Rolling up to the club: How do I NOT embarrass myself in front of the bonsai society?

[Carol 83]

I wasn't here for @Smoke's thong days,

That's not a bad thing......

 

[Carol 83]

Welcome to B-nut! Hopefully you will find us welcoming and I'm sure any club you join will be as well.

 

[KikurageOtomo]

After a bit of apprehension myself I joined the local club about two years back. Even as somebody who excells at scouring the internet for further bonsai information there are some finer details of your localized climate and bonsai species that only seasoned, local individuals can provide you. Participating in the annual show has also been instrumental for developing the skills and knowledge to prepare for showing seriously in the future. It goes without saying that socializing with real people is the only way we can build community as practitioners and ensure a continuous body of fine bonsai in this country.

 

[Srt8madness]

Just got the pun about "rolling up" to the club Bring that sense of humor and I'm sure you'll be a hit.

 

[Kievnstavick]

In my experience, clubs tend to be very welcoming to non-members (especially younger people).

As others have mentioned, don't show up and present yourself as a know-it-all. Engage with the group, bring up ideas, and ask questions.

The bonsai people I have met tend enjoy talking about their trees as is somewhat an expression of themselves which another person has taken interest in.

One of the bigger noob mistakes when it comes to going to a meeting is to bring a stick in a small pot with potting soil that you repotted yourself. It kind of gives off a negative first impression from both sides.

 

[michaelj]

Even if you're well-read on this passion of ours, accept that you don't know much about it yet, and act like you know even less than you actually do. Say hello, let people know you're new, you really like it and you want to learn more. At most places, they'll trip over one another to try to help you. Once that happens, accept their help and go for it. The biggest mistake I made, during my first, failed, venture into bonsai, was to sit back and stay passive at club meetings due to fear of looking stupid, and I compounded that by not taking workshops or lessons. Made more than a decade of "experience" a waste of time.

 

[Potawatomi13]

Be humble! Explain personal ignorance/willingness to learn. Ask if mentoring is available.

 

[Cajunrider]

I should add, that all the clubs I know of are always ecstatic when a younger person shows up. As you said, clubs are mostly full of olds.

Young and humble bonsaists will inevitably inherit all the bonsai of the olds

 

[halkentjr]

my experience is that clubs are mostly made of people who like to socialize. you'll prob find them quite welcoming. if youre really concerned, make banana bread for the meeting.

 

[rockm]

Hello everybody. I'm new to bonsai; as of right now I only have a pre-bonsai (zanthoxylum simulans) that I'm growing until its trunk is more satisfying and some ficus benjamina cuttings that I'm propagating for bonsai purposes. The ficus will probably suffer some mangling, but I have virtually infinite ficus, and I think that if I get my "Baby's First Bonsai" mistakes out on the ficus that I'll have a better idea of what I'm doing by the time the z. simulans is ready for some action in x months/years.

With that out of the way... my local bonsai society's online calendar rarely lists meetings/events where "non-members" are welcome (multiple months apart), the next being a public showing at an event in late August. I want to say hello and and hopefully be invited to get involved with the club. Because there don't seem to be many non-members-allowed events to introduce myself at, I'm extra keen on not looking like a total donkey. Other factors to note are that (as far as I can tell from their website) most of the members seem to be older and elderly men, and I'm a woman in my 20s. I'm also disabled and walk with a cane, and sometimes use a wheelchair (which I will likely be using on the day). I want to be part of the spirit of "passing knowledge to the next generation". I don't want to be instantly dismissed or seen as incompetent.

So, besides NOT rolling up to the club and declaring my adoration for the art of "bohn-zai", does anyone have advice for me on how to make a decent impression?

Be yourself. Ask questions if you're comfortable enough and LISTEN to the answers. You don't have to be self-conscious and you won't look like an ass. Believe me, club members will bend over backwards for enthusiastic new members. Bonsai people for the most part are pretty mellow and those who are passionate about it WANT you to be curious and ask about things.

 

[HighDesertBonsai]

Hello everybody. I'm new to bonsai; as of right now I only have a pre-bonsai (zanthoxylum simulans) that I'm growing until its trunk is more satisfying and some ficus benjamina cuttings that I'm propagating for bonsai purposes. The ficus will probably suffer some mangling, but I have virtually infinite ficus, and I think that if I get my "Baby's First Bonsai" mistakes out on the ficus that I'll have a better idea of what I'm doing by the time the z. simulans is ready for some action in x months/years.

With that out of the way... my local bonsai society's online calendar rarely lists meetings/events where "non-members" are welcome (multiple months apart), the next being a public showing at an event in late August. I want to say hello and and hopefully be invited to get involved with the club. Because there don't seem to be many non-members-allowed events to introduce myself at, I'm extra keen on not looking like a total donkey. Other factors to note are that (as far as I can tell from their website) most of the members seem to be older and elderly men, and I'm a woman in my 20s. I'm also disabled and walk with a cane, and sometimes use a wheelchair (which I will likely be using on the day). I want to be part of the spirit of "passing knowledge to the next generation". I don't want to be instantly dismissed or seen as incompetent.

