Are C.W. Reenactors Egotistical?

[bayonet]

Im not "in" on reenactments...I dont think it honors the men that actually did the deed by any strech and the "defarbed" weapons only make it more difficult to know what is authentic and what is not....Ive met people in my life who give knee jerk reactions when asked a question so they can come off with the smell of an expert.....when one starts putting maker markers and inspector marks on reproductions...Im out

**Edited by moderator** I stopped doing it over 20-25 years ago and only did it to get some feel of what my GG Grandfathers went thru. Living and marching in 100% wool in 90+ degree heat. Eating crappy food for 2-3 days, Large battle formations with Flags waving, Cannons roaring, & Muskets blazing (that's why I only went to the BIG events), sleeping on the ground crammed into a 2 man little tent with all your equipment after a miserable sweaty day and my feet sticking out, etc.
After my hard core military days (SF, Ranger) it compared nothing of the terrible conditions they went thru. We are all a pack of whinny wimpy nancy boys compared to that generation!
Lastly it came down to the Unit you joined and how hardcore to realism they preformed as in no Farbs. Luck me I was in a Unit the 27th Connecticut that kept it real. I did join and try American Revolution reenacting (1 4th going back Grandpa) joined 2 different units briefly but they were fat and farby, plus they didn't have the #s. The Boss just wanted to do paid events mainly and probably pocketed the $ for himself. So to each own and what you get from it or why you do it, but 2 massive formations on a field facing each other. Either watching it or participating in it, now that's a sight to see!

 

[Dispatch]

**Edited by moderator** I stopped doing it over 20-25 years ago and only did it to get some feel of what my GG Grandfathers went thru. Living and marching in 100% wool in 90+ degree heat. Eating crappy food for 2-3 days, Large battle formations with Flags waving, Cannons roaring, & Muskets blazing (that's why I only went to the BIG events), sleeping on the ground crammed into a 2 man little tent with all your equipment after a miserable sweaty day and my feet sticking out, etc.
After my hard core military days (SF, Ranger) it compared nothing of the terrible conditions they went thru. We are all a pack of whinny wimpy nancy boys compared to that generation!
Lastly it came down to the Unit you joined and how hardcore to realism they preformed as in no Farbs. Luck me I was in a Unit the 27th Connecticut that kept it real. I did join and try American Revolution reenacting (1 4th going back Grandpa) joined 2 different units briefly but they were fat and farby, plus they didn't have the #s. The Boss just wanted to do paid events mainly and probably pocketed the $ for himself. So to each own and what you get from it or why you do it, but 2 massive formations on a field facing each other. Either watching it or participating in it, now that's a sight to see!

I too want to bring attention to an important issue that often I think goes unnoticed in reenactment events.

After having attended this weekend's train attack reenactment in Strasburg, PA, I couldn't help but notice the concerning hygiene habits of too many reenactors, which I believe must be addressed.

It's alarming to see individuals who don't wash their hands after using the port-a-johns—or at all, for that matter.

Wearing a well-seasoned uniform for a good portrayal is one thing; being a complete slob is another.

Watching those same people prepare a unit's dinner, and then themselves eat with said unsanitary hands is simply unacceptable and downright disgusting.

When I think of these same CW reenactors, I remember the character 'Timmons' (played by Robert Pastorelli) from Dances With Wolves.

Furthermore, many of these same reenactors exhibit offensive body odor, which suggests poor overall hygiene is not just an issue during the events but also reflects their daily lives.

This becomes even more pronounced once they don their reenacting outfits and begin to sweat.

Another troubling sight is men with long facal hair (beards) walking and sitting around with food particles in their beards after having eaten and make no effort to clean themselves.

From my many decades of experience in Civil War reenacting, I can confidently say that these hygiene problems contribute significantly to why new recruits often don't return after their first experience.

We need to make a real conscious effort to improve our own personal standards; otherwise, we risk losing potential new members but most importantly diminish the overall quality of our sport, not to mention turning-off an enthusiastic public that came a long way to pay good money to attend our events...

 

[G Low]

All events must be taken seriously; we have no choice but to take decisive action once and for all.

This issue has dragged on for far too long in our sport, and it has resulted in outsiders viewing reenactors as a laughing stock.

If we fail to unite and initiate change, nothing will improve.

This isn't complicated—simple, 'minor adjustments' can lead to substantial improvements. Even the cheapest, inauthentic outfits can look more authentic when styled plainly. Yet, many reenactors stubbornly refuse to blend in; they insist on standing out.

It is the obligation of senior reenactors to guide newcomers on what to purchase and what to avoid. This should be done without scorn, as some have a tendency to do, thus driving new participants away from our sport.

Event organizers also have a crucial role to play and should enforce them as they do with safety issues.

