If they can do this in Poland ...

[Coal Silvermuzzle]

  If they can do this in Poland on a regular basses, why can't we do it here in Vancouver ??

Here is a country that has less freedom then us yet, doing something I have never really seen in Vancouver. I have seen the odd fur walking around, mostly around holidays. What is wrong with us as Canadians if we do not take advantage of our freedoms.

FursuitWalk in Sopot ( 29,01,2011 )

Take a peek.

[Van_Fox]

We can do it in vancouver, we just dont lol

[Ember]

Fursuit outings are a semi-frequent event around here. During the olympics, for example, a large group fursuited for multiple days.

Aside from that, I think that they are arranged every so often?

[Coal Silvermuzzle]

   Why couldn't it be more often, do any of you think this could be done on a regular bases, if not why. I see Lots of get togethers, but not many suited ones. I know on occasion there is a furmeet on cordova, or I think that's where I have seen them. Other then the fur suit bowling and howlween there seems to be no regular suited outings. 

[Peli]

When I lived in London there was a furmeet every three weeks, usually around St. Paul's cathedral, and each time there was a fursuit walk around the area, mostly to entertain the tourists outside the cathedral. It always seemed to go over very well.

[Drake Wingfire]

Videos like that are rather inspiring ^.=.^

and make me wish I had the cash to commission a fursuit XD

[Selkit]

The percentage of fursuiters in the community is relatively small here, even by furry averages. It's a growing percentage, sure (I believe Jim recently joined the ranks of the suiters, maybe others too), but there are certain difficulties involved with carting around a large, bulky costume to events (Car mandatory; Transit will not cut it. The container for my suit's a packing tub). Low percentage of suiters, lower than average car ownership. Not terribly easy to get more than one suiter in one place, wandering about as a group. Not that it isn't possible, it's likely just not regularly done owing to difficulties in arranging it. That, and I suspect most suiters are quite reluctant to go out without an event to justify their presence .Even escorted with four people, the last three times I went suiting in public "for the hell of it" (And once on Canada Day), I was physically assaulted on two occasions.

[Sairys]

The percentage of fursuiters in the community is relatively small here, even by furry averages. It's a growing percentage, sure (I believe Jim recently joined the ranks of the suiters, maybe others too), but there are certain difficulties involved with carting around a large, bulky costume to events (Car mandatory; Transit will not cut it. The container for my suit's a packing tub). Low percentage of suiters, lower than average car ownership. Not terribly easy to get more than one suiter in one place, wandering about as a group. Not that it isn't possible, it's likely just not regularly done owing to difficulties in arranging it. That, and I suspect most suiters are quite reluctant to go out without an event to justify their presence .Even escorted with four people, the last three times I went suiting in public "for the hell of it" (And once on Canada Day), I was physically assaulted on two occasions.

Yes carting around your suit can be a hassle and problemmatic on where to store the container. I had that difficulty when I arranged the 'Photos with santa' since my car was stolen days before hand. Transiting with ones suit isnt an easy process at all it you normally with a big bulky bag or container. And as well not really fair to have the handlers/spotters carry the containers around when you are suiting so a secure location for the bags/clothes etc is an requirement. Those two things are the major problems facing a number of suiters.

Many suiters including me prefer to have an event attached to their outings to justify their presence, like the olympics or fursuit bowling.

I would like to have more fursuit events happening but those are difficult to arrange have to be planned well in advance to make sure everyone can have the day/time off to attend. Also make sure we have enough spotters to keep an eye on us, so we wont get assaulted by @ssholes.

