tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454536834008495324.post5547431997871449094..comments2023-06-21T11:02:53.526-05:00Comments on HMS Acasta: 7 Stupid things asked of Historical ReenactorsHMSAcasta.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00524563116891936222noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454536834008495324.post-43257029303290126772016-04-18T13:38:28.479-05:002016-04-18T13:38:28.479-05:00Because the national permits were easier to get, t...Because the national permits were easier to get, than state ones.Buzz Mooneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17241162846089700061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454536834008495324.post-11157757260359907112015-02-09T06:36:23.477-06:002015-02-09T06:36:23.477-06:00XX 4.) DO YOU REALLY LIVE/SLEEP HERE?
You've c...XX 4.) DO YOU REALLY LIVE/SLEEP HERE?<br />You've crammed your tiny vehicle full of your clothes, canvas, tent poles, coolers, camp furniture, gear, cots and enough blankets to smother an army. You get to the site early because you need several hours, and potentially a few friends to set it all up. Then, not only does the public ask this question of your tented weekend home, they generally wander on in without asking.XX<br /><br />Same in Germany (Napoleonics) Except my Wife and I carry our kit on our backs, and use trains, or walk.<br /><br />"Are you really going to eat that?"<br /><br />We normally have a spit roast pig. When one of these crochet nicker wearing lentil eating women ask that (for it is almost ALWAYS women) I take my knife and gouge out the eyeballs and eat them.<br /><br />IF the main meat is already away, I take an axe, cut of the head, split it, take my spoon, and start eating the brain.<br /><br />Those that do not run away, normaly end up there, as re-enactors the next year! :-D :-D Furor Teutonicushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13856575077967523322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454536834008495324.post-81528622244740547592014-10-16T13:23:31.671-05:002014-10-16T13:23:31.671-05:00(New comment on an old post!)
One of the better o...(New comment on an old post!)<br /><br />One of the better ones I know of - and would've liked to have witnessed! - is retold in the excellent <i>Past Into Present</i> by Stact Roth (a pretty good handbook for doing first-person interpretation).<br /><br />On a visitor's pointing skyward to an aeroplane with the query, "What's that?" the reenactor peered up at the errant object and replied, "I don't know. Must be French!"<br /><br />Sharpiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15522672154379689205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454536834008495324.post-9422593841474461172014-09-10T07:05:22.848-05:002014-09-10T07:05:22.848-05:00I've also been asked "Is your gun real?&q...I've also been asked "Is your gun real?" and "Where do you put the batteries to get the smoke to come out of the guns?"JPSzatkowskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14844066064114446624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454536834008495324.post-45751694525209325152014-07-02T18:17:21.794-05:002014-07-02T18:17:21.794-05:00You have a good point. However, think about having...You have a good point. However, think about having those same questions asked repeatedly to you in modern day. Like at your job for instance.... how do you react? <br /><br />We do try our best to educate, yet when you hear the same exact questions repetitively throughout the course of a day, it can become a trial.<br />My pet peeve questions are the clothing ones. I time traveled from 1550 to 1850, and the questions remain the same.... Are you wearing a corset? Are you hot? Aren't you going to fall out? Why are you wearing wool in this heat?....UGH!<br />To answer your question- No, there wasn't anything more accommodating to wear since that is the societal dress of that specific era. The weather was a lot different than what it is currently. We were in a mini ice-age until the late 1800s, so it was colder, and also dictated fashion. Wool, Linen, and cotton will keep you a lot cooler in the heat than velvet (poor upper class folks) or polyester (poor hippies). It wicks away the moisture from the skin which cools you down.<br /> Imagine being a re-enactor of say the 1990s for someone of 2100.... How different would the fashion be then? What function did it serve?<br />Instead- ask about the different pieces of clothing and their uses. I've had ladies actually say- Can I ask you a personal question...what do you wear under... And I'll respond with the types of layers I'm wearing and their function.<br /><br />If you actually met someone from another time, what would you ask them? <br />I like to turn the tables and ask about your technology, because no one thinks about their time. How would you describe a car, a motorcycle, a phone, computer or even a TV to someone who hasn't seen one before? Sometimes, I like to comment on your clothing as much as you comment on ours. <br /><br />Swords are for fighting and defense. Blackpowder weapons can shoot real bullets. Knives are for cooking, and butter is made in a churn. It's very difficult to have authentic items due to age, location (museums), or price. Period correct items are just Reproductions of Authentic Items. Props are non functioning items for display (a table vase, a framed picture). Don't worry about what it's called, just enjoy what you see. <br /><br />Sometimes it's difficult to hide modern items outside of the area. Modern people like their modern conveniences (loud thumping cars driving slowly by). However, it's an unwritten rule that in the encampment that all non period items must be hidden. It takes away from the magic of event seeing a plastic water bottle instead of a cup in hand just doesn't look right. Or a plastic sword in a sheath (eww). I have yelled "Hide!!!!! Dragon!!!" when seeing a plane or chopper fly over head.