Proper Neopets social behavior
I guess you could call me “old-timer” as far as the Neopets’ time line is concerned. I’ve been around for over five years, starting on October 23, 2000. A year after joining I became an avid member on the neoboards (they called it “chat” then). Ever since I have observed, and taken notes on the behavior of those posting. Things have changed since the “golden days”, but I’m no less appalled now then I was before on how heartless people can be. I wrote this to try and re-teach proper behavior, and to put an end to bad habits or catch them before they start. I’ve written this essay based purely off of personal experience, and the experiences of others.
Attack of the clones
We’ll start things out simple and sweet. There are certain “famous” people on Neopets, who like any other fad have their moment of glory and then fade away to give way for another idol. These people usually have a band of followers, and maybe one or two people who are really close to them. Now, I’m not saying that it is at all wrong to be famous, or to follow them, but it’s a mistake to turn yourself into a mindless monkey just to please them. It’s a mistake that I myself have made, and don’t plan on repeating.
Not all idols, and not all followers are like this, but there is a general trend as far as “clones” go. Sure, the followers stick up for them in fights, talk to them, and it’s all in good fun. But maybe someday they find this person senselessly flaming a newbie to the boards and what usually happens? The follower will join in on the flaming. They’ll argue for their idol even when they know they’re wrong, and agree with every word they say. Why? Because they’ve become a clone.
Many, not all, of these famous people tend to be heartless, cruel, and demanding. The ones you need to look out for are the ones who have the social capabilities of a spoiled, four year-old girl. If you ever idolize someone, make sure that they have decent character, and make sure to keep your personality separate from their’s.
Character Counts
Have you ever had this band of singing, dancing buffoons prance around your elementary school, singing about quality character? Maybe not, but although I myself find them annoying, it’s a good idea to follow the point they’re trying to get across. Imagine you’re on the boards, and someone who is obviously new to the boards makes a spelling mistake, posts something on the wrong board, or maybe questions the obvious. Don’t reply with flames, and above all don’t mock them. Instead, kindly correct their error, and maybe point them in the right direction, give them a few tips to survival on the boards? It’s not difficult to be nice and helpful, I promise.
The main reason why you shouldn’t insult people for an innocent mistake is because, well, it’s embarrassing. Here, I’ll give a quick example. During my membership of the site I vividly recall the release of the Tyrannian Paint Brush (yes, I’m old), and, lucky me, I found one on the floor*1. You can imagine my excitement, especially because I didn’t have a pet I wanted to paint it with, and I really wanted the secret laboratory map. I already had a few pieces, but if I sold the paint brush I had, I would have plenty of neopoints, right? Stupidly, I looked up the paintbrush on the Shop Wizard, and of course the only prices that came up were 100k even though they were worth over three times that much. Back then, the secret lab map was worth 80k (CHEAP!), but I was generous. The only thing going on in my head was that it was only a 20k loss, and I don’t really need the extra neopoints. It was nice of me to think that, I guess, but had I realized that it was worth over 300K rather than just 100K I would have suddenly been a lot less generous.
So I went to the trading post, put up my paint brush, and asked for the full laboratory map. A person made an offer right away, but they also neomailed me asking “That paint brush is worth a lot more than just 80k, are you sure you want to trade?” I told them of course, naturally because I was under the impression that it was only worth 100k. Now, this person had not done anything wrong in any way, in fact I wish I had saved their user name so I could thank them for trying to stop me from doing something so stupid. They thought I was fine with loosing 300k profit, so we traded and right away I posted about it on the Fan Clubs board. Right away, I was flamed, and called stupid. None of the insults weren’t befitting of course, but I still didn’t know what I had done wrong. It wasn’t until later when a kind neopian posted on my board and explained my mistake. I was more than a little embarrassed, and now even more so that I’m telling perfect strangers about it, but that brings me to my next point–
You make mistakes, deal
Yeah, that’s right. I’d hate to be blunt, but some people don’t realize they’re human, and that they can make mistakes. I can name a few off the top of my head, most of whom I had mindlessly idolized in the past, but I’m not going to. Now, let me explain myself a little better. There are people who get agitated when you kindly try to correct their mistake, or sometimes they just don’t want your help for anything.
You don’t need to be the best at anything, you don’t need to cover your mistakes to impress other people. The only person you should ever have to live up to is yourself. Wow, I just got really mushy right there. All right, I’m trying to sound like your parents, but it’s the truth. “When you try to please everyone, you end up pleasing no one”, Aesop said that, or something along those lines. It’s true, too. You don’t have to be obvious with your flaws or mistakes, but don’t deny them either. Share your experiences, no matter how embarrassing they are, with others so that maybe they can learn from your mistakes instead of the hard way.
Closing
I’d like to say more, but I doubt that anyone really wants to continue reading this rant. Remember, be kind to one another, and don’t get eaten by rabid cannibals. Tata.
*1- Back then, you found paint brushes on the floor, just as any other item. I think some weird painter guy gives them to you now, but I wouldn’t know. – i_luv_linkin_park85