If you've got any General Questions about Meets in General please ask here and I'll flesh this post out with some proper answers over the coming weeks.
As a starter for 10:
Why?
Well if you hang around Hexus you'll see that we're all a good bunch of people who are reasonably like minded. I thought it would be nice to put names to faces (and real names) and get some of these like minded people in one place for a day of fun. It seems to have worked.
Do people call me by my real name or my Forum Name?
We do a quick introduction, usually starting with Forum name as that's what people will associate with. Usually accompanied by an "ahhh so that's who you are!". Then we'll go back round and introduce by real name. You can call me Rai, Rachel, Tigs, Tigger, Tiggerai. I really don't mind.
Why do you need my mobile number?
If you're attending a meet, its very important that I have your mobile number, I will always send mine back again so you can get in touch if need be. If you're delayed, or our meeting place happens to be a building site, then it's important that we can call on Plan B. (This has happened before)
You can also PM/text/call me if you've got any troubles or if there's a sensitive issue you'd like me to take account of (skintness, eating issues, mobility issues)
I'm quite shy, is a Hexus meet for me?
Oh hell yes. I've had all sorts of people turn up, from the downright OTT to the overly shy. We don't do cliques, we don't stay in our little groups and we definitely don't leave people out. If you are a bit shy, come along and just have some fun.
HELP!
A lot of people have lots of questions or fears about meeting random (and we define random) people from the internet. I will assure you that we are not weird, overly geeky or just downright psycho. We're normal people getting together to share a common ground.
Please feel free to contact me, or any other social veteran (in green) who I'm sure will be more than happy to answer any questions.
What do you guys do at these meets?
The normal patern is usually meet for lunch and cake, some drinking and cake, chatting and cake, more drinking and cake, then off to do something slightly touristy. Visits to parks are good, so are sea life centers, Stately Homes come secret WW2 research centers, and large victorian bridges. We have been known to go out at night as well, but this all depends on where the meet is, where people are staying and what is on in the area.
Doesn't the conversation get a bit too geeky?
Not really, it can at times, but that is by no means the main topic of conversation. We mostly talk about our jobs, hobbies and other interests. It's a fascinating bunch of people!
I'm under 18 can I come along?
All are welcome, however the usual meeting places are pubs so we would need to work round that limitation. If you are under 18 and would like to come along please let us know in the thread well before hand so arrangements can be made. A responsible adult would need to be in attendance with you too.
Tigs edit: We will try to state if there is an age limit for any activites, generally the "Day" part of a meet will be suitable for Families and those under 18.
"Evening" activities will start after dinner, we will make sure anyone who cannot attend from this point on is safely back on transport home before we leave!
If you are under 18, please make sure that someone responsible knows where you are, guardians are more than welcome to get in touch if they have reservations.
When are you going to have a meet in <insert home town here>?
Eventually... maybe. Some places are easier to get to than others, some places have more Hexus members than others. There is a lot more chance of a meet happening near you if there are others in the areas that are going to show up as well.
Can I bring a friend/better half along
Answer: Yes it is actively encouraged. The more the merrier.
What if I get lost?
Before the meet, the Social Organiser will PM you a mobile phone number that you can ring at any time in case you get lost, turn up late etc.
Please ensure that you have sent a contact number back again in case plans change at a moments notice!
I'm not particularly flush at the moment, will a meet cost a lot?
At all times we try and keep the cost of a meet to a minimum, we're all being credit crunched at the moment!
We will try and use any vouchers or other cost saving devices when choosing an activity!
I have special requirements (disabilities, eating requirements, religion etc)
Please let us know, we try to be completely inclusive to everyone on HEXUS.
If you have a special requirement, please let the Social Organiser know by PM and they will do their best to accommodate you.
We have in the past chosen wheelchair accessible eateries or accommodated special eating requirements. These aren't an issue, but we need to know for some forward planning!
Help I can't get there/I live too far away etc
Dont worry, if you want to come to a meet, stick a post up in the social forum or in the actual even thread itself, and theres a good chance there will be someone else coming from your general direction, so you may be able to hitch a lift, or at the very least can get advice on how to get there and rough pricing.
The Original Post is here: http://forums.hexus.net/general-disc...ocial-faq.html
A few of the older links for some nostalgic reading:
History of the "Green" name changes: http://forums.hexus.net/general-disc...tch-space.html
The December "Birthday" Meet - 10 Years AGO! (yes, the clever amongst you will be able to work out how old I am this year) - http://forums.hexus.net/general-disc...on-keynes.html
Roll Call - August 2008 - http://forums.hexus.net/general-disc...roll-call.html
So up to November 2008 we had done 11 Meets and 2 LANs! Wow! I didn't realise I got about so much!