This past Sunday, I joined my friends for a fun day at Bristol. I definitely had tons of fun, don't get me wrong, but they definitely weren't as enthusiastic as I am. For example, I spent months sewing my own bodice, (as the ladies and gentlemen on the sewing board can attest to-I had LOTS of questions! ;-) ) but my friend simply pulled out an old, polyester, stained, medieval-ish gown and wore that. Another thing is that I love to see EVERYTHING at faire that I possibly can-but my friends walked right past some itneresting shops, acts, and people, just to get to certain shows on time. It was all very regimented. Get there, eat, see three shows, the joust, and then leave. When I did drag them into shops, they glanced around, then stood there waiting for me. Am I just way too into faire? Or have you guys had this kind of problem? I don't mean to complain, I was just a little disappointed.
This sounds like my son. Once he has a beer or three and swiveled his head around like an owl on ball bearings, he's ready to go. My mom would complain about the walk and I've yet to be able to persuade my sister to go.
So I go by myself, get there as early as I want to, sit and people watch to my heart's content, and leave when I'm ready. I'd rather go by myself & have a good time than put up with a buzzkill all day.
It's happened to me! In fact, the two friends I went with for the very first time never returned, and really have no desire to.
Over the years I've taken several friends and family members. Reactions have ranged from bored to mildly amused to enthusiastic. In the beginning I was disappointed that some of them (especially the ones I thought would find faire interesting) just couldn't get into it, but now I figure it's just not going to be everyones cup of tea.
If your friends aren't into it, then don't force the issue. Let them know they are always welcome to go with you, but if the interest isn't there invite another friend to go, or go by yourself. I know that may be daunting, but I started doing that when I realized that I was the only one seriously bitten by the faire bug and even the most enthusiastic friends and family weren't interested in attending more than one weekend. It was a little scary at first, especially since I'm shy (though some people who know me at faire would have trouble believing it LOL), but I just did it. It really helped connecting with people on the forums, so I wasn't completely alone.
Try networking on the forums. Is Bristol home? I know some fabulous people who go there and they would make you feel very welcome. If you don't have an R/F pin, order one so you can be spotted at faire. I hope you find a friend to share your passion, but if not try meeting people through R/F and you'll have a great time. Good luck!
Go with some RF'ers. Fins out when and where the meet and greet is. Lady Renee can proably tell you the time.
I am so sorry you had friends that aren't as into faire as you. I've had friends say they are having fun but walk around like I'm making them go to faire. Can anyone be too into faire? But if a group meets at your home faire, you'll find it on these forums. Defiantly get an R/F pin from DB, the pin is almost like a magnet to other R/F members. Best of luck! ;D
Quote from: Taffy Saltwater on July 20, 2009, 08:16:34 PM
This sounds like my son. Once he has a beer or three and swiveled his head around like an owl on ball bearings, he's ready to go. My mom would complain about the walk and I've yet to be able to persuade my sister to go.
So I go by myself, get there as early as I want to, sit and people watch to my heart's content, and leave when I'm ready. I'd rather go by myself & have a good time than put up with a buzzkill all day.
Amen sistah!
My kids don't enjoy the same things at faire that I do so we go our seperate ways and just meet up for lunch. That way they can do the things that they enjoy and I can do the things that I enjoy. The only friends we hang out with at faire are the ones we met there. :)
Yer definitely not alone. I have a number of friends that I "choose" not to go to faire with (and others that I go with regularly). Those I choose not to go with are either friends I know won't really enjoy it, or are friends who get a mild kick out of it for a day visit once every few seasons and won't dress in garb. To me its just not worth it. I love my friends dearly, but I don't want to ruin my own enjoyment at faire to go with people who don't appreciate it as much as we do. Even for those who come occasionally, I'm happy to say hello, maybe have lunch together, but then we go our separate ways and do our own thing. Works out best that way IMHO.
We all have friends and family who are not as enthusiastic about faire as we are. I can drag my friend out once a year, she does a little shopping and she's ready to go.
