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Gaming meet problem FAQs, a.k.a. HEARD YOU BEEN TALKIN SHIT
10 years ago
Hey there! If you're reading this, I'm assuming you've been to my gaming meet before (or you just like reading things I post). Over the years, I've known some people have had some issues with certain things, which is perfectly understandable. I love hearing feedback/criticism (when it's given in a comment or private message, not second-hand complaints). Knowing people are enjoying themselves means a lot to me. So hey, have a FAQs! Apologies if it sounds a little harsh, I've been in my head most of the night (i.e. working closing on a Saturday), will try to be concise and possibly even helpful.
So-and-so doesn't like me! I don't feel welcome!
Everyone has the right to like/dislike whoever they want. I'm not going to demand everyone be best friends, but I expect everyone to be courteous. If you have a serious issue with another attendee, please tell me in private, or ask me to step aside to calmly say something, one-on-one (not with your friend standing next to you while you talk about taking someone out in the woods and kicking their ass because you "respect (me) too much to do it on (my) property").
If you feel uncomfortable with someone/the crowd enough so to dissuade you from attending, I'll feel a little bad but accept that. It's always nice seeing people who look forward to seeing a bunch of friends and doing some gaming, but we're definitely at that awkward point between large party and small event. Growing pains.
Most people are there to game. Nobody HAS to be inviting or make you feel extra welcome (aside from me, to an extent). I rarely encounter anyone at the meet who is outright disrespectful to others for no reason whatsoever.
There isn't enough space/aren't enough chairs!
Most rearranging that I've done over the years has been to allow for more attendees. I'll continue to do so to make things more efficient, short of getting rid of my bed and getting a futon (screw that, I've done it, futons are uncomfortable/I don't need more people farting up my bed).
Regarding the chairs, a while ago I asked if anyone would be willing to put money toward getting some chairs. I am incredibly appreciative of everyone who did so, I really hate having to ask anyone for money, and we collected enough to get the five newer ones (which were in good condition, but subject to the same issues chairs develop over time with butts in them). However, that does not guarantee that you will get a seat. One of the few downsides to having higher attendance numbers means chairs fill up quick. Saying "so-and-so put in money to get chairs, you didn't, please vacate this seat so they can use it" feels like a really shitty thing to say to anyone. Now that I've got more spending money I'm keeping an eye out on Craigslist for decent-quality folding chairs (preferably smooth metal with padding), three or four more for now and then we'll see how that helps.
Why is fursuiting not allowed?
Fursuiting is technically allowed, with big fat asterixes surrounding it. If you have complete spacial awareness (don't knock shit over), are not asking for special fursuiting treatment (I can give you water, that's it), and are not doing it as an attention grab, I'm okay with it! However, it's a gaming meet first, so while the majority of attendees are furries, I'd prefer not to include anything that gets in the way of anyone gaming. Tails and ears are fine, but by no means mandatory, and follow the same rules (please be careful not to knock anything over).
Parking is an issue!
I completely agree, I wish we had more parking/didn't have to cram people in. Unfortunately, since I'm living with family (who are nice enough to put up with tons of cars/noise once a month), I have to abide by their parking rules. Leaving a spot for my mom's car closest to the house, a way for my dad to pull in once he gets back from his music gig, and don't park in the grass closest to the parking lot (it gets waterlogged). And sadly, it might get more complicated since we just dug a drainage ditch, meaning the grass is off-limits for now. I do appreciate everyone carpooling back from Cici's, being willing to leave your car there for a few hours.
You said something mean to me!
If I did honestly say something mean, I apologize. It gets stressful sometimes, having a bunch of people (including a bunch I rarely see/have not met before) in what counts as my bedroom, tons of noise, people wanting my attention from multiple directions. Hectic can be fun sometimes, and it keeps me in shape for convention staffing, but I occasionally have to say something stern/harsh. I do have my preferences about keeping things from getting damaged, what is okay/not okay to use. I've also gotten kind of a mental callous from years of staffing/having to yell directions from people, so I may get a little louder/possibly meaner than intended, and it usually isn't my intent to offend.
Cici's sucks! Why can't we meet elsewhere?
It's not the best, I agree, but it's spacious and cheap, and is the best option we have right now that doesn't limit space/cost more. You don't have to eat there, you could just hang out and talk, or eat elsewhere and meet us at my place afterward. I won't take offense at either.
Why can't you offer anything other than water?
