Thus, while I was willing to borrow and wear garb, I was nervous about coming up with a persona for fear that I would get things incorrect and look foolish or ignorant.

I've been here for two years and I still feel that way. So I just play to the level I want to play and try not to offend anybody.

As far as I am aware, most people here are tasteful enough to not pick on newbies, at least to their face. Their friends, maybe (I may kick the next person that complains about my head covering), but not the newbies. However, in order to know that, newbie has to get over the nervousness enough to know people, which isn't going to happen if the authenticity level is over-intimidating...

And asking people to be less strictly authentic is decidedly NOT the answer. Unfortunately, I don't know what is.