Help! Did I accidentally invite this guy to roleplay?

geonsocal

Ghettokid wrote: »

Oh I see what that guy did.

It was the original "how are your boots so clean?"- Pick up line

Heard it, tried it.

Line works perfectly with piece of blanket and ethyl acetate.

now that's funny

Tonnopesce

I once met a drunk kajit that was roleplayng then suddendly he started a duel, after my victory he started to talk like a drunk cat and it was actually pretty fun to follow him in his madness

Rohamad_Ali

Should of said Barefoot and Fisticuffs Tyler Durden style , loser buys 20 stack Gold mats to reshine boots .

Runs

I am confused.

Do we need to be invited to roleplay in a roleplaying game? I mean I would understand if he was trying to ERP you... but it seems like he didn't cross into ERP. The "...you shall serve me" line, I took to be a reference to how you(OP) just claimed you use "cute guys", not a BDSM or any other "creepy" reference.

Abeille

Oh, phew! I thought it could be me for a second!

Whenever someone whispers me to compliment my outfit, I thank them in character. Sometimes we even talk in character for a while, and it is very nice. I never had a problem. I don't initiate conversations in character, though, unless it is with people I know or with people who are already acting in character (like @Recremen in zone chat).

starkerealm

Nestor wrote: »

As you know from working the RennFairs, that really odd person who is so out there you wonder if they are carrying around the return ticket to sanity in their pocket is an anomaly. They don't represent the masses, or even the group, or even a smattering. They represent themselves and no one else.


For the record, of all the Roleplaying I have ever done or overheard, this is not how the conversations go.

So, yea, put them on ignore and go on with the game. There are plenty of us normal, weird and eccentric folk out there to have fun with.

Yeah... in nearly 10 years of MMOs, I've encountered precisely one RPer that far over the rainbow. A few that were really committed to staying in character, but only one like that.

Bouldercleave

VagabondLife wrote: »

So my question is – did I accidentally say or do something to invite this guy to roleplay? Is “boot cleaning” some kind of ESO code I don't know about? Was I being trolled? Or was this guy just weird?

Yes

starkerealm

KaleidoscopeEyz wrote: »

That was code. He invited you back to his red room. What's the safe word?

I believe it's, "I was looking for the Eye of Argonia."

Abeille

starkerealm wrote: »

Nestor wrote: »

As you know from working the RennFairs, that really odd person who is so out there you wonder if they are carrying around the return ticket to sanity in their pocket is an anomaly. They don't represent the masses, or even the group, or even a smattering. They represent themselves and no one else.


For the record, of all the Roleplaying I have ever done or overheard, this is not how the conversations go.

So, yea, put them on ignore and go on with the game. There are plenty of us normal, weird and eccentric folk out there to have fun with.

Yeah... in nearly 10 years of MMOs, I've encountered precisely one RPer that far over the rainbow. A few that were really committed to staying in character, but only one like that.

I found only one too. Too bad he was the leader of a guild I was part of in other game.
The guy was crazy, but pretty hilarious. The kind of guy that starts to monologue in front of a boss several levels over him and ends up killed in one shot because he didn't keep a safe distance while monologing. He also had the annoying habit of deciding if someone's character was dead (at which point he kicked the person from the guild and ignored them even if they entered another RP guild and went to an event). It eventually got to our nerves and we called him out on his behavior, he accused us of rioting and killed his character because of that o.o

VagabondLife

Runs wrote: »

I am confused.

Do we need to be invited to roleplay in a roleplaying game? I mean I would understand if he was trying to ERP you... but it seems like he didn't cross into ERP. The "...you shall serve me" line, I took to be a reference to how you(OP) just claimed you use "cute guys", not a BDSM or any other "creepy" reference.

Well, I just had to google what "ERP" means, and oh dear lord...

That thing I walked into the other night, with the two chicks sitting on each other's faces on the top floor of the castle in Evermore... that makes SO much more sense now. Still really disturbing. But at least if it's a common thing, I don't feel quite as bad for stepping over them to loot that nightstand and then running away real quick with my eyes closed.

But to answer your question, yes, I think you should still need to be invited to roleplay. This isn't tabletop D&D, where roleplay is assumed. It's an MMO. I've played MMOs regularly for many years and never run into this kind of... um, scene? And I would never assume that another player was talking to me "in character" unless they made it explicitly clear.

But I run into the same thing at renfaires all the time. You'd think that if someone bought a ticket to the faire and dressed up in a fun costume and all, they would expect cast members to try to roleplay with them, right? But I'm always amazed at the number of patrons who look at me like I'm some kind of stalker freak invading their personal space. So I've learned my lesson over the years - they might have showed up, they might be dressed up, they might be talking in an accent and calling themselves Thor the Mighty, but it doesn't necessarily mean they have the slightest intention of playing along.

