Ten Things I Hate About Re-enactors

1.      Thinking of history solely as a series of wars and conflicts.

       People were going about their normal lives outside of battles/wars/etc., etc..

2.      Being so judgemental and fond of pointing fingers.

Yep. OK. I'm using a judgemental list to point it out, but please take a good long, hard look at your own persona / kit / knowledge / interpretation first.

3.      Only doing impressions that are group oriented or that you know people already do. Not another kitchen / high status / set-up please!

      What happened to all the other jobs/skills/trades in the period?

4.      ‘Re-enactor lore’ – those rules and other things that are based on unit or group traditions, but are treated as historical fact.

  "Well. They did/didn't (delete as appropriate) do that, did they."

5.      Mindlessly following the instructions of those around you.

        It's your hobby, research it!. Do you really want to play golf with a set of
        plastic clubs from the toy shop coz some 'DipStick' told you to?

6.      Rows of tents. Posh next to kitchen. Workshop next to Knight.

       If you must set up in lines then put the workshop/kitchen one end and work you way up              through the various levels of status to the posh.    Yeh. OK. I see your point, too many posh        means you have an awning for the kitchen and the rest of the tents are next to it.

7.      Enough Cast Iron pots/cauldrons to make another Titanic. This only applies leading up to the end of the medieval period. Yeh, I know everyone thinks the Medieval period started with Robin Hood and ended with the development of Nylon. Although visiting an August Bank Holiday Event in East Sussex it would appear Nylon was invented by the Vikings.

8.      The Re-enactor without a purpose - Usually characterized by a high ranking uniform out of the scope of the event, possibly with a rabbit/fox/buffalo tail pinned to their arse (Ladies).

       Stretch Nylon leggings and motor cycle boots (Men)

        Oh. Nearly forgot the light sensitive modern glasses.

        Very popular in the tenth century! (Either sex)

9.      The re-enactor who has done it all. Made it all. Has it all, to such an extent they never bring any of it with them. Never seem to make anything, always walking around telling everyone how busy they have been talking to the public, but have never been seen around camp all day!

10. At pack down, the experienced re-enactor, after eating all your food/beer will rush off after saying;

          " Sorry. Gotta go. Got a long fifteen minute journey home."
          "Shame it's pissing with rain and your car is stuck in the mud, but I'm    sure someone

     else in our group will stay behind to help you."

          "Chow. See you next time."
          Then, when you get home four hours later, you find he has posted all over Face Book

    "What a great time he had" and "wasn't it fun in the rain."

Well that covers most of it.

Still to come;

 Ten Ways to 'Put Down' the Re-enactor that gets 'Right on your Tits.

My favourite is;

"(Insert Name), lease go away. You are lowering the IQ of my camp!"