So, freshman in college. I discover that there is a Sci-Fi/Fantasy club. Great. I've always liked that and it would be nice to talk to others about that. So I go to one of their meetings.
Now, I have to say that I was "welcomed" in that people talked to me and no one gave me a vibe of "go away." But as the meeting started, there was a great deal of "in jokes" and such. Initially, I took that in stride because I was new to the group. But the "in jokes" were to obtuse and related to past club events that I simply couldn't relate.
If I experienced this today, I would equate it to the Star Trek: TNG Darmok episode.
The end result left me feeling like I would always be an outsider in this group. As a result, I decided that they weren't worth my time. Over the next few years, I would meet up with members as part of my education. They would try to get me to attend their meetings and I would explain why I don't go - yet they never really "got" it.
As time went on, members graduated and weren't replaced by new people (hence current members trying to get me to go) and the club dwindled. By the time I graduated, the club was no more.
This is how I felt at Tandy Assembly sometimes. I can't assess whether there are more or less people going each year, having only gone once. But I really hope this doesn't happen to them and that they become more aware of how "outsiders" feel when attending. It's nice to see old friends getting together, but they need to be more aware, and a little more accommodating, to new people too and not assume that "everyone" knows.
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