A polite reminder about what it means to be a Folk person.

Tigershark · Post by **Tigershark** » Fri May 06, 2011 3:38 pm

Hi there,
I wanted to talk to you about something that has been bothering me a little lately.

You see, we at Folk are low friction. We don't put obligations on you or make you sign over your children (although I did that with Fer but that's another story) and whilst there is no obligation to attend any sessions we organise there is a trend, and ever increasing trend, that I would hope we as kind, polite Folk (well not Xia) can reverse.

Perhaps it is the nature of the Internet. Perhaps it is because the casual and relaxed nature of Folk breeds a casual and relaxed attitude to how we treat others but I have been dissapointed lately in people who say they are going to join a session and then don't show up.

It goes something like this. (All names have been disguised to protect the innocent). Let's say Fur announces a spontaneous ArmA session for a weeknight. A couple of people in Skype respond and say "great idea...I'll be there as of 9pm GMT". Some other people in Skype like LeopardFish and Karaoke see this and think to themselves, "hey..that looks like fun. I had some stuff I wanted to do tonight but it seems there is a critical mass to get some good mission time in with friends". 9.30pm comes around and it is only Fur, LeopardFish and Karaoke on the server playing a mission that, whilst mildly entertaining, wasn't quite what they had in mind when they saw that a potential 6 player mission was going to happen.

You see, this is like calling up your mate and telling him you'll meet him at the pub at 9pm and then just....not showing up. He would probably be well within his rights to be just a little more than upset with you. It's just basic manners that you would; a) honour your commitment or; b) call him well in advance to tell him you won't make it. To give him the opportunity to make other plans.

We don't force you to join sessions at Folk. In fact, there isn't much we ask from you at all. But I think the one thing we can ask of you is to honour your word. If you say you are going to make it to an unofficial session (or an official one for that matter) either honour your committment or give us as much notice as you can that you cannot make it. It's pretty simple really and no more than anyone would ask from you in any other social situation in real life.

Thanks for listening and I hope that we can remember that we are not just fellow gamers but most of us are friends with each other (except for Xiathorn who is too busy being "extra special" friends with any co-worker he can get his hands on and Fer who has no friends except for the shovel he drew eyes and a nose on in the back shed)

Regards,
LeopardFish...errr...Tigershark.

theG57 · Post by **theG57** » Fri May 06, 2011 4:14 pm

I agree!

Honor your word...

Post by **fer** » Fri May 06, 2011 4:55 pm

Tigershark wrote:If you say you are going to make it to an unofficial session (or an official one for that matter) either honour your committment or give us as much notice as you can that you cannot make it.

Just to clarify, and with particular regard to the official session(s), this is only if you've said on Skype words to the effect that you'll be there. What comrade Tigershark is not suggesting is that you have to make your excuses for every official session you don't attend - being able to come and go is sort of the point of Folk. This is just about when you say you'll be there and don't show - comrade Tigershark's pub analogy is perfect. At least I think so. I have never been to a pub to meet friends.

Tigershark wrote:and Fer who has no friends except for the shovel he drew eyes and a nose on in the back shed)

Comrade Shovel is totes a better conversationalist than comrade Tigershark. True story, bro.

car00ke · Post by **car00ke** » Fri May 06, 2011 7:40 pm

I agree with Tiger, and i can get what Fer means too.
Nobody's forced into doing anything, but it's more fun if we can play all together - when we promised to do so

I always think, the more people we have playing along, the more fun!

Hope to see y'all on sunday!

Car00ke

mort · Post by **mort** » Sat May 07, 2011 12:31 pm

I'm Comrade Mort and I endorse this message

LiddleFeesh · Post by **LiddleFeesh** » Sat May 07, 2011 1:38 pm

Seconded, (although I'm not on the Skype group chat).

Jefke · Post by **Jefke** » Sat May 07, 2011 6:50 pm

i wanna meet the shovel

generalcarver · Post by **generalcarver** » Mon May 09, 2011 7:28 pm

Great reminder. I think we just need to remind FOLK players that there is no pressure to attend and its ok for them to say "no".

Playboy · Post by **Playboy** » Tue May 10, 2011 1:36 pm

I always attend 100% if i say i'm gonna be there i'll be there. So i endorse Tigers statement.