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Dear Ms. Netiquette,
I was recently playing a game with another member whom I had never met before. We were chatting and generally having a good time when for whatever reason the internet belched and our game kicked us both out. We communicated for a moment in the main chat room and then I proceeded to set up another table for us to play at.
Just as soon as I had set the table up and was waiting for my new friend to arrive, another member sat at the table with me. I typed a hello into the chat window and I said, “I’m so sorry, but I am waiting on another player to join me. I hope you don’t mind.”
This person responded, “Well, I do mind, so let’s get started.”
I left the table and eventually hooked back up with the original person I was playing with. I know that you can make a table private so that these kinds of things don’t happen, but what do you do in the instance of someone you have just met that you want to continue to play with? It’s not like I could just announce a private table password across the main chat room.
And why would this second person think that I would even want to play with them after their rudeness?
Shaking My Head
| Dear Shaking My head, Perhaps you didn’t get the memo. Recently the entire universe went through a dramatic shift and the world now revolves around this lady you had the fortune to meet. So close to such fame, and you didn’t even realize it! What a shame! I am, of course, kidding. However, there are people in world – many people in this world – who truly do seem to believe that the entire universe actually does revolve around them. We are merely here to ensure that their every need is attendted to or to provide them with fodder for their drama. Usually these sorts of folks see only two types of people: those who will help them, and those who are against them. Both provide a use. So, what can you do? I actually think you handled the situation perfectly. I can understand that someone might be mildly annoyed by your request – it is a small rejection – but in a well-mannered society, we strive to understand why people make these sorts of requests and oblige them politely. So, while internally she might have felt a bit put out, externally she should have been gracious about it. It’s called good sportsmanship. It’s unlikely this event will ever repeat itself, but should you ever find yourself in a similar predicament, you can set up a Private Table, and whisper the password to your opponent by typing: /w (screen name) (message and password) into the chat. For instance, if you were playing me, you’d type:
This will show up only for your opponent in the main chat, and it works for both Free players and Club players. And to answer your second question: why would she expect you to play with her after she’d been so rude? Because she probably really does believe that it’s your job to accommodate her needs. |
Ms. Netiquette,
I have noticed a problem in Battle Phlinx that I need your help with. When playing this game, either by joining an existing game or having others join yours, some players become extremely upset at the “Prank” option when it is played on them. When a player loses the round, they can then watch the remaining players as they try and finish the game, playing pranks on whomever they wish.
If these players who become so enraged at the prank option, could you please remind them that they can create a table of their very own and remove the option of playing pranks? Those players need to understand that when joining a game, they can search for one that has that option blacked as well, thus removing the event from occurring at all.
There is no need to call names, use profanity or belittle the person who chooses to use this prank option. If you don’t like having the prank option “ON”, then either choose another game to join or create your own table! Simple!
Thank you for all your help in these situations. I have learned bunches by reading your column!
No Battle in Battle
| Dear Battle in Battle, Excellent reminder! Occasionally we forget that some of our table games have a really robust set of options and that we have more control over our experience than we previously thought. Thanks so much for reminding people in such a nice way. |
Dear Ms. Netiquette,
I had to go a couple months without the internet and therefore couldn’t be on Pogo, which was sad.
I recently moved to a new place that had internet and I was so glad to come back. I went into a Lottso room to work on a badge. It was getting late so it was one other player and myself. Between games I was getting ready for bed and I accidentally missed the first round. I joked between the next rounds that I missed the first one. The other player stated she would miss the next round to make it fair.
Even when I told her she didn’t have to since I was too slow in what I was doing it was my own fault. She still missed the round to make it fair.
I know most people probably would not have done that. This act of kindness from a random player showed me why I missed Pogo so much when I didn’t have internet. Just thought I would share an act of kindness with you since you usually get people who have bad experiences.
Sincerely,
So Glad to Have Pogo Back in My Life
| Dear So Glad to Have Pogo Back in My Life, What a wonderful letter! Thank you so much for writing. I do get complaints from players who find it frustrating that I publish so many letters about people having issues. It’s actually what this column is for, so while I do appreciate their feedback, I will continue to respond to player’s issues. That said, I will try to publish some happier letters that remind us all that while there are certainly those who annoy us, there are also a lot of wonderful folks on Pogo, and on occasion we should take some time out to appreciate them. So, hats off to all of our players who regularly practice good sportsmanship and are often willing to go out of their way to help others. You are the foundation of the Pogo community and a huge part of why Pogo is still the best place to play games on the web! |
Have an etiquette question for Ms. Netiquette? Email msnetiquette@pogo.com
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