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A note about events aimed for the target demographic

Discussion in 'Official News' started by Sharpy, 17 September 2012.

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    Sharpy UKofE Organiser

    Member Since:
    18 December 2011
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    Hi there guys,
    There have been a few occasions where some events aimed for the primary target demographic (young children aged under 11) seem to have become a little overwhelming for those it was aimed at.

    This is something which has started to concern myself and a few others. As a responsible member of the community I have felt that we need to address this as there is no reason anyone should feel uncomfortable at an event that was put on for them.

    This was highlighted recently at a store launch where it is reported that there were rather a lot of bronies compared to youngsters. I do feel we should not be over whelming events such as that. It is not fair on the children and their parents. This is not something the community stands for, this is not loving or tolerating in any way and not something that should happen again.

    So in future I am requesting we as a community try to be a bit more considerate towards the target demographic.

    This is a small list of things that we should be doing in no particular order.

    • Be considerate of younger people, for example if there is something aimed for children let them go first. It is for them and letting them have your place would be nice.
    • Be considerate to parents/guardians, these people have a reason to be there. They are doing something nice and you should respect that. It is not fair for you to make them feel awkward. Again let them and the person they are with go first and generally try to stay out of their way.
    • Be sensible with numbers of bronies there, it is not acceptable to swamp a small event aimed at children with tons of bronies. If you do find yourself in a situation where you are seriously outnumbering the target demographic may I suggest you move on to somewhere else or hang at the back.
    • Do not be intimidating, you may not realise you are becoming intimidating but remember you are most likely a lot bigger then the kids there and there is likely to be a few of you there as well. This will make kids uneasy and will spoil their experience. This is again not fair and something you should avoid. Try to be nice and let the kids and their parents there have their fun.
    • Be sensible about freebies, let the kids have them first and do not take more then is your fair share. In the case of promo cards on limited supply please only take one, again it is not fair to disappoint kids.

    In short I would not recommend attending these type of events as it is not for you and we have plenty of meets which are for the brony community. These kid centric events should be kept that way and we will not endorse meet ups which aim to go to these style of events.
    Sharpy, 17 September 2012
    #1
    ChaosSparkz, A A, Nickstern and 40 others like this.

    Denegoth Honorary Pony

    Member Since:
    21 December 2011
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    I'm honestly surprised that this NEEDS to be posted.

    Should've been common sense.
    Denegoth, 17 September 2012
    #2
    Simon Richardson, A A, Tad and 15 others like this.

    Sky Dreams Equestrias official angel pony!

    Member Since:
    22 February 2012
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    This is brilliant, I cannot honestly thank you enough for posting this. I feel exactly this way about the matter its why I avoid events like that. Frankly it'd be a bit embarassing too to go to an event like the card giveaway one. I'm a 21 year old woman, I shouldn't be there when its mean't for kids XD

    I agree with Dene it shouldn't need posting but the fact is there are so many people out there without common sense its shocking :S
    Sky Dreams, 17 September 2012
    #3
    A A likes this.

    Katie Étoile

    Member Since:
    18 May 2012
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    Agreed with Dene that it shouldn't really need to be posted. While understandable that bronies want to get collectibles, the least we can do is respect the target demographic that go and do everything in our power to not be intimidating.

    It's not like we can't go to an event like this and remain relatively calm and quiet, get the promotional card or whatever, and then all go to the pub for a proper brony meet.

    Not that I think I'd bother to attend something like those events anyway, but y'know.
    Katie, 17 September 2012
    #4
    Cheesey Burger likes this.

    Col. Kusak Cows go μ

    Member Since:
    30 August 2012
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    So what would your stance be on threads about this kind of thing in the future?
    Col. Kusak, 17 September 2012
    #5

    Sharpy UKofE Organiser

    Member Since:
    18 December 2011
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    In future we will not endorse meets at these sort of events. This means we will most likely take down meets centered around these type of events.
    This doesn't mean we are against heading to a toy store for buying pony during a meet but it is not fair to flood an event aimed for children with bronies.
    Sharpy, 17 September 2012
    #6
    A A and Cheesey Burger like this.

    Alfie Banned User

    Member Since:
    2 July 2012
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    How about threads that discuss an event but not a meet or something similar at the event?
    Alfie, 17 September 2012
    #7
    Greetings and Sky Dreams like this.

    Sharpy UKofE Organiser

    Member Since:
    18 December 2011
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    That shouldn't be a problem :) the main point is not to flood events aimed for children and make the people the event is for feel uncomfortable. It's cool to see things going on. We just don't want to see future events for the target demographic spoiled for them by bronies.
    Sharpy, 17 September 2012
    #8
    Trottingsky, Cheesey Burger, Sky Dreams and 1 other person like this.

