When did it become cool to bash new people?

Far too many good, smart people lately are piling on to cruel and unfriednly posts aimed at new SL-ers. Sure, we all get tired of seeing the same questions over and over, but that's not happening becuase the people asking are stupid. It's because they are valid questions that are not addressed in the sign up process or in Prelude Island.
With the rare exception of people who show up and start tYpiNg L13K thIs or telling everyone they will burn in hell for being on the internet, most new SL-ers are not dumb and don't deserve to be treated like children.
Maybe this is a weird thing to say in the rant forum, but how about trying to be a little nicer? Some of these people might just end up being our best friends.

Bah! Trolls don't NEED friends.

I have to agree with TinaStar here. The SL community has a reputation of being friendly and helpful, and I'd like to see that continue. If it means we have to occasionally answer a few questions that seem silly to us, that's part of being a community.

I agree, and as long as my fingers have strength I will try to answer the question. "Teach me everything about SL." (That SL Instuctor tag is very misleading).

"When did it become cool to bash new people?"
right NOW

When you become an old person.

Tina are you referring to the numerous miss posted I-Want-Land messages that have not found their way to the Land for the Landless thread?

Or something else?

And is this just here on the forums or inWorld as well?

Yeah, so many people forget that they were new at one time, too.. and back then they asked questions that had already been asked a million times before. It's the online version of the circle of life

Technically, when some of us signed up, the questions we asked hadn't been asked before.

I agree Tina, there's just no excuse for some of the posts. So what if it's the 1000th time -we've- heard the question, it's the -first- time the newbs have asked it.

Every time I see someone coming down on a new person I can't help but be reminded of people who can only feel good about themselves by making others feel bad about themselves. It's just sad and so unneccessary.

Merwan, for what it's worth, I've seen some of that sort of behavior in the forums, and inworld, too.

On the other hand, I've seen an upswing in abusive behavior by newbies, too -- as the demographics of incoming people change.

I think part of the problem is that the veterans sometimes feel overwhelmed. -Some- of them may not be making distinctions between the majority of newbies who will be fine additions to the population, and the minority who have issues. It can be tough to do, but it's necessary.

Good point Dovovan.

It would also be helpful if there were more SL Basic classes to help get the new folks up-to-speed.

It's not cool.

Being new to SL can have a frightening similarity to being the new kid in school. Everyone seems to know everyone else, have cliques and stories that don't involve you, and you seem to spend a good portion of your time trying to find a niche for yourself.

Those who feel the need to try and make themselves sound elite by mentioning how UNnew they are, or pointing out how silly the new people are, are no different than the high-school bullies who we later realized were just insecure and needed to bolster their own egos by tearing down someone else's.

It's not the newbies I feel sorry for. They have a good excuse for being 'clueless'. The senior members don't have that excuse, and their cluelessness comes off as more of a character flaw than innocent ignorance.

Next time anyone feels the desire to bash newcomers simply for being new, just remember it's not Them that ends up looking stupid.

Or better put.. think of it like Chinese water torture.

After while it'll snap you if done enough.

So also consider the other side as well. Not just the one.

As for the forums, that's a different story entirely. While people can think whatever they want about me here, a lot of the newbies who have interacted with me in world will say the exact opposite of here.

So don't take the forums for anything but the Weekly Star report on drama and flames.

If you're having difficulty understanding basics, building, or just getting around. You're welcome to IM me in game and I'll be happy to assist.

You know your a newbie when........



Your avatar is a complete flag......even hair.

You know your a newbie when......

you use the "talk to" button instead of just typing it in public

You know your a newbie when ........

you unlink a 30 prim scripted object...and find yourself calling the maker to ask how to put it back.

If ever I poke fun at newbieness, I'm poking fun at myself.

But it is true what Julia said, what is read here in the forums isn't the prevalent mentality in world. There are a lot of helpful people in world who never go to the forums. And fortunately they are who most newcomers meet.

But I also agree with Donovan, in that I personally can't always tell who's new to the game and really interested in it, and who's here just to ruffle some feathers. I do my best to treat every newcomer the same way. Even when they're pointing a gun to my face and shooting me point blank. I still suspend judgement.

Maybe that's not the best way to handle abusive players. But so far, even when I do encounter some brats, it doesn't really ruin my day. And it is always fulfilling to know I helped someone out, even if all I did was show them where Luna Mall or Jessie is.

I usually try to give newbies the benefit of the doubt. I have helped out some newbs at the welcome area and they've looked me up after a couple of weeks and said thanks.

I've also been told I have a bad attitude by a newbie who wanted a free copy of my goggles. I explained that I made my goggles for my own avatar, and that I do not hand them out because they're a personal item that is part of my "me" look. They continued to complain and whine. Now, I can certainly understand how someone would get annoyed after 50 newbs a day wander past begging for money and goods.

I can see both sides of the coin.