Social Standards

Since we're a social kinship, we've developed social standards of conduct based around the principles of positive gameplay. Some of these standards have resulted in some things being considered rude behavior by our members.

When entering into any new society, there are often moments of tension caused when someone says something taboo in that culture, does something that is well intentioned yet is taken wrong, and so forth. We have such a wide variety of age ranges, life experiences, cultures, and backgrounds among our membership that we have decided to publish an etiquette guide that addresses some of the taboos that exist within the Pie Lovers Society kinship.

These are not rules that have been handed down by the officers in an attempt to control members. These are standards that members have developed over time, on their own.

These guidelines should be observed in our public communications platforms: kinship chat, fellowship/raid chat, in-game voice chat, on the Ventrilo server, and on the forums. You are encouraged to get to know each other and you may most certainly discuss anything you desire in private whispers, private parties, private Vent channels, and email. Once again, this only applies to our public communications platforms.

Begging is considered rude.

This includes begging for money, items, crafting services, runs, quest help, etc. There are tactful and polite ways to ask for any of these. The best practice to observe is to state what you need without belittling, attacking, berating or guilting folks. If you are unsure of how to do this, whisper an officer and let them know what you need. The officer may help you in deciding how to best let others know what you need without coming across as being rude or impolite. Using the Pie Lovers Society forums provides an excellent method of requesting help and is preferred.

Cussing or foul/suggestive language is not only against kinship policy, it is rude.

Our kinship is rated G (PG at the very worst). This standard includes sexually suggestive comments and acronyms or Internet shorthand that if spelled out would be cussing. Example: ROFL is fine but the more extended version of that isn't.

While most of our members are parents, couples, adults, and business professionals, many of them have small children who may be listening in (voice chat) or watching the screen and reading what you type. We also have some members (some are the children of members) who are quite young. While in your own culture it may not be considered bad to cuss, use foul language, make sexually suggestive comments, etc. it is very offensive in many other cultures which exist within our ranks.

How can you prevent making an inappropriate comment? There are several approaches but one to consider is ask yourself if you would hear it in a rated G Disney movie. If the answer is "No", then it's inappropriate for the kinship. Please be considerate of others.

Selling items or crafting services to kinship members is considered rude.

Why on earth would a kin mate not want to buy this item before I put it up for auction? Insanity!

While it sounds like a great idea at first, it is considered rude to advertise items for sale to kin mates. If you are giving an item away, please, ask in kinship chat if anyone wants it. But when you advertise items for sale in our public channels our members feel they are being held as a captive audience and view attempts to find buyers in these channels much like a popup ad at a website. The product may be wonderful, may really help you lose weight, and just might be the greatest bargain on the face of the planet, but they still don't want to see it. If they really need something, they will politely ask in kin chat or post on the forums with their request.

If a kin mate comes to you and requests that you make an item for them you can most certainly tell them you need a little silver to cover vendor purchased items, tool repair, or that you need some gathered crafting mats, etc. Considering the cost of mail in the game it's also fine to mail items COD for the cost of postage.

Basically, don't say, "Hey, I have this [Thunderous Epic Widget of Doomslaying], anyone want one?" and then pop off that it's 15 gold. If you're giving it away it's fine. If you're selling it, just head to the Auction Hall with it. We won't be offended that you didn't ask us first.

Leet Speek, Gangsta Talk, Teen Lingo

We haven't the foggiest notion of what the heck you just said. If you're trying to communicate, please do so. We'd really love to hear what you have to say! But please, when you do speak in the public channels, try and do so with the hope that folks know what you meant.

Remember that we are old people for the most part. Imagine you are talking to your dad or even your grandparents.

Controversial/Polarizing Subjects

We avoid potentially controversial and polarizing subjects such as politics, religion, military involvement overseas, etc. We understand and respect that everyone has their own views and opinions but if a subject has the potential for causing folks to get out their soapboxes and stop enjoying the game, then it's to be avoided in the public channels.

Once again, feel free to discuss these topics, use leet speek, etc. in private channels as long as nobody there minds it. If you see that many people are on who enjoy a specific type of counter-culture, feel free to create a new custom User Channel. You may then say in the public channel that anyone who is bored, etc. may join your chat channel. The point here is that you should not make folks feel like they either have to turn off kinship chat, log out, or quit the kinship to not have to listen to it.

Do you think the Pie Lovers Society may be the kinship for you? Just register on the forums to get access to the Applications board. Good luck and remember that life is always better with pie!