PVS "What a Friendly Bunch of People"

[ditchp]

i had a something like this happen to me at my first vvoc meet, the difference was thought all the other people looked me up and down and walked away, i am not the kind of person to just stand back and i will make the effort to speak to people and help them out as davidjs68 said, so come on guy's let's all be grown up about this and not start a slagging off of each other, pvs is busy, i did see your car but did not see you and i was with my family too

[WeDesign]

A few replies have gone in while I was typing up, so forgive me if re-cover some ground here.

Ok guys, let’s all take a breath and calm down shall we.
I know the way the first post is written doesn’t exactly lend itself to a friendly response but to be honest we are not exactly making ourselves shine here are we !!!
All you are you are doing is taking it in turns to inflame each other, so before anyone else chucks there tuppence in have a think about it first please.
W5DSH, obviously didn’t have a good experience of us so how the hell do think he feels now after the response he got.
It’s not just what’s been written by some, but the way it is written that disappoints me.
It’s far easier to turn on the guy than face the reality of the situation isn’t it.

First up, a meet like PVS is certainly not a good way to meet and greet people, pretty obviously there are way, way too many members and their families there to make it possible to meet or great everyone.
Secondly, there is so much to see there, people will be on and off most of the day seeing and doing “the show”.
PVS is quite simply not a good first meet for members IMO, neither are any of the other big annual meets.
It would make far more sense to attend a local meet or two first so you at least know someone else there, this would make it far easier to join in an existing conversation and get introduced.
Better still, make the extra effort to do the camping the night before or after, I know everyone cannot do this, but it is by far the best place to chill out, have something to eat and drink and really get to know the people behind the cars.
It’s just the people at the camping, no distractions (well ok one or two) but this is where you will really get to meet the people behind the cars and usernames.
Again, coming back to local meets, this is by far the better way to introduce yourself and get to meet people for those that cannot camp.
Sorry but I have seen and heard all this before even with the best of the friendliest clubs, the big shows are just not the place to meet everyone for the first time, and there is no simple answer to this.

Well said that man ...

[John35]

Whilst I do know some of the members I introduced myself to some others I did not know. To make life easier I wore my shirt with my name on it at the campsite and PVS. I met new members and some I had met before. I can vouch for Duncan and Caterman as they both came up to me and had a quick chat. I didn't get the chance to meet everyone but there was no malice intended. VectraMat came up to me right at the end for a quick introduction. ( nice to meet you )

I do agree that a quick informal gathering and a quick introduction would help ease new members especially as they don't have a named shirt.

You do need to make an effort yourself IMHO....

[W5 DSH]

We know there is alot of hard work that goes into these meets, and we were NOT asking for our BOTTOMS to be wiped...... Maybe a friendly Hello.... A smile.... and Thanks for coming.... even if you have to leave early.... would have made a difference..... I DO NOT enjoy the higher members of this forum.. swearing at me!! And more or less telling me to get lost..... I THINK you should re read your responses...... would you have taken the threads off if i had replyed like that!!!

[nutron]

I'm rather upset at all the rude comment in this thread. I remember my first PVS, I got up and came over, shook some hands and introduced myself and still got blanked. I felt much the same as these obviously do and I spoke out about it and got much the same reception. It's easy to say why didn't you come and talk to me, bla, bla, bla but at the end of the day it's not easy for everyone to just walk upto what are effectively strangers and start talking.

PVS isn't an ideal meet for most first timers, as groups form which can feel intimidating and the mass of people means it is easy to get ignored (I had to set my car on fire for attention! ). I understand how you feel completely and I would suggest you go to some smaller regional meetings as they will be much easier to join in with and get to know some people.

If you want, I'll blow up your car next year, then they'll all come see

[glynn]

i turned up to say hi an introduce myself to a few members and i apologies to other members that i didn't get to say hi too , i also was with 2 off my kids and had to carry to wings all the way back to the enterance as that was where i parked had dead fingers when i got back

[Mrs GSi]

Well i would just like to say what a good day out , great weather, great stands and what a friendly bunch of folks on some of the stands.
It is a pity that when we arrived on Vectra-c stand during the whole day only 2 people came over to see/talk to us, no sign from any of the organisers (to our disappointment).
But at least our RO "Big Phil" spoke to us on arrival Cheers Mate!!!

Well lets hope the BMW owners club , have more a more friendly approach to fellow members.

I am sorry that you feel this way, I did come over to see you but at the time some people were trying to help with your brakes, and when I came back you had gone to walk around.

I know that I did not manage to get to see everyone, but I walked round the stand several times through out the day to try to meet people.

I hope that you Mum gets well soon and understand that you could not come up on Saturday, family always comes first.

[Caterman]

A few replies have gone in while I was typing up, so forgive me if re-cover some ground here.

Ok guys, let’s all take a breath and calm down shall we.
I know the way the first post is written doesn’t exactly lend itself to a friendly response but to be honest we are not exactly making ourselves shine here are we !!!
All you are you are doing is taking it in turns to inflame each other, so before anyone else chucks there tuppence in have a think about it first please.
W5DSH, obviously didn’t have a good experience of us so how the hell do think he feels now after the response he got.
It’s not just what’s been written by some, but the way it is written that disappoints me.
It’s far easier to turn on the guy than face the reality of the situation isn’t it.

First up, a meet like PVS is certainly not a good way to meet and greet people, pretty obviously there are way, way too many members and their families there to make it possible to meet or great everyone.
Secondly, there is so much to see there, people will be on and off most of the day seeing and doing “the show”.
PVS is quite simply not a good first meet for members IMO, neither are any of the other big annual meets.
It would make far more sense to attend a local meet or two first so you at least know someone else there, this would make it far easier to join in an existing conversation and get introduced.
Better still, make the extra effort to do the camping the night before or after, I know everyone cannot do this, but it is by far the best place to chill out, have something to eat and drink and really get to know the people behind the cars.
It’s just the people at the camping, no distractions (well ok one or two) but this is where you will really get to meet the people behind the cars and usernames.
Again, coming back to local meets, this is by far the better way to introduce yourself and get to meet people for those that cannot camp.
Sorry but I have seen and heard all this before even with the best of the friendliest clubs, the big shows are just not the place to meet everyone for the first time, and there is no simple answer to this.

I have to agree with you there Martin BUT we are so passionate about this club that it cuts deep when all our efforts are attacked the way they were in the opening post
PVS, TRAX, etc as you say are the biggest meets and therefore not the easiest to get around to meet people. Again, it comes down to the individual and how they are at mixing with others. If people don't want to get involved no-one is asking them to but by the same token, don't come on here complaining when it is obvious that there is so much to organise that it is simply impossible to get to meet everyone and spend time getting to know them. That is for the local meets. Get to know your local people then when the Nationals are here at least then you will know someone.

[nutron]

Can PVS come with a warning to new members next year?

(No comments about gas masks being required)

[WeDesign]

Can PVS come with a warning to new members next year?

I was a new member but thanks to yourself telling me my car needed tuning lol and others mention in my posts made it a great weekend.

Many thanks to evetone for a great weekend, looking forward to the next event