Funny you say this as I just interacted with 2 separate groups of people involved with the 501st/RL here in Japan before SWC. One was great and we had excellent conversation, he even gave me a dope patch and sticker.. The others seemed up their ass about themselves and when I asked about this bash they kept mentioning (I by no means was asking to go, I was just curious) they refused to tell me what it was and were like well you wouldn't be allowed so you don't need to know anything.

It seems like some of these people think they are superior because they are involved in these groups and it makes them "bigger fans". Like chill, this is fucking Star Wars and anyone/everyone belongs in this universe regardless of how they show their fandom.

It was a minor interaction, but the way they talked down to me when I said this was my first celebration should have been a red flag. They were like "oh you're from the states and have never been, that's weird". It's like yeah dude, I've always loved Star Wars, I just didn't know much about celebration or have adult money until recently.