Was I in the wrong?

[Ceridwenae]

I don't find emote spam to be harassment. Because emotes are something Square-Enix put into the game, so they deem them acceptable language. But to each their own.

A few years ago, when I was first trying out the game, I zoned into Ul'Dah and went AFK a few moments whilst doing so. When I came back a lala was emote spamming that godsawful laugh at me. I moved away into the street to figure out what to do next in the game or where to go (I was new, didn't know what I was doing and so on), and the lala followed me, still emote laugh spamming me, and continued to do so, even when I moved further on up the street for a second time. I was flustered, didn't know what to do, but my husband advised reporting them, and for me to zone to X aetheryte, so that's what I did. A little less than an hour later, I had a GM contact me in game to check up and see if I was okay. They were very kind and understanding, and though I don't recall exactly what was said, I do remember being told that sort of behaviour was not condoned. I imagine, though I don't think they told me, the GM then went to find the offending popoto, and hopefully put it out of its misery for a short spell. Though I actually just unsubbed not long afterwards as it didn't give me the best impression of the game, amongst other things and despite the kindly intervention of the GM - though I admit that unsub was mostly because I hadn't finished up with GW2 at the time and FFXIV and I were not at a place where we could yet meet in the middle.

So... no, just because an emote is in-game, doesn't mean it's okay to use it to abuse someone else, or that a report for emote harassment will be ignored.

[Aylis]

A few years ago, when I was first trying out the game, I zoned into Ul'Dah and went AFK a few moments whilst doing so. When I came back a lala was emote spamming that godsawful laugh at me. I moved away into the street to figure out what to do next in the game or where to go (I was new, didn't know what I was doing and so on), and the lala followed me, still emote laugh spamming me, and continued to do so, even when I moved further on up the street for a second time. I was flustered, didn't know what to do, but my husband advised reporting them, and for me to zone to X aetheryte, so that's what I did. A little less than an hour later, I had a GM contact me in game to check up and see if I was okay. They were very kind and understanding, and though I don't recall exactly what was said, I do remember being told that sort of behaviour was not condoned. I imagine, though I don't think they told me, the GM then went to find the offending popoto, and hopefully put it out of its misery for a short spell. Though I actually just unsubbed not long afterwards as it didn't give me the best impression of the game, amongst other things and despite the kindly intervention of the GM - though I admit that unsub was mostly because I hadn't finished up with GW2 at the time and FFXIV and I were not at a place where we could yet meet in the middle.

So... no, just because an emote is in-game, doesn't mean it's okay to use it to abuse someone else, or that a report for emote harassment will be ignored.

It's true. A few years ago I remember a very ummm...colorful person emote spamming my friends and I when we were just sitting and talking to ourselves in party chat in Limsa. We all reported them and later on in the night a GM contacted all of us to further investigate. I can't say for sure what happened but I know from doing a lot of things in Limsa (GC and all) that said person was an active harasser in Limsa. After that night for the life of me I can't remember ever seeing them again there.

[AxlStream]

It's true. A few years ago I remember a very ummm...colorful person emote spamming my friends and I when we were just sitting and talking to ourselves in party chat in Limsa. We all reported them and later on in the night a GM contacted all of us to further investigate. I can't say for sure what happened but I know from doing a lot of things in Limsa (GC and all) that said person was an active harasser in Limsa. After that night for the life of me I can't remember ever seeing them again there.

Wow how awful... Emote spam...

[Nedkel]

A few years ago, when I was first trying out the game, I zoned into Ul'Dah and went AFK a few moments whilst doing so. When I came back a lala was emote spamming that godsawful laugh at me. I moved away into the street to figure out what to do next in the game or where to go (I was new, didn't know what I was doing and so on), and the lala followed me, still emote laugh spamming me, and continued to do so, even when I moved further on up the street for a second time. I was flustered, didn't know what to do, but my husband advised reporting them, and for me to zone to X aetheryte, so that's what I did. A little less than an hour later, I had a GM contact me in game to check up and see if I was okay. They were very kind and understanding, and though I don't recall exactly what was said, I do remember being told that sort of behaviour was not condoned. I imagine, though I don't think they told me, the GM then went to find the offending popoto, and hopefully put it out of its misery for a short spell. Though I actually just unsubbed not long afterwards as it didn't give me the best impression of the game, amongst other things and despite the kindly intervention of the GM - though I admit that unsub was mostly because I hadn't finished up with GW2 at the time and FFXIV and I were not at a place where we could yet meet in the middle.

