Unfortunately, there are some that are touching with a sexual/romantic agenda, or who act enough like they are (and that is where it gets tricky, isn't it) that it makes people just as uncomfortable. I struggle with fielding this issue constantly because, frankly, one of the biggest "offenders" on the latter count is also one of my best friends. Groups like the SCA (or any groups in greater fandom) tend to attract the socially unskilled, and many people start out not knowing just how the flirting game is played.
It's a mutual thing - the new people have to be alerted to certain facets of our culture and how participation is completely optional, but the established people also need to be clued in that as far as borough folk go, the tide is ever-changing.
And some people will simply be too shy and fearful and unassertive to tell strange older people (especially younger women telling older men) to stop their behavior, especially if that behavior seems publicly supported by everyone else. I know this because I am one of them.
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Date: 2005-08-03 08:16 am (UTC)It's a mutual thing - the new people have to be alerted to certain facets of our culture and how participation is completely optional, but the established people also need to be clued in that as far as borough folk go, the tide is ever-changing.
And some people will simply be too shy and fearful and unassertive to tell strange older people (especially younger women telling older men) to stop their behavior, especially if that behavior seems publicly supported by everyone else. I know this because I am one of them.