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Performers => Performer Topics => Topic started by: pirateslife4me on September 20, 2010, 12:53:42 AM

Title: Stereotyped
Post by: pirateslife4me on September 20, 2010, 12:53:42 AM
Hello All,

I have a question for the performers, actors, vendors and anybody else associated with Ren. Festivals. Do you ever feel like you are being stereotyped as "Carnies"? How do you respond to this? As just a patron of Ren. Festivals, I am just amazed at the talents, skills and abilities of the performers, actors, etc. However, I always maintain this stereotype that all of you are just glorified "Carnies". To most people, the word "Carnie" conjures up negative connotations, including myself. And I hate having this elitist view of you guys, because I definately think your better than that. By the way, not ALL workers in the carnival industry are bad people. But, let's face it; there is a reason they have a bad reputation. 
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: dfloyd888 on September 20, 2010, 07:45:07 PM
There is one thing to say about being cast on a renfaire.  It is an endurance test:

Film actors work 8 hours with lunch and some breaks in between.
Live stage actors do their 3-4 hours on the stage and call it a wrap.

Renfaire cast have to keep their act up from the cannon booming in the morning until the faire closes at night, with perhaps a break for lunch.

It takes a special breed of actor that can not just interact in character with patrons, other cast, and vendors, but be able to do so for over 12 hours at a stretch.
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: groomporter on September 20, 2010, 08:04:47 PM
Part of it probably comes from a perception that we are all gypsy rennies who travel from fair to fair, but who are usually a percentage of most big fairs. There are some people who even think we take down the buildings and move them at the end of the run like a carnival.

As a crafter we've occasionally been asked "Are these your regular prices" as if they think we are gouging them during the fair, and I occasionally get surprised reactions when we tell them we are locals.

I've on the rare occasion I've had an opportunity to speak with the media about fest, I've tried to emphasize that MNRF has a reputation for having more local artists and performers than some of the other big shows.
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: pirateslife4me on September 21, 2010, 08:57:53 AM
Groomporter,

That's great that they try to use as many local artists as possible. Support the local guy or gal first and then go from there.

Dfloyd,

Boy, that is amazing the amount of time you guys put into your craft during the day. Really impressive!! And I'm sure your not getting rich off of it either! But, I would imagine it beats a regular 9 to 5 job!!
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: stonebiscuit on September 21, 2010, 09:02:30 AM
Quote from: pirateslife4me on September 20, 2010, 12:53:42 AM
But, let's face it; there is a reason they have a bad reputation.  

I think this is really unnecessary, and kind of rude, especially in a thread about stereotyping.

To your question, however: my biggest challenge so far has been explaining to people exactly what it is I do out there, especially if they've never encountered street performance before (to wit: my in-laws). I've also had to deal with the bizarre perception that after faire closes, the participants get together for massive drug-fueled orgies in the middle of the site.
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: stonebiscuit on September 21, 2010, 09:04:44 AM
Quote from: dfloyd888 on September 20, 2010, 07:45:07 PM
Film actors work 8 hours with lunch and some breaks in between. [etc]

What an excellent argument for performer unionization/collective bargaining.  ;)
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: Dinobabe on September 21, 2010, 09:24:05 AM
Quote from: stonebiscuit on September 21, 2010, 09:02:30 AM
I've also had to deal with the bizarre perception that after faire closes, the participants get together for massive drug-fueled orgies in the middle of the site.

You mean you don't!?
Sorry, couldn't help myself.

I remember movie nights, potlucks, kids plays, quite music sessions, and the such.  I wonderful and magical time happens when the gates close. :)
And the stereotype is just that....
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: Queen Maggie on September 21, 2010, 10:00:30 AM
The after hours stuff varies depending on locale: where there are lots of camping volunteers, yeah, some partying happens: it's about the only pay they get. For those of us who are paid professionals, we go home, collapse on the bed and sleep the sleep of the dead, so as to be able to get up at 7 the next morning and appear fresh, smiling, and ready to interact when the cannon sounds.

Oh, and those film actors...I've been in several films, and anyone other than the stars with clout show up a couple of hours in advance (say, 6:30 am, which means driving there at 5:30) hangs around till costumes are approved, gets hair and makeup done, hangs around waiting for their bits, runs through the scenes multiple times and finally gets let go around 8 pm in the evening.