She says all the acts are boring so she doesn't really want to see any shows.
But she likes making garb, so that's her only reason for going in the first place.
It's a conundrum alright.
My boyfriend's enthusiastic, but in a tourist-y way. I go as a playtron and he wears a loudly patterned polo (bright purple, orange with green stripes, etc.), khaki shorts, and running shoes...as if a 6' 260 lb guy with crazy black hair, an epic goatee of epicness, and a Jack Nicholson smile isn't already hard to ignore. I like to interact with people and be flexibly in-character, he walks around with a map and a beer talking about what shows he wants to see next and sticking those gold award stickers from games all over himself. I sort of understand him, though; because he sticks out like a sore thumb, actors tend to target him a bit more and he gets chosen to be a crowd volunteer which is fun.
He cramps my style when I try to act in-character. It's not even the plain clothes, because I went with one of my friends who wore an Immortal band-shirt, denim shorts, and running shoes but he interacted with the cast instead of standing there with his arms crossed. It's like when you're a little kid playing and even though you're not what you're imagining, you get so into it that your imagination fills in the blanks and reality takes a back seat.
It's also possible for people to be enthusiastic in different ways- I want to be walking around, shopping and seeing things, and Hubby likes do his routine at TRF (prince of wales, wander, Sea Devil, wander, repeat) and socialize... I enjoy socializing, but that can be done at camp!!!
I have wanted/needed faire before I EVER went- my parents were going to TRF in the 80's and would bring back pictures of this marvelous place- lol i knew the first time I stepped foot on grounds that TRF was HOME!
I do have other friends who think it's 'fun', but these are more the type of people who would go to a SciFi convention to gawk at the costumes, etc, than really feeling the SPIRIT of the thing...
I've given up on my wife... she likes to go to TRF and enjoys herself but she really doesn't get into it. Twice a year and she's good to go until next year. I'm trying to corrupt/ turn my best friend into a rennie... loves Faire and the party aspect of it. All it should take is a little push to get him to cross over the line... maybe camping at TRF will help with that "push" ;D
Most of my friends at school that I've gone with to faires have really enjoyed themselves, but I've had a few who are only too ready to leave early, which is a major pain. I've only gone to one faire by myself (St. Louis), but I'm probably going to be heading back up to Sterling by myself in a couple weeks. (The first time I went, I was with 3 friends, 2nd time with 1 friend, and it looks like no one can come the next time I can).
But I'm expecting to still enjoy myself. It will let me be completely on my own schedule. Because of course, everyone always wants to see different shows at the same time. I've found myself splitting up with the people I've come with multiple times before.
If yer hooked, yer hooked. If you're not you're not.
Some folks learn to love it. Some folks who loved it, get tired of it.
We've gone all these years because many of our friends are also participants, so I tend to tour the site during workshops to see who's there and who's not. Talk to the crafts director to verify whether someone's not coming back, and to learn about some of the new folks, etc. Of course, we've already had the guild kickoff prior to workshops so we've a pretty good handle on who'll be with us there. As an aside, if you're in California, and interested in joining the Guild of St Cuthbert, drop me an email. We're always recruiting.
If you're part of the community, then it's probably easier to stay enthusiastic.
Well I would like to relate a story of a different nature. As many of you know, my wife and I were King and Queen in TNRF for 9 years. When we "retired" in 1997, we decided to take it easy for a while. Early in the 21st century I caught wind of 2 new small 1 weekend faires in Florida call Gulf Coast Faires. I called the owner and after one test run we struck a deal. Now in TNRF I had made a big knighting sword, but I had a squire to carry it for me. In Gulf Coast I had no one to act a squire, so I started to look for one. I found a good friend here where I work at a mundane job(it sure would be nice to be able to, for real, collect the taxes that my King's personna always threatens to invoke). Now this guy, in his late 30's at the time, is so redneck he would make Jeff Foxworthy look and sound like a damn yankee(me). I got him into garb that I had plus some stuff that he bought himself. For the entire weekend he was my squire. My friends I have created a Frankenstien Renn-monster. He took to it like a duck to water. He now has almost as much garb as I do plus weapons galore, and he and his wife are our constant companions at Gulf Coast. So it can happen.
