Post by Kanashimi on Jul 9, 2016 21:54:05 GMT -6
Life as a Lady LARPer
July 8, 2016
Being a chick who LARPs is a bit of a blessing and a curse. On the plus side, our costumes are easier to find in thrift shops and on the internet. It also seems like we have more of a variety to choose from in terms of our costuming selections. And when we talk about how much we love our LARPing hobby with strangers, we’re met with interest and awe in most cases, as opposed to accusations of being a nerd who lives in their parent’s basement. The pluses that come with being a lady LARPer are pretty nice, yet I can’t help but feel there’s some minuses that come along with it.
Getting Hit On
There is something about LARPing that gives people the extra confidence boost they need to flirt with lady LARPers in kind of a weird way. There’s the guy who is playing the charmer/creep who makes inappropriate comments about wanting to sleep with your character. There’s the socially awkward kid who talks about how your boobs look in a corset. And then there are the older dudes who are excited to be around younger girls again, but have gained the wisdom on how to have a bit more tact in their courting. In any case, getting hit on at LARPs can be a frustrating part of a lady LARPers experience, especially if they - or their characters - aren’t looking for that kind of attention.
Inappropriate Touching
If I don’t know you in my real life, do not touch me in my fake life. Now, I’m not saying this goes for everyone out there. Some people like to get physical with their characters. But do yourself a favor and assume that people don’t want your hands on them until they give you the okay. They may be role-playing a flirty person who is DTF, but remember that we’re all acting here. And don’t give me that “well my character would slap their ass” bullshit, because no. Not cool dude! Also, to all the kneeling, hand-kissers out there - I know you mean well, but I don’t want your mustache and slobber getting all over my hand.
The Evil Eye
Sometimes the most shade that lady LARPers get are from other lady LARPers. Upon first walking into a new LARP, you will be analyzed quickly by some people on how pretty you are, if you’re a “real” LARPer, how good your costuming is, and if you’re a threat to stealing their significant other. My first time LARPing was met with being told my boots/costuming were not good enough and to stay away from this girl’s boyfriend who I hadn’t met yet. Then there are the girls who have been there for years, talk friendly to your face, and whisper about you behind your back. It’s like high-school all over again. To the women who are genuinely nice and are there for your fellow ladies, you’re incredible people and I love you. But for those who aren’t, keep it classy and polite, and we’ll all have a wonderful time destroying monsters together, aight?
Monthly Visitation
Sure, giving birth is a magical part of life that keeps our species going and blah blah blah. But the last thing that anyone with a uterus wants to deal with while wearing armor in the hot sun is having their period. When a LARP schedule is announced, it’s time to look at the calendar and pray that they don’t match up with the time that you get the dreaded Aunt Flo visit. (Thanks for the gift, auntie. You really shouldn’t have.) It sucks to have to walk for miles while feeling like death and then being pestered by NPCs who want to chat about plot that happened years ago.
Then you have to march into battle and beat the snot out of people while feeling like an absolute mess. Maybe I’m role-playing when I’m screaming and crying at you, maybe I’m not. I honestly cannot tell.
Misunderstood
Some of us like to dress cute, do our make up nice, and talk cute AF. This is sometimes met with others assuming that these lady LARPers are not that smart, they don’t understand how the rules of the game work and they need to be protected on the battlefield. This in turn will cause people to go easy on these lady LARPers and also talk down to them, sometimes unknowingly. On the flip side- being misunderstood as a girl who is helpless and not that bright can be used to manipulate people into ensuring our characters do not die (yes, I am guilty of this). While not a very paladin-like move, it gets the job done in a pinch, so sue me.
While LARPing has been gaining more popularity these past few years, there has been an influx of women taking on this hobby as well and that is AWESOME. Gaming traditionally has been a male dominated industry and seeing women show an interest brings a tickle to my heart. So strap on that armor, learn how to do a hella cute braid and get out on that battlefield, ladies!
-Important Note-
If you identify as a man, are a part of the LGBTQ community, or a person of color - I want to know your side of how you’re treated at a LARP. I can only speak to my personal experiences as a lady and I’m curious on how all of our experiences differ from one another.