There are lots of folks who assume that we are a traveling company, that every faire is the same, and that we fold up the buildings (!) and take them with us, like a circus. It's a matter of education, and making sure they enjoy themselves as to how they perceive us.
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: groomporter on September 21, 2010, 10:23:50 AM
Quote from: pirateslife4me on September 21, 2010, 08:57:53 AM
Groomporter,

That's great that they try to use as many local artists as possible. Support the local guy or gal first and then go from there.

It's not so much that they try for that, it just seems to have worked out that way in the past.
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: stonebiscuit on September 21, 2010, 12:11:38 PM
Quote from: Dinobabe on September 21, 2010, 09:24:05 AM
You mean you don't!?

Not since the restraining order.  ;)

In all seriousness, I do love after-hours celebrations, especially if they involve food, beer, and a place to sit down. It's the idea that we're all getting high and naked together that baffles me. I'm sure some people do get high and naked, and more power to them, but come on. Does the UGA football team get into a big orgy after games?*

I guess I object to the othering of participants. In my experience, the people involved in ren fests are fundamentally similar to the people who aren't. We eat, drink, clean, fall in love, worry about money, raise families, work, vacation, watch Rome on DVD because we missed it when it came on TV, etc. just like everyone else.

*Rhetorical question. If you have knowledge of such a thing, please don't share it.
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: pirateslife4me on October 01, 2010, 09:20:41 PM

Quote from: stonebiscuit on September 21, 2010, 09:02:30 AM
Quote from: pirateslife4me on September 20, 2010, 12:53:42 AM
But, let's face it; there is a reason they have a bad reputation. 

I think this is really unnecessary, and kind of rude, especially in a thread about stereotyping.

Stonebiscuit,

It's not rude, it's reality. I've read about the carnival life and a lot of those carnival workers are running away from something, so to speak. The carnival industry is notorious for hiring some unsavory charactors. As a result of this, it's inevitable that the industry's' reputation is going to suffer. And I did stress that not ALL carnival workers are bad people. 
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: Rani Zemirah on October 02, 2010, 01:09:33 AM
So... you believe everything you read?  I actually spent many seasons working carnivals during my 20's, and you would be amazed at how many of the people there are no different than anyone else, except for the fact that they travel while earning a living, just like so many Rennies.  There are families, lots of 18-20 somethings just looking for a season or two of adventure, seasoned veterans who love the lifestyle, owners, vendors and thrill seekers, just like at Faire. 

Reading about something is never the same as living it, so saying you know something to be true without experiencing it is no different than forming a prejudice based on rumor, hearsay and innuendo, no matter who is telling the story... 
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: pirateslife4me on October 03, 2010, 12:31:53 AM
Quote from: Rani Zemirah on October 02, 2010, 01:09:33 AM
So... you believe everything you read?  I actually spent many seasons working carnivals during my 20's, and you would be amazed at how many of the people there are no different than anyone else, except for the fact that they travel while earning a living, just like so many Rennies.  There are families, lots of 18-20 somethings just looking for a season or two of adventure, seasoned veterans who love the lifestyle, owners, vendors and thrill seekers, just like at Faire. 

Reading about something is never the same as living it, so saying you know something to be true without experiencing it is no different than forming a prejudice based on rumor, hearsay and innuendo, no matter who is telling the story... 

And I'm supposed to believe you, just because you come from a carnival background? Your opinions are obviously not going to be objective, being that you're coming from a carnival background. Did you work at every single carnival company out there? You didn't. Your experience working with however many carnivals you worked is not truly representative of the carnival industry as a whole. Just because the carnival company/ies you worked for had good people, doesn't mean all carnival companies are that way.
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: Rani Zemirah on October 03, 2010, 01:09:05 AM
And just because you read something, somewhere, doesn't mean you are justified, or correct, in declaring definitively that they are any way whatsoever, or passing judgment on something you admittedly have little experience with.  For someone who says they "hate having this elitist view of you guys", you seem to be rather intent on maintaining, and even perpetuating it.  I also occasionally perform at Faires, so to answer your original question...  I only feel stereotyped in that way when someone who has obviously already formed a prejudice makes very sure that I'm aware that they think that way.  I have never felt that way around anyone who is familiar with the industry, or has had any real experience with it at all. 