So, besides NOT rolling up to the club and declaring my adoration for the art of "bohn-zai", does anyone have advice for me on how to make a decent impression?

@swiper
You are 100% overthinking this my friend.
I am the president of our local club in Boise and I can tell you that we will welcome you with open arms and do everything we can to accommodate you and your needs. Please PM me or reach out directly via our club site - phone number is listed (call text, email). I will work with you directly and get you going.

Looking forward to chatting with you.
Jon

 

[leatherback]

Contrary to popular believe, most bonsai clubs are not overloaded with members. If you have a little hubrus and are genuinely interested in bonsai you will be fine.

Now.. I fyou decide to go the thongs only route, make sure it is pink.

 

[RoadManDenDron]

Thank you for this post, through lockdown my local club was obviously (like everyone else) closed.

I had not checked back for a while but this thread prompted me to look and its back active, sadly I missed a class with Corrin Tomlinson (from Greenwood bonsai studio here in UK and on YouTube) and next meeting is a swap shop/table sale.

I started putting myself off thinking they may think I am just trying to get along to snag bargains to resell or if they would even want me to join etc.

I just received the most welcoming email, even inviting me to the chairman's own home to view his trees some time, you encouraged me to take the leap, hopefully knowing it went so well for me can encourage you too!

I can now +1 to the above comments about welcoming and open to new members.

 

[Sansokuu]

Just listen to folks, and no need to show off any knowledge and such. Don’t be that person trying to ’fit in’ by mansplaining and bragging about what you know. It is a quick way to look pretty foolish (had a run in with a troll today pretending to know what a good tree looks like, and then I see ‘the perfect bonsai’ he purchased recently and it was a mallsai - not to poopoo those types of trees and the people that gravitate towards them but the yamadori he was making a snarky comment on and mallsai are on different levels. Like taco bell vs. michelin star restaurant levels. ) folks can tell you’re a beginner but they love to help beginners out as long as you are humble and genuinely open minded about learning. That said, have fun !

 

[jszg]

Don't say; "your soil sucks," "you should use x for soil", or any version of these. In fact, be careful even saying "soil".

and don't call the other guys 'soil', dirt (even if it is!)

 

[leatherback]

and don't call the other guys 'soil', dirt (even if it is!)

I would guess, nobody cares?

 

[Relic37]

I'd say take a basket of freshly made chocolate chip cookies to pass around as a way of introduction. If they turn out to be condescending jerks, then when you leave tell 'em the little bits of chocolate were actually Ex-Lax. They'll never forget you...

 

[Laddo]

speaking in terms of small clubs/organizations/associations in general in any field - most of these clubs are struggling for new members and are extremely welcoming to any living breathing person that walks through the door. I'm not yet in any bonsai clubs, but i am in multiple other hobbyist clubs, business associations, trade associations, etc. There are always a few bad apples, but the vast majority are nice, respectful folk eager to teach what they know. ESPECIALLY to younger people. This is just my experience but if i were you, I wouldnt worry too much about that.

 

[RKatzin]

Hello everybody. I'm new to bonsai; as of right now I only have a pre-bonsai (zanthoxylum simulans) that I'm growing until its trunk is more satisfying and some ficus benjamina cuttings that I'm propagating for bonsai purposes. The ficus will probably suffer some mangling, but I have virtually infinite ficus, and I think that if I get my "Baby's First Bonsai" mistakes out on the ficus that I'll have a better idea of what I'm doing by the time the z. simulans is ready for some action in x months/years.

With that out of the way... my local bonsai society's online calendar rarely lists meetings/events where "non-members" are welcome (multiple months apart), the next being a public showing at an event in late August. I want to say hello and and hopefully be invited to get involved with the club. Because there don't seem to be many non-members-allowed events to introduce myself at, I'm extra keen on not looking like a total donkey. Other factors to note are that (as far as I can tell from their website) most of the members seem to be older and elderly men, and I'm a woman in my 20s. I'm also disabled and walk with a cane, and sometimes use a wheelchair (which I will likely be using on the day). I want to be part of the spirit of "passing knowledge to the next generation". I don't want to be instantly dismissed or seen as incompetent.

So, besides NOT rolling up to the club and declaring my adoration for the art of "bohn-zai", does anyone have advice for me on how to make a decent impression?

Be yourself, put on the donkey suit and walk right in like you belong there. If you showed up at our meeting I know you would be welcome.

 

[Cajunrider]

my experience is that clubs are mostly made of people who like to socialize. you'll prob find them quite welcoming. if youre really concerned, make banana bread for the meeting.

'nana bread??
Nah.... bring beer, nuts, and some jerky.