<br /><br />Rephrase your questions better- What kind of meat are you cooking? How long does it take to cook it? Where did you live before this tent? How do you store left overs? (No, We don't like to waste food.)<br />We like knowing that we're interacting with intelligent folks, and have enlightening conversations where we both can learn something. Soak up the experience, and have some fun!Jennifer Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01006618071255294632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454536834008495324.post-25394909300517365252014-07-02T16:05:06.634-05:002014-07-02T16:05:06.634-05:00Not until about 1910 when the brassier was invente...Not until about 1910 when the brassier was invented. Humans evolve slowly...Jennifer Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01006618071255294632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454536834008495324.post-66764963407267809042014-07-02T11:29:01.838-05:002014-07-02T11:29:01.838-05:00Please bear with me - a non-reenactor. Sure some ...Please bear with me - a non-reenactor. Sure some of these questions are really ridiculous and asked by people who have no common sense or just don't have a clue. Others, though, while ridiculous and irritating to you are being asked by non-experts. We haven't researched the era like you have and frankly, underestimate how seriously you take these expositions. I consider myself a reasonably intelligent person, but I would actually like to know the answers to some of these questions. Perhaps there is a better way to ask them. <br /><br />Take the "hot in those clothes" question. I've seen a few re-enactments and have wondered about this. Not "aren't" you hot. Rather, wasn't there clothing more accommodating for the hot temperature? Or, why are you wearing such heavy clothing in the summer?<br /><br />The "real sword" question. Let's face it. We live in a world where entertainment and even education comes in the form of props. A prop sword can look very real but be better at mushing butter than slicing it. Perhaps a better question is whether the sword is preserved from its era or is a recreation.<br /><br />The "are you going to eat that" question. Again, I think this is a throwback to props. Not many people would imagine someone going to the store and paying $50 for a roast to cook outside all day. For that matter, they have no idea how long you have been cooking that meal. Is it something that you started fresh that day? Or, in the case of days longs festivals, is it something that is being reused from the day(s) before. <br /><br />I respect all you re-enactors do, but please be patient with the rest of us. As serious as most of you take these events, there are confusing discrepancies that make it difficult for the uneducated to learn (props vs recreations vs authentic items) and blurs between history and the present (portapotties behind the tents, a row of SUVs next to the battlefield, etc.).Suehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05105720405313961344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454536834008495324.post-24518225074802330512014-05-01T15:52:19.366-05:002014-05-01T15:52:19.366-05:00I have heard most of these. My favorite is when pe...I have heard most of these. My favorite is when people are so serious and put so much effort into asking the dumbest questions.... I been asked is that a real gun... Where do you buy your costumes... and i think the best one ive heard was after the battle at Old Fort Niagara a lady came up to me and said "so you french did really well out there". Now what makes this the best is im with the 60th royal american regiment. I was still in full kit. Most people know that the "Red Coats" are the British. The French wear white. at least she paid some attention to the announcer and knew that it was the French and Indian war. Ive also been asked if i was amish. and i love the looks when you go into a store or restaurant and people stare at you. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454536834008495324.post-86023786064808018852014-04-30T08:59:33.417-05:002014-04-30T08:59:33.417-05:00one more comment: Once, portraying Virginia Militi...one more comment: Once, portraying Virginia Militia at the Claude Moore farm, I mentioned having served with Washington, at Monongahela. A woman in the audience was intruiged that we would actually add something like that to our first-person portrayals. She asked me "What's he really like?", and before I could say anything, my buddy Phil blurted out "Oh, he's a pompous ass!" Anyway, the woman really enjoyed our different opinions on Washington, so at least one member of the public enjoyed our interpretation!Buzz Mooneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17241162846089700061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454536834008495324.post-72777770400008322912014-04-30T08:54:31.083-05:002014-04-30T08:54:31.083-05:00i don't have answers for all the questions, bu...i don't have answers for all the questions, but I have thoughts, at least, on most:<br />How do you get the flags to fly in the same direction? This one, I admit, I just answer by saying the wind blows them that way. no tricks, no clever repartee, sadly<br />Are you with the North or the South? I have to bite my tongue, when I really want to grab the lapel of my regimental and say "RED! REDcoat! REDcoat!" Instead, I tell them I'm a French and Indian War Provincial soldier, about 20 years bevore the Revolution, back when we were still British.