I wear the crown for its intended purpose and have never received negative comments. Most new players either don't know what it means or see it as a sign that the wearer is willing to help once they've been introduced to NN. From my experience the mentor system works as it is supposed to, many newer players are sad to leave. While being a mentor isn't necessary if you want to help others, having access to NN makes it much easier to help more people and to help them over the course of their journey rather than once or twice during a chance meeting.

There are some people that look down on the mentor system, and the occasional bad mentor. I don't pay any mind to the former and the latter is handled by other mentors.