funny, I've never met any. I'm an authenticity nut, but never met anyone who inspects the uncaring.

sure, rolling the eyes when the person tells you all about how that middle eastern dance belt goes with the elizabethan corset because they were captured by viking traders as a child and taken to Uzbekistan where they learned to play the bazuuki...

I wonder what Miss Manners would say to:

Dear Miss Manners
I'm a member of a club. the members of this club have all agreed to a dress code. Occasionally potential members come along and want to play, but refuse to meet this code.

They often will ask for compliments on their dress, and get very upset when you dont gush enthusiastically at their efforts, or worst yet, when you try to give them honest feedback, they storm off in a huff, calling you a "nazi" and worse.

We all work really hard to maintain our standards, the standards we all agreed to. when someone comes along who wants to play but not by our rules, it belittles our efforts. We try and accomodate people as best we can, loaning them equipment and helping them get their own dress up to snuff, but these efforts are seen as strong arming and self promoting.

what shall we do? how can we tell these people that theyre' welcome to join us, if they just play by the same rules as the rest of us?

--Sleeveless in Seattle

--------------------

--------------------

BTW- AM, good response.

I don't know any "authenticity" policing LH organizations that activly invade other organizations "hallowed ground" to tell them what they do is right or wrong. However in an "Authenticity and Research" discussion area, it is considered fair game as the discussion usually takes place OUTSIDE of an LH or "other organization" environment and requires scholarship.

If "they" feel threatened by this or feel the need to go whine and cry to a "mommy they're picking on meeeeee" columnist because they somehow feel persecuted, then more power to them.

Call me an elitist, I really don't care. It's just a hobby. Go have fun, just don't pass "yourself" off as an educator or a researcher when it is obvious to the naked eye that this isn't the case.

I have never seen the "skirt lift" I have heard about it. I believe this is an urban legend (like so many tales) that has become fact/truth by repetition of "misinformation", OR, they are being policed by their own who pass themselves off as LH/RE. I have no doubt that there are well researched and incredibly knowledgable people in non-LH groups. I have met several, but it is the exception not the rule.

I have found that the aggrieved party usually feels persecuted because they have gotten into a spat with an LH/RE person who has somehow shaken their core belief system and they resent it, the aggreived party then takes up the chant of calling ALL LH/RE folks "nazis" or worse.

You ask us, we'll tell you. If you don't like the answer... learn to deal.

[ 09-13-2001: Message edited by: Fire Stryker ]

--------------------