Unenthusiastic friends?

[Sir. Kindle]

No idea how badly you want to increase your confidence, but if you're really serious about it, dress up in garb one day, go to someplace like Old Town Alexandria, Colonial Williamsburg or another historic place, and just sit on a bench in public for a few hours.  You won't have to work up your confidence to interact with people, because they'll come and interact with you.  I guarantee that, after an hour or so at the most, you'll have come up with a character name and a backstory, out of sheer necessity.  The public will do most of the work - all you'll have to do is react.

I've considered doing this, but I'm afraid that I'll end up having some teenagers, or collage students harassing me while I'm trying to entertain others. I have, however, considered getting involved with the local parades and walking in them while dressed up. I've got a couple friends who say they'd join me, but I can't be sure until I actually find a parade to walk in. I figure that, since I live on Cape Cod, We could dress up as pirates and use historically accurate pirate names, like Samuel Bellamy, who lived on Cape Cod. I think that would be fun, and could be educational too.

[Luna]

*sigh of relief*
so glad it isn't just me! i have been down in the dumps lately because i don't have anyone to go to faire with.
pretty much everyone i know likes faire to some extent but no one quite as much as i do.
and while this is my 2nd year in a row to go all by myself which is kinda fun because i have freedom to do whatever i want. occasionally, (after the shows are over and i am waiting for the sun to set for the fireworks to start) i get bored and wish i had someone to talk to. and it doesn't help that i am a little shy. 
but i suppose i am working on it. while back at work today a few of my coworkers and i were talking about faire, and we have talked about all going together, for years. it still hasn't happened although we have some new blood that seems interested so i keep my fingers crossed. 
maybe someday i will work up the nerve to introduce myself to some of the regulars 

[kcdcchef]

sorry to join in this conversation so late with my own input, but i can see it both ways, as, i have been in both camps.

i only get 2 days a season at the kansas city renaissance festival, and when i get there, i get the show schedule and decide right away which shows i want to see and where, on both days. and then also further know what i want to eat before i get there, not hard, i love the crepes, turkey legs, bread bowl soups, corn fritters, etc, etc, etc. anyways, so when running to yorkshire harbour to see the jolly rogers, or having only 10 minutes between bawdily harm and chess knowing i have to almost sprint to get a seat, etc, etc. so i am so darn regimented it isnt even funny.

but i also lollygag like no ones business at the end of the day, and during my "free time". if i have a half hour to kill between my planned shows, i spend it screwing around. after the pub sing, their end of the day show, there is an hour til' closing ceremonies end, i generally spend it walking around looking at shops, taking pictures, etc, etc.

and i am into every act i see, going crazy rooting like its the super bowl!! so like i said, i can see it both ways. luckily for me, my wife enjoys faire too, so i have a great faire partner. now we just need to start wearing garb again..............

[Dracconia]

I understand completely. I had to quit my theatre program because one of my professors was trying to fail me for my involvement. Not only that but she made some choice remarks about my choice of company...and let us just say that she did nothing to hide her contempt for my fairmily and my friends.

[will paisley]

maybe someday i will work up the nerve to introduce myself to some of the regulars 

Get an R/F pin and walk by some of the regulars.  That's all it'll take.  I've met some of the regulars at TRF during Rendevous, and they're hardly shrinking violets (that's a compliment, btw)

[kcdcchef]

Get an R/F pin and walk by some of the regulars.  That's all it'll take.  I've met some of the regulars at TRF during Rendevous, and they're hardly shrinking violets (that's a compliment, btw)

worked for me this season. wearing my pin i met 4 or 5 forum participants at kcrf.

[Count Adolfo]

I have been doing this a long time and have come to the conclusion that there are some of us who just have the spirit of ren in us... and then, there are some who just don't.
I have brought friends... many friends... to faire... only to have them kinda wander around like lost sheep.
I have taken friends to faire, though, and had them take to it like a fish to water.
It's hit or miss.

As for getting to know others as passionate as you, another route you can take is look into the guilds.
I have met COUNTLESS people (heh that's a pun right there) through my affiliation with the IBRSC

And, as Will said, none of these folks were "shrinking violets"

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

*sigh of relief*
so glad it isn't just me! i have been down in the dumps lately because i don't have anyone to go to faire with.
pretty much everyone i know likes faire to some extent but no one quite as much as i do.
and while this is my 2nd year in a row to go all by myself which is kinda fun because i have freedom to do whatever i want. occasionally, (after the shows are over and i am waiting for the sun to set for the fireworks to start) i get bored and wish i had someone to talk to. and it doesn't help that i am a little shy. 
but i suppose i am working on it. while back at work today a few of my coworkers and i were talking about faire, and we have talked about all going together, for years. it still hasn't happened although we have some new blood that seems interested so i keep my fingers crossed. 
maybe someday i will work up the nerve to introduce myself to some of the regulars 

Luna, don't be shy!

R/F has a meet & greet right, after the parade, in front of the Prince of Wales pub... come on by and say "howdy".  You won't regret it.

[Luna]

Luna, don't be shy!

R/F has a meet & greet right, after the parade, in front of the Prince of Wales pub... come on by and say "howdy".  You won't regret it.

easier said then done. i must admit, i knew of it and even walked by on saturday, but continued walking 
lol i am thinking about those pins, if that may make it easier. but oy $20 is a lot to a girl trying to go to college, who barely has enough money to go to faire. but i am thinking about it...