First Bonsai Society Meeting

Shifty

Hey guys. Went to my first bonsai society meeting on the weekend. Felt a little out of place as nobody was very interested in speaking to me. I had a few little conversations with people but nothing very useful. I approached a couple of older guys who were chatting away and said hi. They both looked at me and walked off - LOL. I dont have any horrible disfigurements and I had showered that morning so I just put it down to them being cranky old buggers. The people on the mic talked about tree selction for beginners which I found a little useful, but it was pretty basic stuff which i found strange considering most of the 100 or so people there looked as though they had been doing bonsai for decades. They then had a show and tell - there were some great looking trees including and amazing ficus that was about 50 years old. Just beautiful. Maybe next month will be better.

One positive that came out of the meeting was that there was a box full of small starter bonsai with a label that read "free trees - please help yourself" - of course I did as I had no trees of my own yet. There were a few junipers that I wasnt quick enough to grab but I managed to grab a 2 year old Chamaecyparis Obtusa Chabo Yadori. I was very happy with that - i mean the price was right huh!! There was also a 2 year old trident maple that sat there for the whole meeting but I didnt want to seem like some sort of freebie whore - so I missed out on that one! LOL

SO yeah - just wanted to let you guys know how I went..

Shift

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pootsie

Shifty:

Onya, mate! I've found cranky old buggers to be a staple of bonsai club membership, but there are plenty of friendly folk there, too. You just need to jump in with both feet and introduce yourself at every meeting until someone bothers to recognize you, and eventually they warm up.

pootsie

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p.s. My cat is a bonsaiTALK Master.
Columbus Bonsai Society

Joanie

Shifty, there are nice people in every club. Go up and compliment people on their trees. Ask them for the life history of the tree. They will start to talk to you. Don't worry, you'll get into the swing of things quickly.

Good for you!
Joanie

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Ashbarns9999

LOL Shifty glad you were made feel welcome. Next time mention you talk to a bloke who lives near John & Shirley White that should break the ice a bit. They were stalwarts of Canberra Bonsai Society until they moved down to Gippsland. However you faced nothing different from any newbie on a first time visit to a big club. They will surprise you as they get to know you and your first impression will be turned around. She'll be right mate keep just keep turnin up. Ash

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rockm

You have to forgive the cranks. They are around, unfortunately. They usually rather bad trees to match their attitude. Keep at it. I would bet the "good guys" outnumber the cranky old useless guys in the club.

jo schmoo

i went to my first club meeting last year at this time. there were about 50 people there and i was the youngest by an average of 40 yrs or so (imagine some of the looks the old fogeys gave me being 16 yrs old). i didn't talk to that many people, but this year should be different because i'm the new librarian.

do what you can to get involved in the club, people'll start to notice you at least.

jo

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RWard

I read your post with interest. I haven't been around the forum for a couple of weeks because I have been busy, but I also attended my first bonsai society meeting a few weeks back, along with my two daughters. I can only say that the reception we received was great. Pootsie suggested we attend, and I am glad we did. He was a huge help, and the people around us were friendly and helpful as well. We are certainly looking forward to the next meeting.

Pootsie, I hope you read this, because I want to publicly say thanks for suggesting we look into it, and for being a friend from the start. I think my daughters are already looking forward to the "field trip" later in the year, and are making bigger plans than I have time and money for. I certainly don't mind though, I enjoy spending as much time with them as I can.