[terutt]

I've actually asked my friend Jan, who's lived in Warsaw for the last 15 years, aside from a two year stint at UBC, to weigh in on this:

If I really have to guess, which I do, why this is a regular occurrence for them is the fact that there's nothing to do in Poland, let alone a hamlet like Sopot. It's a common joke I've heard when traveling, that a rainbow in Poland consists of seven separate shades of grey. It's good that they're making their own fun. Hell, I even wish I was furry so I'd have something to do on a weekly basis! :P

But Master Coal's comments irk me a little. Aside from a notoriously corrupt government, still reeling from the death the majority of its most senior members, I'd challenge your assertions to the "freedom" we seem to lack. The communist regime is long gone. Students are encouraged to speak English, and travel as much as they can. There is free press (well, we all have our Fox News, at least ours is honest about being bought and paid for by the government), and more public privacy than the UK. Not every backwater country is a dystopia.

But still, those wonderful fursuiters (as you call them) are super-cool. A nice change from the public drunkenness and armchair philosophy that most my age [early 20's] are up to...

[Jimfoxyboy]

I wouldn't quite say transit doesn't cut it as you put it. It does present challenges. It also depends on how much you actually have to haul around. I've got my sports bag, which is more bulk than weight. I'll avoid rush hours on train or buses. On the flip side, having a car was nice, but it also met trying to find parking at anything downtown and other places.

You can't account for every problem that could be encountered on events involving suits in public, even if you had an arm of spotters. Heck, even just regular people run into problems as that was seen during the fireworks events a year or so ago.

I'm guessing the population density in Poland is a lot lower than Vancouver. So people aren't going to be creating a mass mob at events or just in the daily routine like what you usually see over here.

The percentage of fursuiters in the community is relatively small here, even by furry averages. It's a growing percentage, sure (I believe Jim recently joined the ranks of the suiters, maybe others too), but there are certain difficulties involved with carting around a large, bulky costume to events (Car mandatory; Transit will not cut it. The container for my suit's a packing tub). Low percentage of suiters, lower than average car ownership. Not terribly easy to get more than one suiter in one place, wandering about as a group. Not that it isn't possible, it's likely just not regularly done owing to difficulties in arranging it. That, and I suspect most suiters are quite reluctant to go out without an event to justify their presence .Even escorted with four people, the last three times I went suiting in public "for the hell of it" (And once on Canada Day), I was physically assaulted on two occasions.

[Coal Silvermuzzle]

I've actually asked my friend Jan, who's lived in Warsaw for the last 15 years, aside from a two year stint at UBC, to weigh in on this:

If I really have to guess, which I do, why this is a regular occurrence for them is the fact that there's nothing to do in Poland, let alone a hamlet like Sopot. It's a common joke I've heard when traveling, that a rainbow in Poland consists of seven separate shades of grey. It's good that they're making their own fun. Hell, I even wish I was furry so I'd have something to do on a weekly basis! :P

But Master Coal's comments irk me a little. Aside from a notoriously corrupt government, still reeling from the death the majority of its most senior members, I'd challenge your assertions to the "freedom" we seem to lack. The communist regime is long gone. Students are encouraged to speak English, and travel as much as they can. There is free press (well, we all have our Fox News, at least ours is honest about being bought and paid for by the government), and more public privacy than the UK. Not every backwater country is a dystopia.

But still, those wonderful fursuiters (as you call them) are super-cool. A nice change from the public drunkenness and armchair philosophy that most my age [early 20's] are up to...

   There was no offence meant about Poland, Things have come a long way over the years in personal freedoms. I have several gay friends there, Russia and many other European countries that have said it is harder to be who they are then here. What was meant by that is that when it comes to alternative lifestyles your ability to mention it or the public knowledge of it, as a society the culture its self makes it more difficult. The government has made great strides in human rights and freedoms, so please do not take what I said as a bash or knock of Poland.

  As for the aspect of getting your suits around on public transit and such, yes they are heavy and bulky, but transit not cutting it. I ride the skytrain and transit pretty much on a daily basis all hours, and see people with suitcases, large duffel bags, ski gear, bikes and yes even people moving using the transit system. Car mandatory, I think not, a preference yes, but not mandatory.

  To the point of a small amount of fur suiters in the Vancouver area, I am not talking of hundreds or even 10 or 20. I think if I recall there was maybe 5 or 6 in the video, we get around that many to the fur suit bowling. So the numbers are there for a walk.