Oh yes... and many Rennies also have full time, year-round, 9-5 jobs, in addition to working every weekend that their particular Faire is open, even if they travel to work more than one Faire.  Many do it mostly because they love it, even if, or when, it doesn't pay enough to be able to quit what some people might consider to be their "real jobs". 
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: Celtic_Fae on October 03, 2010, 02:16:43 AM
Judge not lest ye be judged, especially when you've only passive observation against someone else's life experience. If you really thought Renaissance performers were better than your elitist view, then you wouldn't have an elitist view over the performers to begin with. Whether you intended it or not, your wording came across quite rude.
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: pirateslife4me on October 03, 2010, 12:09:47 PM
Ok, let me make myself clear. I appreciate the talents of you performers out there. And you guys have taught me to not look at Ren performers as just glorified carnies or carnies in general. In fact, based on the comments and experiences everybody has mentioned, I believe you guys do not even belong in the same discussion as carnies. However,  I made a comment about the carnival industry in my original post that offended Rani. "By the way, not ALL workers in the carnival industry are bad people. But, let's face it; there is a reason they have a bad reputation." Again, I'm not bashing the Ren. Festival Industry and performers. However, I am critical of the carnival industry. Let's seperate the two. Rani, if you'd stop looking at the industry through rose colored glasses, you'd understand where I'm coming from. You have to admit that the carnival industry gets a bad rap. Whethor or not there are good people who work in the industry is beside the point. The fact of the matter is, the public perception of the carnival industry is not a good one and the industry has brought this reputation upon itself. Have you ever seen Carnivale? This used to be a show on HBO that was based around a traveling carnival. Whether or not this portrayal is representative of the carnival industry is neither her nor there. But, the producers obviously had their own vision and stereotypes of what the carnival industry is like and their vision goes along with how the public perceives the carnival industry. Now, you're going to say that you can't base your perception on the carnival industry based upon a television show. And that's true. But, again, the producers are just going along with what everybody else's vision of the carnival industry is like. And if the industry wants to shake that shady reputation, they need to do a major public relations push in order to change the public's perception of their industry.
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: Rani Zemirah on October 04, 2010, 12:43:31 AM
Wow... just... wow.  There is so much wrong in this statement that I'm having a hard time knowing where to begin...

I worked in the carnival industry off and on for over 10 years, for at least 30 different employers, sometimes finding a different gig with a different owner at each show, all over the country, at a time when most small owners booked in with larger shows just so they could stay on the road.  Now most of the shows that play anything more than strip mall parking lot spots are owned entirely by a single company, with uniforms, drug tests and background checks. 

If you think Hollywood producers base anything at all on what the general population thinks about ANYTHING... then it's you who needs to get rid of the blinders.  You are basing this opinion of yours on nothing more than a Hollywood interpretation of "reality"... and it seems that everyone but you knows how often "reality" shows even remotely resemble anything real at all.  Should I assume that you believe life is actually like "Real Life", or "The Bachelor", or maybe even "Jersey Shore"?  Perhaps you go out dancing every weekend with "The Stars", and have dinner parties with the "Real Housewives"?  Maybe you even have cooking competitions in "Hell's Kitchen", and eat whatever you're able to catch with the "Survivors".  Had any run-ins with "Dog the Bounty Hunter" lately, or partied with the "Girls Gone Wild"?  Where, exactly, is the "reality" in any of those?  There is none... it's all just choreographed sensationalism, because that's what sells. 

Why should two of the several factions of what, in reality, are simply subsets of a single industry have to be separated?  "Learning" to see Rennies as being somehow better than Carnies, either in general or "glorified", shows that you are still passing judgment on something you admittedly know little to nothing about, other than what (now) Hollywood has led you to believe.  Whether they are performers, vendors or gamers, show people are show people, and are there to provide entertainment for the patrons, no matter what the sub-industry, and trying to separate them into "class", or categorize them as "good", "bad" or even "neutral" is still just another way of passing judgment.  There are both good and bad people in every industry, every profession and every calling, and to attempt to paint them all with the same brush is just a way of trying to say that the observer is somehow "better" than they are.  Generalizations do nothing more than show a lack of information on the part of the one making them...

Have you polled the entire "public", enough to know that this is, indeed, their overall perception, or do you just assume it is, because it conveniently fits in with your own opinion?  Please do not condescend to me and suggest that I am some simple minded female who wants to see the world as all rosy, wonderful and kind, or talk down to me as though you are somehow either more intelligent, or better informed, than I could possibly be.  I have been places and done things that you cannot even imagine, and seen far more bad than good, so I am seldom given to candy-coating anything at all, as a few here may be willing to attest. 

Perhaps what the industry actually needs, more than public relations, is fewer people who are determined to tar and feather them in order to show how very tolerant they are to other, less offensive yet similar groups who perform a similar function, and occupy a comparable station in life...


