Bitterly Disappointing.

[seventiesboy]

Not really qualified to comment on this as we have only been able to go to one meet, the day meet at Trentham last October. Everyone was really chilled and friendly but as in all facets of life you can't expect people to come to you so always make an effort and say "hello," what's the worst that can happen.

Give it another chance, perhaps try Trentham2 this October. If we are there, we will say "Hi" and make you a brew.

Go on, you knpw you want to.........................


Oh and to Ian, a big thank you for all the hard work you put in.

[daveblueozzie]

Five years of hell knowing this lot all good mates, and all it took was Harry to offer to buy a pint, (first and last )picture on the top five years ago pic on the bottom at the big bash this year.

[cazzyblues]

Oh dear what a shame RB had such a bad experiance. I do think a newbie (like myself) has to be prepared to make the first move to say 'Hello' and if by chance a friendly person passes by and stops to say hello first than that is a bonus. Don't depend on others but make things happen for yourself.....not always easy but worth the effort.

[dandywarhol]

Five years of hell knowing this lot all good mates, and all it took was Harry to offer to buy a pint, (first and last )picture on the top five years ago pic on the bottom at the big bash this year.

That blue fleece has lasted well!

[Matt&JoyBongling]

Just to clarify - I wouldn't expect a manned reception point for these events but having a clearly indicated hub where people could get info. and having someone making a point of checking that each group of Bongoliers were visited and greeted some time within a few hours or so of their arrival would help break the ice. I appreciate that the organisers are doing the meet voluntarily but, for some, there is an impression that rallies are really just a chance for existing friends to get together and for noobs to join in established cliques it daunting. For others, it can be disheartening if attempts to say hello and initiate conversations are futile.

I am not exactly a shrinking violet and do make the effort of saying hello and introducing myself. Others may not be so comfortable talking to new people - even if they have made the effort of going to the meet.

For the record, I have organised a day meet during which everyone seemed to have had a good time. I am not an expert but have spoken to enough people and read enough posts to offer suggestions that I would expect would make others feel more included. Do with them as you wish.

[New Forest Terrier]

Reading these posts it really shows that every meet is different and and different people expect totally different things.

I have always found meets immensely sociable. Just try staying at a B&B on your own and you will really appreciate a field full of Bongonaughts. I will never forget struggling through a gale over a mountain pass to a welsh meet in Snowdonia to find Harry and the gang with the marquee and food. A memorably damp weekend but great fun. I did have to brave the rain to find them though and if I had stayed in the Bongo it would have just been damp isolation.

I used to have to go to a lot of places where I knew no one for work and a good tip I was given by a sales manager was have a silly name badge to get people to talk to you. I had a kids one from the gift shop at Marwell Zoo, with a pelican on it. No particular reason, just the only one with the right name. It sounded daft but really worked. It was memorable and it made contacts easy, compared to quickly forgotten introductions. It would need adapting for forum names though. Ian sells a Bongo badge which might help for meets where everyone is spread out.

A further thought not everyone likes being meeted and greeted. There are who like the site organised, but their needs stop there.

I think Ian does a great job, given such a diverse group with only Bongos in common. Anyone but a saint would have chucked me and my horrible dog off site for various offences long ago. Getting drunk and trying to talk to a tree? Although I do blame Crazy and his cider for that one.

[Dabs]

That blue fleece has lasted well!

I thought Id go for the authentic 5 year grunge look with matching beer stains and sauce slops etc.........its just the body inside the fleece that hasnt aged very well Cant afford new togs when you own a Jag...... one has to make ones sacrifices doesnt one??

Oh and it gives me the excuse not to talk to people at Bongo Meets too...............doh

Dabs

[Ian]

Just to clarify - I wouldn't expect a manned reception point for these events but having a clearly indicated hub where people could get info. and having someone making a point of checking that each group of Bongoliers were visited and greeted some time within a few hours or so of their arrival would help break the ice.

That's a good idea; I've got a spare Navigator awning (with a split pole) and we can take this to meets to use as an info point.

[dave_aber]

Sounds like a simple solution, and to be honest I reckon it would make a huge difference.

If you arrive on site and can tell where "Bongo Central" is then it gives everyone somewhere to aim for.

[Ian]

Sounds like a simple solution, and to be honest I reckon it would make a huge difference.

If you arrive on site and can tell where "Bongo Central" is then it gives everyone somewhere to aim for.

......unless they looked in the tent and found the reception committee

[karena]

I am usually a very shy person (no dont laugh) but that is the point -you wouldnt know it from the meets but outside bongo meets i am still shy and avoid large social occasions like the plague, but right from the first northwest meet we were made welcome -dont recall any official meet and greet at the first meet but do recall some-one making us a cuppa someones kids coming to tell us the games were starting some-one else holding on to the khyam in the wind.
people i have met through this site and the meets are now my best friends over the last 6 months i have needed friends and they have been there for me from helping with practical things to providing shoulders tissues when necessary.
Different people want different things some dont want to join in and are happy to sit on the fringes and thats fine it isnt butlins -if you dont introduce yourselves others dont know whether that is what you prefer -please give it another go it really is worth taking that first step.

[rooster]

Start with any small meets you see on the forum, arranged by members. Less intimidating. Then try a slightly larger meet and build up to the big organised bashes when you have made some friends. We all go through that first stage but we have met such lovely friendly people, please don't give up.

[Dabs]

but right from the first northwest meet we were made welcome -dont recall any official meet and greet at the first meet

Now now Karen I was the meet and greet at that one and if I remember rightly I gave you a peck on the cheek...........and it still didnt put you off

Dabs

[patnben]

We have been to many meets over the last 7-8 years, some meets are better than others, BUT this one was strange because of the mixture of Bongos' and other campers. It was difficult to notice a newbee Bongo person, we are pleased to say that we are returning to a friendly site at Kings Lynn next year. We would have liked to meet with you, we roamed the site several times meeting old and new Bongo friends, not on Thursday, rotten rain kept us in our Van.

My other halfs social skills are very poor, and he only speaks when spoken to, but then he gets verbal diarrhoea and you can't get away from him, especially if you want to know about technical stuff. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. We hope to see you at a future event.

Best wishes for the future meets

Pat

[flossie]

Im sorry but you only have yourselves to blame - if you want to socialise then socialise!! You are a couple? family? The common starting point is discussing Bongos with your near neighbours and let them know its your first meet you will surely be made very welcome or directed to others who might be more in the know at the very least!! How were people to know that you were part of the Bongo Bash? It may just have been coincidence that you were at a public site when a Bash was being held ... Equally turning the tables people who are attending might not want to be intrusive. At the end of the day its a social event so get out and be sociable!!

I write this as a single female Bongo owner who made some superb friends and met some great people at my first Bash - the Southern Softies back in April ...