Quote from: Taffy Saltwater on July 20, 2009, 08:16:34 PM
So I go by myself, get there as early as I want to, sit and people watch to my heart's content, and leave when I'm ready. I'd rather go by myself & have a good time than put up with a buzzkill all day.
Amen to that!
You can lead a horse to water.....
I have tried and failed more times than I can count to get non-rennie friends interested in fair and finally had to face the fact that liking/not liking renaissance just comes natural to folks. They do or they don't. I attended fair for
years alone. Dragging somebody else along and then worrying that they may not be having a good time is just SO not worth it.
If you go solo, just walk around and interact with everyone else. No one thinks it odd to see a lone wench, Lady, peasant or Lord out shopping. You are just part of the ambiance, and since you are not 'working' (read Playtron like moi) you are free to do as you please. I have no problems with going by myself, and in fact I met my husband that way.
I love to interact, but my man takes it to a new level...he will walk around all day, talk to every single person (he loves kids), and does not want to leave until the fair closes, then he stays to help break down. Gotta love the guy.
It's not that these friends were people I was trying to convert- they've been before, and they liked it. We've been talking about it for months. They just ended up not being as enthusiastic as I am. Going by myself sounds a little scasry, but I bet it could turn out fun. And yes, Bristol is my home faire.
Bristol is run by the same outfit that runs my home faire (RPFS). I'm pretty sure they have a similar guild/participant arrangement. If you're interested, might check the renfair web site for participant information. It's probably too late for this year, but if you go back, stop by likely environmental areas and ask about membership. We have a lot a single members. Also, I suspect they also have a Friends of Faire (FOF) area. Might check there, too.
I remember my parents taking me to Sterling when I was a kid, but it was only a couple of visits. I cought the bug all on my own, converted a couple of friends, and have struck out multiple times since then. My friends started working for vendors several years ago so I was forced to go alone. It was weird at first, but I'm so used to it now that I'll only drive other people to faire if it's understood that we're going to split up. I never have an itinerary, I never look at the schedule and I never check the time. I still recruit newbies to visit on their own and I'll give them any advice on how to enjoy (based on their interests) but I am not a tour guide anymore.
Bristol does Indeed have a Friends of Faire, and we welcome guests to come see what it's about. For a measly $5, you get access to the garden for the entire weekend, all the cold water and gatorade you want, shelves in back to store your stuff, and if you visit this upcoming weekend, for an additional $5 you can join us for our first Feast using our new grill. All varieties of scrummy dead flesh and veggies come off that grill, we have several real actual gourmet chefs the take our raw offerings and make magic. Also there are tons of different baked goods, cold dishes, salads, etc.
You may come in alone, but you won't be for long, friendships and even marriages have happened because of FoF.
Dayna Thomas
Bristol Faire Hench
Quote from: renfairephotog on July 20, 2009, 08:50:32 PM
Go with some RF'ers. Fins out when and where the meet and greet is. Lady Renee can proably tell you the time.
We went to faire for 11 years before we met anybody else. And all because of this board. Bristol is our home faire, too, and believe me, there are lots of forum members there just about every weekend. So that means lots of people to walk around and hang out with.
The Meet & Greet is held at 3 p.m. on both days of the weekend at the Pig & Whistle Tavern. I only get there on Sundays, and not every Sunday, but when I'm there, I keep my eyes open for forum members and try to get everyone to introduce themselves, arrange the pictures, etc. We'll be there on July 26th, August 9th, 16, not sure of 23rd or 30th. Then again Sunday & Monday of Labor Day weekend. Look for us!
And I agree with Unilady. Join the Friends of Faire. There you will find literally hundreds of faire-loving people to hang out with.
