[Moo] new name for people who criticize the authenticity of other people's clothing

[Morvyth verch Morgan]

There is simply *no* time when giving an unasked-for perjorative 
opinion about another person's garb (to the person wearing it) is 
courteous.  As such, it doesn't *belong* in the Society.  (Notice that 
I separate this from the "snarking" behavior that sometimes happens 
among friends hanging out together.  While I don't think that's good 
either, people ARE entitled to their opinions--good or bad--they're 
just not entitled to force them on the person(s) who elicited the 
snarkiness).

Call it a "stitch-counter", "seam inspector", "garb snark", 
"authenticity nazi" or what-have-you, it still is unpleasant and 
generally unwelcome behavior.  There is an underlying (and usually 
un-admitted) thought that "I know better and you should listen to me".  
Talk about off-putting!!  After an encounter with said 
fill-in-the-blank-with-your-term-of-choice-for-garbiter people get a 
real sour taste in their mouths about clothing, SCA and the group/place 
it happened.  In the Midrealm I saw this sort of thing twice send 
people out of the SCA and I *know* they relayed their experiences in 
bitter detail to other prospective members who also never gave SCA a 
chance after that.  (In one case, I directly heard the victim telling 
several friends about it).

Now, if I make something and go to someone whose work I admire, respect 
(or I've been told knows "a lot about" that period) and ASK for their 
opinion and/or suggestions for "next time"... that is an entirely 
different kettle of fish.  I'm not perfect OR expert, and I expect to 
hear that there are things I did that could be improved on, or that I 
just got wrong somehow. I know I'm not alone in wanting to improve (at 
least sometimes) and those people who *can* teach and *can* impart 
their knowledge and enthusiasm will be sought out.

Also, frankly, garb is not the be-all and end-all of SCA. I get 
frustrated with those who think that if you're not dressed "to the 
nines" you aren't serious and can be looked down on.  I've met people 
with *fabulous* knowledge of other things who dressed in an acceptable 
manner but really didn't CARE about garb.  That too, is fine.

I really wish people would stop trying to find ways to get around what 
essentially is bad manners with cute terms to characterize it.  Work 
instead on changing the behavior of those who seem to think it 
necessary to *inflict* their unasked-for opinions on the innocent.

Morvyth


On Jul 16, 2004, at 8:54 AM, Sallie Montuori wrote:

>>>> juliet.a at juno.com 7/15/2004 11:59:10 PM >>>
>>> How about something like "Temporal Authenticity Enforcement Squad"?
>>> (I've been trying to come up with one with a good acronym, but no
>>> luck so far...anyone?  Anyone?  Bueller?)
>>>
>> How about (drum roll please) "garbiter" (garb + arbiter)?
>
> I rather like that.  An arbiter is supposed to be fair and impartial, 
> which is a nuance that might  help remove some of the pejorative 
> baggage from the thought.
>
> The burden of the problem, in my opinion, is a combination of tacit 
> assumptions and poor interpersonal skills.  Many a garbiter assumes, 
> because s/he is so knowledgeable and cares so much about authenticity, 
> that everyone is equally knowledgeable and cares just as much.  This 
> is not always the case.  And poorly worded advice can fail to convey 
> the thought of, "I want to help you do better."
>
> Unfortunately there will always still be a few folk out there who make 
> themselves higher by pushing others down, rather than climbing up.  
> The best we can do about that is to remind ourselves that they are the 
> poorer for the smallness of their souls.
>
> Alys