Public areas and Community Standards

So I had a couple incidents over the past week that prompted this poll.
One took place at the Ahern welcome area where I was helping a new resident who in voice asked how she could fix it to not hear the endless stream of cussing and swearing going on there. As I proceeded to explain to her in voice how to mute people a few of the offending residents went ape shit crazy throwing insults at both of us and insisting we leave the “welcome” area. I sent the now utterly shocked newbie to Help Island and stuck around until a Linden showed up.
The second incident took place at Orientation Island Public where there were 4 residents on top of the big sign going at it with sex animations. They were clothed but I asked them if they could find someplace else to do that. They stopped but then wanted to debate whether what they were doing was indecent since they were clothed.
I didn’t AR anyone in either situation for a number of reasons including I knew some of the residents in both incidents and ultimately I disrupted their activity anyway.
Regardless of whether you think I handled these situations well or not; I would like to know what level of tolerance should be expected from SL residents when exposed to these types of situations in a PG area, especially when newbies are around.

And here are some excerpts from the Community Standards, TOS and the Knowledge Base concerning indecency.

Grrr…it’s Friday and I’m ready to go home
This is the same thing as the “How to handle indecency” thread but with the Poll

It's our job not to argue with people, though even though I chose choise one I think a mix of one and two is probably appropriate, you should AR in more than the most extreme cases but you really have to go with your gut, if it's just some clueless newbie then give them the benefit of the doubt, if it's someone who's come in to grief then AR right away and it's really just a judgment call.

DaQbet...

First, take a look at the KB article titled "What is the difference between PG and Mature land?"

Second, remember that "as MENTORs" we are not enforcers of anything in SL. We are tasked with helping to educate users, particularly new users, about Second Life - how to use the software, how to find stuff, how to do stuff, what there is to do, etc.

Certainly, we can offer advice, such as: "Remember that this is a PG rated area... please keep language and behavior at a PG level.. thanks!"

If the person continues in an inappropriate fashion - in YOUR opinion as a SL Resident - file an Abuse Report... just as you would have done prior to becoming a Mentor, and just as you would advice any non-Volunteer SL Resident to do.

The *only* way for LL to improve the Abuse Reporting system is to let it work.

Very helpful advice coming in. Not only from the Forum but in world as well.
Thanks

As FlipperPA pointed out in the other thread, the welcome areas have been going downhill for years. My advice is to stay away from those cesspools. As far as doing something about it us mentors can't do a thing. It is up to Linden Labs to do make a decision about what to do with welcome areas. For years some of us have suggested that the welcome areas be restricted to newbies and mentors only or that Linden Labs do away with them entirely.

The only purpose of welcome areas now is to provide a hangout for griefers.

Its sad what these welcome areas have turned into, but I don’t agree that they should be abandoned and its that attitude that frustrates me a much as the griefing.
I can certainly understand the disappointment of attempting to do good work and have it minimized and belittled by those people who’s only goal is to draw attention to themselves in the most childish way they can. But to simply say well there’s nothing we can do except hide goes against my nature and I would hope there are others who feel the same way as I do.
I personally refuse to be a defeatist and abandon these welcome areas. Even though just standing there as a Mentor can draw the ire of a griefer. Many of whom have no sense of community and no intention of making any sort of contribution to this community. Those individuals usually have a short presence in Second Life anyway and if I can discourage them I will or expedite their departure with ARs At least I’ll be there for those that do need help. How can we educate residents on the value of Community Standards if we don’t draw the line between what’s acceptable in a PG area, and what’s not? If we give up on the Welcome Areas then what’s next? Where do we draw the line? Will there be no place on the mainland that new residents can go?
Maybe I’m naive. Most probably I am. But I’m going to take advantage of my high aspiration and push forward to make SL a better place and not give in. Not now. Not yet.
/steps off soapbox