It seems that the rating system has generated a considerable amount of interest and more than a few questions. Some folks actually seem concerned about it. It's all very simple, really. There are quite a few living history groups, here in Texas, interpreting many different periods of history with many different historical accuracy requirements. Some events you need a persona.
Some events are campouts.
A person could be a bit put off after spending several thousand dollars and a great deal of time and energy on clothes, camp gear and other items to attend an event only to be rebuffed for not wearing the correct underwear or, in some cases, wearing any underwear. The opposite is also true. When someone interested in a very high degree of historical accuracy attends an event where that degree of accuracy is not required or evident, it can be very frustrating and irritating. The rating system simply allows event participants to know before hand what is expected. A person who is new to living history should, perhaps, start with groups or events where a high degree of historical accuracy is not critical.