Stupid Questions

[rebyank]

Pards,
It's been proven that laughter makes us feel better, so lets share some of the stupid questions, funny stories, and whatever you have to offer.

A friend of mine was asked at one event, "is that real?"(indicating a 12 pound roast cooking on a spit) to which my friend replied "No, we're expecting the plastic roast to melt any second now"

I'll toss in more as soon as I can remember them.

[BHoover]

Re: Stupid Questions

How does making fun of people's questions cause us to be more authentic? No matter how stupid the question may sound to us, the fact that someone asked it usually means they are interested in learning.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Stupid Questions

I find that allot of people are somewhat nervous when they talk to us, being total strangers and all, and this leads them to ask some lame questions. I try and take their comments as seriously as possible, and then open up some good solid interpritaion. If you get 1 to 3 people listening to you and start showing them you kit and telling them about life in the 1800s soon you will have a good sized group listening to you. And then you get some good questions. Just think of dumb questions as a foot in the door.

[SCTiger]

Re: Stupid Questions

Ian,

The reason they are asking "stupid questions" is because your basic CW spectator has seen some really stupid things at events. No it wouldn't suprise me that someone has seen a phony heat resistive pot roast on a spit, while the reenactor who owns it goes to the waffle house to eat. Think, how many phony baloney props and impressions that you have seen. Fiberglass tube artillery pieces, phony ammunition boxes posing as coolers, plastic PVC tubes, painted black and used as flag supports & tent poles, lanterns with electric bulbs, cots covered with blankets, the list goes on and on. The culpirts are also proud of this deception and will gladly show the ersatz stuff off. I am eagerly waiting for the brogan converted to a cell phone, ala Maxwell Smart, Agent 86.

So now when I hear I stupid questions, I ask "where did you get that idea?" you would be suprised at the answers :D

[HOG.EYE.MAN]

Re: Stupid Questions

One time some lady asked me if I fell in the river.... At first I didn't have a clue why she asked me this....... A little bit later I realized my uniform was a filthy mess. :wink_smil

[Robert Braun]

Re: Stupid Questions

I agree with Mr. Hoover. The main reason for all those so-called "stupid" questions is because reenactors as a rule are terrible at an initial engagement with visitors.

As a rule, the expectation has always been that it is the duty of the spectator to see, gain eye contact, and engage the reenactor. This "engagement" too often comes in the form of one or more of these "questions" which we have all had a good chuckle over. Why? They are looking for a way to break the ice... something that WE should have been doing all along!

Over the years, I have changed my position on public events. If we as historical portrayers are going to put ourselves in the public "eye," we have a duty and an obligation to engage such visitors that may come our way in a positive and meaningful way. It can be as simple and painless as gaining eye contact and asking, "Hallo, sir! How's your day?"

If we are unable or unwilling to do this, either find chums in our groups that ARE willing to do this, or admit that you are not interested in engaging visitors and cease attending such events.

"How's your day?"

Bob.

[paulcalloway]

Re: Stupid Questions

I'm in the camp of folks that believe there are no stupid questions. Perhaps thats my professional training as a teacher coming through... dunno.

Good post, Mr. Braun. Most units have 1 or 2 comrades who are particularly good at engaging bystanders in discussion. If you're not good at engaging folks then I suggest being particularly helpful to those that are.

Spread out your knapsack if that's the topic of discussion or grab up a rifle and demonstrate the positions... slip some hardtack into the hands of the children or let them have a dollar or two of your script. You don't have to talk but there's a lot you can do.

Generally, anything that you put into the hands of a child at a reenactment will go home and be preciously placed onto a mantle or bedstand and treated as if it was of great value. Never hurts to have a few items about in your pockets or knapsack just for that purpose.

[SCSecesh]

Re: Stupid Questions

I'm in the camp of folks that believe there are no stupid questions.

I used to be that way too Paul, but the recent plethora of questions like - "Who sells rubber blanket material?", "What kind of cap should I wear for . . .?", etc., etc., etc. are really stupid questions asked by folks who aren't willing to hit the search function of this web site! Even with the large amount of great info that was lost there is still plenty here!! :tounge_sm
Now considering, spectator's view, I like the questions, as I agree with Bruce!!

[BHoover]

Re: Stupid Questions

Most units have 1 or 2 comrades who are particularly good at engaging bystanders in discussion. If you're not good at engaging folks then I suggest being particularly helpful to those that are.