    Alfie Banned User

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    Ah kay, thank you :)
    Alfie, 17 September 2012
    #9

    FlakeTwist Space CQC Master

    Member Since:
    4 March 2012
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    I'm on the fence as to whether this should be posted or not. Granted, it should be common sense to be respectful and not interfere with what is ultimately an event aimed at children. However, I can also see some of the more serious collectors being pretty keen to get their hands on some merchandise. If a store has to be warned about the number of elder fans attending then it's a fair bet that bronies will vastly outnumber the target audience, or at least have a pretty big presence. Seeing as I wasn't at the store launch, I can't confirm this. I'd imagine that the thread was responsible for a fair number going.
    FlakeTwist, 17 September 2012
    #10

    Ultraboy94 Defending Dorset with a plastic boomstick.

    Member Since:
    17 April 2012
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    I'm going to have to agree here. I'm all for buying ponies in a normal meet situation when you are just walking into a shop, but us going to these kind of events made me feel uneasy, as it may just help the misconception that we're all there FOR the children...

    I'm honestly surprised at the amount of people on these forums that thought there was no problem with that.
    Ultraboy94, 17 September 2012
    #11

    Sky Dreams Equestrias official angel pony!

    Member Since:
    22 February 2012
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    I think threads about these events should be allowed but I do agree that meets shouldn't be hosted at or go to events aimed at the younger viewers, its just plain selfish imo.

    I've no objection bronies heading to these events but to go en masse to an event is intimidating and you might find at some events you won't even be allowed in for fear that you'll be trouble makers :S (which you're not of course but not to security you're not ;) ).
    Sky Dreams, 17 September 2012
    #12
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    Ripp_ has stupidity - which is quite profound.

    Member Since:
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    You would think so but at the last Birmingham meet it took a while, and some persuading, to get the group to realize 30 odd people standing in a corridor (albeit a large one) kind of blocks it
    Ripp_, 17 September 2012
    #13
    Cheesey Burger likes this.

    Atomic Phoenix Only 19.4% insane

    Member Since:
    22 June 2012
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    It sounds like it may have also been a poor choice to hold a kids event, but give away a rare collectable there. I agree thoroughly with this thread's message but it's one thing to ask people to be considerate, and it could be a very different thing to ask some people to give up a freebie which seems to be worth >£150 on ebay if I'm looking at the right card.
    It wasn't just this forum, the event got EQD coverage (again because of the card), I know a brony not on the site who went along hearing about it there.
    Atomic Phoenix, 17 September 2012
    #14
    IainBru likes this.

    Col. Kusak Cows go μ

    Member Since:
    30 August 2012
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    I was at the store launch and I had a great time- however I can see how it would intimidate young kids. I myself and a few of my friends were indeed guilty of things like standing in front of the escalator, thus blocking it. I suppose it's that kind of thing which we need to change and be very careful about if we do ever go to things like this.

    So as an example (now referring to my last question). Say, for instance, there was such an event at Hamley's, and they were going to be unveiling a super ultra rare rarity foil card. What action would be taken if someone were to create a thread encouraging people to go to the event? Would the thread be deleted, or would we be encouraged not to go, or what?
    Col. Kusak, 17 September 2012
    #15
    Aurum Noble likes this.

    Denegoth Honorary Pony

    Member Since:
    21 December 2011
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    I think some ground rules for UKOE-hosted meet-ups should be set in stone because of stuff like:

    Anybody with me here?
    Denegoth, 17 September 2012
    #16
    Falchion, Takoto, Cheesey Burger and 4 others like this.

    Silvarrn Wonderbolt

    Member Since:
    21 December 2011
    The thread would be removed and we (Uk of Equestria) would not allow the hosting of the meetup on our site.

    Sure go in on your own and ask politely if you can have a card. If you get one say thanks and leave unless you're buying something. Just, don't go in a big huge group.
    Silvarrn, 17 September 2012
    #17
    Falchion, Aurum Noble, Hironolind and 2 others like this.

    Sky Dreams Equestrias official angel pony!

    Member Since:
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    I agree with you here
    Sky Dreams, 17 September 2012
    #18

    Ripp_ has stupidity - which is quite profound.

    Member Since:
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    Second.

    A set of (at-least) guidelines and advice for organizers are going to be needed as the community grow and more people organize and more people come to these meets.
    Ripp_, 17 September 2012
    #19

    Denegoth Honorary Pony

    Member Since:
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    Rule #1: No public singing
    Rule #2: Seriously guys, no public singing
    Denegoth, 17 September 2012
    #20
    A A, Sellyme, Falchion and 19 others like this.
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