Giving Criticism

Okay, so this one bothered me.

When I got to Uprising, one of our young fencers came running up to me to show off his new prize - a buckler he'd made himself. I checked it over, and it was ugly, I think anyone who was there knows the one I mean. But like I said, I checked it out and pointed out a couple of flaws with it (it had some 1/4" holes in it) and told him the marshal might bounce it because of them and, yes, I'll admit I ribbed him some about it's appearance, but I also told him it was a very creative first try.

Now what I'd expected to happen was that he'd show it to the marshal and it'd get bounced for the holes (heaven knows I've had my equipment bounced for stupider things), but what happened was that the marshal ignored the holes (see The Society Rapier Handbook, Protective Gear:2.B.ii, I know it's meant for masks, but it can be interpreted to apply to other parts of your equipment), and let the young man take it on the field.

Where he was greeted by several rounds of "My God! That's ugly, how could you even think of bringing it on the field?" For some reason, he bowed out of the melees early. And refused to go to the Chivaly Circle. And refused to take part in any of the tournaments. When I tracked him down and asked him why, he said that he didn't need a bunch of white scarves telling him his buckler was ugly and he should be ashamed to bring it out on the field.

Thank you guys, you just killed rapier for a young man.

Vivat.

Okay, yes it was ugly. But I have to ask if anyone even looked at the fencer carrying it? He was 16, with purely store-bought equipment. I mean, even without the buckler, he just screamed "new fencer." Wouldn't it have been better to play Laurel and find at least one good thing about it ("I like that you painted it") before tearing him down? Or, even better yet, offer to, or suggest someone who could help him make a better one? I know I tried that, but by that time, he was so defensive from the repeated attacks that he refused to even think of giving up his buckler.

I hope that I'm wrong. I hope that he isn't getting ready to abandon us in favor of the armored fighters who praised his creativity, rather than criticize his appearance, but whatever the results may be with the young man, it makes me glad that I don't wear a scarf that would tie me to such wonderful people as our supposed paragons of fencing.