We are blessed in the PLHA to have the example of Mr. Neill Rose. While many of us have been in the same "I'll do my thing until someone asks me a question" mode, Neill will consistently seek out spectators who are perhaps too shy to ask a direct question and draw them into the conversation. Watching Neill in action has completely changed the way I approach the whole issue, and hopefully has made me a better intrepeter.

[BrianHicks]

Re: Stupid Questions

I'm in the camp of folks that believe there are no stupid questions. Perhaps thats my professional training as a teacher coming through... dunno.

I too believed in this... but after many years as an Instructor in the Marine Corps, I have come to accept that while there are no stupid questions... there are some very stupid people who ask questions! :D

Here's an example:

A man in his mid thirties approches me as I am standing at rest in my impression as a Union Soldier.

"Whose side are you own?"

"I'm fighting for Uncle Abe and the Union"

The man screws his face up in a look of concentration....

"The Union?" he asks "Is that the French or the English?" :confused_

[Pip63]

Re: Stupid Questions

I also agree with Mr. Braun, I do not believe there is such a thing as a "stupid question". I'm sure that when most of us started out in this hobby we had some pretty stupid questions ourselves, I know I did. That's because we may not have known everything right off the bat, and that's the way me and my unit look at these "questions". Visitors to events don't know everything and I believe it is our duty as reenactors to teach them. Like it was mentioned, these people could have really seen a plastic roast at some event, and that is why the unit I belong to goes to several mainstream events over the year, to sort of "clear these things up", if you will. It also gives us a chance to talk to more visitors. So next time someone ask you, "Is your gun real", let's try not to call that a "stupid question." They are just trying to make idle conversation. :wink_smil

Phillip Lasseter
32 Miss Infantry

[Clark Badgett]

Re: Stupid Questions

I don't mind silly questions, I don't think there dumb just silly. Like the old "here's your sign" joke from a few years ago. My most favorite initially came from Vicksburg, back in '95. It was about 200 degrees in the shade, or at least it seemed to be. I literally had sweat pouring out of my skin and a spectator asked "aren't you hot in that uniform?" I've heard that one the most, especially in the summer.

[jskeys]

Re: Stupid Questions

As we consider the idea if stupid questions by visitors, maybe we should consider what the level of insight and understanding of some reenactors is (as has been made reference to already). What can we expect from the casual visitors? More inportant, the visitor has made the effort to see what we are doing. We have a chance to have an impact (however slight, that may light a spark of interest. How much time does the average student spend on the Civil War in class between kindergarten and 12th grade? Maybe we have expectations that are not realistic, considering education in America? As for me I agree with the, "there are not stupid questions" group. I do however, believe that all who have posted recognize the importance of educating the public. As long as the discussion is internal to the hobby the idea of silly questions is normal, I would hope that in public we can treat even the most absurt statement as a plea for information.

John Shaw

[Fiddlebum]

Re: Stupid Questions

Then there are the people who ask what seems like a lame question, and then when you try to answer them, they get all snitty.

I was churning butter at a historical site's annual day event for the Boy and Girl Scouts. I had brought a basket of pears with me, to eat. A lady asked me if I was going to put those apples in the butter and make apple butter. I said, well, actually, those are pears, and the process for making fruit butter is a totally different thing that involves cooking the fruit down, etc., etc., blahblahblah. I promise, I was nice. Really I was. I understand that some City Folk don't know where dairy butter comes from, much less apple butter. So I was tryin to 'splain it, and she got all huffy.

Some days you can't win.

Kim Caudell

[Spinster]

Re: Stupid Questions

In real life, I'm normally rather quiet, and enjoy my job that does not require me to talk to people--but put me in CW clothing, and I start talking to most anyone. I usually focus on engaging the children, and putting something in their hands, usually some unwashed wool, and talking to the child--this usually frees the adults to ask questions when they might not have. My second favorite to speak with are the grandfathers tagging along behind the family, who stand way back with tilted head, trying to see how the spinning wheel works, without asking anyone---if I can ever get these guys talking, I normally learn a whole lot from them.

Its always a challenge to maintain proper 19th century deportment with fellow reenactors, while engaging specators in a 21st century manner.

But my all time favorite "stupid" question was the one that sent me scurrying to establish separate civilian camping areas at local events where there were none----"You slept out here last night????? ("Yesmam!") "With all those men?" ("well, no...........")