Respect: A Simple Word

[Soldowner]

Greetings, my fellow Square Enix Forumites! Today I'm here to talk about the meaning of respect since that seems lost on many. This issue affects all sides, so it'd be best to begin there.

Foreign Communication:

Starting with our side of the world, I've noticed that many people will instantly become enraged for the smallest of reasons and chew out Square Enix, Yoshida, and even foreigners because they were upset. This is not a correct or healthy behavior, and it was obviously brought about because of the freedom provided in the USA. You'll yell all day because nobody knows who you are or what you look like over the internet, but that's no excuse for how you treat EVERYBODY over the internet. Do NOT place all the blame on your future and past companions, alright? Treat them with respect, no matter their background or experience. We'll all be happier for it if we act like what we've been called for years...a community.

Of course, that doesn't negate the reactions people not from America have. Allow me to start by saying if you have EVER said "Typical Americans", "That's how it is in America", or "You all act like children" then you are in the wrong instantly. If you've said these phrases you are ignorant and rude, and doubly so if you continue to believe these things. It's a gross generalization, and every time you make one like that, people on my side of the world bite back. I impart upon you the same wisdom I wish you give all of my fellow forumites...we should start acting like the community we are and support both each other and Square Enix.

TL;DR: Respect each other. Be humble and examine all sides of a point before you begin to hate each other. Show respect, and it will be shown to you.


Defending Square Enix:

I'll start off by saying that if people assume the simplest act of saying they like Square Enix is "White Knighting" that they are also wrong. It all comes down to personal taste, but we're all here for a reason...we're here to play the game. We can express our displeasure, but when we start attacking Square Enix we've done something wrong. Perhaps some people hate on Square Enix because all the "cool kids" do it, or maybe some people have a real reason to hate Square Enix all the way down to its core, I make no assumptions. All I'll say on this point is accessibility is not a bad thing. This game is easy to start and be integrated in to, but difficult to master. That's a perfect balance, but some people see the ease of access as a failing point for this game, and to them I say...you're wrong. Let's support Square Enix and make for a better game with constructive opinions!


Construction and Destruction:

One final point...being constructive means giving valid points and making a list of how you think things could be implemented, and how it'd help the game. Many people are destructive in their way of showing their opinions or displeasure, but this isn't the way we'll reach Mr. Yoshida's ears. We must show that we're a mature audience and that we can handle this like adults. We don't need to scream at him or cry and hope he hears us, instead, we must act as he does. We must be professional.

Professionalism being key has always been...well...key. Do you not believe that we'll be responded to in a more positive manner if we act in a more positive manner? I'm not saying you have to like Square Enix, Yoshida, or A Realm Reborn, but I AM saying you should act as if you're speaking to the man in public. Show that you can organize your points in a decent way, and for goodness sake don't scream at the man. If you wouldn't do it in public, why in the world would you do it when the guy is in a respected company? Treat him like a man, not like a punching bag.


The point behind all of this:

No long paragraphs this time, so I'll keep it short. I only post this to foster a sense of actual community, and knowing that some people will disagree with me, will attempt to set an example by being equally as patient with them as I want you all to be with each other. It's not that hard to understand.

(I had more written but I'm tired...think on what I've said for now.)

[Laeore]

Snip

Thanks, mom!

[Soldowner]

Thanks, mom!

Dude. I'm a bro.

[Laeore]

Dude. I'm a bro.

Yeah, but my dad never felt the urge to sling pointless/mindless moral tirades.

[Tule]

Yeah, but my dad never felt the urge to sling pointless/mindless moral tirades.

Maybe you would have turned out better if he did.

[Laeore]

Maybe you would have turned out better if he did.

How astute! I must be a horrible person because I don't agree with OP's happy-feel-good message of contempt for 3/4 of a continent.

[Iggyplatinum]

Refreshing ideas, Soldowner. Don't listen to the negativity.

[Ralos]

Your "lesson" (so to speak) is lost on Laeore, and unfortunately much of the community, but it heartens me to see some players now and then such as yourself who understand the importance of social behavior in an online setting. I can only hope some will read your post and walk away with some form of personal growth.

[Laeore]

Your "lesson" (so to speak) is lost on Laeore, and unfortunately much of the community, but it heartens me to see some players now and then such as yourself who understand the importance of social behavior in an online setting. I can only hope some will read your post and walk away with some form of personal growth.

Gimme a freakin' break. This thread, like the numerous other ones like it is pointless. You're going to run into nice people and not nice people. This is present in every culture, and the idea that Americans culture is somehow different and fostering of crappy behavior is insulting. It is a personal decision to be a nice community participant. I'm sorry if I don't feel the need to high five the fanboys for a spotlight on how nice and tolerant I am, while frowning out Americans like that demographic is even remotely homogenous enough to lump together anyways.

[Mychael]

and the idea that Americans culture is somehow different and fostering of crappy behavior is insulting.

You're right that every culture has counter-cultures (and individual asses), but American culture in particular has some beliefs/traits that make us come off as asses when we're just carrying out business as usual. We don't purposefully act impatient, and we don't purposefully say things too bluntly, but we don't realize we're offending people, and some don't realize it's unintentional.

Just some examples--when we say a meeting's is at 12:00, it's generally expected that everyone be in the room before 12:00. Not everyone thinks that way (not even in America, tbh, but most of us do). At least where I work (which is an international department), when people get frustrated about that discrepancy, that's where a lot of our "impatient, demanding reputation" comes from.

Likewise, when people in the US speak, we say what we mean in the clearest possible way. Some other cultures don't--some cultures, getting your point across is almost an art of hiding it within clever, indirect terms.

It's a matter of perspective--to us, others are being lazy, too relaxed, or not to-the-point. To them, we're impatient, in a hurry, and clumsy. You can fling insults at each other all you want, but it doesn't change either culture, or the fact that this thread was completely unnecessary. People are going to (re)act just like they always do.