[UA] Back Me Up Patrick (was UA larp)

[Cassady Toles]

On Sat, 12 May 2001 15:47:24 , ua at lists.uchicago.edu wrote:

   >>>I like to be able to wander around and interact with people, but they 
  don't like to interact with me, so I thought of some rules to force
  them to do it.<<<
  
I've found that most of the people at larps who have hard time getting
people to interact with them do so because they forget that no one knows how
many social traits you have, and that you can't roleplay beautiful.

I don't play beautiful characters, because I'm not beautiful.  I may take
attractive, because I'm arrogant enough to think I am.  And I play up my
charm (though you may not notice it in this forum, I'm a fairly charming and
charismatic guy, and I can provide references to prove it.

The thing people do at LARP's is that they put on airs and act all haughty
and important.  I can't say for certain that you've done that.  The other
thing that they'll do is they'll become boring know-it-alls spewing out tons
of information that they don't know and have no idea of.  Both of these are
turn offs.  

My method is slightly different.  I show up I smile a lot, I try to tell
funny jokes, I "know my place" and will walk away from conversations I
shouldn't be in, stopping only momentarily to ask people to come find me
when they have a moment, and I try to have a hook.  

A hook is just like a plot hook to an adventure, something you do that
people will remember you by.  I have used the following as hooks before: 
Business cards for the character (and nowadays 10,000.00 places on-line will
give your first 200 for the price of shipping--more than you'll ever need
for a larp), Near constant jokes about Gay Porn, Swearing is Spanish, Coming
on to everyone, male, female, or otherwise, "Does My Hair Look Alright?",
discussing Socialist politics with anyone who would pretend they're
listening, and terminal ignorance about any key game concept.

All these can make someone remember you.  

Basically, if you want people to interact with you, I reccommend using the
same method you would at a party in a co-worker's house.  Try to be
interesting and charming.  Nod and act like you're listening.  Complement
the host's digs, and don't eat the last crab puff (but you're welcome to
have mine--eech!).  If you can convince yourself that it's not about a game,
you can convince others...

There are also people at LARPs around here that few interact with because: 
They are really painful to talk to (boring, self-indulgent losers who can't
get in a relationship); they are physically threatening or verbally abusive;
they only talk about themselves; they go out of character at the drop of a
hat (usually not a big problem); they are completely incoherent; or they
just don't get it.

I'm going to assume that you're none of the above because: you have a wife,
you haven't been threatening or abusive on this forum at all, you can talk
about theory and ideas, and respond to others in a manner that makes it seem
like you're listening, and you seem to be able to express a point.

The only other thought that comes to mind is that perhaps you try too hard,
but I don't know.  LARP groups can be terminally cliquish, part of why I
don't larp, but usually being a reasonable player can overcome that easily
enough.

-C

PS, if you want to refer to be by name, I don't think there are any other
Cassady's or Toles's on the list, when you use both I feel like a convicted
felon.

PPS, those charges were strictly in juvenile court, and those records are
all sealed ;)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I am the messiah in the bottom of a bottle of Jack Daniel's.  Drink of me
and
no peace." -- Cobra Baghdad www.peoplehateme.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------





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