We had the same thing happen with friends of ours. We even lent them garb. They were supposed to carpool with other friends but ended up driving their own car. Good thing. They left after an hour and a half. Nothing you can do about it. Just find other people with the same love of faire that you do. That's what we did! ;D
Quote from: tigrlily64 on July 21, 2009, 05:49:45 PM
It's not that these friends were people I was trying to convert- they've been before, and they liked it. We've been talking about it for months. They just ended up not being as enthusiastic as I am. Going by myself sounds a little scasry, but I bet it could turn out fun. And yes, Bristol is my home faire.
I've found that faire can be different things to different people. My friends and family love the faire--they go in garb and everything. And most of them are satisfied with the yearly jaunt there. But we actually do two-three different trips to our faire and depending on who we go with depends on what we do that trip:
Friends--catch the funnier shows, shop, and just sort of hang out at the faire.
Family--very kid oriented. Go to kid friendly shows, spend a lot of time in the kid area, spend a lot of money on rides and activities.
Just the two fo us--mu husband and I go one weekend by ourselves (we usually try to time it for the romance theme wekeend if we can). We shop a little, go see one or two of our favorite acts,but mostly go slow and enjoy the atmosphere and each others company.
Anyways, my point is your friends might have a different idea of what fun at faire is than you. If they've gone before, they may have it boiled down to just a few favorite "must do's"
Yeah, wow, I can relate to that!
My boyfriend likes to go with me to BARF, but isn't into the whole scene like I am. He kinda approaches it like an ordinary "date" or something, and goes because I enjoy it. He's really frugal too, so he doesn't like to go shopping at the vendors, doesn't want to pay for the food there, and I always feel kinda guilty for some reason when I buy things with him. But if I'm doing the belly dance competition next year he'll want to come support my troop.
So I plan on going at least three times this coming year, and much like Serenamoonsilver posted, it's because the different people that I go with like the fair for different reasons. Though hopefully, I'll go this year from open until close with a friend I met through my dance school. I hope she's as much into Ren Faire as I am! I've run into friends who get enthusiastic about it, dress up, and then want to leave early, or they don't want to get up early enough for the opening. She once played a Gaelic pirate some years back in Scarborough and currently performs gypsy acts with me. So hopefully I've found my Ren friend, lol! I'm also hoping she'll get pulled into these forums too, it's a wonderful networking tool!
If not, I'll wander in by myself one day, and break myself of my shyness! :-)
Nice to find people to commiserate with about this! I worry about the people I go with every year, lol. :D
Quote from: serenamoonsilver on July 23, 2009, 01:13:43 PM
Anyways, my point is your friends might have a different idea of what fun at faire is than you. If they've gone before, they may have it boiled down to just a few favorite "must do's"
But unless they've already been there during that run, they might miss something new. They aren't usually static from year to year.
Quote from: Lady Renee Buchanan on July 23, 2009, 12:46:53 AM
We had the same thing happen with friends of ours. We even lent them garb. They were supposed to carpool with other friends but ended up driving their own car. Good thing. They left after an hour and a half. Nothing you can do about it. Just find other people with the same love of faire that you do. That's what we did! ;D
Even if you are not "into" faire I couldn't imagine leaving after an hour and a half! What a waste of time and money! Could they not find one thing to enjoy? They didn't even give it a chance at an hour and a half. Wow!
I am lucky that the most recent people I have taken want to go again. And the guy that REFUSED to wear garb now says he wants a kilt! :D
Quote from: Dinobabe on July 24, 2009, 10:13:18 AM
Quote from: Lady Renee Buchanan on July 23, 2009, 12:46:53 AM
We had the same thing happen with friends of ours. We even lent them garb. They were supposed to carpool with other friends but ended up driving their own car. Good thing. They left after an hour and a half. Nothing you can do about it. Just find other people with the same love of faire that you do. That's what we did! ;D
Even if you are not "into" faire I couldn't imagine leaving after an hour and a half! What a waste of time and money! Could they not find one thing to enjoy? They didn't even give it a chance at an hour and a half. Wow!
