The Players Corner Archive

Signed,
The Entertainer

Dear Entertainer,
Oh, my, sometimes a person's talents can become their headache! You do realize that you are the "Life of the Party", and your friends just want to shine in your light. It may be that with some of your friends, it's not a case of their being lazy, it's just they aren't as entertaining as you. In any event, I'm sure there are times that you would like to relax and let others make some darn decisions for once.

I can think of two ways to handle this. If your friends are being unresponsive and a tad distracted, I would go off for a bit and seek my own entertainment. There are always new people to meet, and new areas to explore.

The other option is to just announce to your friends that tonight is YOUR night to be entertained, and they're in charge of the night's events. Then just sit back and see what they cook up.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks for writing, Entertainer... by the way, can you juggle? <wink>

Summer

reg

quote:

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Originally posted by Summerlyn:
<B>Many times when I am with friends in Elanthia I am left with the feeling that I am expected to be the entertainment for them. I keep the conversation flowing, I ask all the questions. I come up with all the ideas for what to do. [/B]

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Oh man, I don't have anything to add, but oh man. I know EXACTLY how this person feels. I'm always the one to jump in to make sure everyone is having a good time. I feel like I'm the darned director.

When do *I* get to be entertained rather than be the entertainment?

~B

reg

I think many have had the same feelings as you and the Entertainer. Along the same lines, I get annoyed when I ask friends what they want do to and they answer "I don't care"... I'll ask "hunting, shopping, exploring?" and they answer "doesn't matter to me". Grrrr, that can go on for a while, then I usually start slicing on their necks with my waraxe <wink>!

The few times that I have stopped and said "okay, I'm tired of making all the decisions, someone else take charge!". Friends have blinked at me, and said they thought I LIKED setting the pace. Well, sometimes I do, and sometimes I don't... I guess I expect them to be mind-readers!

It's kind of odd, but with some friends I don't have this problem. It just seems easy and natural as to what kind of trouble we will get into that night.

Summer
reg

Ut oh, they are all quiet. (Three minutes go past) No one is saying anything. (Five minutes go past) They are all bored. (Ten minutes go past) Um, um, um...

*Sticks a lampshade on her head* Ta-da!

I've probably got them all spoiled now. I don't think it is so much me taking the leadership position as I get bored rather easily and need something to do and drag everyone along with me. Of the last twelve roleplayed micro-events I have been a part of, only one has been instigated by someone other than myself.

~B
reg

If you don't want to make all the decisions, simple, just don't. But be prepared to sit there doing nothing for long periods of time, heh.

One solution is make an "always place". Either treat it as a backup to goto if no one has any suggestions, or just go there/do that first.

I've always used a local tavern for this purpose, but it can be anything. That way, your all at least doing something. From there, if someone has an idea, you can go do that instead.

Though some people just will sit there like a bump on a log staring at the tavern wall for hours, so what do you do then? We'll, either do what you always do and entertain them, or find diferent company. Most people will start being more active if they are forced to, afterall, few people jump into the lands to do exactly what they would be doing elsewhere.

Be careful though. This idea may also turn on you. If your used to being in the spot light and making all the decisions, it can be dificult when other people start "taking over". Especially when two people want to do two things at the same time, or when you want to do something, but the rest of the group doesn't. Before, you could just suggest something and they go "whatever" and you do it, now that they are no longer zombies and have a mind of their own, you won't be able to do everything you want to do when you want to do it.

'lood
"*@#*! it dude, lets go bowling..." -- Walter

reg

I have a pretty great circle of friends. I complain about having to "always" instigate our activities and yeah, sometimes I get cranky about it.

But overall, whenever I instigate a micro-event, they *always* run with it and make it so much more than I imagined.

So maybe I should stop my bitchin', eh?

~B reg

'Lood, I was going to say that, but I was trying not to sound sexist. Men are easy, all they want to do is hunt, and scratch that itch <wink>!

Summer

reg

Whenever an RP'ing event is present there's always people that are hindered by the so-called non-helpful one's. It's a fact in this game that's been going on for a long long time.

reg