Forums > Social Chat > Fire Ettiquette - hissy fits

Posted: 30th Apr 2001
I have to say Flash Fire I think you were loads more patient than I would have been. I tend to be a bit possessive of my toys when I am performing (playing is a whole nother thing) and hate for them to be touched by anyone else. I also would've bopped him gently to let him know exactly how serious I was about not interupting my flow. It was insane of him and I do not think you were at all out of line. However, I would find who ever was the head of this thing and let him know about the other person's behaviour for two reasons...I wouldn't want anyone thinking that someone who behaved so unprofessionally was associated with me and as a producer, I would want to know if someone I hired acted so unprofessionally so as not to hire them again, you know?If you choose to let it drop though, just have faith in that you handled him with al curteousness, to an extreme I don't think he deserved. Group fire dancing may be about sharing but it seems this man could preach the lesson bu not follow it, as you described him as a spotlight/attention hog with a me-first you share complex...IMHO.------------------Pele Higher, higher burning fire...making music like a choir...[This message has been edited by Pele (edited 30 April 2001).]

Pele
Higher, higher burning fire...making music like a choir
"Oooh look! A pub!" -exclaimed after recovering from a stupid fall
"And for the decadence of art, nothing beats a roaring fire." -TMK

Posted: 29th Apr 2001
Problem is Pele that this guy is the head of Rainbow Circus in Sydney, he's not just some guy off the street.He did have valid points about "not doing individual stuff", but hey like flash said, we just got up and did some stuff, the crowd seemed stoked and we all had fun, sorry if i dont find standing in a line doing giant butterflies very interesting . . . .I think its all differences of opinion and he is not purely into the fire thing, but all circus acts and pleasing the crowd, where as we are interested in improving ourselves and having a dance and in that way impressing the crowds.He was very over bearing, and esp considering he had only met us this one time i too get grated when people pick up my staff and poi without asking and proceeed to light up and dump them elsewhere. Many times have flash, finn and i had to wait around for some other people to finish passing back our toys.I dont know, but when i didnt have my own poi, i bought some, i didnt go and annoy someone else who has having a mad time playing asking for their equipment, i hate it when im in the middle of a spin and someone comes up and interupts me . . . .In the end, i never saw this incident cause i had gone home, but i can vividly imagine him doing this, i think a fit over someone else's opinions while dancing is stupid....although it would have been great to have been able to use and get into their circus space, i dont think any of us really need that kind of dominating attitude to our dancing

- Industrial design knows of no article more useful than the milk crate -

Posted: 29th Apr 2001
I'm with Pele. I've only gotten into public performing recently, but there are a few obvious rules:People performing together should be on the same page. If you are performing with friends and some new guy, it is reasonable for you and your friends to have an understanding, and the new guy needs to get the story straight in advance.Don't mess with other people's stuff unless they invite you to.Beyond the substance of this guy's misbehavior, it sounds like his attitude was in serious need of readjustment.

Laugh while you can, monkey-boy

Posted: 29th Apr 2001
I was there too, on & off, I didn't see this incident but otherwise the vibe seemed really positive & people were having fun.I agree with you, that guy was out of line.He didn't know you so it's especially rude to help yourself to someone else's stuff. Amongst friends it's probably ok, but generally I still ask cause there's no excuse not to be courteous.You guys weren’t being paid as performers so it’s your playtime, play as you wish.In terms of interrupting, it’s not good form but I have to admit, I do it sometimes amongst friends. Otherwise, it’s best to hang around passively until the twirler voluntarily stops to light you up or if you’re desperate to burn, use a lighter. It’s not like the bloody flame came from Greece by relay.And the temper tantrum, well, I’d just treat him like a 4-year-old.firenomad

Posted: 29th Apr 2001
I don't think I'd have the nerve to even ask to borrow someone's equipment if they're evidently going to be using it, let alone take it! But him complaining when he's on the receiving end of a huge favour is just downright inconsiderate, whatever the situation.