I am lucky that the most recent people I have taken want to go again. And the guy that REFUSED to wear garb now says he wants a kilt! :D
It was really awful. When we went into the shops, they stayed in the lanes. When we sat down for Albannach, they stood all the way back behind everyone. Albannach! Can you imagine not liking them??? The 7 of us all took pictures and as soon as they were done, they left. I found out from another friend that they really enjoy going to Civil War reenactments. Go figure. Well, their loss.
Sometimes the don't come around for 20 years.... or so.
When I was 14, my best friend's mother had a booth, and I was invited to spend the weekend at faire with them, as a boothie kid. The faire bug bit HARD. I convinced my parents to take me as a patron the next year. To say they were unimpressed is an understatement.
I got a job there a few years later, and until I moved out of my house, every single season I got the rolling eyes and constant jabs and gripes about my being at 'that dumb place'.
Fast forward 20 odd years.
My mother went with her girlfriends a couple of years ago. Her knees were bad, so she was in a wheelchair at the time. She had a blast. She's since got replacement knees, and she's on her feet again. This year, she wants me to take her back - and she wants me to make her garb!
...now I just need to work on that curmudgeon of a father....
Quote from: Carl Heinz on July 23, 2009, 05:22:06 PM
Quote from: serenamoonsilver on July 23, 2009, 01:13:43 PM
Anyways, my point is your friends might have a different idea of what fun at faire is than you. If they've gone before, they may have it boiled down to just a few favorite "must do's"
But unless they've already been there during that run, they might miss something new. They aren't usually static from year to year.
True, but they don't change that much from year to year either. My parents are very much like that--they go for a few favorite shows, visit a few favorite shops, and call it a day. They go in garb, interact, and have fun. But they seldom stay a whole day anymore. And to be fair, if there is anything new going on they check it out before hand to see if its something they might be interested itn.
Quote from: Lady Renee Buchanan on July 24, 2009, 12:48:11 PM
I found out from another friend that they really enjoy going to Civil War reenactments. Go figure. Well, their loss.
I do both and enjoy them immensely! Too bad.
Quote from: tigrlily64 on July 20, 2009, 07:48:04 PM
This past Sunday, I joined my friends for a fun day at Bristol. I definitely had tons of fun, don't get me wrong, but they definitely weren't as enthusiastic as I am. For example, I spent months sewing my own bodice, (as the ladies and gentlemen on the sewing board can attest to-I had LOTS of questions! ;-) ) but my friend simply pulled out an old, polyester, stained, medieval-ish gown and wore that. Another thing is that I love to see EVERYTHING at faire that I possibly can-but my friends walked right past some itneresting shops, acts, and people, just to get to certain shows on time. It was all very regimented. Get there, eat, see three shows, the joust, and then leave. When I did drag them into shops, they glanced around, then stood there waiting for me. Am I just way too into faire? Or have you guys had this kind of problem? I don't mean to complain, I was just a little disappointed.
I always feel this way too. My husband refuses to go to Faire with me, and a lot of my friends have dubbed Faire as being "nerdy" (insert eyeroll here), so I always have to go it alone. Which for the most part is okay with me, because I can then be a looky-loo to my hearts content! :D
Sometimes "Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig." describes it. If folks don't want to at least give it a shot, then you've done your part. They don't want to learn what they're missing.
You'd be surprised about how just casual encounters can introduce people to faire. I frequently ask store checkers and folks in line if they've been to faire. During the weeks while workshops are on, we visit our favorite shops and ask if they'll put a poster in their window and put some rack cards near their checkout areas. A lot of them do. So don't restrict encouraging people to attend to just your friends. The better the gate, the more likely it is that our playpen will be around next year.
i forced my ex-fiance one year to go with me every day to the faire... and that made me happy and i thought he liked it till the next year when he said " i dont really want to go this year!" i still got him to go with me 2 times.
as for my friends, they all enjoy it. but im the only one who usually dresses up (authentically). and my friends dont like going every day 1 or 2 times is enough for them. so this yeah i hope to make friends at the faire instead.