It's imperative that people leave such things as blue enamel cookware;
View attachment 543765

at home and ditch Adirondack chairs invented in the 1930s by a prison inmate;
View attachment 543764
If modern comforts are absolutely necessary, they must be kept out of sight—something that too many reenactors neglect.

Unfortunately, the market is purposefully saturated with low-quality products from countries like Pakistan, China, and others. Even shops in Gettysburg are filled with cheap tourist trinkets that undermine our collective efforts.

Now is the time to raise our standard and elevate the sport we are so passionate about...

Good God man surely we could have someone at the gate to keep out the rip wrap.

 

[Dispatch]

Good God man surely we could have someone at the gate to keep out the rip wrap.

Who/how exactly do we delegate someone to do that?

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

It's alarming to see individuals who don't wash their hands after using the port-a-johns—or at all, for that matter.

I hate to break it to you, but this isn't just a problem at reenactments. Hang out in a men's restaurant restroom and see how few people wash their hands in any way.

I always find myself hoping they're not employees.

 

[Dispatch]

I hate to break it to you, but this isn't just a problem at reenactments. Hang out in a men's restaurant restroom and see how few people wash their hands in any way.

I always find myself hoping they're not employees.

I'm willing to believe in your experience about hanging out, it doesn't make it acceptable; it's no surprise that Covid spread so quickly and caused many deaths, needlessly.

We all need to call it out when we see it, period.

 

[G Low]

Who/how exactly do we delegate someone to do that?

I don't know, maybe just boycott them until they get their act together.

 

[G Low]

I hate to break it to you, but this isn't just a problem at reenactments. Hang out in a men's restaurant restroom and see how few people wash their hands in any way.

I always find myself hoping they're not employees.

Hang out in the woman's bathroom and it's even worse…. But at least it had women in it.

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

We all need to call it out when we see it, period.

We do, but be prepared to be told to "mind your own business" no matter how egregious the action you're calling out.

 

[Dispatch]

We do, but be prepared to be told to "mind your own business" no matter how egregious the action you're calling out.

Who's "we"?

I've never witnessed it happen—not even once.

And all it would take is that single calling out.

A confrontation like that would either prompt him to change his ways (it's always a man by the way) and or will probably lead to his departure out of the unit for good due to the future stigma of being known as a dirtbag.

It IS your business when he's handling food that everyone chipped in for or unit property.

I confronted someone once, but I haven't heard of anyone else having the courage to do so.

It's because people know these individuals personally and are reluctant to be the one to confront them.

It the 21st century not the 19th century, I don't care what you say there is no excuse for being a pig.

Nuff said...

 

[captaindrew]

@Dispatch may I ask where you wash your hands immediately after using a Porta Potty? Very rarely is there actually sinks provided. Although nowadays they usually have hand sanitizer in them which is nice. Are you going in there with everyone to make sure they're using it? Are you following people around from the porta potties back to camp to see if they wash their hands eventually? And I would really love to know your secret to wearing wool and full gear for a whole hot summer weekend and not have any body odor. Spending a weekend outdoors is certainly not a sterile environment but you do the best you can.

 

[JHughes81]

Well, at this event and the others I've attended personally, these are like deluxe porta potties. They have soap, paper towel, pump water by foot and sanitizer outside the stalls. I believe they came and cleaned them during the weekend 1x as well.

WITH THAT SAID.... Yeah, you can't really account for nasty. Trying to lay that on CW re-enactors specfically? Eh. Some people are just nasty. It's on you to put the bumpers on for yourself dealing with it obviously.

I see it all the time in and out of bathrooms. I'm a germ freak, sort of, so its a struggle for me to do these events sometimes. BUT when it bothers me, i keep my little modern day BS outta the way like sanitzer/wipes, i keep a roll of paper towels and tissue in my bag. When I get back go my tent, I get right and go back out. I think about touching the doorhandles and then any part of my uni and will in turn spray it upon re-entering my tent.

Sometimes I even bring my bleach spray. I'm just weird bout that though. But, I DO get where you're coming from on observing people being unkept and in the most basic of forms, unhygenic. What's wild its either you really don't care cause you never learned right or you are cool with nasty, or you think nobody sees you walk right past the sink/soap? They might not, I will.

My Union uniform smelled like Dolce & Gabanna Light Blue, sweat and campfire. Ahhhhh.....

 

[JHughes81]

@Dispatch may I ask where you wash your hands immediately after using a Porta Potty? Very rarely is there actually sinks provided. Although nowadays they usually have hand sanitizer in them which is nice. Are you going in there with everyone to make sure they're using it? Are you following people around from the porta potties back to camp to see if they wash their hands eventually? And I would really love to know your secret to wearing wool and full gear for a whole hot summer weekend and not have any body odor. Spending a weekend outdoors is certainly not a sterile environment but you do the best you

My man.... "Bring it back, bring it back"

 

[captaindrew]

Well, at this event and the others I've attended personally, these are like deluxe porta potties. They have soap, paper towel, pump water by foot and sanitizer outside the stalls. I believe they came and cleaned them during the weekend 1x as well.

