One Person's Normal is Another Person's Strange

One thing about being a reenactor is we forget that what we consider normal can be strange to the rest of society.

I remember shopping for a car and telling the salesperson I needed a roomy trunk. Naturally he asked me what I was carrying and without reservation I replied, “Swords” That moment went down in history as the first time a salesperson was at a loss for words.

Imagine what must be going through the mind of a person sitting next to a group of reeanctors in which one person is telling the group of their new birthday present, “I just love my new dagger. I’m sure I’ll get a lot of kills on the field with it.”

Think of the the person sitting next to a group of pirate reenactors in a diner who can’t help by wonder if he’s at an open carry convention when he sees guns piled in the middle of the table.

I do like to watch the expressions on my neighbors’ faces as they drive by my house as I casually stroll to the trunk of my car with an armful of swords.

Going to a fast food restaurant or a convenience store for that quick cup of coffee dressed in full garb can be a fun filled people watching extravaganza.

I’ve gotten the open mouthed stare, the “don’t make eye contact and she won’t hurt me” averted look and the curious asking me if I’m in a play.

There have been a few clerks who have served me as though they noticed nothing unusual.
What I haven’t figured out about those counter people is if they are reenactors themselves, know reenactors or if they are just acting cool as they press a silent alarm, and I’ve always been lucky enough to leave the store before the cops arrive.