You know, for several hundred years in southern Europe there have been places where the ruling classes have put a price on the heads of any "Gypsy", or Roma, that were caught and killed, no matter where they were found, or what they were doing.  Other places simply kept them as slaves, some even until as late as the mid 1800's, and in some countries they are still persecuted and forced to live in a state of poverty, not being allowed to educate their children or even immigrate if they so choose.  All because "popular opinion" says that they way the choose to live is "different", and therefore bad.  They have been vilified, slandered and "ethnically cleansed" until some few of the things they were originally falsely accused of (theft, mainly) became their only means of survival in some parts of a world increasingly intolerant of perceived differences, and seemingly determined to exterminate them all... and even today these opinions prevail in many places, mainly because of the efforts of people who refuse to let go of their disdain for anything they don't understand, and their personal desire to have someone or something to which they are able to feel in some way superior.  There are countless other groups who have suffered similarly throughout age after age, and in every age there are always those who are willing to use "popular opinion" as a cudgel with which to beat them down...

You may judge as you see fit, that is your right.  However, you may not require that I agree with your judgment, or that I even attempt to understand where you are "coming from".  I do not agree with anything that you have stated, and I still see your choice of words and generalizations as being offensive, to Rennies as well as Carnies. 
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: Celtic_Fae on October 04, 2010, 02:25:29 AM
Quote from: pirateslife4me on October 03, 2010, 12:09:47 PM
Ok, let me make myself clear. I appreciate the talents of you performers out there. And you guys have taught me to not look at Ren performers as just glorified carnies or carnies in general. In fact, based on the comments and experiences everybody has mentioned, I believe you guys do not even belong in the same discussion as carnies. However,  I made a comment about the carnival industry in my original post that offended Rani. "By the way, not ALL workers in the carnival industry are bad people. But, let's face it; there is a reason they have a bad reputation." Again, I'm not bashing the Ren. Festival Industry and performers. However, I am critical of the carnival industry. Let's seperate the two. Rani, if you'd stop looking at the industry through rose colored glasses, you'd understand where I'm coming from. You have to admit that the carnival industry gets a bad rap. Whethor or not there are good people who work in the industry is beside the point. The fact of the matter is, the public perception of the carnival industry is not a good one and the industry has brought this reputation upon itself. Have you ever seen Carnivale? This used to be a show on HBO that was based around a traveling carnival. Whether or not this portrayal is representative of the carnival industry is neither her nor there. But, the producers obviously had their own vision and stereotypes of what the carnival industry is like and their vision goes along with how the public perceives the carnival industry. Now, you're going to say that you can't base your perception on the carnival industry based upon a television show. And that's true. But, again, the producers are just going along with what everybody else's vision of the carnival industry is like. And if the industry wants to shake that shady reputation, they need to do a major public relations push in order to change the public's perception of their industry.

The fact of the matter is, the reputation off these boards about RENAISSANCE FESTIVALS is not a good one, either, thanks to Hollywood and stereotypes. The stereotypes about Renaissance performers and faires abound, too: they're just sex/drug/booze fests; the women are cheap "scores", everyone is dirty/smelly, etc. The carnivals I've attended (up and down the eastern seaboard for 15+ years, if you need a credibility reference), have always been crawling with families. I doubt they suffer much of a poor reputation if multitudes of families still return year after year. Funny, there are plenty of carnivals in Florida, but I know of several Renaissance festivals that have been denied their permits because of the listed misconceptions above.

And, no, the producers aren't going to go along with "with what everybody else's vision of the carnival industry is like"-they are going to go with the most entertaining, possibly most controversial depiction because that's what sells seats at the theatre. The same can be said about Renaissance festivals/events/the time period in general depictions coming out of Hollywood. So, like Rani said, you can either grow up and stop believing everything you see on television, or you can remain behind your tinted glasses that you so falsely accused Rani of bearing.
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: Auryn on October 04, 2010, 10:02:24 AM
I smell troll
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: Rani Zemirah on October 04, 2010, 10:48:55 AM
Yeah, I started thinking the same thing after my little (ok, maybe not so little... :P ) fit of indignation...  LOL  

Sometimes the soapbox just calls out my name, though, y'know?  ::)  Maybe there's a 12 step program for that...
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: Anna Iram on October 04, 2010, 11:24:23 AM
Not a fit of indignation, Rani. Rather you were doing "a major public relations push in order to change the public's perception of their industry."  ;)

*shrug* My thoughts are there are creepy people where ever you wander, and we all wear glasses to some degree. Regardless, it's not the responsiblity of any group to "prove" themselves to anyone. If a newcomer really wishes to see the "rosier" side to ren life he will look for it, and I assure him he will find it.