Even in the most roleplay-friendly of environments, you still can't assume you know what people's intentions or expectations are, I guess that's what I'm trying to say... :-)

Bouldercleave

Abeille wrote: »

starkerealm wrote: »

Nestor wrote: »

As you know from working the RennFairs, that really odd person who is so out there you wonder if they are carrying around the return ticket to sanity in their pocket is an anomaly. They don't represent the masses, or even the group, or even a smattering. They represent themselves and no one else.


For the record, of all the Roleplaying I have ever done or overheard, this is not how the conversations go.

So, yea, put them on ignore and go on with the game. There are plenty of us normal, weird and eccentric folk out there to have fun with.

Yeah... in nearly 10 years of MMOs, I've encountered precisely one RPer that far over the rainbow. A few that were really committed to staying in character, but only one like that.

I found only one too. Too bad he was the leader of a guild I was part of in other game.
The guy was crazy, but pretty hilarious. The kind of guy that starts to monologue in front of a boss several levels over him and ends up killed in one shot because he didn't keep a safe distance while monologing. He also had the annoying habit of deciding if someone's character was dead (at which point he kicked the person from the guild and ignored them even if they entered another RP guild and went to an event). It eventually got to our nerves and we called him out on his behavior, he accused us of rioting and killed his character because of that o.o

That's hardcore RP right there..

geonsocal

Nestor wrote: »

As you know from working the RennFairs, that really odd person who is so out there you wonder if they are carrying around the return ticket to sanity

you're post has me seriously wanting to go check out one of those rennaiascence festivals - seems like a good chance to put on an interesting character outfit and go have some fun...

looks like the rennaiascence fair is only open in the spring here in so cal...there is something called medieval times - costs a small fortune, but, could be a fun night for me and the god kids...

I was going to make some little clever quip about holding on to sanity being overrated - until I looked up some stats on alzheimer and dementia in america...yikes, scary stuff...hoping I can keep gaming (and keeping my mind active) for many years to come...

Nyghthowler

VagabondLife wrote: »

So my question is – did I accidentally say or do something to invite this guy to roleplay? Is “boot cleaning” some kind of ESO code I don't know about? Was I being trolled? Or was this guy just weird?

Well, there is boot cleaning and then there is Boot Cleaning 'wink wink, nudge nudge'

failkiwib16_ESO

VagabondLife wrote: »

Please help me understand this very strange encounter I had yesterday!

I'm a fairly new player, and yesterday I finally crafted my very first set of CP 160 gear. I was standing by the dye station in Wayrest, admiring my new look, when another player whispered me:

“How do you keep your boots clean?”

I was kinda preoccupied with my new outfit, and just took it as a compliment on my dye job – I had used that very dark black you get from killing Molag Bal on the boots. So I answered with a little joke:

“Oh, I just find a cute guy to clean them for me!” (I should note that both my toon and account name are obviously feminine.)

Other player's response: “Really? It's really easier to find a random guy and make him clean your boots than to just pay a professional to do it?”

So now I was confused. I thought I was probably being trolled, but then I've also known people on the autism spectrum who took sarcasm very literally, and I didn't want to risk being rude. So I just answered, “Never had any complaints!”

At which point the other player logged onto a different toon – this one obviously male – and challenged me to a duel.

I declined, since I refuse to be that jerk who duels on top of the dye station. The other player immediately challenged me again, whispering, “I challenge you to a duel! Let us settle this once and for all!”

Me: “Settle what, exactly? Boot cleaning methods?”
Him: “Cleaning boots is for the weak! We will settle this with a duel, and if I win, you shall serve me!”
Me: “Um... I've only been playing ESO for a few weeks, and I don't really know how roleplaying works, and I don't want to be rude, but... no thanks.”
Him: “What? Now I'm confused.”
Me: “Sorry?”
Him: “You are forgiven!”

And at that point I put myself in Offline mode because the whole thing was just getting a little too weird.

I don't have anything against roleplaying, per se – I work professionally at renaissance faires so it's literally my day job – but I have observed that the majority of the roleplay in ESO seems to consist of virgins awkwardly flirting with each other, and I mostly play this game with my boyfriend, so that's something I'd just like to avoid if at all possible.

So my question is – did I accidentally say or do something to invite this guy to roleplay? Is “boot cleaning” some kind of ESO code I don't know about? Was I being trolled? Or was this guy just weird?

The amount of things you put focus on in your post that is completely unrelated to the even/conversation you had with that person leads me to believe that this is either a complete troll post or you are roleplaying in character.