If you would like to write a blog post about your experiences, please submit it to: thelarpblog@gmail.com
Link to Source
July 8, 2016
Being a chick who LARPs is a bit of a blessing and a curse. On the plus side, our costumes are easier to find in thrift shops and on the internet. It also seems like we have more of a variety to choose from in terms of our costuming selections. And when we talk about how much we love our LARPing hobby with strangers, we’re met with interest and awe in most cases, as opposed to accusations of being a nerd who lives in their parent’s basement. The pluses that come with being a lady LARPer are pretty nice, yet I can’t help but feel there’s some minuses that come along with it.
Getting Hit On
There is something about LARPing that gives people the extra confidence boost they need to flirt with lady LARPers in kind of a weird way. There’s the guy who is playing the charmer/creep who makes inappropriate comments about wanting to sleep with your character. There’s the socially awkward kid who talks about how your boobs look in a corset. And then there are the older dudes who are excited to be around younger girls again, but have gained the wisdom on how to have a bit more tact in their courting. In any case, getting hit on at LARPs can be a frustrating part of a lady LARPers experience, especially if they - or their characters - aren’t looking for that kind of attention.
Inappropriate Touching
If I don’t know you in my real life, do not touch me in my fake life. Now, I’m not saying this goes for everyone out there. Some people like to get physical with their characters. But do yourself a favor and assume that people don’t want your hands on them until they give you the okay. They may be role-playing a flirty person who is DTF, but remember that we’re all acting here. And don’t give me that “well my character would slap their ass” bullshit, because no. Not cool dude! Also, to all the kneeling, hand-kissers out there - I know you mean well, but I don’t want your mustache and slobber getting all over my hand.
The Evil Eye
Sometimes the most shade that lady LARPers get are from other lady LARPers. Upon first walking into a new LARP, you will be analyzed quickly by some people on how pretty you are, if you’re a “real” LARPer, how good your costuming is, and if you’re a threat to stealing their significant other. My first time LARPing was met with being told my boots/costuming were not good enough and to stay away from this girl’s boyfriend who I hadn’t met yet. Then there are the girls who have been there for years, talk friendly to your face, and whisper about you behind your back. It’s like high-school all over again. To the women who are genuinely nice and are there for your fellow ladies, you’re incredible people and I love you. But for those who aren’t, keep it classy and polite, and we’ll all have a wonderful time destroying monsters together, aight?
Monthly Visitation
Sure, giving birth is a magical part of life that keeps our species going and blah blah blah. But the last thing that anyone with a uterus wants to deal with while wearing armor in the hot sun is having their period. When a LARP schedule is announced, it’s time to look at the calendar and pray that they don’t match up with the time that you get the dreaded Aunt Flo visit. (Thanks for the gift, auntie. You really shouldn’t have.) It sucks to have to walk for miles while feeling like death and then being pestered by NPCs who want to chat about plot that happened years ago.
Then you have to march into battle and beat the snot out of people while feeling like an absolute mess. Maybe I’m role-playing when I’m screaming and crying at you, maybe I’m not. I honestly cannot tell.
Misunderstood
Some of us like to dress cute, do our make up nice, and talk cute AF. This is sometimes met with others assuming that these lady LARPers are not that smart, they don’t understand how the rules of the game work and they need to be protected on the battlefield. This in turn will cause people to go easy on these lady LARPers and also talk down to them, sometimes unknowingly. On the flip side- being misunderstood as a girl who is helpless and not that bright can be used to manipulate people into ensuring our characters do not die (yes, I am guilty of this). While not a very paladin-like move, it gets the job done in a pinch, so sue me.
While LARPing has been gaining more popularity these past few years, there has been an influx of women taking on this hobby as well and that is AWESOME. Gaming traditionally has been a male dominated industry and seeing women show an interest brings a tickle to my heart. So strap on that armor, learn how to do a hella cute braid and get out on that battlefield, ladies!
-Important Note-
If you identify as a man, are a part of the LGBTQ community, or a person of color - I want to know your side of how you’re treated at a LARP. I can only speak to my personal experiences as a lady and I’m curious on how all of our experiences differ from one another.
If you would like to write a blog post about your experiences, please submit it to: thelarpblog@gmail.com
Link to Source