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Ren Faire Peeve
Sir Patrick:
Am I the only one who on some tiny level gets irritated when people at the Ren Faire say they like your "costume"? It's a KIT!!! An as close to accurate as I am able to be at this moment KIT!! The guy with the elf ears in the leather armor with a Conan sword strapped to his back is in a costume!!! Rant over ;).
Sir Rodney:
The last time I attended the MN Renaissance Festival in full kit a little boy wacked me in the back of the knee with a wooden sword. This surprise attack actually hurt and nearly caused me to spill my beer. The boy’s mother came running over, laughed, and asked for my photo with “little Johnny”.
I swallowed my pride, pain and beer while smiling for a photo with the little heathen. Mommy leveled a parting coup de grace by saying what a nice costume I had and asking what time the next joust was to occur.
Mortally wounded, I could only shrug and point to the schedule of events posted just feet away.
The educational piece that we take to heart as a group is lost on many. Combating Hollywood stereotypes and renaissance festival Dwarf-Ninja-Pirate-Barbarians is difficult.
These last few years I’ve chaperoned performing arts high school kids on day trips. This has given me ample opportunity to people watch, especially considering the MN Ren Fest pulled in 300,000 visitors last year. It’s easy for us to pick out the folks in nearly perfect high-end kits, aspiring folks who have OK kits, fantasy kits, Steampunk costumes, movie inspired costumes, and those that are completely mixed up Dwarf-Ninja-Pirate-Barbarians. We need to remember that the general public has no idea. Their only reference point is usually Hollywood. :(
Lord Dane:
--- Quote from: Sir Patrick on 2015-06-01, 01:35:55 ---Am I the only one who on some tiny level gets irritated when people at the Ren Faire say they like your "costume"? It's a KIT!!! An as close to accurate as I am able to be at this moment KIT!! The guy with the elf ears in the leather armor with a Conan sword strapped to his back is in a costume!!! Rant over ;).
--- End quote ---
Not the first time, won't be the last time either. :) You educate them or deal. You cannot be offended by those who do not know the difference. Just feel good that they admire it (even if not in the same vantage point or perspective).
Sir William:
I totally feel you, and I tend to run about in historically plausible gear, hardly accurate. I take issue with it because if you take a moment to really look, you can tell the difference between a costume and kit. If the person is friendly and well meaning, I'll take the time to educate but if they're coming off as a-holes, especially of the drunken variety, I'll nod and keep it moving. No point in getting into it with anyone who is at such a distinct disadvantage.
Sir Patrick:
Oh no, I don't mean they are rude. They are being quite nice. In fact they usually say this after posing for pictures. It's just as Sir William pointed out, there is a difference between a kit and a costume, so I die a little inside ;)
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