This whole line of conversation is actually why I generally go alone. My MO at a fair is generally to wander around a LOT--since I photograph pretty heavily to me there's always something else to see, and I generally spend full days roaming around, people watching and catching the odd show.
Most of my friends (and parents) that have been are content with an end-to-end walk of the grounds, a few shows, perhaps a meal. Having someone standing at your shoulder grousing about having to walk more is a pain and kinda kills the immersion, soooo
None of my family are into Faire, but I love being able to go alone. It means I can park myself by the Jolly Rogers' stage an hour before their show to get the best seats! Attending alone lets me take advantage of the faire day and make sure I can see everything I want to see.
For me it kind of bites, my boyfriend is allergic to cigg. smoke but I love going with him, but it pretty much means I can't meet anyone from the forum because the meets are generally in the bars/taverns... and it's a constant battle figuring out where to stand to see and still avoid the smoke... :( I've gone once without him and ended up getting a tag along that I felt responsible for...
I have noticed, and I include myself here, that people go to Faire for different reasons. Some are hard-core and want to be everywhere and see everything. Some go just to be there, because it is different. Some are there to shop, others go just for the shows. I was with a group just yesterday at MD RennFest where some just had to go in to every shop - which bored me to death. But I dealt with it because I still got to do what I wanted to do regardless.
The first time that I went I had a good time and decided to get some garb together for the future. Since then my wife and I go once or twice a year, sometimes in garb and sometimes not. I am a rather shy person and only occasionally interact with mundanes and actors, but I am gaining confidence in that. I like to just watch people and catch some shows as I wander by. My wife likes seeing all of the shops & vendors. Sometimes I will go just to take pictures. I have found that I don't like dressing up in garb and carrying camera gear, so I'll do one or the other.
I guess you can't please everyone all of the time, so the trick is to either meet some folks that attend for the same reasons as you, or try to strike a balance with those that you do end up going with. I don't like standing around twiddling my thumbs while the wife peruses a shop but I make the best of it by observing other people's garb (to get ideas) or chatting with an actor (while trying to get my confidence up). There's also no rule that a group HAS to stick together all day.
WH
Well, I just put the invitation out there, and tell them where I'll be at a certain time (gate at opening, whatever show/event at whatever time, etc.), and let them go if they like. My wife goes with me, and my two children (15 & 18) invite friends and enjoy the faire with them.
I feel the invitation is enough. I tell them "Don't worry, I'll have a good time without you. It would just be better with you." If they wanna hang out with my wife and me, that's fine, but if there are certain shows we wanna catch, we go there. We're all adults!
I think one of the most important things is to never be responsible for the transportation of someone who you don't know their fair style of. Had some horrible experiences with people who wanted to leave faire early, whihc is a sin in my book.
Lots of walking is part of the fun! My costumes look best when I walk! I go by myself alot because my friends and family think I've gone off the edge by getting as involved as I have yet they always want to see the newest photos. There's ALWAYS someone at faire to hang out with and every faire I visit has lots and lots of ren friends whom I've met thru this forum! Getting mundanes interested is difficult and boyfriends get upset about my going to faire with or without them, so, I go alone and I always have a great time! No arguing or whining about being bored from others. I have a sneaking suspicion that me mum is a closet rennie, she'll be at ORF this year in garb! Go mom!
I worked at MiRF for a few years, so I would always ride with a friend that worked there, too. I took this year off, so now I just drive myself.
The one time I rode with someone else, they KNEW well before going that I was going to be there an hour before cannon and I was not leaving until after closing cannon. They had a blast even though thier feet hurt worse than they remember. I just smiled and chuckled, remembering the feeling.
For me (and I suspect for my wife, too), the primary reason we keep going is that a lot of our friends are also participants or crafts people. And you really can enjoy the interaction. A good number of my Facebook "friends" are friends from Faire.
I went around faire completely on my own for the first time last year, and I actually enjoyed faire a bit more that way. Most of the people I attend with are just as enthusiastic as (if not more than) I am, but wandering around faire on my own definitely adds something I wouldn't otherwise experience were I walking around with a group of my friends.
