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Bad Parents!

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Sir Edward:

Very good points, Sir James. People sometimes forget that they're deadly weapons. Even if it's blunted as a demo or practice weapon, it doesn't change the fact that it's a properly stored sword on someone's person. It's like reaching for a police officer's gun.

Sir Robert:
Just to comment on this, my home Fair has been the PARen Faire, and maybe I'm just scary but I rarely have had issues with this, touching just does not seem to be as common there. It does happen, someone will want to see if its real, or get a picture taken, but not to the extent you lords describe it.

Then this year I mentioned going to the MDRen Faire and a couple of by brethren made a point to tell me to expect more "touchy" there, all based on their experience. Now I must say that I love the MDRF and its far above most Faires, my experience was awesome BUT I did notice a bit more of this and some bad behavior from children and parents. I was challenged a few times with wooden sticks, and had several people think about touching and a few actually do it, so I do agree with Sir Brian on this.

I don't know why this is, its not the MDRF in any way, its one of the most enjoyable Faires to be sure. Maybe its the lack of weapons? (that could be good judging on what I have seen with sticks) Maybe that makes us look a bit scarier? In any event parents should know better regardless of setting or what someone looks like- kids should have respect for others and not do anything that they would not want done to them. But I think Sir Brian hit the nail on the head with the parents being to blame here.

Sir Edward:

I think that has a lot to do with it-- the lack of weapons. People are more comfortable and more responsible with them through exposure. In an environment that lacks them, people are less... how shall we say... savvy?

Sir Robert:
I do agree with that, in fact I have worn a braodsword for two seasons and know excatly how to wear it, how it sticks out and how to do just about anything wearing in in any garb, from full plate to a Kilt. But this year, for a Pirate weekend, I wanted a more pirate look, so I bought a rapier, andit was almost 6" longer than my broadsword. I found that I had to be extra careful turning, sitting, and whatever to allow for the extra length and not inconvienience anyone. So experience does make one better at carrying weapons.

As a comment- since most Faires do sell beverages and weapons, and there tend to be, lets say new initiates to our world, buying them and enjoying malts. They can often act with far less than rational thinking, last season I had one such patron, dressed in his best "I slept in this for the last five days" dorm wear, come up to me and thump my armor with his newly aquired battle axe...all wrapped up in tape and cardboard. So although I enjoy browsing the merchent's wares, and certainly don't want to ban weapons, as I think it completes the look, I do like the fact that a security guard saw this incident and removed the axe from my young friend to be pick up on exit I'm sure.

So here's a plug- the security guards at the PARen Faire are first notch, I always thank them for the work they do, many have been in cast and love the Faire, and they keep it well in hand. So kudos to them. Its also one of the reason's the ticket prices are higher, but it keeps everything running smoothly. :)

Sir Matthew:
Stormdelver, PaRF is also my home faire and I agree completely that the security there is top notch.  I have had lengthy discussions with them and have found most of them to be very level-headed and fair, not something particularly common with people in there jobs.  I must say that in all the years of going, I have never once been hit by someone with a real weapon, albight wrapped up.  That would certainly make me very unhappy, getting hit with the wooden weapons is enough insult.  I also find that MdRF has far more touchy people, I went in the armor for the first time there this season and found that I had alot more people wanting to touch it.  Perhaps you are on to something with the lack of weaponry.  I don't mind patrons touching my garb and equipment, so long as they ask and are polite about it.  That is much of the reason why I wear and carry what I do.  My intention is to actively engage them in learning about the period, so I attempt to carry period acurate weapons and equipment.  By allowing the patrons to touch and examine what I carry I make it more real to them and hopefully recruite some younger ones to eventually join in the fun.  I am always carefull to point out that the weapons I carry are real and are still dangerouse, even if they are obsolete. 

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