What the other guy thinks.

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 3:33 pm

How many of you don't give a damn about what the enemy across from you thinks about you? Be honest.

Ceddie · Post by **Ceddie** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 3:48 pm

That matters more than the outcome of the fight. We're all here to have fun not(just) for ME to have fun

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Ceddie

Odo · Post by **Odo** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 4:01 pm

About me personally or about my attitude/performance on the field?

There are people that I just don't like. Nothing against them, I just don't like the way they look/walk/talk/whatever. With that being said, I don't really care if the person across from me likes me or not.

But, I do care that the person across from me thinks poorly of my honor/prowess/idealogic personifications. These are the things that I try to possess and to grant to my opponent.

I hope I don't sound too crazy.

Odo

Wyrm · Post by **Wyrm** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 4:25 pm

I only really care that they consider my a relatively safe fighter within the rules (because I am putting my clubs name on the line and the ovious injury factor) and personally that they know I take their shots when good or I tell them if they were too light a shot for me to count - which I communicate all the time as much as possible (great habit to get into).

Other than that chivilry out the window and hack, maime, slash, kill and backstab to your hearts content - after all it is a battlefield

just got to do it so no one gets hurt

Wyrm.

dukelogan · Post by **dukelogan** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 4:31 pm

interesting question. but in what way do you mean?

regards
logan

Tom Knighton · Post by **Tom Knighton** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 4:33 pm

I could say that I don't care what the other guy thinks of me, but I'd be lying.

To me, no matter how honorable my actions may seem to me, they are judged by others. I don't care if the guy likes me or wants to be my drinking buddy, but I sure as hell want him to respect me. Not just for skill, but because of my honor.

I have a long way to go to get there, but do I care what they think?

Absolutely.

Bran

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Courage is not the absence of fear, it's the ability to overcome it.

Authenticity Pledge can be found at http://www.kylosa.com/Pledge

bkillian · Post by **bkillian** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 10:06 pm

I care very deaply about what my opponent thinks of me.I care that he has fun most of all. My fight with them is so much better for me If they leave the field after combat, win or loose they say to themselves "damn that was great we gota do it again." I want them to feel that our fight/ unit engagement was their favorite at the war/event. If we all took the field with this attitude I think that world would be a better place.( insert hippy sound track)
I also want them to fear my mighty sword( read in dweeby vocce}

Halvgrimr · Post by **Halvgrimr** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 11:05 pm

In a 'game' based on honor and chivalry, I would say that what others thought of you would be very important.

Though the question could be interpreted in different ways, this is my answer.

Halvgrimr

Ceddie · Post by **Ceddie** » Sat Dec 13, 2003 2:38 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by ceddie:
That matters more than the outcome of the fight. We're all here to have fun not(just) for ME to have fun

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Vitus, I must apologies to you. I miss read the question. What my opponent thinks about me is up to him/her. All I can do is represent my lady and myself in the best way I know how. What matters to me is what they think about the fight. What I mean to say is ' Will this fight with me be representative of why we fight in the first place, good, clean, honest, hard, FUN fighting.

I hope that makes more since.

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Ceddie

Murdock · Post by **Murdock** » Sat Dec 13, 2003 3:14 am

quite a lot,

after all i usally know the guy

mrks · Post by **mrks** » Sat Dec 13, 2003 3:23 am

I deeply care about my opponents welfare.

I get very unhappy when he doesnt care about mine. I hate recieving full strength shots thrown into the calf.

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sir mrks

tiarmour.com ==>> maker of fine Titanium armour... please note I am not a period armourer I make high tech sport armour using nonperiod materials(titanium) for the type of stick fighting used in the sca.

Robert P. Norwalt · Post by **Robert P. Norwalt** » Sun Dec 14, 2003 1:01 am

I do care deeply what they think, but I also concider the source. Some guy's just don't fight fair, some guy's are too giving, and you have to tell them, "yo, Sir, you're not dead". I care what they think, but I'm a long way from disrespecting what I know or precieve to be true right away.

paxleonis · Post by **paxleonis** » Sun Dec 14, 2003 11:43 am

I cannot care what my enemy thinks of me. THat sounds strange but is none the less truthful. If I begin thinking about that I will fail to give my best effort. I am perhaps to humane for this very agressive sport, so I must stop thinking about my opponents feelings. If I do not then I start easing up my blows, I drop my guard and generally get blown apart.
After the day's battle are done...well that is a different tale. Then I allow myself to consider the feelings of others, and in many ways seek out their opinions. I best serve myself and my opponent in this way.
Pax-
Cait

