble (except it does seem like most I've actually caught with ties removed are in that nice littel window that lets them buy blades, but not booze).