Posted: 29th Apr 2001
Yeah Firenomad, its always different among friends and also like u said, it was our fun time, we had no obligation to anyone but ourselves . . .I mean sometimes ill light off other people, but when they stop for break or finish up or something, but i wouldnt walk up to someone i dont know and demand they pass their sticks on, which is pretty much what he was doing

- Industrial design knows of no article more useful than the milk crate -

Posted: 29th Apr 2001
Ok so I’ll watch out for menace man from rainbow.I always feel a sense of guilt when I get possessive about my equipment because it’s not really in the spirit of twirling but I guess we’re all human and a little consideration of others goes a long way to making our world a better place.FirenomadHappiness and insight to ya.

Posted: 29th Apr 2001
Yeah i think the same thing, i should share etc etc, but when it comes down to it, i brought them along so i can play, we bought the fuel (which doesnt go a very long way).If its a selfish attitude then i guess im guilty, but if im not using my poi or stick, for sure if someone asks i dont say no...

- Industrial design knows of no article more useful than the milk crate -

Posted: 29th Apr 2001
Yep, i'm with ya on that. I don't appreciate insistent non-contributing fuel hogs either. It's nice to be asked.

AnonymousPLATINUM Member

Posted: 29th Apr 2001
i think you handled it well, i mean look you never lost your temper once, and you couldnt have known that he would act that way at the first time you confronted him. although it was hardly a confrontation at all. look at it this way, he was pushing you around all night, and you took it. then you ask him to stop interrupting you, (i assume this is the first time you "confront him") and he just goes off the deep end. obviously the guy had some issues or was under the influence of something. it was clearly not your fault.

Posted: 29th Apr 2001
Flash, I don't think it's a selfish attitude to want your gear looked after and to have some basic manners when dealing with people - just reality. We work hard making our gear, sourcing our fuel, making things safe, etc, that when our tools and our art are not treated with the respect we think they deserve, we get a bit miffed.I have to agree with Pele also , performing and playing are two very different things. Most of us share willingly when playing, as for some of us, that's how we first learnt the joy of poi But performing brings a whole different set of possibilities and perspectives. He should have pulled his head in after accepting your invitation to perform at the festival and respected your performance (however formal or informal) for what it was - a valuable donation to the people of Surry Hills.

Posted: 29th Apr 2001
Did we hit you with our Wednesday night things yet Firenomad?You should come down, if ya want some more details should give me an email....its in newtown at 7:30 on wednesdays

- Industrial design knows of no article more useful than the milk crate -

Posted: 30th Apr 2001
Thanks, that'd cool. It's a bad night for me but I'll make it when I can.

AnonymousPLATINUM Member

Posted: 30th Apr 2001
Well, I guess I join the chorus in saying this guy was way off. Seems he has a certain way of doing things and can't deal with others that don't follow. I think Pele's hit the nail on the head. I know I've ragged on people for not passing the flame. It's a very useful technique in maintaining the flow of a set. By no means necessary though. I've also ragged on people for breaking my flow to light them. I tried to tell one fella to sculk in, to match my flow if you want to get lit in the middle of my set and I'll lit you at an appropriate time. He would just stand there and say "hey, light me." Anyway, no worries about being protective of your tools. The way I look at it, my fire tools are a lot like the tools some use for magical practices. I wouldn't just go into someone's house and pick up something from their altar without asking. That's how I feel about fire tools. Oh, well, temper tantrum's right. Sorry for all the fuss. Diana

Posted: 30th Apr 2001
Funny thing, passing the flame doesn't seem that big a deal with most folks down here, but the impression I get is that when people decide to do it, the timing is up to the lighter, not the lightee. Which makes more sense to me.

Laugh while you can, monkey-boy

AnonymousPLATINUM Member

Posted: 30th Apr 2001
i dont see what difference where it is lit from makes. it is the heat that lights it not the fire, and when it does light, it is its own fire. the fire does not travel from one to the other, each is its own separate flame, and it will be the same flame whether it is lit from a lighter, a tongue, another person's poi, or anything else. Its something of a cool idea, passing the flame, but certainly nothing to pms over.redbrotherGod bless

Posted: 30th Apr 2001
differences in oppinion/ettiquetter are common but he was blatentely out of line to forget common manners and(in my opinion ), to interupt your routine. i often stop a routine to help friend re-light but not because they were standing there pressuring me or tryin to get my attention.dont let people like that ruin yuor night. spin on.