I'm an admitted newbie with 3 years experience.
Fortunately, I've had the advantage of attending numerous classes with Mr.
Walter Pall, Mr. Chase Rosade, and Mr. Jim Doyle.
All three gentlemen have an instinct about what to say to a newbie who
brings a stick-in-a-pot to one of their classes.
That's why all three of these gentlemen are "professionals".
They make it fun, educational, and best of all, they're considerate.
My first ficus probably looked horrible when I sat across from Jim, but his
soothing voice gently showed me what it took to create a bonsai.
Three years later, it still isn't a bonsai, but at least I have direction.
As we all know, Walter has a unique comical way of making a newbie's
pride-and-joy feel like something special.
A large JPN I brought to Walters class, looked much better when I left.

The bottom line is ...... "Be gentle on newbies"
Hacking their pride and joy into a stick with a single leaf on top, is
guaranteed to disillusion them.
And, once it's died (which it probably will), you'll never see them again.


Mark Hill - Harrisburg, Zone 7


-----Original Message-----
From: Internet Bonsai Club ] On Behalf Of
Mike Bennett
Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2005 11:42 AM
To:
Subject: [IBC] How not to treat a beginner

It depends on what was said by the member while he was hacking her Ficus
back to one leaf. If he explained why he was doing it, what she needed to do
next, and what will happen as a result then I don't see a problem.
If, as seems to be the case here, the member just cut things off and handed
it back to her, then all he's succeeded in doing is making himself feel
important at her expense.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Billy M. Rhodes"
To:
Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2005 5:25 PM
Subject: [IBC] How not to treat a beginner


Second Try - sorry about the blank

Our club met yesterday, 6/18/05. The newspaper publicity said that
experienced members would help those who brought in their trees with
design
suggestions. Public welcome.
One non member came in with her little Ficus that had been keep
indoors because it was very leggy. The trunk was pencil size or smaller. I
didn't
get close to the tree so I am not sure of the variety of Ficus. The club
member
gave her back a stick with one leaf.
He then took one of his collected Buttonwoods worth at least $100
and
began working on it.
She left the meeting and didn't look happy.
How do the list members think something like this should be
handled?

Billy on the Florida Space Coast


************************************************** **************************
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++++Sponsored, in part, by Kevin Bailey++++

************************************************** **************************
****
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++



************************************************** **************************
****
++++Sponsored, in part, by Kevin Bailey++++
************************************************** **************************
****
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Kevin Bailey++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++