Otto von Teich · Post by **Otto von Teich** » Sun Dec 14, 2003 3:44 pm

Well, to be honest I care about what everyone thinks about me,on the "field" and off. Neighbors,co-workers ect. Of course II'm a heck of a nice guy,(really I am!)and it seems like most folks like me anyway. On the field, I'll try and give them an enjoyable combat,and gladly acknowledge the good blows I take.My skills and speed are not too great, but I have a blast win or lose! my field days are numbered anyway,I Havn't suited up for sparing in over a year.Hope to get in a few more tournies over the next few years though. A couple of times a year should do me ,and I'm only doing that because of the "Weightless" TM J.Hedgecock carbon steel armour....Otto

Otto von Teich · Post by **Otto von Teich** » Sun Dec 14, 2003 3:50 pm

And with this new armour, my speed should increase a fair amount. this is the most comfortable and least encumbering arm harness I've ever had. so look out! Bwaaahaahaa....Otto

Alcyoneus · Post by **Alcyoneus** » Sun Dec 14, 2003 7:25 pm

It isn't always possible to communicate with your neighbor, let alone the opposition in a melee. I will, when I can. I want the other person to know why I didn't take a shot, if it was a close one, and I will try to let him/her know that they shouldn't take a shot of mine if I don't think it was good.

Yesterday, in a tournament, after I had beaten a gal, she said she thought she had got me. I said that I thought it was a light tip, but if she thought it was good, I'd give it to her, so we called it a double-kill.

We refought it and I gave her one good blow to the head.

I think she was satisfied that we were playing by the same rules.

dukelogan · Post by **dukelogan** » Sun Dec 14, 2003 8:12 pm

sorry vitus,

interesting question. but in what way do you mean?

regards
logan

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by dukelogan:
interesting question. but in what way do you mean?

regards
logan<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Magmaforge · Post by **Magmaforge** » Sun Dec 14, 2003 9:10 pm

Ringeck and the Lichtaneur tradition generally advocated continually attacking one's target relentlessly while ignoring any action they take.

The Italian school generally espoused keeping oneself completely covered against attack, first responding to and neutralizing attacks and then attacking from a place of safety.

If you mean what they think about me as a person, I like to make friends that I can fight with. If they truly despise me or think me as something not to be considerate of, I don't want to fight them. Then there might be some serious injuries resultant on either end. I need to trust my opponent. What we do is a dangerous thing, not an actual duel to the death.

dukelogan · Post by **dukelogan** » Sun Dec 14, 2003 9:54 pm

thank you so much for making a statement that so clearly defines how i feel about sca combat. my outlook on the sca was changed for me some time ago and a small part of it had to do with sport fighting. i have been unable to express that change without the addition of emotional garbage. may i borrow (hell, steal!) your commentary?

regards
logan

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Magmaforge:
 some snipped....

If they truly despise me or think me as something not to be considerate of, I don't want to fight them. Then there might be some serious injuries resultant on either end. I need to trust my opponent. What we do is a dangerous thing, not an actual duel to the death.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Gaston de Vieuxchamps · Sun Dec 14, 2003 10:00 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Vitus:
How many of you don't give a damn about what the enemy across from you thinks about you? Be honest.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm surprized at the varied response to this rather straightforward question.

Of course I care about what my "enemies" think since they aren't really my enemies. Hell, even if they were I doubt that I would give up all concern for their thoughts and opinions.

If there really are that many people out there who don't "give a damn" about the experience of their fellow players then that might go a long way towards explaining why this game isn't getting more popular.

Before someone goes on a rant. I like to play hard. I throw blows harder than people would prefer sometimes. I appreciate the drive to win. But if you don't care for your oponents then you are seriously missing something.

lyonnete · Post by **lyonnete** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 9:55 am

Dude this question is a no-brainer for me.

I care! I want my enemy to like me. I want EVERYONE to love me! I worry how my posts here are taken by people, I fret if I get a flame. I worry what the people watching a fight think of me, I want my opponent to feel he is doing well before I kill him. I want my instructors and tutors and mentors to be proud of me when I fight them or adjacent to them. I want the marshalls to like me because I'm so safe. I want the water bearers to like me. I want the Tuchux to like me, for heaven's sake! I want the living history and the ren fair folks, fair organizers and parking attendants and cops and little kids and the audience at demos and the general public all to like me.

To put it short: yes, I care what my enemy thinks. I probably shouldn't care so much.

Regards,
Lyonnete

'No mind'? You want me to worry about having no mind now??

Magmaforge · Post by **Magmaforge** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 11:10 am

by all means logan, steal it

Kenwrec Wulfe · Post by **Kenwrec Wulfe** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 12:00 pm

Do I care whether my opponent feels me honorable and just on the field? Without a doubt, yes. And I strive to make sure that all do so, whether they spank me in combat or not. Safety, fairness and honor just as important on the field as off.