WITH THAT SAID.... Yeah, you can't really account for nasty. Trying to lay that on CW re-enactors specfically? Eh. Some people are just nasty. It's on you to put the bumpers on for yourself dealing with it obviously.

I see it all the time in and out of bathrooms. I'm a germ freak, sort of, so its a struggle for me to do these events sometimes. BUT when it bothers me, i keep my little modern day BS outta the way like sanitzer/wipes, i keep a roll of paper towels and tissue in my bag. When I get back go my tent, I get right and go back out. I think about touching the doorhandles and then any part of my uni and will in turn spray it upon re-entering my tent.

Sometimes I even bring my bleach spray. I'm just weird bout that though. But, I DO get where you're coming from on observing people being unkept and in the most basic of forms, unhygenic. What's wild its either you really don't care cause you never learned right or you are cool with nasty, or you think nobody sees you walk right past the sink/soap? They might not, I will.

My Union uniform smelled like Dolce & Gabanna Light Blue, sweat and campfire. Ahhhhh.....

All I can think of now is the Seinfeld Germaphobe episode

 

[The Ninth Ohio]

They had soap back then. It was often part of the issue ration. If reenactors are afraid of being clean, it's their own personal problem. Don't blame it on the era or others who practice personal hygiene (just like they did back then-gasp).

 

[bayonet]

**Edited by moderator** I stopped doing it over 20-25 years ago and only did it to get some feel of what my GG Grandfathers went thru. Living and marching in 100% wool in 90+ degree heat. Eating crappy food for 2-3 days, Large battle formations with Flags waving, Cannons roaring, & Muskets blazing (that's why I only went to the BIG events), sleeping on the ground crammed into a 2 man little tent with all your equipment after a miserable sweaty day and my feet sticking out, etc.
After my hard core military days (SF, Ranger) it compared nothing of the terrible conditions they went thru. We are all a pack of whinny wimpy nancy boys compared to that generation!
Lastly it came down to the Unit you joined and how hardcore to realism they preformed as in no Farbs. Luck me I was in a Unit the 27th Connecticut that kept it real. I did join and try American Revolution reenacting (1 4th going back Grandpa) joined 2 different units briefly but they were fat and farby, plus they didn't have the #s. The Boss just wanted to do paid events mainly and probably pocketed the $ for himself. So to each own and what you get from it or why you do it, but 2 massive formations on a field facing each other. Either watching it or participating in it, now that's a sight to

Im not "in" on reenactments...I dont think it honors the men that actually did the deed by any strech and the "defarbed" weapons only make it more difficult to know what is authentic and what is not....Ive met people in my life who give knee jerk reactions when asked a question so they can come off with the smell of an expert.....when one starts putting maker markers and inspector marks on reproductions...Im out

Well I see I was edited for my first paragraph, said political? Ok I'll clean it up here. The defarbing of a musket for some of us was simply to remove MADE IN ***** (I will not mention where). Plus some of the markings (or lack of) are not correct. So to keep it as real as possible and not be Farby some of us in reenacting defarbed our muskets. To eachs is own!

 

[Cavalier]

This reminds me of the old story about two guys from different countries, (countries that were not overly fond of one another), using the men's room. After both used "the facilities" one remarked to the other, "In ------ we wash our hands after we p--." The other guy answered, "In ------- we don't p-- on on our fingers."

John

 

[Story]

After my hard core military days (SF, Ranger) it compared nothing of the terrible conditions they went thru. We are all a pack of whinny wimpy nancy boys compared to that generation!
Lastly it came down to the Unit you joined and how hardcore to realism they preformed as in no Farbs. Luck me I was in a Unit the 27th Connecticut that kept it real. I did join and try American Revolution reenacting (1 4th going back Grandpa) joined 2 different units briefly but they were fat and farby, plus they didn't have the #s. The Boss just wanted to do paid events mainly and probably pocketed the $ for himself.

Do you have a smaller black SUV with an de oppressor liber decal on the rear window?

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

This reminds me of the old story about two guys from different countries, (countries that were not overly fond of one another), using the men's room.

I only ever heard this joke as the Army and the Marines.

 

[major bill]

There are egotistical, nasty, and mean people everywhere, so why not in reenacting? The real question here is, does reenacting draw an unusual amount of egotistical, nasty, mean people? I have know some reenactors who are nice and some who are not nice, but I am uncertain if reenacting is outside the norm.