Nicely done OP, you almost had me.

Osteos

you cant immediately challenge someone to duel again. the game wont let you. Nice story though

Armitas

VagabondLife wrote: »

Me: “Settle what, exactly? Boot cleaning methods?”
Him: “Cleaning boots is for the weak! We will settle this with a duel, and if I win, you shall serve me!”
Me: “Um... I've only been playing ESO for a few weeks, and I don't really know how roleplaying works, and I don't want to be rude, but... no thanks.”
Him: “What? Now I'm confused.”
Me: “Sorry?”
Him: “You are forgiven!”

The best way to handle social situations with a creepy or strange person is to make up something to out-strange/creepify them.

Option 1:
Me: Hey you seem cool. My coven is looking for someone to donate some blood for a ritual would you want to help us out?
Him: ummm
Me: Oh, if that makes you uncomfortable you could just mail me some of your hair, I'll pay for shipping. Pleeeeassse?

Option 2:
Me: Do you live in America?
Him: yeah
Me: Will you help me? I need to escape my country. Will you Marry me so I can get a greencard. I really need your help Pleeeeeaaasseee? (it's key here to write "please" in the most annoying way possible.)

And that is how the pro's deal with awkward social situations.

Abeille

Bouldercleave wrote: »

Abeille wrote: »

starkerealm wrote: »

Nestor wrote: »

As you know from working the RennFairs, that really odd person who is so out there you wonder if they are carrying around the return ticket to sanity in their pocket is an anomaly. They don't represent the masses, or even the group, or even a smattering. They represent themselves and no one else.


For the record, of all the Roleplaying I have ever done or overheard, this is not how the conversations go.

So, yea, put them on ignore and go on with the game. There are plenty of us normal, weird and eccentric folk out there to have fun with.

Yeah... in nearly 10 years of MMOs, I've encountered precisely one RPer that far over the rainbow. A few that were really committed to staying in character, but only one like that.

I found only one too. Too bad he was the leader of a guild I was part of in other game.
The guy was crazy, but pretty hilarious. The kind of guy that starts to monologue in front of a boss several levels over him and ends up killed in one shot because he didn't keep a safe distance while monologing. He also had the annoying habit of deciding if someone's character was dead (at which point he kicked the person from the guild and ignored them even if they entered another RP guild and went to an event). It eventually got to our nerves and we called him out on his behavior, he accused us of rioting and killed his character because of that o.o

That's hardcore RP right there..

Yeah, it was a way too much. Still, that happened nine or ten years ago and I never had an issue like that again. And I have been in much bigger RP guilds since then, and in contact with a huge number of roleplayers too.

VagabondLife

failkiwib16_ESO wrote: »

The amount of things you put focus on in your post that is completely unrelated to the even/conversation you had with that person leads me to believe that this is either a complete troll post or you are roleplaying in character.

Nicely done OP, you almost had me.

Well... duh?

If I knew exactly which parts of this encounter had made this guy think I wanted to roleplay with him, I wouldn't have needed to ask my question in the first place...

Cryptical

Osteos wrote: »

you cant immediately challenge someone to duel again. the game wont let you. Nice story though

The first challenge was through the system. The second challenge was via text whisper.

Lightninvash

VagabondLife wrote: »

Runs wrote: »

I am confused.

Do we need to be invited to roleplay in a roleplaying game? I mean I would understand if he was trying to ERP you... but it seems like he didn't cross into ERP. The "...you shall serve me" line, I took to be a reference to how you(OP) just claimed you use "cute guys", not a BDSM or any other "creepy" reference.

Well, I just had to google what "ERP" means, and oh dear lord...

That thing I walked into the other night, with the two chicks sitting on each other's faces on the top floor of the castle in Evermore... that makes SO much more sense now. Still really disturbing. But at least if it's a common thing, I don't feel quite as bad for stepping over them to loot that nightstand and then running away real quick with my eyes closed.

But to answer your question, yes, I think you should still need to be invited to roleplay. This isn't tabletop D&D, where roleplay is assumed. It's an MMO. I've played MMOs regularly for many years and never run into this kind of... um, scene? And I would never assume that another player was talking to me "in character" unless they made it explicitly clear.

But I run into the same thing at renfaires all the time. You'd think that if someone bought a ticket to the faire and dressed up in a fun costume and all, they would expect cast members to try to roleplay with them, right? But I'm always amazed at the number of patrons who look at me like I'm some kind of stalker freak invading their personal space. So I've learned my lesson over the years - they might have showed up, they might be dressed up, they might be talking in an accent and calling themselves Thor the Mighty, but it doesn't necessarily mean they have the slightest intention of playing along.

