Neh ... it's all in your head. People like the way things are done or they don't. If they don't they either speak up or walk away. Which do you think is preferable? Now if you wanna go on about the method of complaint, I'm sure we can find some common ground. Just be aware that the method usually reflects the amount of frustration the player feels in regards to the reaction they've recieved in the past (I'm not just talking the manner but the overall indifference ....
perceived or not).
Professionalism and courtesy is a two-way street. Even when volunteers are concerned. Face it, even though CT staffers are volunteering their time, they are vested with both power (authority)
and responsibility. The first part is a tool to accomplish the last part. And the responsibility is to the entire CT community ... as well as HTC (who is the source of the power and who entrusted the CT staff to mind the store).
Even though you're no longer a "keeper of the keys" and this piece of advice is too late to help
you, I'll say it for the benefit of any who may appreciate it:
When the community/customer base/club/population, at large or in part, starts expressing it's lack of confidence in the staff (in whole or in part) .... then blaming the community/customer base/ club/population isn't going to fix anything.
And if you wanna get away with anything (even for the "good of the community") then the subtle art of politicing may be in order.
The whole deal with Jester's setup is more indicative of the frustration players have felt with the relationship between them and the CT staff over a long period of time than it was about the actual setup. It could have been anyone with any setup. It was just a timebomb waiting to explode. And all that's happened since has been a slight release of pressure. It will eventually happen again unless that relationship is improved.
That's not saying there would never again be another disgruntled player venting their frustrations at the staff. But more than likely, under better circumstances, more of the CT community would support the staff and not the dissident .. that is if the staff fostered a better realtionship overall (and I've seen a staffer working really hard at it lately ... but it takes a group effort ... staff and
community alike). But if/when players reach a point where they think civil comment is a waste of time on their part ... they'll either drop the civil or comment part (and generally if the comment part is dropped, so is their participation). Wait ... before you say "good riddance" ... just remember that phrase has it's limits too.
Anyways ... just the flip side of it, Wotan. Make of it what you will (which you will). I've already become less of a militant and more of a philosopher about it all lately. So don't let get all bent outa shape over an honest opinion and suggestion.
Thanks for the trip down "memory lane", though.
