Re: scope of the SCA

[John Strauss <jstrauss@gmu.edu>]

Poster: John Strauss <jstrauss@gmu.edu>

On Thu, 27 Mar 1997, David KUIJT wrote:

> I apply the same rule to cross-gender personas.  (An issue much discussed
> years ago, although not so much at present.)  If I can see from across the
> room that it is a woman in man's clothing, I treat the person as a woman
> in man's clothing.  If they tell me to treat them like a man, I treat them
> like a woman in man's clothing who asks to be treated like a man (i.e.,
> politely, but I still would be a little surprised if they followed me into
> the men's bathroom).  The only way I'll treat a woman in man's clothing
> like a man is if I don't realize it is a woman. 
> 

This is an excellent general rule, and one that I generally follow as
well. Like all rules, there are times when it is appropriate to break it.

I am minded of the time I played the part of Death at a persona event in
Isenfir. I wore a black cloak, a cheesy halloween mask, and carried around
an hourglass. No one could have possibly mistaken me for a supernatural
entity, yet that is exactly how I was treated. It was a dumb idea that
worked anyway because we broke the rules to meet a goal. 

I also remember, with great fondness, Yolande the Fair. Peggy Hu is a thin
and dimunitive chinese lady who decided that her persona would be a tall
zaftig nordic blonde. Think about Lady Susanna and you will be about
right. Peggy chose her garb to match her imaginary blonde hair and blue
eyes, etc. Anyway, one day, Yolande tried to get me to carry the illusion
one step further. She complained that I was constantly staring at her
breasts when we spoke. Of course, I was looking _Peggy_ right in the eyes;
but I had to admit that, based on the game she was playing, that lined up
with _Yolande's_ chest.

"Dear lady, I'm truly sorry; but your breasts are of such stunning beauty
that I cannot tear my eyes from them." She dimpled and let it ride.

I guess the thing I would add to the rule is this: departures sometimes
work okay. But be cautious. Make SURE that you are doing an _informed_
departure, that you have a good goal in mind, and that your proposed
actions have a shot at achieving your goal.

And think of it like adding hot peppers to food. A little goes a long way
and it is not to everyone's taste.

The Death thing worked; but it was at an event about death. It was not
done for its own sake but to solve certain problems in carrying off the
goal of the event. We did it once, thanked our lucky stars we got away
with it, and never tried it again.

-Henry


       John Strauss             |    Henry Best, OP       
       Lexington, KY            |    Dragonsmark, Midrealm      
 -------------------------------+------------------------------
       jstrauss@gmu.edu         |    "Jugate Potentum Gaudii"

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