What are the logistics for such a small event, lets see ... a few fur suiters hey let have a bit of a hike next weekend. But for a change instead of going to light house park for a hike, lets dawn our fur suits and take a walk around the convention center and a bit  of the sea wall. Joe (just a name) you have a van, or a mid size car don't you, if we chip in a toonie each for parking can you bring it so we can put our suit bags in it, while we take our walk?  Or this one, Joe it is such a nice day today how about we call a few of our fur suiters and go for a walk along the sea wall, maybe even up by the train at Stanly Park. Since they took the petting zoo out, there should be a few tourists or families out, lets make their day, maybe a few dogs, cats, what have you furries, will make up a bit for no more little cuddly little furries. And you know it might even help our community a little.

  Not all events need to be a big things, you get to wear your suit, maybe make a few people smile and happy, help the furry communities rep and let people know what a furry is. No you don't go furry yiffing in the bush, you don't get piss ass drunk, you show people that contrary to the mis-information about furry, you are people who like fur suits and making people smile. I have a few furry friends suited and non who have gone out on a whim and have a hug the homeless day. They went out on the streets and greeted people shook hands (paws) and offered hugs to all who wanted one. The smiles on the people and the kids that saw them, the giggles from the adults that were with someone who prodded them ... go ahead get a hug, I don't think he will bite, I want a picture. The smiles that day, the good feelings all left with, made many a persons day, furries included.       

[Zen]

The other thing is our weather.  Rain + Fursuit = unhappy times.  (Or so I would think)

But, you could always start a event like this, Coal.  I know you are helping with other events and the new con.  We've got lots of parks near transit, and a few other public places that would be good for walking around like that.  Pick a day, hope for some sun, see what happens?

[Coal Silvermuzzle]

  Good points Zen, but sad to say  :'( ,I do not have a fur suit (heaven forbid) , so don't string me out, I am working on that. I would love to plan such an event, but alas with the planning of the con, fund raisers, work and other things I really can't (Hmmm, maybe), as I stated in my posting

Not all events need to be a big things

Nice day out, suiter A calls suiter B,C, and  D, hey guys lets dawn our fur suits and go to the park, it might be fun. So a small group of suiters meet at the park see a bunch of families there, shoot some pictures make kids and adults smile and chuckle, instant outing make some peoples day and yay I got to wear my suit had a great time, saw some smiles.

  Not that hard to do, just like hey guys going out for a drink, care to join, but we might need a designated driver. A few phone calls and bang, only difference is you either need to wear your suit or take it with you.

  If I had my suit and a free day I would do it, just for the shits and giggles of it.

Coal
(silver muzzle)

[Zen]

Yeah being busy sucks, I can understand.  I've got the skating event tomorrow, but glad that wasn't too hard to setup.  I just hope it goes well.  ^_^;

On the other hand, you do NOT need a suit to come to a suiting event.  It helps, but spotters are needed too.  I was actually worried we weren't gonna have enough spotters at the last bowling event.  Not too many people came up, though, so it wasn't too bad.  Still handy to have at least one for every two or three suiters, something like that.

[Foxxphyre]

Even escorted with four people, the last three times I went suiting in public "for the hell of it" (And once on Canada Day), I was physically assaulted on two occasions.

Wow the intolerance... I've never had much more than a snide comment- neither in Van nor Victoria- even when I've been alone.  Course, I only have ears and tail (not even a full head), so I suppose my experience is substantially different.

As far as get togethers go... I agree with Coal.  Just take a half-decent day, pick a spot and run with it.  Maybe a sports field (furry frisbee? frisbee golf?).  Maybe a FurHash, though that would take real planning (Hashing). Also, I love the "Hug a Homeless" idea.. (or just 'free hugs').  People, especially kids, get a kick out of it!

I'm happy to spot for folks too, since I don't have my own suit!