Weekly SO

 Strong Opinion, that is. You could call it pet peeves, hot takes, whatever.  I am just (often) opinionated, and can't (always) shut up.

So this week... I want to talk about the Old Timer Show, we went to last week.

It is a show about cars and other vehicles, from around the 1900's to more current "retro" cars. Yes, I am a philologist and a woman, and no, I don't care much about cars, except, for whether they can take me from A-to B, is there enough space for my stuff (reanactment gear CAN take up a lot of space) and how comfortable they are (but that is not a major issue). However, Norbert LOVES cars, and as for me the yearly two sarcrosant event are the Day of Wool, and maybe the big Castle Craft Fair (Celebrating Crafts), for him, it is the Car Tuning show, and this Old Timer show. Back, when we first got together, I went with him to both events (he is coming with me to a lot of reenactment and craft events, so it is fair), however, we agreed that it is best for both pf us, if he goes to the tuning show alone. But then, I know he enjoys, talking about those cars, the histories, and technical issues, and whatnot, so I make sure I do go to at least to the smaller one, to the Old Timer Show. 

Anyhow, why I am bringing it up, because in there, there are "costumed" "hostess" girls. And they annoy me to no end. On the pictures, they are photographed from the back, deliberatly not showing their faces, because my problems are not with the individual persons, but the phenomenon. 

While there are cars like this on exhibition:

The hostess girls look like this:

Obviously, as a historical reenactor, interpreter, seamstress and costumer, I care deeply about historical accuracy, however, I do not demand it from everyone, everywhere. I do understand that these girls were put there only as a decoration, but this level of ... and now my english fails me, nor can the dictionaries help me, as the word they give me for "not having the inner need to do well" is either "undemanding" or "unambitious", but neither covers my meaning.

Anyway, these dresses are probably loaned, discarded theater/television costumes, in one word CHEAP. Nothing to do with historical accuracy. No proper underwear, and all of the girls were wearing chunky and clunky boots. I understand the need for comfortable footwear, even if they did not have to stand all day (they mostly sat there), but having a pseudo edwardian outfit and Martens boots, which when they were posing for photos did show, is just.... (insert the word for "no inner need to do -even relatively-- well"). 

I mean, these girls were modells, they had make up on, they were posing (sometimes) for photos, that is why they were PAID. Someone spent serious money on them. 

With that money THEY COULD HAVE DONE A LOT BETTER. 

What could have been done? Get them proper dresses and have them dressed up properly. (No, I do not mean, fully historically accurate way, but I would like to see an EFFORT. Take away the crooked, modern, plastic umbrellas. Take away the crocked, cheap hats, from which the flowers were falling off. Make them wear their corset (preferably UNDERNEATH their clothes). Make them take off the clunky boots, and make them wear shoes that are closer to historical accuracy, or shoes that are not so obviously anachronistic. Or, leave the boots, but wear full out stampunk outfits.

Furthermore, give them information, information about the car they are standing beside, maybe something extra interesting detal, so there would be a REASON they are there. 

This way they just stood there, like cut flowers left at the roadside. Such a shame.