Referring to people by their class/job

This bothers me somewhat as well, but I still refer to people by their job abbreviation all the time. I use names outside of battle, but otherwise job icons, character appearance, weapons and animations are still easier to pick up on than actually having to look up at names and decide whether or not I'm going to abbreviate, and how.

It's a fast-moving game, and there ain't much time for typing in battle.

Doesn't bother me. I also do it because I'm on PS4 and my TV is across the room and it's hard at times to make out certain names when in the heat of battle.

Personally? This irritates the crap out of me. It feels very impersonal and at times, very offending. Especially considering at some point, this person in question will be looking at your nameplate. Takes two seconds to read and type it out. I've had some hilarious ones though where the name of the person was considerably shorter than the label given, and they still choose to type out the longer word.

Al Capone has joined the party!
"healer holy now"

His name is Al. It's literally two letters. There are some times though I do understand it a bit, because some of the people may have their name sets changed so it only displays abbreviations or shorthand names, so tank/healer/bard, etc is easier. It just feels very impersonal, at times kind of degrading.

Doesn't bother me at all.

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Originally Posted by Ryock

because some of the people may have their name sets changed so it only displays abbreviations or shorthand names

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Exactly what i use, thats why i also refer to ppl by their jobs.

Don't bother me at all. I turned party name plates off back when I was 1st doing dive bombs in t5 last year. Names are just clutter when you do mechanic heavy fights so they just stay off for me. In DF I couldn't even tell you my party members names at the end of the run unless I entered with an friend. I also play on a controller so it's a pain to put down my controller, type something then pick it back up so im not chatty. Ill voip if i want to talk. So if I bother typing anything at all during a fight it's important enough for me to stop fighting to say. Ain't nobody got time for dat (names)!

Isn't this how most surnames came about in history? People were referred to by their profession, which over time became their last name, which in alot of work environments this is how people are referred to anyways?

I'm more focused on getting the objective done and assume you are too so I naturally pick the quickest and most likely for you to identify with. Most of the time, that is your name, most likely abbreviated, however if you have some all over the place take more than a second for me to read RP name that takes even longer for me to make a good abbreviation let alone type it name, you're getting addressed by your job, however that rarely happens.

As for me on the receiving end, I really don't care, I mean few minutes ago doing wanderers palace hard first time, mini boss throws persistent spears, I didn't notice. Tank and DPS were like "the spears monkey, the spears" and "get the spears monk", and you know what I did? I got the spears, case closed, went on our merry way.

but If for whatever reason, I nonchalant use your job title to refer to you, and that offends you, I would like you to tell me politely, instead of standing there getting pissed at me like I can read your mind.

Does this mean it bothers you when we refer to you as "OP"!? "I HAVE A FORUM NAME DANG IT! ARRGGGGGH!!!!"

Seriously though, sometimes I don't look at people's name in my DF parties because the chances of me seeing them again are quite low (outside things like pvp). So I might say, hey can you sing paeon? A lot of times I won't even use the names of the jobs; I just say can you tank it like ____, can you use ___ here, and the list goes on.

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Originally Posted by Ryock

It just feels very impersonal, at times kind of degrading.

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personally, its stupid I know, but in my mind because Al Capone is name I am familiar with, I wouldn't think "options: Al, Capone, Al, Al Capone, Healer, WHM, SCH", I'd think "Options: Al Capone, Healer" so either or, there is no big difference unless I stop and think that you might be offended by me not using your name which I wouldn't have up until this point because thats not a conscious thing most players think of, including me until I read this thread. referring to someone in the heat of battle is given a lot less time and thought process than you'd like it to, even if it already extremely low to just say your name. Its a non issue for people. so, if it offends you so much, point it out from the start and proceed from there. I dont think its unreasonable for any random joe on the internet to care in the first place unless you take the initiative.

If I'm leading/teaching a raid, I will call everything off with your job. This ensures nobody gets confused, and also helps me not cross someone's name with another. So if I run something with you Chen, I'll make a mental note to call you by your name, however don't be insulted if I call others by their job :).

I think it's people being overly sensitive. I love the nickname "Heals".

I had an issue a while back where I couldn't quit read everything on my smaller sized TV screen. It was easier to see a person's job than to read their name. So maybe some people also have this situation? Where you can just quickly identify the job but have to struggle to read the name a little.