<br />Is that a real baby? I actually once knew a couple who had made a GORGEOUS Ojibway cradleboard, which is difficult, time-consuming, and expensive. Unfortunately, a child can only use it for maybe 6 months, so they went out and bought a realistic baby doll for it, so no, it wasn't a real baby. Actually, I, myself have been mistaken for a fake, one time when I fell asleep on a stool, using my period crutches to hold me jpright. A=woman thought I was a dummy, until I woke up and startled her!<br />Are you going to sleep here? Most people, these days, never sleep outdoors, much less in a period tent, so I understand why they think it's just a static display. Once, at a Scout expo, A Scout went behind my back into my lean-to, and I didn't know he was there, until I heard him repeatedly dry-fire my rifle. We were on the grounds of the Washington Monument, and he had the rifle pointed at... you guessed it; the White House! (he wasn't trying to do harm; he was just playing with it)<br />Ain't you hot in that outfit? You should see me in a kilt!<br />Are you gonna eat that? again, most people never experience what we do several times a summer, so they can't imagine cooking and eating in such a non-sterile environment. chances are, ironically, our kids don't get sick as often as theirs!<br />Is that a real fire? the gas line thing is the only explanation I can see for this question, EXCEPT...<br /><br />Sometimes, I think they're so fascinated with what they're seeing that they have a million questions, but know so littlw about what they're seeing that they don't know where to begin. they ask whatever comes to mind, even if it sounds stupid, because they have no framework. In that case, "is that a real fire?" gets a response of "This is our cookfire, which we're cooking our dinner on. We started it using flint and steel, like this..." Demonstrate the flint and steel, and they'll watch with rapt wonder, then when they go home, they'll have a new notion of history, and a cool story. They might even sign for the King's shilling, and explore the subject, themselves. Give them a sarcastic answer, and they leave confused, hurt, embarrased, and angry. They truly DON'T KNOW, and if we abuse the situation, they never will, and we have FAILED to do our job. Buzz Mooneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17241162846089700061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454536834008495324.post-71942759039730142212014-02-20T19:07:50.892-06:002014-02-20T19:07:50.892-06:00A middle school teacher asked a cav trooper, "...A middle school teacher asked a cav trooper, "Is that a real horse?" How about that for number 1?JW Binionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09556568368899760236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454536834008495324.post-14570716103091885912014-01-17T08:06:13.440-06:002014-01-17T08:06:13.440-06:00"Are you Robin Hood?" (To anyone is pre,..."Are you Robin Hood?" (To anyone is pre, oh, 1700 dress.)Willhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15222328459836041333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454536834008495324.post-1847657360778055092014-01-16T19:30:21.897-06:002014-01-16T19:30:21.897-06:00On re-reading this, your post reminded me of somet...On re-reading this, your post reminded me of something I read recently. I will quote the paragraph, from <i>Life in Wellington's Army</i> by Antony Brett-James, Tom Donovan Publishing, 1994. From the chapter entitled Bivouac Life: <br /><br /><i>A year later [in 1813], the Gordon Highlanders, serving in Sir Rowland Hill's 2nd Division, bivouacked less than a mile from Salamanca, and were visited by numbers of upper class citizens. Such was the ladies' curiosity that they would pull aside the tent doors without ceremony, in order to have a full view of </i>los Ingleses<i> - a disconcerting habit.</i> (p 103)<br /><br />You're in very good company.Sharpiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15522672154379689205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454536834008495324.post-75487338042296234862014-01-16T19:23:01.493-06:002014-01-16T19:23:01.493-06:00On re-reading this, your number 4 reminded me of s...On re-reading this, your number 4 reminded me of something I read recently. I will quote the paragraph, from <i>Life in Wellington's Army</i> by Antony Brett-James, Tom Donovan Publishing, 1994. From the chapter entitled Bivouac Life: <br /><br /><i>A year later [in 1813], the Gordon Highlanders, serving in Sir Rowland Hill' 2nd Division, bivouacked less than a mile from Salamanca, and were visited by numbers of upper class citizens. Such was the ladies' curiosity that they would pull aside the tent doors without ceremony, in order to have a full view of </i>los Ingleses<i> - a disconcerting habit.</i> (p 103)<br /><br />You're in very good company.Sharpiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15522672154379689205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454536834008495324.post-49056167365152258322013-12-06T07:42:03.549-06:002013-12-06T07:42:03.549-06:00Thank you for this. The "real gun" quest...Thank you for this. The "real gun" questioner means something like<br />a) is that an authentic brown bess or a modern replica? Not everyone realizes the value of antiques, and that you would not likely be subjecting an authentic period piece to the extremes of weather. Unless you are actually handling an antique in which case the answer would be very interesting.<br />b) is that a non-firing model of a brown bess? Really? I'm supposed to be able to tell just by looking at it? Of course, this question is less forgivable if they have just watched you loading and firing it.