I have to admit the first thing I thought of when I saw this on thie schedule was the invite-only party at Boston. I think it is great, that the reception is opened up this Wikimania. I am excited about this event, really excited. Perhaps because it was such a surprise to me while I expected all the other great things planned. Not just because it will be fun, but because of the soft effects of having everyone connect at one event the night before the main schedule begins. The two-tiered parties at Boston, I did not feel so excited about.
What is going to D.C. without a (semi-)formal party anyways? Those that dislike the dress code need to understand that D.C. is different from other places. If the event were in SF, there would be no probably be particular emphasis on dress code no matter how swank the venue. But D.C. is a different culture, and the organizers will continue living in D.C. long after Wikimania is over. We shouldn't be willing to embarrass them because we find it inconvient to conform. I don't see how the organizers could avoid having this sort of reception where they can invite all the sponsors to meet Jimmy. I am sure every one can think of the things that are relevant to their own culture that organizations do to thank those that give them money. Things that are only optional if you rate the abiltity to look the sponsors in the eye without blushing as optional. In D.C., it is inviting funders to a party with certain minimum standards, that would not seem very minimal in most other US cities. They didn't have invite everyone of course, but I for one appreciate that. BirgitteSB On Jun 23, 2012, at 7:49 AM, Bence Damokos <bdamokos@g mail.com> write: > Hi all, > > Can we please stop arguing and demotivating the organizers who have put > together a very nice event for us? > > The event will be a reception held in a very prestigious building in the > evening, where people from the cultural sector and outside Wikimania will > attend, including representatives of foreign cultural institutions > represented on the East Coast if I understood correctly. Going to such an > event in T-shirts and jeans would look out of place under almost all > circumstances. > > Fortunately, the event's invitation and dress code (which was set at the > minimal level acceptable for such an event in such a venue) was published > well in advance so that everyone who can and wants to can pack their > suitcases accordingly. > > As I gather, a number of Wikimanias had formal, or invitation-only receptions > before the official programmes, though I am not sure they had a dress code; I > am actually quite happy that this year's reception will actually be open to > the attendees. We should celebrate that – this is certainly not an elaborate > plot to suit up attendees or to exclude anyone. I am especially happy to see > strong cultural programmes as side events this year, apart from the usual > parties. > > Whatever you may say about traditions that are not the same as general > Wikimania traditions; we should be open to celebrate others' cultures and > traditions and receptions with dress codes are just as much cultural > experiences as anything else you may experience. You are not forced to > partake in this experience, but cultural sensitivity requires that if you do > want to participate you respect the modest requirements on dressing and > thereby show respect to the organizers, the event and the other participants; > and if you do not want to participate, that you try not to spoil the > enjoyment of others. > > The reception is scheduled to last about 90 minutes, after [and during] which > everyone will have an opportunity to enjoy city life with or without other > attendees in whatever clothes they find appropriate for a warm summer evening. > > Best regards, > Bence > _______________________________________________ > Wikimania-l mailing list > [email protected] > https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l _______________________________________________ Wikimania-l mailing list [email protected] https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l
