How does one nicely explain the difference between reenactment and those other groups. The last thing I want to do is put anyone down. (Please know that I am not trying to offend the SCA or any of it's members, I am speaking mostly of my local group).

Dan

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When people find out that I have an interest in the middle ages, I am frequently told, "You should join my LARP group!" or "Hey you should check out the SCA, they do that reenactment stuff!"

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"Actually, I already play with a group."
"Yeah, I've heard of/looked into them." (Saying nothing more usually means you're not impressed)
"They do, but I'm involved in something a little different."

They don't have to know your reasons, just that you have them.

Are you telling me you really don't want to run around in satin with elf ears on?

However, my usual response is along the line of:

"Actually I'm already involved in a group along those lines and while it sounds like you have fun, there's no way I could make time for more involvement."

You're not cutting anyone down, you're not explaining what you do and you've made it clear that you put a lot of time into you hobby.

Simple and no-one gets hurt. (Because no matter what one person's opinions are of any "group" there is no need to be rude about a hobby someone else obviously enjoys)

Try this:

If I got involved in one more hobby, my {wife, girlfriend, dad, mom, boss, preacher, etc.} would kill me!

It really, really works!

Sometimes I'll say "Yeah, I'll have to look into that." Then I do nothing.

The difficulty is, if you offer anything other than a non-committal response, you look like a jerk.

Thanks again

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Dan

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"Float away little butterfly..."

The problem that I addressed at the beginning of this post is trying to differentiate between reenactment and (for the most part) the SCA. Most of the time I can politely turn down invitation, but occasionally it will be necessary to explain further. Not one hour ago I ran into an SCA member I met through my campus's medieval club. We started talking about armour and he mentioned the use of plastic. I told him that I’m not trying to gather an SCA-legal kit, but one closer to reenactment standards. His response was, “well, the SCA does reenactment.” I tried to explain the difference, saying I was looking for “reenactment in the truest sense of the word”. He understood perfectly and took no offense.

I am still going to get in contact with the group near me. I've heard of a couple of them do some nice Romano-Bristish stuff

These folks put a HUGE amount of effort into what they do, and it shows.

Everyone has a place that they will not go. If you showed up at a LARP group in authentic kit, they would still let you play.

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Originally posted by Saverio:
Hale, I am not putting down the SCA. I have a lot of respect for the SCA. However, the organization is just not what I’m looking for.
Dan

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There is your perfect, honest explanation.