This recent post just about covers it all. Sorry that it's a little long; I didn't author it:
How to get an invitation to an M&G
(By the D.C. M&G Co-ordinator)
I apologize for being blunt but since XXXXXXX and YYYYYYY have asked...
There are concerns that are mine as the organizer and concerns that are from the rest of the board. So when I say "We" sometimes it's the few people I trust that help me organize these things and sometimes it's all of us on the board and part of this community that I am speaking for. I hope they will allow me that courtesy.
I do check people out before they get invited. I want to insure everyone's security, and discretion is one of our most important standards. It's why I ask for your name and your phone number. You provide it to see a lady, why not for 30 ladies. I am the only one who sees it and it is never posted anywhere. We don't post about the M&G on the boards before hand and the location goes out at the last minute. We've canceled some parties in the past because we didn't feel that everyone's safety was assured.
This is going to sound harsh, and it is not meant as a personal attack, but is really to address all of you gentlemen out there who want to attend an M&G.
There are 3 things that I look at: Reviews, Posts and References.
As it stands, you two will not be invited.
Here's why.
We hardly know you. XXXXXXX, you have ZERO reviews, why don't you like to share your info with the rest of us? I like to see at least 6 reviews.
In the past 6 months YYYYYYY has 4 posts. Way too unknown for most of us. XXXXXXX, you have only 14 posts on the DC board. Our standard has been 24 posts in 6 months, but it's also what your posts say. While your banter is respectful and fun, you ask for info with out offering any. I saw only twice that you attempted to help someone out on the board, and one of those times you "personally had no info". You need to get engaged and share info with everyone here. You're on the right track so keep it up. 24 posts is once a week, there are over 100 threads in the past week, respond to one of those with some genuine help and good advice. We don't mind lurkers, we were all lurkers at some point, but you can't expect to reap the benefits without doing some of the work. The people that get invitations have contributed to the board with great info and detailed reviews. They are part of the community, they're out there offering opinions and taking the chance that not everyone will agree with what they say. It's one way we get to know who you are and how you earn trust with the rest of the board.
The ladies that you chose to get references from should be well known providers and their opinion weighs heavily. So if you only have 5 reviews and 20 posts, good references will win you over. As a general note; for me or for any provider out there any time you use a lady as a reference, send her an email to let her know it's coming before hand. I can't tell you how many times the ladies have no idea who the guy is when I ask about him. Don't ask to be invited by bringing some unknown girl you found on Craig's list who likes to party. We've had ladies like that and everyone was a bit anxious about it. We won't do it. Again, it goes back to trust and discretion.
Some of that trust and respect comes with time and experience, some of it with the quality of what you have to say. I hope you don't get discouraged or too offended by what I've said here and continue to become a bigger part of the community. As I said, this wasn't a personal attack, but I did use you two as examples to address everyone else out there. I hope you'll forgive me for that and take this in the spirit in which is intended and that is to give everyone an idea of what we like to see in our community.
As a last resort, you can always arrange to arrive with one of the well respected ladies of our community. If she is well known and if she will vouch for you, then you can accompany her. It's then incumbent upon her to be responsible for your actions. If you act out or get out of line neither one of you will be invited back. Now, go get laid and tell all of us about it!
-- Modified on 12/10/2007 8:36:43 AM
-- Modified on 12/10/2007 8:37:36 AM
Polecat
Nice post man. Being an active hobbiest in Chi-town I too have been curious about the M and G's.
The Duke
With several Vegas M&G's under our belts, B3 and I have found our "invitation request" format does work as a "clearing house" ; a reverse RSVP if you will.
"Oh? You want to come to the party? OK, let's see... hmmm 17 reviews, including 3 I've also reviewed... yeah you're in!"
"Oh? You want to come to the party? OK, let's see... hmmm a VIP member with but a single (1) review in 2002, and nothing since then... yeah surrrrrrrreeeeee....... "
Ladies & Gentlemen.. there are different rules and methods for every city. I would hate to see everyone take polecat's post as the gospel and try to point at that tid-bit as a means to gain admittance to your local event. Your best method is to network. Make friends. Do you remember 8th grade recess?
As a template, and general rule, the original post is spot on. Not everyone will know everyone, or be friends. The point is meeting new friends. Kissing ass may not get you too far in the screening process. If you view the other responses, there is more good advice.
PC58 did not write the original post, but it was written by someone who knows what he is talking about and has first hand expierence.
Btw, that red fire hydrant at the end of the block is mine.
... was meant facetiously... ya know like "in jest". And no, I still don't agree with all the guidance in that post that polecat offered (but did not author).
Imagine giving an invitee the open permission to bring an uninvited guest and hope all goes well. With the sole repercussion of not being invited next time. The list is too long to state all the dangers with that practice.
Point is... there is no secret formula... there is no Hobby Association Mandate that we must all follow. The best advice is to network. Make friends and leave five minutes at the end of your session for a Q&A.