Do you guys get nervous when you meet you favourite members at handshake events?
Also, I've been meaning to say this for ages, but to whoever does the artwork on the banners for the Idoling!!! sub-forum, a big thumbs up.
Seems to be a new one almost every day.
oh hell yeah, the nerve is on the verge of exploding for sure. I actually plan to do the same thing to Umeko last year like how I approached Serina. Speak only in English, try to see whether she is going to panic or not but when it was finally my turn to meet my favorite member for the first time I just lost it and can't say a thing
but Umeko was a really kind girl, she initiated the conversation and I just screw away my original plan and just spoke to her in Japanese.
Interesting discussion about handshake events. Even though I've been a huge idol fan for about 12 years now, I've never personally found handshake events to be worth it for me. Granted I haven't lived in Japan (which would make it easier and cheaper) but I just don't see all that much value in a handshake and 20-30 seconds of conversation. I definitely understand the appeal of meeting them and all (I've met many idols who came to the US, and the feeling is really great) but its just not worth all the cost and trouble of handshake tickets as well as international travel to just be able to shake hands. If I was getting a picture with them or getting some autographs or something, that would be a little different, since you have something more memorable to keep from your money and effort spent besides a memory. I know for a lot of you in Asia and Europe, it is about 5 times cheaper to travel to Japan for you guys than it is for me, and that I am a little envious, though, even if I had the opportunity, I don't know that I would often actually make the trip for these kinds of events when only handshake is involved.
Yeah I totally understand what you mean but sometimes you get priceless stuff through handshake events and I'm kind of addicted to that
. It totally depends on the member though, certain members are just great with handshake events that'll really leave an impression in your mind.
I met Hii-chan last year to relay SuzukiRyo's message to her and she was very delighted by it and was smiling from one end to another. So I really didn't realize about what is being said about her that time but then again when I went to her there was no one else on the line already and I had extra time talking to her. But there was nothing really special about Hii-chan during handshake, a pretty simple encounter.
Serina, like I've described above was quite a memory.
Umeko was a different level all together for me. She wasn't so good in conversation but she sure as hell is an awesome listener. She even promised to write about me in her blog and in which she really did. It just made me an even more of a fan
I'm quite curious with certain members like Yuuna and Gotou because apparently they are famous due to handshake events. I can still remember the extremely long line for Yuuna when I was there the last time. I'm sure there's some special charm to that, otherwise they wouldn't have garnered that much of a follower. Then again, I don't really like to line up in a super long line so I think I'll never go for them anytime soon.
But then again, I'd never travel just for the sake of a handshake event too. Its still very expensive just to travel to Japan to me as well. Normally its just a coincidence for them to hold handshake events when I'm traveling there. Just making the most out of my travels
edit : Minor change since Miyake won't be around on Sunday so I'll be switching Miyake to Gotou instead.. Line's gonna be long but.. I guess I'll go to her last when there's not many people.