I see the gaming meet as an extension of just wanting to hang out with friends and game (which it initially was, after numbers dropped and stayed down for the Mid-Monthly Meet). I don't like the thought of charging friends just to come over and hang out with me. Even when it gets close to 30 friends, jockeying for space. Please keep in mind that having drinks/snacks for people who aren't me requires additional money, and while I'd love to have a fully-stocked fridge and cooler for people to raid, it just isn't in the (non)budget. I'd rather focus on getting more games to play, replacing controllers, other things that everyone can use and keep making use of.
I've gone to your meet and you haven't been to mine!
I know, and I feel bad that I can't, especially now that I work all three days of the weekend. I'd love to attend more meets, if only to be there and hang out for a bit, but time is a priority nowadays (especially since I have to request off for my own meet in advance, in addition to conventions I work at). If I can find the time/motivation to, I'll try to be there.
Are you planning on moving the meet to somewhere with more space?
Not at the moment, no. Seeing how long we can get away with not charging people out the ass just to get together and game. As much as I'd like to, it would be require 1) payment from me (meaning payment from you, or being SUPER EXTRA AWESOME and shelling out a couple hundred on my own) and 2) moving close to my entire collection back and forth each month.
Other problem!
If you have any other issues, please comment below or send me a private message, and I'll do my best to address it. I do take everyone's comfort/fun pretty seriously, and if there's an issue I'd rather do what I can to fix it (unless it's either slightly more complicated than I can fix on my own, or you get more out of having something to complain about).
Edit -- I am in no way saying anyone who has had these concerns or has felt negatively toward the meet shouldn't attend. You're still quite welcome to, and I have no plans to treat anyone different for having complaints.
So-and-so doesn't like me! I don't feel welcome!
Everyone has the right to like/dislike whoever they want. I'm not going to demand everyone be best friends, but I expect everyone to be courteous. If you have a serious issue with another attendee, please tell me in private, or ask me to step aside to calmly say something, one-on-one (not with your friend standing next to you while you talk about taking someone out in the woods and kicking their ass because you "respect (me) too much to do it on (my) property").
If you feel uncomfortable with someone/the crowd enough so to dissuade you from attending, I'll feel a little bad but accept that. It's always nice seeing people who look forward to seeing a bunch of friends and doing some gaming, but we're definitely at that awkward point between large party and small event. Growing pains.
Most people are there to game. Nobody HAS to be inviting or make you feel extra welcome (aside from me, to an extent). I rarely encounter anyone at the meet who is outright disrespectful to others for no reason whatsoever.
There isn't enough space/aren't enough chairs!
Most rearranging that I've done over the years has been to allow for more attendees. I'll continue to do so to make things more efficient, short of getting rid of my bed and getting a futon (screw that, I've done it, futons are uncomfortable/I don't need more people farting up my bed).
Regarding the chairs, a while ago I asked if anyone would be willing to put money toward getting some chairs. I am incredibly appreciative of everyone who did so, I really hate having to ask anyone for money, and we collected enough to get the five newer ones (which were in good condition, but subject to the same issues chairs develop over time with butts in them). However, that does not guarantee that you will get a seat. One of the few downsides to having higher attendance numbers means chairs fill up quick. Saying "so-and-so put in money to get chairs, you didn't, please vacate this seat so they can use it" feels like a really shitty thing to say to anyone. Now that I've got more spending money I'm keeping an eye out on Craigslist for decent-quality folding chairs (preferably smooth metal with padding), three or four more for now and then we'll see how that helps.
Why is fursuiting not allowed?
Fursuiting is technically allowed, with big fat asterixes surrounding it. If you have complete spacial awareness (don't knock shit over), are not asking for special fursuiting treatment (I can give you water, that's it), and are not doing it as an attention grab, I'm okay with it! However, it's a gaming meet first, so while the majority of attendees are furries, I'd prefer not to include anything that gets in the way of anyone gaming. Tails and ears are fine, but by no means mandatory, and follow the same rules (please be careful not to knock anything over).
Parking is an issue!
I completely agree, I wish we had more parking/didn't have to cram people in. Unfortunately, since I'm living with family (who are nice enough to put up with tons of cars/noise once a month), I have to abide by their parking rules. Leaving a spot for my mom's car closest to the house, a way for my dad to pull in once he gets back from his music gig, and don't park in the grass closest to the parking lot (it gets waterlogged). And sadly, it might get more complicated since we just dug a drainage ditch, meaning the grass is off-limits for now. I do appreciate everyone carpooling back from Cici's, being willing to leave your car there for a few hours.
