Ettiquite- what's the best way to contact your in-world friends?

What do you think is the most considerate to contact people in SL?

Instant message, of course! No?

I'll list them in order of ease...


1) Instant Message (Ingame)
2) Talking Ingame
3) Note Card Passing
4) Scripted Telephone
5) Spelling the words out in prim
6) Forums

- Sam

(Truly, IM is the easiest and securest way to talk to your friends ingame.)

I think IM is cause there are very few people in world I feel comfortable stalking. Yeah I know if you excahange calling cards with someone you like them at least a little but we still jokingly call it stalking.

I often send an "Hi- am I interrupting anything?" type of IM, to give my friend an out if they're caught up in something (or not feeling social). But I know a few people who slam their friends with unsoliceted conversations, for example:







Personally it depends on the behavior of the stalker. If he/she stops by occasionaly to see what I'm up to, that's fine. If he's showing up the second I log on and following me everywhere (this has happened), we have a problem.

I usually first check my calling card list. If I notice a friend on there I would like to visit, I check their location on the map. If they are in a large crowd of people, and I know the location is pretty public, I'll often teleport over if I want to see them. I usually stand at a distance first, just to make sure it isn't some private group meeting, but usually I know based on the location and the person if this would be the case.

If they are alone when I check the map, or with only one or two other people, then I usually IM them first to chat (unless I know for certain that this friend does not mind me popping in if they are alone). If it leads to a visit, all the more better.

Either one can be annoying when it comes to Builders Vs. Non-Builders. I constantly get IM'd blindly when I'm in the middle of a project from nonbuilders and "Basic Members" who don't even own land and could give a crap less about what im making it seems at times, those ppls Calling Cards get put on the chopping block eventually needless to say, so unless you have a very close SL relationship w/ another person inworld, I'd say to check thier CC to see atleast if they are busy or to ask in IM if they are, who knows, mabey if you're polite enough, they might even give you a free sample of the new script or bauble they made.

I send an IM first, before coming over. IM's are like IW phone calls to me.

IRC on Efnet

Depends which friend. I am treasured to know such a diverse variety of people with good vibes. I am thankful for the good company.

I have some friends who prefer to be contacted via IM first, because they are intensely focused on scripting and do not wish to be bothered by a watermelon-rezzing me. I very much respect this.

I have some other friends I actively stalk around the map and shoot with Seburos, before flying off. This is done consensually, and is not the activity of GREEFER KIN. They may be bored out of their minds and in need of a good thrill. Sometimes I will drop giant pancakes on them, or we will sail around the map in a Hammerhead so fast that sim crossings will totally break us and we'll get tossed out in sitting positions in opposite directions, necessitating a relog -- ah, chaotic fun.

If someone seems busy to me... then I'll ask for their pardon and talk another time.

After I've mutually established comfort for both parties involved, I can proceed easier.

But yuh... usually an IM. My introductory messages, be they via IM or in public chat, obviously vary depending on who I'm addressing. Here's some based on real examples from past, present, and future, tailored to certain individuals. See if you can guess who's who.


-y0000 amig0 wazzup?

-HEYYYYYYYYYY YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG I'M SO EXCITED! THANKS SOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!! I'M GONNA TRY IT ON RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!

-send me da nu-est weapon prototype. kthxbye

-Hello How've you been? I'm so happy to see you again -- in IM, anyway. By the way, I'm saying this because I really mean it. And oh, I have a question...

-I SUE YOU! GREEFER KIN!!!

-*glomps*

-Awwwwwwwww I'm so happy to hear from you *huggerz*

-Hey honeybunches <3

-OMG!!! YAYZERAMA!!! YOU FIXED IT!!!

-Ah hey, I'm writing to say hi and.. uh... there's another bug I noticed with my Profile.

-hi you're prolly busy but if you're not can ya get back to me? Thanks.

-=^_^=

-I've told you before that this isn't just a game, and I'll tell you again. Hi, this is Torley calling, and this is my daily message from me to you on Second Life!

-hi

-!@#$!!!

Depends who it is.. some people I IM - some people I just show up - close personal friends I drop exploding physical objects on to herald my arrival.

Siggy.

i voted other because i do both. sometimes i im blindly; sometimes i look them up.

they can, of course, not respond or stay busy. i only get annoying if i really need to talk to them. if blind ims or sudden appearances bother you, please delete my card.

It depends on how close the friends are and how many green dots are in their immediate vicinity. Most I IM, some I just stalk.

This bit of good manners goes for everyone though. If you are flying around and find people at altitude... just assume that they are either Pixel Mashing (sex!!) or working on something.. Either way don't just fly up an say Hi!!

<currently trying to work on a project uninterrupted by fly-bys>


Surreal

I can't imagine such codes of behavior with the Midnight crew. If we aren't stalking each other, we send an im something to the effect of: "Hey HO Bag...TP ME"

we love each other

-aimee

I just yell: 'Hey! Buttwad! Git yer ass over here'! Works equally well in RL.

IM. I don't drop in on people. They could be naked. Don't wanna see any of that. Some of them got talking moles.

I usually IM first. Unless its Dek or one of my neighbors. I'll even yell "knock knock" so they know i'm there. I'm just annoying like that.

Your complete lack of tact is refreshing, Devlin - I must meet you in-world sometime.

But I warn you, I don't do diapers.

If it's my neighbor, I like the screaming Knock Knock. Gives me time to hide the bodies before they get to the front door.

What, you too?

I am simply blown away after reading this thread in it's entirety.

oops. i think option 1 and 2 are fine. i prefer one for convenience, not because 2 is rude. if people want privacy they should use their alt.

I can't say that I have ever given too much thought about whether or not to contact someone ingame! To me, it seems that for some friends it would be an affront if I DIDN'T at least say hello. Others, I might want to see personally, but unless I have a particular reason, I usually wait for an invitation or ask to see them at a convenient time.

I must confess that sometimes, when I am busy or absorbed in a task, I may not reply to an invitation. I do't think it is rude to do ahtat, but it is something I employ very judiciously. I ALWAYS try to follow up with an explanation at my first opportunity.

Zephyr

IM them.
Busy? Ignore them. They usually understand.
Return the IM when you can.