Do I care whether likes me as a person? Yes and no. I am who I am and I would hope that others like me, the person. But is it necessary? No. Will I go out of my way to MAKE them? No.

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"It is not the oath that gives me faith in the man, but the man that gives me faith in the oath."
With Honor,
Kenwrec Wulfe
"Crouching Squire, Hidden Flagon....of Mead!"
Squire to Sir Galen of Bristol
The Shire of Ravenslake, Middle Kingdom

Snaebjorn Hakonarson · Mon Dec 15, 2003 12:26 pm

On the battlefield I hope that my opponent likes me enough not to try and injure me. And I hope they see me as honorable and respectful.

Do I care off the field? No. I don't really care what people think of me off the field. I hope that they see me as honorable as I am on the field but if they don't thats their loss. Not mine.

Bjorn Swiftaxe

Dmitriy · Post by **Dmitriy** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 12:48 pm

"Enemy", Vitus?

Maelgwyn · Post by **Maelgwyn** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 1:34 pm

Very specifically, I want them to think, "Damn he is fast...oops, I'm dead...Lets try that again!"

Bedlam · Post by **Bedlam** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 1:50 pm

Oh yeah, I care what the enemy thinks of me.

I want them to:

a) be impressed by my armor

b) be afraid or enraged by the presence of the Tuchux

c) be impressed by fighting skills

Although, when I was younger and faster, it was fun having crappy armor. I cannot tell you how many times people underestimated me.

Jehan de Pelham · Post by **Jehan de Pelham** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 2:04 pm

I absolutely care about what my opponent thinks about me.

I desire foremost that they see me as an honorable, properly fitted, and willing man at arms, engaged in a friendly struggle to accomplish some small deed of arms which might serve to increase our renown.

Jehan de Pelham

P.S.: I know the question read "enemy" but I glossed right over the thought that "enemy" implied hatred in competition, giving it no thought at all. Thus my use of "opponent."

[This message has been edited by Jehan de Pelham (edited 12-16-2003).]

Asbjorn Johansen · Post by **Asbjorn Johansen** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 3:09 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Vitus:
How many of you don't give a damn about what the enemy across from you thinks about you? Be honest.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I don't think I've ever fought someone whom I consider an enemy within the SCA.

Asbjorn

Snaebjorn Hakonarson · Mon Dec 15, 2003 4:57 pm

I have had one man I have ever seen as an enemy in the SCA. Mind you he is currently under the second reign in which he has had a class 2 banishment against him.

He was a far from honorable man who came to events only to fight and made that horribly clear. He refused to make any consession to looking historically correct and would not cover his horrid plastic armour. I have to admit I took much pleasure in beating him like a baby harp seal.

Bjorn Swiftaxe

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Snaebjorn Haakonsson, called Swiftaxe. Son of Haakon Thorvaldsson, called Oaktall. Son of Thorvald Jarlsson, called Greybeard.

Boy I have a long name.

St. George · Post by **St. George** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 10:14 am

I would like to think that I can trust my opponents- this is part of the reason why I don't like fighting newbies, and why I don't like fighting people who "enjoy" hurting other people. I find that to be the equal of letting a fox gaurd my henhouse- I can't "know" that the show that came in late, low, etc, wasn't done on purpose (and not just against me who CAN defend myself, but against other people who cannot). This is just something I have been dealing with lately.

I do like for my opponents to look at me, my armor, and my comportment, and know that they are going to lose. I have worked hard to get a nice lookking rig, and get my fighting to a "good" level, and like to see results from that. It is actually stranger now when they don't look at me with that "deer in the headlights" kind of look.

Alaric

Magnus The Black · Post by **Magnus The Black** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 10:29 am

When I'm fighting my friends and countrymen. I want their love. When fighting my enemies and those from forign lands I want them to fear me. But of all those I meet in combat I want their respect.

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 10:57 am

I care a lot about my opponent.

Without my opponent, I can't play. Even if I've never seen them before, they are contributing to my fun.

I also care about what they think of me. My honor is one thing, but your reputation is in the public eye. I will do my best to influence what they think of me.

-Aaron

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 11:28 am

Thank you very much for your answers! What I would like you to do now is look at what you have written, and elaborate about the core of your statement. If you have answered my question with a question, I would like to know why you feel the need for more clarification.

dukelogan · Post by **dukelogan** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 4:31 pm

i was asking for clarification because of the usage of the term "enemy". my asnwer will vary greatly depending on what your intent is in that term.

regards
logan