I really think the context matters. If the person doesn't like the way you are playing and is trying to alienate you by using a title instead of your name, that is a bad thing. But I think it's more often the case that names are bit complicated and people would rather use the text they know is right "drg, "brd, whm" then struggle to figure out how to spell a name they might get wrong. Personally I would find someone misspelling my name to be more annoying than someone calling me "whm" or something. Usually I avoid this whole issue by only saying things that don't require a name, such as "Please use Flash more, thank you~" (obviously to the tank) or "Maybe turn off Cleric Stance?" (obviously to the heals). Saying people's names can also feel a little overly personal to me too sometimes... I don't know you, far be it for me to shorten your name to a nickname you might hate in the middle of a fight. Saying someone's name in certain contexts--like when you are trying to correct them on something--might seem more like a personal attack than just trying to tell someone to try something different as a blm or sch. Like someone said above, I personally like being called "healer" or "heals"--I feel like people are recognizing the important role I play in the party. :D

Oddly enough, I don't think I have been called by my job in a long time. Almost everyone in dungeons who needs to say something to me uses "Yehn," which I find cute--but maybe it would bug another person, especially anyone up on miqo'te naming conventions. It really varies from person to person, so when it doubt, I would take the easiest path.

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Originally Posted by kyuven

Is anyone else really annoyed by this?
Moreover, does anyone notice a correlation between being called this and general demeaning behavior?

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I basically had something like that in ST once. "Bard", followed by demeaning "ur slow", etcetc - and then intermittent "Bard" (by itself) scattered about by the WHM like a command (to sing). Being refered to as "Bard' after that drove me nuts. I admit the mistake I made in the beginning by not noticing their MP for ballad at the time (I main WHM. Yes, I do get it. Does that mean I'll be perfect on bard every time? No.), but I was too a angry at that point to comply afterwards - and only sang for the SCH (also threw in a few random "WHM -_-" - in response every time the WHM died. Which was quite a bit). I guess that was a bit petty, but I don't take kindly to commands coupled with being treated below a person. I felt like I was just an object, otherwise. 'Walking harp, you will sing because I am your owner and you will cater to my every need.'
It had been a fun party/run with funny people up until then.

Selection of words goes a long way - Good or Bad. If it had been done differently/worded differently, I would have worked harder to do better for them ---- rather than less.
'Taiga I need ballad' or 'I need you to sing Ballad more often' Would have had me all over that song from then on (IE, a little poke/reminder).
(only time I kind of couldn't was Odin... :/)

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Originally Posted by sarehptar

I really think the context matters. If the person doesn't like the way you are playing and is trying to alienate you by using a title instead of your name, that is a bad thing.

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^ This xD I don't mind, esp if in an 8-man group - "We need brd to play foes more" or "whm has to medica II at this phase" (and I being the only bard/whm in the group) doesn't bother me. Though it does seem weird to read in a 4-man - I still don't think it would insult me as much as like the alienation example you gave (which is what happened to me on bard).

Thing is...are you complaining about this because strangers are saying your job name, or your friends in the game?
If it was a stranger for me, I'd be totally fine.
If it's a friend, they get used to you. Even im called "Sparky" instead of spark.

I honestly don't know why this is an issue >_<;

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Originally Posted by UltimateAoe2

Thing is...are you complaining about this because strangers are saying your job name, or your friends in the game?
If it was a stranger for me, I'd be totally fine.
If it's a friend, they get used to you. Even im called "Sparky" instead of spark.

I honestly don't know why this is an issue >_<;

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I think they meant strangers using the title as a means of talking down on them (or, that's how I interpreted it)

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Originally Posted by kyuven

"Bard, could you sing?"

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Ok, ahem...

I say 'Hiya' just to get me along
It's a difficulty and I'm biting on my tongue and I
I keep stalling, keeping me together
People around gotta find something to say now

Holding back, every run the same
Don't wanna be a loner
Listen to me, oh no
I never say anything at all
But with nothing to consider they forget my name (ame, ame, ame)

[Chorus:]
They call me 'Bard'
They called me 'Archer'
They call me 'DD'
They call me 'dps'
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
They call me 'quiet'
But I'm a riot
Warrior-Of-Light
Always the same
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name

:)

OT: I only really dislike it when it is in a derogatory sentence, or just plain rude. But, I kept my name short purposefully so that it would be quick and easy for others to type out or abbreviate. I had a longer name in another MMO which was nearly always shortened by others to Matsu or Mat, which I am fine with, so I just chose a nice and short surname to accompany it.