Even in the most roleplay-friendly of environments, you still can't assume you know what people's intentions or expectations are, I guess that's what I'm trying to say... :-)

you are only putting part of the game type it is an MMORPG(mass multiplayer online role playing game) roleplaying is expected since it is an RPG but not commonly done in game

Lightninvash

Armitas wrote: »

VagabondLife wrote: »

Me: “Settle what, exactly? Boot cleaning methods?”
Him: “Cleaning boots is for the weak! We will settle this with a duel, and if I win, you shall serve me!”
Me: “Um... I've only been playing ESO for a few weeks, and I don't really know how roleplaying works, and I don't want to be rude, but... no thanks.”
Him: “What? Now I'm confused.”
Me: “Sorry?”
Him: “You are forgiven!”

The best way to handle social situations with a creepy or strange person is to make up something to out-strange/creepify them.

Option 1:
Me: Hey you seem cool. My coven is looking for someone to donate some blood for a ritual would you want to help us out?
Him: ummm
Me: Oh, if that makes you uncomfortable you could just mail me some of your hair, I'll pay for shipping. Pleeeeassse?

Option 2:
Me: Do you live in America?
Him: yeah
Me: Will you help me? I need to escape my country. Will you Marry me so I can get a greencard. I really need your help Pleeeeeaaasseee? (it's key here to write "please" in the most annoying way possible.)

And that is how the pro's deal with awkward social situations.

@Armitas what if he replies ok sounds good lol to the bolded

Rune_Relic

Firstly...did you agree on a code word before you started this exercise ?
Obviously it wasnt boots.


Did he mention whips or anything ?
Was he a dragon knight ?

Armitas

Lightninvash wrote: »

Armitas wrote: »

VagabondLife wrote: »

Me: “Settle what, exactly? Boot cleaning methods?”
Him: “Cleaning boots is for the weak! We will settle this with a duel, and if I win, you shall serve me!”
Me: “Um... I've only been playing ESO for a few weeks, and I don't really know how roleplaying works, and I don't want to be rude, but... no thanks.”
Him: “What? Now I'm confused.”
Me: “Sorry?”
Him: “You are forgiven!”

The best way to handle social situations with a creepy or strange person is to make up something to out-strange/creepify them.

Option 1:
Me: Hey you seem cool. My coven is looking for someone to donate some blood for a ritual would you want to help us out?
Him: ummm
Me: Oh, if that makes you uncomfortable you could just mail me some of your hair, I'll pay for shipping. Pleeeeassse?

Option 2:
Me: Do you live in America?
Him: yeah
Me: Will you help me? I need to escape my country. Will you Marry me so I can get a greencard. I really need your help Pleeeeeaaasseee? (it's key here to write "please" in the most annoying way possible.)

And that is how the pro's deal with awkward social situations.

@Armitas what if he replies ok sounds good lol to the bolded

Run, run far away.

schnooty

Strange things happen when you've played a game too much

Wrecking_Blow_Spam

VagabondLife wrote: »

Please help me understand this very strange encounter I had yesterday!

I'm a fairly new player, and yesterday I finally crafted my very first set of CP 160 gear. I was standing by the dye station in Wayrest, admiring my new look, when another player whispered me:

“How do you keep your boots clean?”

I was kinda preoccupied with my new outfit, and just took it as a compliment on my dye job – I had used that very dark black you get from killing Molag Bal on the boots. So I answered with a little joke:

“Oh, I just find a cute guy to clean them for me!” (I should note that both my toon and account name are obviously feminine.)

Other player's response: “Really? It's really easier to find a random guy and make him clean your boots than to just pay a professional to do it?”

So now I was confused. I thought I was probably being trolled, but then I've also known people on the autism spectrum who took sarcasm very literally, and I didn't want to risk being rude. So I just answered, “Never had any complaints!”

At which point the other player logged onto a different toon – this one obviously male – and challenged me to a duel.

I declined, since I refuse to be that jerk who duels on top of the dye station. The other player immediately challenged me again, whispering, “I challenge you to a duel! Let us settle this once and for all!”

Me: “Settle what, exactly? Boot cleaning methods?”
Him: “Cleaning boots is for the weak! We will settle this with a duel, and if I win, you shall serve me!”
Me: “Um... I've only been playing ESO for a few weeks, and I don't really know how roleplaying works, and I don't want to be rude, but... no thanks.”
Him: “What? Now I'm confused.”
Me: “Sorry?”
Him: “You are forgiven!”

And at that point I put myself in Offline mode because the whole thing was just getting a little too weird.

