(no subject)

[vixenesque93]

So, what is with the hesitation people have about attending public rituals/events?

I posted the question to oto_community and clerk_house, but I feel it applies to non-OTO stuff also.

Witches don't bite. Honest!

Comments

"...hard"

[vodkatwist.livejournal.com]

[fearless-son.livejournal.com]

What do you mean "Witches don't bite"? Some to the marks left on my friends' collars alone...

[ignusfaatus.livejournal.com]

it might have to do with the fact that many people have kids and there is not enough support or adult attended childcare - playgroups on location for mass goers?

[lazuli93.livejournal.com]

Do you mind if we pass this along. matertiamat was asking recently if childcare was an issue, so I know she'd like to know.

[jnanacandra.livejournal.com]

For me it generally has to do with not knowing a lot of people and not being sure of procedure once I get there - a lot of groups, particularly pagan ones, mill about a lot without a clear entry point or guide (OTO's better than most about this, but how would I know that if I'd never been to an event?).

That's a large part of why it took us over a year to actually get to an OLO event, and even longer to get to an ATC one.

The things which bridge the gap for me are having most of my "what to expect" questions answered ahead of time via a website or email, and knowing that more than one or two people I know will be there.

The kids issue is also a big one in the last year, for obvious reasons. We'd really like to go to Spring Mysteries sometime, for example, but I have *absolutely* no idea how we'd handle that with Aiden until he's much, much older.

[quetz.livejournal.com]

I've seen kids at SMF, but I'm not sure about babies. Aiden is nearly a toddler now and might get along better...but ask your friendly neighborhood ATC priests.

[huddyn.livejournal.com]

I know at least one person who avoids public ritual because of a fear that 5-10 years from now lists that are being generated today will be used to populate concentration camps. Truthfully though, I think that specific fear was more realistic 5 years ago than it is now.

[damiana-swan.livejournal.com]

For me the primary fear has tended to be "I don't know what to expect, so I'm going to end up looking like an idiot". This is somewhat alleviated if I know (and trust) people who will be there, although having access to "what to expect" information would probably help even more, including logistical information on things like how to get there, where to park, what to wear and what to bring.

random musings overheard various places

[shemayazi.livejournal.com]

Expectation of boredom could be a factor.
Lots of standing around watching other folks do stuff they're obviously interested in, but which means nothing to a newcomer.
Lack of opportunities to participate meaningfully
Context - which you have, and which they don't
Clique-ish-ness; the tendency of the "in" folks to hang out together in clumps.
Random gaggles of other people's kids. Running around screaming. Unsupervised.
Grumpiness on the part of the organizers can sometimes play in - if you're having a bad day, leave it at home (based on past experience in at least 4 countries, and not aimed at anyone on this list. just sayin')
People attend who have flu or colds - public gatherings are great places to catch a bug, whatever your community
Or just possibly a preference for smaller, more private gatherings
Your pick:)