Going with someone unenthusiastic really can kill the mood, as I learned opening weekend of TRF last year when I kinda sorta forced my ex to go. He spent the whole time bored and looking kind of annoyed, not enjoying the shows (or wanting to give most of them a chance), and getting weirded out by my interactions with fellow rennies. It really put a damper on the weekend.
I have given up on taking most of my family, friends and even girlfriend to the Faire. It is much nicer to go alone and enjoy it than to bring someone who grouses and complains about everything. And this way, I can get there before opening which seems to be beyond some people's ability or desire. Besides, at TRF, friends abound, some of whom I haven't met. (yet...)
Quote from: Witchhawk on August 30, 2009, 07:03:18 AMThe first time that I went I had a good time and decided to get some garb together for the future. Since then my wife and I go once or twice a year, sometimes in garb and sometimes not. I am a rather shy person and only occasionally interact with mundanes and actors, but I am gaining confidence in that. I like to just watch people and catch some shows as I wander by. My wife likes seeing all of the shops & vendors. Sometimes I will go just to take pictures. I have found that I don't like dressing up in garb and carrying camera gear, so I'll do one or the other.
I guess you can't please everyone all of the time, so the trick is to either meet some folks that attend for the same reasons as you, or try to strike a balance with those that you do end up going with. I don't like standing around twiddling my thumbs while the wife peruses a shop but I make the best of it by observing other people's garb (to get ideas) or chatting with an actor (while trying to get my confidence up). There's also no rule that a group HAS to stick together all day.
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.
Quote from: will paisley on September 15, 2009, 10:18:19 AM
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.
Hey, that's a cool idea!
I never thought of it that way but that is exactly what happens when I do Civil War reenacting. It really does become a necessity! :D
I find it to be hit or miss with many of my friends and family. My oldest brother, who lives close to the Pennsylvania Ren. Faire, went once and would be happy if he never had to go back again. My parents are the same way. My middle brother likes to go, and even dresses up, but only has one outfit and can't understand why I need more than one. He also only goes once, maybe twice a year, at the most. However, I'm lucky in that my wife likes to go to faire and, while she isn't into it quite as much as I am, she enjoys it enough to go with me. Likewise, I have a few friends that love to dress up and go to faire, so I always seem to have someone to go with.
Now, I did have a very similar experiences this past Labor Day weekend. I went to New York to visit a friend who said he was interested in dressing up and going to faire with us. So, I packed a couple of different outfits for him, let him know, to the best of my ability, what to expect at faire, and hoped for the best. Well, Labor Day weekend came and it was a little hot, so he chose the outfit that wouldn't be as hot to wear, but was also rather lacking in "flashiness." While he says he had a good time, I could tell from the moment we entered the faire, that this just wasn't his thing. He didn't look around much at the shops, pointed out all the mistakes the performers made, even if they were really good and very entertaining, and always wanted to take breaks, but then complained when we missed a show. He also noticed how "under dressed" he was, once we entered the faire and kept pointing this out to us every chance he had. While my wife and I still had fun, I could tell that this wasn't something that he'd get into like I have. He did, however, really enjoy all the..ahem..."skin" that women at the faire were showing off. ;D
Quote from: will paisley on September 15, 2009, 10:18:19 AM
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.
*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 ;D
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..............
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.
Quote from: Luna on October 20, 2009, 12:49:42 AM
maybe someday i will work up the nerve to introduce myself to some of the regulars ;D
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 >:D (that's a compliment, btw)
Quote from: will paisley on October 20, 2009, 09:36:44 AM
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 >:D (that's a compliment, btw)
worked for me this season. wearing my pin i met 4 or 5 forum participants at kcrf.
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"
Quote from: Luna on October 20, 2009, 12:49:42 AM
*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 ;D
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.
Quote from: Fraser of Lovatt on October 20, 2009, 12:28:36 PM
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...