So... no, just because an emote is in-game, doesn't mean it's okay to use it to abuse someone else, or that a report for emote harassment will be ignored.

Thats a really thin skin there.
I meet few people like that some of them used different emotes, it was hilarious and i laugh at them back and made few friends like that, they are just making it for fun, probably they are drunk or high. Its part of mmorpg social interactions.

[Ceridwenae]

Thats a really thin skin there.
I meet few people like that some of them used different emotes, it was hilarious and i laugh at them back and made few friends like that, they are just making it for fun, probably they are drunk or high. Its part of mmorpg social interactions.

Just wondering why it's funny or fun to follow people emote spamming. Please elaborate.

[Nedkel]

Just wondering why it's funny or fun to follow people emote spamming. Please elaborate.

Because its a game, and someone is trying to get attention or reaction from you? Thats all what is about.
Someone laughing at stranger does not have a reason to laugh at him, but he does that to see someone else reaction at unordinary thing. It was different in the OP situation since he was doing a duty and someone was trolling him in it, but spaming emotes in the city is just a child play.
A lot of people playing this game do not take it seriously, especially minors who are trolling people around with emotes. Stop being so grumpy about it, thats sad.

[Schan]

I also remember back in ARR when DRGs had a certain skill that they could spam. Don’t remember what it was, I just know they jumped up and spun their spear into the ground, and it was really really loud.

Ring of Thorns. Also known as the pole dance. Kinda miss that skill but yeah... that skill and Dark Knight's Unleash are annoying when spammed non-stop.

Because its a game, and someone is trying to get attention or reaction from you? Thats all what is about.
Someone laughing at stranger does not have a reason to laugh at him, but he does that to see someone else reaction at unordinary thing. It was different in the OP situation since he was doing a duty and someone was trolling him in it, but spaming emotes in the city is just a child play.
A lot of people playing this game do not take it seriously, especially minors who are trolling people around with emotes. Stop being so grumpy about it, thats sad.

There is using an emote a couple of times then there's literally chasing you everywhere and spamming emotes 100+ times. Random person laughing at me? sure thing. you do you buddy.
Person literally following me around spamming emotes for the next 30 minutes? Not cool.

Wether you like it or not emotes can be used as a tool for harassment.

Interestingly enough Lalas and Catgirls are the worst offenders of this second type of spam(especially if they have that voice). There is a stereotype for a reason.

[Ceridwenae]

Because its a game, and someone is trying to get attention or reaction from you? Thats all what is about.
Someone laughing at stranger does not have a reason to laugh at him, but he does that to see someone else reaction at unordinary thing. It was different in the OP situation since he was doing a duty and someone was trolling him in it, but spaming emotes in the city is just a child play.
A lot of people playing this game do not take it seriously, especially minors who are trolling people around with emotes. Stop being so grumpy about it, thats sad.

I'll start this with why I posted my initial post in the first place: because it seemed as though one of the posters didn't think emote spam worthy of report. And though I'd say it'll depend on the emote, the amount of spam, the person doing the spam and their intent (and intent is what's important, btw), and the person they are spamming as to how it's dealt with, the GM who contacted me outright told me it wasn't condoned behaviour, regardless of where in game it occurs. That was supposed to be the important take-away, but I know it's often easy to overlook the point of someone who's overly verbose when they're trying to elucidate.

So, nah, I'm not grumpy about it. Don't assume that! I might be being quite definite about how I really despise otherwise fun stuff being used to bully or harass people, but I'm not grumpy. I can get angry about such things, but this is just a debate here. It's fun to hear all sides, so long as they're stated in a polite way. Believe you me, if anything ever happens like that to you, I will stand in your corner and fight for you (we're even on the same server. You can look me up if you need to, but I don't think you're the sort who'll have problems!). I asked for your elaboration out of a genuine wish to see why it might be a thing for someone to do this. Understanding all sides is useful to come to a general conclusion in how this kind of thing is dealt with.

I do understand what you're saying however, and despite your assumption, thank you for replying. You have a good day, you.