As far as I know, Carolingia's reputation outside the barony is not nearly as 
bad as it has been at times in the past, which is good.  On the other hand, I 
would be surprised if our problem with negative image ever went away 
completely: Carolingia is a larger and more active group than our neighbors, 
and we usually put on more and larger events.  This means that overall, fewer 
Carolingians feel the need to look outside the barony for their "fix" of SCA 
activity.  (Consider also the significant proportion of Carolingians who are 
students, with limited access to transportation and limited travel budget.)  
Hence the widespread perception that Carolingians Don't Play With Others.  
This is not only a negative image in itself but it feeds other negative 
images, since people then don't realize some of the nice people they've met 
are in fact Carolingians.  ("*You* can't be Carolingians! You're regular 
people!")
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The most important thing the Coronet can do to alleviate these problems is to 
travel to neighboring events, not nessarily constantly but regularly, and 
(most important) *visibly* as Carolingians.  With luck they will inspire 
others to travel with them: the best cure for the image problem would be 
Carolingians who are recognized as such, and who are having a good time 
Playing With Others.  The second most important thing the Coronet can do is 
to recognize visitors who come to our events and to make them feel welcome; 
we do put on large and interesting events, and more people would be happy 
coming to them from out-barony if they didn't think they'd be ignored or 
looked down on.
