Oh, ERPs.
Most Roleplayers feel like they are contractually obligated to say they don't do it wherever they think Non-Rpers can see simply because roleplay already has such a strong stigma already. "Outsiders" perceive us as ERPers by default, so we have to prove we aren't.
In recent years, I've actually started seeing more roleplayers just accept that other people aren't going to get it and admit it's a part of their RP experience and that's good. No sense lying about it. It's around, people do it. If it's consensual, then all is fine and dandy.
Someone said above that they had seen ERP wreck people and I'm inclined to agree, actually. I've seen it too. There's a strange kind of bonding you have when you ERP with someone, even when you don't really take things OOC - kinda like having a one night stand with a friend you never thought you'd sleep with. That happened and now that's part of your friendship. Some people are able to laugh it off and stay really close friends in spite or (or even because of, since you know you can trust that person) it, but I've seen ERP go some dark places. People you thought were fine suddenly taking everything OOC, predatory behavior disguised as character growth (In men AND women), pushing for ERP too fast or pushing for ERP when someone is more comfortable fading to black. It all happens. I've seen it unravel friendships.
Does that mean I avoid it? Nah. I've ERPed in the past and I'll probably ERP in the future. My fiance is generally fine with it, though he can push the big "NO" button if he feels like someone is going to take it OOC. I'm a big believer in communication. It's the most important thing. It doesn't fix everything, but it helps. It helps a lot. ERP is a personal decision and if you don't want to - say so with gusto! Don't let anyone try to convince you you're wrong about it. If you do want to - understand it's something that needs a lot of communication and time to make work with constant back and forth between the two parties as a reminder "This is not real."
Most Roleplayers feel like they are contractually obligated to say they don't do it wherever they think Non-Rpers can see simply because roleplay already has such a strong stigma already. "Outsiders" perceive us as ERPers by default, so we have to prove we aren't.
In recent years, I've actually started seeing more roleplayers just accept that other people aren't going to get it and admit it's a part of their RP experience and that's good. No sense lying about it. It's around, people do it. If it's consensual, then all is fine and dandy.
Someone said above that they had seen ERP wreck people and I'm inclined to agree, actually. I've seen it too. There's a strange kind of bonding you have when you ERP with someone, even when you don't really take things OOC - kinda like having a one night stand with a friend you never thought you'd sleep with. That happened and now that's part of your friendship. Some people are able to laugh it off and stay really close friends in spite or (or even because of, since you know you can trust that person) it, but I've seen ERP go some dark places. People you thought were fine suddenly taking everything OOC, predatory behavior disguised as character growth (In men AND women), pushing for ERP too fast or pushing for ERP when someone is more comfortable fading to black. It all happens. I've seen it unravel friendships.
Does that mean I avoid it? Nah. I've ERPed in the past and I'll probably ERP in the future. My fiance is generally fine with it, though he can push the big "NO" button if he feels like someone is going to take it OOC. I'm a big believer in communication. It's the most important thing. It doesn't fix everything, but it helps. It helps a lot. ERP is a personal decision and if you don't want to - say so with gusto! Don't let anyone try to convince you you're wrong about it. If you do want to - understand it's something that needs a lot of communication and time to make work with constant back and forth between the two parties as a reminder "This is not real."
![[Image: tumblr_n92fndN0EH1rujdn8o1_500.gif]](https://33.media.tumblr.com/449e130ac31106ec8aeda3d0f121d76b/tumblr_n92fndN0EH1rujdn8o1_500.gif)