You said something mean to me!
If I did honestly say something mean, I apologize. It gets stressful sometimes, having a bunch of people (including a bunch I rarely see/have not met before) in what counts as my bedroom, tons of noise, people wanting my attention from multiple directions. Hectic can be fun sometimes, and it keeps me in shape for convention staffing, but I occasionally have to say something stern/harsh. I do have my preferences about keeping things from getting damaged, what is okay/not okay to use. I've also gotten kind of a mental callous from years of staffing/having to yell directions from people, so I may get a little louder/possibly meaner than intended, and it usually isn't my intent to offend.
Cici's sucks! Why can't we meet elsewhere?
It's not the best, I agree, but it's spacious and cheap, and is the best option we have right now that doesn't limit space/cost more. You don't have to eat there, you could just hang out and talk, or eat elsewhere and meet us at my place afterward. I won't take offense at either.
Why can't you offer anything other than water?
I see the gaming meet as an extension of just wanting to hang out with friends and game (which it initially was, after numbers dropped and stayed down for the Mid-Monthly Meet). I don't like the thought of charging friends just to come over and hang out with me. Even when it gets close to 30 friends, jockeying for space. Please keep in mind that having drinks/snacks for people who aren't me requires additional money, and while I'd love to have a fully-stocked fridge and cooler for people to raid, it just isn't in the (non)budget. I'd rather focus on getting more games to play, replacing controllers, other things that everyone can use and keep making use of.
I've gone to your meet and you haven't been to mine!
I know, and I feel bad that I can't, especially now that I work all three days of the weekend. I'd love to attend more meets, if only to be there and hang out for a bit, but time is a priority nowadays (especially since I have to request off for my own meet in advance, in addition to conventions I work at). If I can find the time/motivation to, I'll try to be there.
Are you planning on moving the meet to somewhere with more space?
Not at the moment, no. Seeing how long we can get away with not charging people out the ass just to get together and game. As much as I'd like to, it would be require 1) payment from me (meaning payment from you, or being SUPER EXTRA AWESOME and shelling out a couple hundred on my own) and 2) moving close to my entire collection back and forth each month.
Other problem!
If you have any other issues, please comment below or send me a private message, and I'll do my best to address it. I do take everyone's comfort/fun pretty seriously, and if there's an issue I'd rather do what I can to fix it (unless it's either slightly more complicated than I can fix on my own, or you get more out of having something to complain about).
Edit -- I am in no way saying anyone who has had these concerns or has felt negatively toward the meet shouldn't attend. You're still quite welcome to, and I have no plans to treat anyone different for having complaints.
It is a really awesome meet for you to provide for people and to open up your home for folks to have a good time; I wish i had ideas or suggestions to further help. I'd offer to lend the folding chairs we have but they're old as crap, a bit weathered, heavy as hell, and have rather uncomfortable wooden seat bottoms to them.
Don't worry about the chairs, fingers crossed I come across a good deal soon and that's one less problem (just kidding, I hope it's never solved, since it means more people keep showing up).
Even though i've only been coming to the meet for a year and odd some months everything seems like it runs pretty smooth. Yeah, there've been some issues but they didnt last to long. I enjoy looking forward to, and attending the gaming meet. I hope to keep doing so for a long time.
I'M UGLY, HALP
... nah, I'm just in the reading-things-you-post category. I hope you've been well! Normally I'd see you at AC and at least wave as I/you sprint past, but I've not been there in a few years.
And you need to put a / in the second half of the tag for it to work.
I love the gaming meet, and I feel like any problems it does have are usually my attitude going in anyway.
I do like Ireme's idea of bringing stuff to share and some people do that. I know one lady brought cookies a few times (I forgot her name though, I'm sorry). I usually make dinner at home or go somewhere besides CiCis (a valid solution for those who are tired of it or don't like pizza). And when the chairs are full, there is plenty of floor space!! I think charger space is more limited than chairs to be honest lol.
Great meet!! I look forward to this month's (and hope I don't work that night)!!!
I still remember this "not many peopl showed up. I'm leaving. *leaves*" if you're not enjoying yourself, politely leave, don't be an ass to the host.
Sometimes small meets are more fun because it's easier to hangout with smaller amounts of people, like how small cons can be more fun than larger cons (personal opinion of course).
People should be never be asses to their hosts