I do suggest, Piratelife4me, that you reconsider your approach. It is a bit "trollish" though perhaps you don't mean to come across as such. Look for the beauty in this community. It is there.  :)


Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: Rani Zemirah on October 04, 2010, 11:45:47 AM
Anna, you kinda rock a little... y'know that?  ;)
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: temper on October 05, 2010, 11:14:15 AM
Anyway...

I have been stereotyped because of the renfaire stuff but not quite like that.
* As into things like Satan, death, goth lifestyle because I use swords
* Loose morally "because we all know what happens at the renfaire after hours."
(And let me be specific, I don't CARE what happens between consenting adults, a pony and hand puppets, I just don't flow that way)
* People thinking that the renfaire makes us a family-as in "I treat my family like dirt so you should assent to it as well"
* That I think playtrons should get preferential treatment instead of Bubba Joe who is joking around with me.
* That I do this because I'm not "bright" enough to "hold a real job" (Bad news on both counts for the person opening the mouth)
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: stonebiscuit on October 05, 2010, 12:59:00 PM
Quote* People thinking that the renfaire makes us a family-as in "I treat my family like dirt so you should assent to it as well"

Have you also found that "we're a family" is often followed by "so everyone is taking pay cuts"?
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: Tipsy Gypsy on October 05, 2010, 01:01:15 PM
/note to self: do not ruffle Rani's plumage! :D

I've run into stereotyping even by friends I've known for 20 years. I've run the gamut of trying to laugh it off, explaining gently that there is more to us than they think they know (and showing them some of Paul and Valt's lovely portraits, pointing out people who in the mundane world are teachers, engineers, scientists, law enforcement, rescue, etc.), and sharp pointy reminders that their enthusiasm for... whatever the heck makes their day... brands them with a stereotype in the eyes of others, too- and how do they like that?

Anymore, I've come to the conclusion that you really can't fix stupid, and sometimes you can't fix ignorant, either. I don't waste a lot of effort trying.
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: Rani Zemirah on October 05, 2010, 05:57:56 PM
Quote from: Tipsy Gypsy on October 05, 2010, 01:01:15 PM
/note to self: do not ruffle Rani's plumage! :D


LOL  C'mon... I'm not really all that scary, am I?  :D



Well, gee, maybe I am!  I seem to have killed this thread... dead.  :P
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: jcbanner on January 03, 2011, 09:00:22 PM
Avoiding the slippery spots left by the soap boxes here ;)

3 months isn't too far dead to pull back to life when it's still on the top page is it?  I think theres still some meat left of the bones of this topic!


Did anybody else laugh at this line?

Quote from: pirateslife4me on September 21, 2010, 08:57:53 AM
Boy, that is amazing the amount of time you guys put into your craft during the day. Really impressive!! And I'm sure your not getting rich off of it either! But, I would imagine it beats a regular 9 to 5 job!!

I'm sure there are a few people that make a living doing this, but for most I'm sure its mostly for the enjoyment.  I don't make any money at the renfaire, and the people I know who do, still have regular day jobs.
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: crashbot on January 03, 2011, 10:17:34 PM
Oh brother, stop getting so twisted about something so trivial. There are stereotypes about all walks of life, who cares. 
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: Kathleen MacFerno on February 17, 2011, 11:29:07 AM
I wrote an entire ethnography on (basically) this topic for my writing class last year. I interviewed people from the boards and compiled the whole thing with other research. It's fairly long but if you'd like to read it I can email it... let me know :)
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: stonebiscuit on February 17, 2011, 12:40:32 PM
Quote from: jcbanner on January 03, 2011, 09:00:22 PM
Quote from: pirateslife4me on September 21, 2010, 08:57:53 AM
Boy, that is amazing the amount of time you guys put into your craft during the day. Really impressive!! And I'm sure your not getting rich off of it either! But, I would imagine it beats a regular 9 to 5 job!!
I'm sure there are a few people that make a living doing this, but for most I'm sure its mostly for the enjoyment.  I don't make any money at the renfaire, and the people I know who do, still have regular day jobs.

