Dax Dover

How do we as a group help others learn what is appropriate and what is inappropriate behavior. I believe the best way to teach behavior (good or bad) is by example. I have learned that being civil to others won't make them, or anyone else, behave civilly, unless they already have the desire or motivation to do so. I am of an older generation that was raised to say please and thank you, to treat others with respect. I know many teens and people in their 20s who know how to treat others with respect too, so I don't believe this is something only the "older" generation knows how to do, but I know where you're coming from. I am pleading with all here to begin using manners and courtesy whendealing with others, your behavior here reflects your behavior in-worldand in RL and I don't know about you but I would never want to betreated the way some treat others. I think a lot of respondents who use the forums and discussion blogs don't really care about responding seriously. (Perhaps, to them, this place is just an extension of the "game"?) Also, being anonymous allows even more room for incivility. Finally, I believe that there are many more respectful people on these forums than there appears to be. It's just that they don't post as often, or they are reluctant to post. I know that, after a long time of reading the discussions, it took me a very long time to finally get up the courage to post something. I suspect I am not alone in that regard. Off-topic but related personal story.... When I was in freshman year of high school, I was considered a "goody-two-shoes". I was constantly being made fun of because I was one of the smartest and most well-behaved kid in class. So of course I was every teacher's pet. Because I was shunned by most of my classmates for being a good kid, occasionally I would deliberately rebel and do something "bad" just to show everyone that I could do it. Nothing horrible, just little things like strolling in late, or not wearing some part of the school uniform. Finally I got called in to the principal's office for something I did and after that I was "accepted" and never bothered again. I was free to be "good" again, which I happily did. I learned from that experience that it was much more fun to be "good" than "bad". But I also learned that some people think it's more fun to be "bad"! C'est la vie. You are not alone. Like you, I prefer to be civil and respectful. My suggestion would be to continue doing what you are doing - be civil and report offenders. And thank you!