Don't really get this issue.

coming from FFXI where my name gets shorted down to Age, when creating my character for FFXIV 1.0 I made it my first name :-P

so referring to me by my shorten job name is just pure laziness

When someone refers to me as "bard" it usually comes with some insult or their idea of me not doing my job so I usually just take it as an insult (situations like "hey brd, maybe use dat foe? While I have 150 mana"). ;)
But of course it's a matter of situation, it is not always like that.

I personally don't care what people call me. But I find it hilarious when FC mates type "Rymer" instead of just "Ry." I mean, the letters aren't far apart at all and no one else in the FC has a name with those two letters in front, that I can think of now. Even I don't have type for names half the time, and I hate trying to type my best friend's character's name, so everyone just uses his real name because of me. xD Even in dungeons, I won't type it 90% of the time.

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Originally Posted by Natsuno

Ok, ahem...

I say 'Hiya' just to get me along
It's a difficulty and I'm biting on my tongue and I
I keep stalling, keeping me together
People around gotta find something to say now

Holding back, every run the same
Don't wanna be a loner
Listen to me, oh no
I never say anything at all
But with nothing to consider they forget my name (ame, ame, ame)

[Chorus:]
They call me 'Bard'
They called me 'Archer'
They call me 'DD'
They call me 'dps'
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
They call me 'quiet'
But I'm a riot
Warrior-Of-Light
Always the same
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name

:)

OT: I only really dislike it when it is in a derogatory sentence, or just plain rude. But, I kept my name short purposefully so that it would be quick and easy for others to type out or abbreviate. I had a longer name in another MMO which was nearly always shortened by others to Matsu or Mat, which I am fine with, so I just chose a nice and short surname to accompany it.

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I freaking love you. This made my day.

I've only really done this once. The players name was Kirito...I just couldn't bring my self to type it cause of how lame it was. so I just called him by his job.

I don't blame anyone for not wanting to type my character's name.

I don't care...


I don't get why people are so sensitive to stuff like this. I do dislike being called a guy even though I have a female character. But I get over it though... It doesn't frustrate my mood.

Referring to someone by their class/job is fast, clear and precise, and everyone knows exactly who you're talking about without needing to check the names of people. Calling someone by their name is not only slower, but has the potential to cause unneeded confusion for others.

"DRG, do this". Everyone knows the DRG should do something.
"Bob, do this". Everyone knows Bob should do something, but who the @#$% is Bob?

All that aside... it's a random dungeon. I don't know you. You don't know me. We're not best buds from back on the block. You're on PLD? You're "PLD" or "tank" this run. You came WHM? You are now "WHM" or "healer" when I need to refer to you. I'll call you by your job title or intended roll within a group, because that's what you are. There's nothing insulting or derogatory about it, but if you feel there is, there are paid professions who will call you by your first name all you like on the path to feeling better.

Crystal Rainbow.

Lets think about this.
Hey Crystal Rainbow LB now.
or
BRD LB NOW

Time it takes to spell out name vs job could be the difference between LB correctly or not.
ya you could use <p2> LB now but then you need to look at the list.

Just pure speed of a quick /p request

But on that note if you are playing your job correctly, people shouldn't be telling when to LB or how to play.

90% of the time while on my alt I'm called, "tank". "Good job, tank!" "Bad tank!", "Please do big pulls, tank." "Please do smaller pulls, tank." etc Doesn't bother me at all. My character name is as short and easy, but I know it's just a common way to address people in this game. Getting offended over it is a waste of energy.

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Originally Posted by KEV1N

I don't blame anyone for not wanting to type my character's name.

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It would be major chaos figuring out how to pronounce that in voice chat too.

But usually for text in game chat, efficiency wins. For voice communication, people usually say the name out when they can say it.

You think being called bard is bad, most people in game call me DP and then snicker about it lol

Not even a little. It's quick and efficient.
Now, if it where outside of a duty, that would be weird.

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Originally Posted by Natsuno

Ok, ahem...

[snip]
Holding back, every run the same
Don't wanna be a loner
Listen to me, oh no
I never say anything at all
But with nothing to consider they forget my name (ame, ame, ame)

[Chorus:]
They call me 'Bard'
They called me 'Archer'
They call me 'DD'
They call me 'dps'
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
They call me 'quiet'
But I'm a riot
Warrior-Of-Light
Always the same
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name

:)

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LOL genius! I'd love to see a bard do this in DF :D As for the topic, I type very fast, so typing people's names isn't an issue. I don't mind being referred to as WHM, it depends on the context. I'm more likely to be annoyed if someone is using it as an insult, or to be derogatory towards me.

