An endless source of amusement

Guild chat provides most definitely an endless source of amusement. It serves as a reminder as to why I never did work well with large numbers of people. I simply do not possess the patience to explain the smallest things an infinite number of times. My first guidance counsellor thought I would make and excellent teacher, but at the age of 13 I already knew better. It was never a question of ability or capability, but one of pleasure and satisfaction. Or rather, unpleasantness and dissatisfaction.

I spent the last hour with half an eye on the guild chat. Today a competition is starting where any character below level 20 can enter to win a mount. All the person has to do is go to the guild website, sign in, enter their suitable character, and the first to hit level 40 of the ones who had entered win. Right. However, misunderstanding and misconception abounds. Some seem to think that a draw is taking place and are demanding to know who won, whilst others can't figure out how to enter. The basic idea that a mount is at stake has spread like wildfire, but not much else has. And so the chatter continues in an endless loop of questions and answers, more questions and less answers and more answers and less questions to an sum total of mass confusion.

I have always received my information from reliable sources and the grapevine is notoriously unreliable and only good for gossip and playing devil's advocate. Don't get me wrong, I have learned how to keep an ear to the ground and there's plenty of chit-chat that's truly interesting to eavesdrop on. I have not quite learned how to not seem mean or derrogatory. I also haven't quite learned how to be adequately social. This leaves me in an ambiguous position. I may stand, or sit, and watch the confused discourse with a sense of both amusement and frustration, but I can't jump in. Or rather, I choose not to. There are plenty of guild leaders already involved in the discussion and adding my two cents will simply confuse the matter even further.

I recall countless times as a student and whilst at school being thrust into positions of leadership and power simply because I was both able and capable. I never did accept that offer. I was happy to give advice to whoever was in charge, and that person was usually a close friend, but I stayed out of the spotlight. Why? Because it's a lose-lose situation. In the background, the guild chat is still going strong and the confusion has not lessened. Who in their right minds would want to be the one-eyed king?

Naughty or Nice?

Actions speak louder than words. I'm still coming to grips with the social aspects of Warcraft and find chatting whilst doing something else a little too much multi-tasking. I know women are suppose to be experts at accomplishing multiple things at once, but unfortunately for me, I don't fit that stereotype. I stick to one thing at a time. A little one track minded, some might say boring, but I enjoy giving my full, undivided attention to one thing at a time. I don't talk whilst I fight monsters, I just fight monsters.

Inevitably, I do run into other players. Most of the time, I stick the rules of surfing. Who gets the wave and all of that. You know, the basic social protocol that makes social interaction pleasant rather than confrontational. I'm mellow. I prefer backing off rather than trying to come to a mutual agreement. After all, monsters respawn, the world is plenty big and I'm happy to kill all monsters, not just a specific type. I am happy to abandon an busy area to find an isolated spot, in fact, I'm keen to do so.

Conversely, I'm also happy to help where I can. I dislike being taken advantage of, but refuse to play with the mindset of suspicion, so I help. I play nice. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside. I find being on the other end more disconcerting. Accepting help when offered is hard.

I logged in my Level 3 Gnome Mage which I have started with the eye on specializing in engineering (to make a mechanical squirrel, but that's another post). I need to level her up and the easiest way to do so is through quests. Imagine my surprise when I begin the quest and run into a level 37 hunter. First thought was to back off, but I decided that no, the cave is big enough for the both of us. Until I noticed him take out the bad guy in one fell shot with his mighty bow. I got a little nervous and accidentally handed him all my money. He was nice enough and handed it back. He was even nicer and offered to clear the cave for me so that I can pick up the quest item. I graciously accepted. It seemed wrong not to. He spent five minutes helping me finish the quest and even ran me back to where I needed to hand it in. And then he offered further assistance if I needed any. It was such a magnanimous gesture. I declined, it wouldn't be right to take up any more of his time. But I did spend the rest of the day feeling all magnanimous myself.

What comes around goes around. If you play nice, some players may not play nice back, but some will. And some will pass it on. Azeroth is exactly like the real world. There are nice people and mean ones, friendly and rude, childish and mature. Just like the real world, I try not to be drawn in by mean, immature or rude tricks. I prefer giving others the benefit of the doubt. I log on assuming that people will be nice and friendly and possess a little integrity. Aggression isn't my style - plan for the worst and hope for the best. It's a concept that applies well to social interaction.