[b]ha·rass
həˈras,ˈherəs
verb
gerund or present participle:
harassing
subject to aggressive pressure or intimidation.
"a warning to men harassing women at work"
synonyms: persecute, intimidate, hound, harry, plague, torment, bully, bedevil; More
make repeated small-scale attacks on (an enemy).
"the squadron's task was to harass the retreating enemy forces"
synonyms: harry, attack, beleaguer, set upon, assail
"they were sent to harass the enemy flanks"[/b]
OK, before I get too far in this, this is completely generic. People are not going to be singled out here, either in my post or yours. So if you want to discuss this topic, I don't want specific people mentioned, this isn't a beat down.
Something that has been brought to the officers' attention is that we are taking things too far sometimes in our attempts at having fun at our friends expense. Quite a few of us are guilty of it, even myself in the past, but it hasn't always been brought to our attention effectively, so it continues.
All of us read and agreed to our charter upon applying, and this is clearly stated within it:
All members are to show proper respect to each other at all times.
Now this doesn't mean we can't kid around or crack jokes with one another. What it means is, we shouldn't harass a fellow cabal member in a fashion that makes them uncomfortable. This isn't always clear, because what makes one person uncomfortable is not going to necessarily be the same for another.
Maybe it is the tone of our comments, perhaps they are too overt in nature or single a specific thing out repeatedly. Perhaps it is directing the jokes towards the same player all the time, to the point they feel besieged. It might be the nature of the comments themselves, perhaps they are too adult or gross, etc. Everyone has their own trigger points, so be on the lookout.
So how do we know what to look for, especially if we aren't actively trying to harass someone?
A clear indicator, which is not always going to happen, is that someone telling you that they are uncomfortable or feeling disrespected. In a perfect world, this would happen; you would either see it in cabal chat or via private tell. It's not a perfect world, so it might not happen this way, but if it does, STOP. Do not pass Go, do not collect 200 dollars. Apologize, privately if you must, and try your best not to do it again.
Another way it might happen, is that the player will notify an officer and you will speak to the officer regarding your behavior. Just as before, analyze the information given to you and refrain from doing it again.
The worst scenario is that the player ignores you. You may miss out on opportunities to group with the player and eventually it will get back to the officers that there is bad blood between you. Nobody wants this type of thing to happen in a game, so be careful.
We are a family of a sort, we all came together to play this game with one another in a group that holds forth ideals that we agree upon. Let's treat one another like that, not like we are just on a schoolyard playground.
Finally, it doesn't make you look like less of a person for apologizing. Even if you don't think you are at fault. Many times, the person you apologize to can become one of your best friends. In the immortal words of Bill S. Preston, ESQ and Ted 'Theodore' Logan, Be excellent to each other. And... PARTY ON, DUDES!!!