I always make a point to use names. If they are super long or crazy spelled, I'll use the first 3-4 letters so they know who I'm talking to. I do get annoyed when people call me "Tank" or "PLD". "Hey tank, provoke this mob." I have a name, and it's not even that long. You can look at the party roster that's always visible and see my name if tags are off.

When it comes to strats, it's kinda different:

"Ok, I'm tanking Midgard over here. He'll use a bunch of AoEs so make sure you are ready to move. When the first add spawns, DPS it down... If I get debuffs, please Esuna me right away". It's like I'm talking to the party as a single entity instead of individuals.

I don't refer people by their names over the strat, rather than what should happen: "DPS the adds down, keep everyone topped off". Should be obvious who I'm talking to. HOWEVER, if anyone has any questions about the strat, I'll refer to them by name. "Yes <healer name>. Make sure I'm topped off and free of any debuffs by the time the boss is 50%".

I'll use the BRD's name when asking for a song: "Hey <bard's name>, I'm running low on MP and there are still mobs around, could I please have Ballad for 10 seconds?". I can say all that AND keep mobs on me hehee, quite proud of myself.

Guess it boils down to: If I'm talking TO you, I'll use your name, if I'm talking about the strat, I'll talk about what each role is supposed to do.

I don't see an issue either way. Using a person's title is more polite, but using their name is more friendly. Either works well enough.

There's also the fact that something like:
/p Bard, could you sing a ballad for me.
can be put into a macro. If you wanted to add their name to such a macro, then it would require targeting them first so you could use <t>

I was in a group where the tank's name was "Monk." That caused a little bit of confusion there as I didn't see his name until it was pointed out.

This thread is great. It seems like people get offended or annoyed by anything nowadays.

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Originally Posted by dejavutwo

I was in a group where the tank's name was "Monk." That caused a little bit of confusion there as I didn't see his name until it was pointed out.

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Yeah, I remember one run where we had a dragoon named Monk (forget if it was first or last name), AND we had a monk in the party. That run was... confusing XD


Generally I don't actually use labels or names in combat, usually because I don't have time to type that much ^^; So usually it's stuff like "TP phone home D:" or "Goat please ♥" (the second if I have my FC member going ninja, since 'Goad' quickly changed name for us XD If I have another ninja, I'll usually remember to say Goad properly.)
In between combat, I try to use names as much as possible. Unless there are some people eager to run ahead and leave me behind XD

And... as for using <t> or <3> for name replacers... for me, that involves hitting the key in between shift and z, plus once with shift+that key for the <> symbols. Which is painful to do in a hurry due to finger contortions. Plus I need to look at party list and see which job I want and what number they are, and then hit the right number as well without looking at keyboard. I can type fine while looking at keyboard, but the numbers, they confound me. ^^; So that option's not always as "easy" as some people would have it be.

i can't relate but i feel i would be a slight offended if if people called me by my job rather than my character name.
but as a white mage people don't really talk to me, they just expect me to perform. if they want me to perform a specific action they generally just say something like "use (action)" without specifically addressing me at all.
at the end of they day were all just a bunch of nerds behind a computer, with our own ingame goals in mind so at the same time i can understand if some people aren't interested in getting close or personal with other players. some people just want to get it done and over.

This does indeed get up my nose. And it's one thing saying it's normal for the Japanese players, but Japanese works differently - in Japanese, it's polite. I'm sure there are reasons but.. nonetheless it's depressing, at least when (and this is more often than not) it's flippant or.. blah.

Still there's a pretty fine line. For instance, if I'm feeling like being moderately in-character on a run I actually will address people by their discipline .. but then it'll be phrased politely and come with a 'miss' or the like so.. >.>

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Originally Posted by Fensfield

Japanese works differently - in Japanese, it's polite.

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The languages do work differently, but in regard to titles, it's mostly in the fact that it's much more common in Japanese. In the situations where a title is used, though, it tends to be more polite in both Japanese and English. Doctor, Professor, any of the military ranks, these are the sort of cases where a job title is often used as a term of address even in English, and in those cases, using their title is the more polite and respectful way of addressing someone. In fact, the higher ranking a person's job and the more respect it's apt to have, the more likely the job title will be used as a term of address.

I've always regarded addressing players by their character's class or job title as equivalent to addressing a military member by their title of rank. You can call them by title to sound more polite and respectful, or can call them by name to sound closer and more friendly.