I know a number of people for whom ren faires are their primary or only job. It's not exactly a common profession, but it's not uncommon either.
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: groomporter on February 17, 2011, 01:24:21 PM
Quote from: stonebiscuit on February 17, 2011, 12:40:32 PM
Quote from: jcbanner on January 03, 2011, 09:00:22 PM
Quote from: pirateslife4me on September 21, 2010, 08:57:53 AM
Boy, that is amazing the amount of time you guys put into your craft during the day. Really impressive!! And I'm sure your not getting rich off of it either! But, I would imagine it beats a regular 9 to 5 job!!
I'm sure there are a few people that make a living doing this, but for most I'm sure its mostly for the enjoyment.  I don't make any money at the renfaire, and the people I know who do, still have regular day jobs.

I know a number of people for whom ren faires are their primary or only job. It's not exactly a common profession, but it's not uncommon either.

A permanent booth at a large festival can cost $10K to $20K to buy so there's obviously some people making decent money at their craft. In addition to that there's the annual booth fees, and liability insurance.
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: LadyStitch on February 17, 2011, 01:46:33 PM
It saddens me when the person who introduced me to Ren faires is ripping them to shreds and bad mouthing people I know here on the boards.  I gave given up on them ever seeing  what we do or like  as something they would understand.  Sure he comes to Ren faire's but he just don't understand them anymore.  I get more love and support from people I have never met in person than from these people I have known for 10 years.  All they see is the sterotype, and the bad publicity stories.

I get stero types thrown at me all the time (family back ground, area of birth, theater Rennies, ect.) , and frankly I don't care anymore.  If someone can't see me for who I really am, then they aren't worth my time. 
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: Rani Zemirah on February 17, 2011, 02:40:47 PM
I don't even care...  I do whatever I like, and hang the rest.  There's always someone who will judge based on their own narrow vision of their ideal world, but why should I let that ruin my good time?  Oddly enough, the people who actually matter to me seem to respect and admire me more for that than not, and I know it's the same for lots of others here...
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: Archer on September 08, 2011, 02:33:25 PM
Meh.  At least one of us does not care what others may think on this topic.  The only thing that really matters is that we pursue our own highest excitement while respecting the rights of others.  Others may label things, activities, people as they wish.  Those who must issue labels are entitled as a choice and as part of the exercise of their own "free will".   Some may still care what others think.  Some have grown past having any need to allow labels to be any issue of concern whatsoever.   :P 
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: pirateslife4me on September 20, 2011, 10:33:02 PM
Wow, it's been a year since I first started this topic and it's still on the board!! I looked back at what I originally posted and I think I may have come across as a little harsh. I want to let everybody know that I am not a troll and I didn't start this topic to drum up trouble. In fact, I really love Renaissance festivals and I am truly fascinated with the rennie community. I've even thought about becoming one myself ;) I just went to the Ohio Renaissance Festival this past Sunday, in fact. My second time going this fall, already. And as always, I had a great time. I just thought it'd be an interesting and thought-provoking topic to discuss and I'd say that it certainly has been!  Also, I would like to say that if I have offended anybody, I truly didn't mean to. I realize that my responses may have come across as harsh, but it wasn't to offend, but rather just giving my honest opinions, even if they were blunt. Also, I'd like to tell all of you that I really have enjoyed your responses. I've learned a lot from all of you and it has made me reconsider my views. Anyways, now that I'm back on the board, I look forward to having great and lively conversations with all of you on this and other topics on this board in the near future. Thanks and take care, Brandon. (Hmm...I really need to come up with a rennie name. Maybe that'll be my next topic; Suggest a rennie name for Brandon :))
Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: dreamwalker on November 04, 2011, 04:59:19 AM
Some people are simply stuck with the idea that costumes are for kiddys and halloween only. That it's child-ish or immature or just plain weird somehow. Some Danes need to get their sticks out of the mud seriously. I rather spend time with you wonderful persons that trying to win over some fuddy duddy that going to drag me down if I stay in their vicinity.

If someone has a problem with you being a Rennie and doing your thing, you remember folks it's THEIR problem not YOURS. Don't let their perceptions or issues about you become your problem. If not they will make it one. Just walk away, they are not even worth your time or effort.

Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: DonaCatalina on November 04, 2011, 10:09:21 AM
Quote from: pirateslife4me on September 20, 2011, 10:33:02 PM
Maybe that'll be my next topic; Suggest a rennie name for Brandon :))
Bloody Brody Rackham

Title: Re: Stereotyped
Post by: Merlin the Elder on November 04, 2011, 05:37:43 PM
Quote from: DonaCatalina on November 04, 2011, 10:09:21 AM
Quote from: pirateslife4me on September 20, 2011, 10:33:02 PM
Maybe that'll be my next topic; Suggest a rennie name for Brandon :))
Bloody Brody Rackham


That's nice and wicked DC! You're good!