Oracle Online

I found that walking through the buildings some people would snicker, but a few would give a friendly “Yar!” and we’d continue on our separate ways. Even in class, there was a discussion about being a pirate, what kind of pirate name we’d have and what our flag would look like.

That night there was also a pirate party, and pirate movies were shown. There were so many pirates present that not all could fit into the room. Roughly forty pirates came by through the course of the night, and that is something to be congratulated. Here’s why:

• Too often people are afraid of doing something different or acting weird.

• Too often people are only concerned with what the cute guy or girl might possibly think of them and thus they act in a certain way.

The same goes for when someone says something mildly impolite or politically incorrect and you pretend it’s not funny even though inside you’re dying. Laugh for heaven’s sake. If you can’t laugh at the world’s oddities, what can you laugh at?

For those who think this is a bunch of bull, explain why only one out of every five people would shout
“Yar!” back at me. Explain why, when I told a story and referenced someone screaming like a girl, someone thought it was impolite because I was stereotyping how girls sounded. This is people being too concerned with what other people think, or just being entirely over-sensitive. There’s probably repressed emotions there.

Now for those of you who did growl back and did act like a pirate, good for you. I do have cautionary words your way as well. It’s always fun to act differently, but sometimes it can go too far. This thought occurred to me when I heard, “Not Piper Pride, Pirate Pride.” When people start putting aside reality for a fantasy, then there are problems. For example, when people dress in kilts, bodices or Star Wars shirts five days out of the week. This is the first step to having the Renaissance Festival and the Sci-fi convention as the highlight of your year. I know that’s a stereotype, but all stereotypes are born from truth.

For those of you now cursing my name and wanting to burn this paper, let me say I have nothing against acting or dressing certain ways, to each his own. All I’m saying is that many people do have something against it.

My suggestion is just to censor at certain times. Yes, I’ll wear name brand clothes and talk about sports,
but that doesn’t mean I’m going to miss the Harry Potter premier or forget about the Magic Card tournament. I’ll even occasionally get into the Star Trek versus Star Wars debate (which Star Wars always wins). I just realize that there is a place and time for everything.

So the next time a pirate is seen on Old Main lawn, give him a “Yar!”, laugh about it and continue on with your non-pirate life. Just don’t forget to growl back once in a while.