I don't have anything against roleplaying, per se – I work professionally at renaissance faires so it's literally my day job – but I have observed that the majority of the roleplay in ESO seems to consist of virgins awkwardly flirting with each other, and I mostly play this game with my boyfriend, so that's something I'd just like to avoid if at all possible.

So my question is – did I accidentally say or do something to invite this guy to roleplay? Is “boot cleaning” some kind of ESO code I don't know about? Was I being trolled? Or was this guy just weird?

I like your little story. Gave me an inside laugh.

But how did you come to this generalisation? Did you ask if he was a virgin? Do you ask all role players you encounter?

That statement seemed a bit harsh unless you've quizzed 100s of RPers and they all admit to being "virgins awkwardly flirting with each other".

I'm not an RPer but I don't like all the hate people throwing towards them in here.
Calling them creepy etc. So sad

newtinmpls

VagabondLife wrote: »

If I knew exactly which parts of this encounter had made this guy think I wanted to roleplay with him, I wouldn't have needed to ask my question in the first place...

Other than the fact that you were roleplaying with him....I am not sure what you mean.

When you were blunt about no further interest, he went away.

Am I missing something here?

VagabondLife

Lightninvash wrote: »

you are only putting part of the game type it is an MMORPG(mass multiplayer online role playing game) roleplaying is expected since it is an RPG but not commonly done in game

Okay, so now I'm seeing enough folks with this point of view that I'm getting concerned again.

As far as I know, there's no way to flag myself "non-RP" in this game. So the next time someone just randomly asks me a question, and I can't immediately tell if they're asking "in character" or not, what is the appropriate response?

Do I just ask them? "Are you trying to roleplay with me? Or do you really want to know how I clean my boots in real life?" That seems kind of... aggressive, I guess? Definitely humorless. Not that making a joke worked out so well for me yesterday, LOL...

Or maybe I just ignore the possibility that they're trying to roleplay altogether? "Kiwi boot cleaner, works great and you can get it cheap at any Walmart!"

Seriously, I can't be the first person who's encountered this.

ESO Vets: If you got asked that same question, and you didn't want to roleplay, but you also didn't want to be rude, how would you have answered?

Runs

He asked you a question...

And you answered in character... ie in roleplay...

I would have answered with "what the *bleep* are you talking about" with the proper word used of course.

VagabondLife

Wrecking_Blow_Spam wrote: »

I like your little story. Gave me an inside laugh.

But how did you come to this generalisation? Did you ask if he was a virgin? Do you ask all role players you encounter?

That statement seemed a bit harsh unless you've quizzed 100s of RPers and they all admit to being "virgins awkwardly flirting with each other".

I'm not an RPer but I don't like all the hate people throwing towards them in here.
Calling them creepy etc. So sad

Yeah, I put my words in the wrong order there. My fault. It should more accurately read, "The majority of the roleplay in ESO that I have observed seems to consist of virgins awkwardly flirting with each other."

That's mostly in the castle in Evermore in Bangkorai, and the inn in Koeglin Village in Stormhaven. (PC, NA.) Those are my two favorite thieving areas, and the only places where I've really observed roleplay in ESO for any length of time. So, I dunno, maybe it's totally different in other places, and I just got "lucky" and picked the popular teenage cruising spots...

Abeille

VagabondLife wrote: »

Lightninvash wrote: »

you are only putting part of the game type it is an MMORPG(mass multiplayer online role playing game) roleplaying is expected since it is an RPG but not commonly done in game

Okay, so now I'm seeing enough folks with this point of view that I'm getting concerned again.

As far as I know, there's no way to flag myself "non-RP" in this game. So the next time someone just randomly asks me a question, and I can't immediately tell if they're asking "in character" or not, what is the appropriate response?

Do I just ask them? "Are you trying to roleplay with me? Or do you really want to know how I clean my boots in real life?" That seems kind of... aggressive, I guess? Definitely humorless. Not that making a joke worked out so well for me yesterday, LOL...

Or maybe I just ignore the possibility that they're trying to roleplay altogether? "Kiwi boot cleaner, works great and you can get it cheap at any Walmart!"

Seriously, I can't be the first person who's encountered this.

ESO Vets: If you got asked that same question, and you didn't want to roleplay, but you also didn't want to be rude, how would you have answered?

You will probably find it easier to identify when a question is being made in-character and when it is not as you become more experienced. Mind if I ask you what MMOs you played previously? Maybe you didn't play one with such a big RP community like ESO before and that's why you are finding it strange.

As for how I would answer the question, I can't really help you here because I'm always up for some roleplay. I would answer in character. And if they asked me to duel in-character, I would threaten (also in-character) to call the guards.