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.

[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.

[Diavolo]

It's not really "falsely" typical if it has a basis in truth. Considering all the tourists that come to my city from the USA for one reason or another and act like prats, someone saying, "Typical so and so" isn't really ignorant. It's something learned through experience. Stereotypes usually have a basis in truth and considering my own girlfriend, who is an American, is ashamed of her own people and how they act towards the international community on personal levels, I'd say it's not too far off the mark. That's not to say every American acts that way. I've got quite a few good American friends who don't, but these same friends will tell you the self-entitled attitude and 'Murrica > you attitude is pretty rampant. Ever play any of the CoD series? The amount of racist/homophobic comments is quite appalling.

[KimimiAvesta]

While I do feel the OP is a little preachy considering the subject matter it's incredibly difficult to come across otherwise and I do agree with all the points made in it.

If we want this game to be a pleasant experience then we need to be pleasant people - I'd say it's not difficult but it does seem to be beyond some :/

[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.

[Xenogias]

Snip

But it IS ignorance. You are basing your opinions of an entire country on a handful of people you have met and because your girlfriend is "ashamed" of her own people. Even if you have met a couple hundred people or even a couple thousand that does not make up an entire population. Don't even bring up COD. That's hardly an American only issue if you have ever watched the pro series. Its funny. So many get pissed when their race or country is attacked with stereotypes yet they seem to think its not the same when they say Americans are self-entitled jackasses. Every country has its bad and its good. America is no different than where you live like it or not.

Just want to point out I try to be nice to everyone. I don't care if you are male, female, American, Canadian, Russian, Japanese, Chinese....I just don't care. Everyone is human. But attack me or my country based off the same stereotypes that you claim to hate and its hard to be nice about it.