<br />Come on, give people a break and don't be so condescending.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06900892870805258377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454536834008495324.post-14253317441144683052013-12-05T23:25:47.420-06:002013-12-05T23:25:47.420-06:00I am an Australian, and I did Viking and now Vende...I am an Australian, and I did Viking and now Vendel. One event was a celebration for the group I was in, as I had managed to get us back into things after previous group members had acted in ways to get us banished and uninsured. So as part of the celebrations, I was given copious amounts of various meads, and this left me more than slightly unwell the next morning. My group let me sleep it off, with my tent open as part of the display. This led to many questions of "Is that man real?" and "Is that a mannequin?" Only when I moved to throw up was this broken, and then it was more "Is he alright???" <br /><br />But the worst question I got was an event this year where a seemingly intelligent person started a discussion that led to the use of power throughout history, and how leaders managed to control people, and how the myths reflected the struggles. I was actually speechless when he then turned and stated "and that's why there's been more UFO sightings in recent decades!"Rafnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13233696326460076130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454536834008495324.post-77445531749146872632013-12-04T15:48:46.442-06:002013-12-04T15:48:46.442-06:00and I forgot 'North or South'. in Hungary,...and I forgot 'North or South'. in Hungary, where I live, the equivalent is 'are you knights?' late 15th century clothes, intentionally modeled after martyrdom illustrations that depict the evil-badguy-mercenaries killing saints. very distinctive style, more civilian-like clothes, not much armor... but no. anyone/anything with weapons and being even remotely medieval-looking=knight.eglarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18298115819463814246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454536834008495324.post-38637635436258043052013-12-04T15:34:17.526-06:002013-12-04T15:34:17.526-06:00yeah 'Aren't you hot?' is an all-time ...yeah 'Aren't you hot?' is an all-time favourite. And they were utterly shocked by the revelation that once the inner layers of my clothing are drenched through with sweat they act as kind of a cooler and I suffer much less from the summer heat than they do.<br /><br />but what we tend to get the most is 'do you drink wine from those jugs?' hell no. we prefer to leave drunken fighting to Jackie Chan. drinking only comes after the audience has gone home. :P<br />eglarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18298115819463814246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454536834008495324.post-29346913228903315022013-12-04T08:11:42.022-06:002013-12-04T08:11:42.022-06:00given that i actually shoot a wooden longbow, I am...given that i actually shoot a wooden longbow, I am amazed at the number of people who think it would not work, I assume it is because the only form of bow most are familiar with now is a compound and the eternal can i touch it questions, the answer is no, better safe than sorry<br />necroignishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04749534617213535334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454536834008495324.post-5547589238524318072013-12-03T17:14:09.720-06:002013-12-03T17:14:09.720-06:00The fish are ALWAYS throwing weapons!The fish are ALWAYS throwing weapons!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10828804131839738871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454536834008495324.post-36291099114297875812013-12-03T12:25:52.854-06:002013-12-03T12:25:52.854-06:00And actually - yes! John Clem!And actually - yes! John Clem!Sæhildrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13489131397977031043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454536834008495324.post-65426537185281517922013-12-03T12:20:00.259-06:002013-12-03T12:20:00.259-06:00That is awesome! (Native Americans are allowed to ...That is awesome! (Native Americans are allowed to leave the reservations whenever they want, there are not fences keeping them in - anymore - since around 1934)<br />Sæhildrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13489131397977031043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454536834008495324.post-54366079076197467772013-12-03T12:15:18.008-06:002013-12-03T12:15:18.008-06:00"Is that real food?"
No, I am just eatin..."Is that real food?"<br />No, I am just eating a fake piece of fruit. <br /><br />We were at a SCA demo, and had a bowl of fruit on the table, and a little boy (about 6 or 7 years old) was fascinated by the peaches. He kept petting them and asking me about them. He did not know that peaches did not ONLY come in a can!!! <br />Sæhildrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13489131397977031043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454536834008495324.post-24179550510802211642013-11-24T07:59:57.625-06:002013-11-24T07:59:57.625-06:00Hi, time ago a guy asked me "why all the lead...Hi, time ago a guy asked me "why all the lead balls in this age were round ?".Marcelohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09706435340014633725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454536834008495324.post-85487385613811697052013-11-15T08:44:44.910-06:002013-11-15T08:44:44.910-06:00Punter bingo... I am SO going to suggest that to m...Punter bingo... I am SO going to suggest that to my unit!! Sharpiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15522672154379689205noreply@blogger.com