I guess it depends. In general I've always found there tends to be a -location- in game where those looking for ERP over character-building/developing/growing-RP congregate. In WoW, that became Goldshire (for the server of Moon Guard). In FFXIV that became the Quicksands in Ul'dah (for the server of Balmung: I moved to Mateus and was thrilled to see the Quicksands virtually deserted).
I suppose the difference I see between Balmung and Mateus as far ERP goes is, I haven't see a lot of RP'ers on Mateus with ERP-related info in their search notes. In Balmung you'd see a lot of [M/E/RP] (Straight/Gay/Bi) and the likes. So for the most part on Mateus I see a lot more Search Notes that read, "Ishgardian Machinist, scar over the left eye," or, "RP'er, Walk Ups Welcome." Not that you didn't see those with search notes on Balmung, but it always seemed like the more ERP related part was included.
My personal opinion is to stay true to your character above all else, and that it is healthy both ICly and OOCly to have a diverse range of characters in a RP setting. A place like the Quicksands is OOCly healthy as it consolidates characters looking for that, 'two ships passing in the night,' kind of encounter, much as we have Clubs and the likes for that in the Real World. ICly its also healthy as it brings a kind of diversity to the RP community and setting that deepens immersion, because we have that same thing in the Real World.
You can have your Ishgardian prude who doesn't believe in Sex before marriage who would have a heart attack walking into Balmung's Quicksand, and that's pretty realistic in my opinion. As much as as an Ishgardian Youth who's felt sexually repressed all their life by their house's views on sex and the likes, who decides to throw inhibition to the wind and indulge.
So, to each their own, and I'd say, stick to the RP you like. As far as seeing girls with strings covering their breasts or guys naked except for a speedo, take it as a cultural thing or that the person is mad. Or possibly lost a bet. That's how my characters tend to roll. In most cultures beauty is a sign of power, so why not flaunt it?
I suppose the difference I see between Balmung and Mateus as far ERP goes is, I haven't see a lot of RP'ers on Mateus with ERP-related info in their search notes. In Balmung you'd see a lot of [M/E/RP] (Straight/Gay/Bi) and the likes. So for the most part on Mateus I see a lot more Search Notes that read, "Ishgardian Machinist, scar over the left eye," or, "RP'er, Walk Ups Welcome." Not that you didn't see those with search notes on Balmung, but it always seemed like the more ERP related part was included.
My personal opinion is to stay true to your character above all else, and that it is healthy both ICly and OOCly to have a diverse range of characters in a RP setting. A place like the Quicksands is OOCly healthy as it consolidates characters looking for that, 'two ships passing in the night,' kind of encounter, much as we have Clubs and the likes for that in the Real World. ICly its also healthy as it brings a kind of diversity to the RP community and setting that deepens immersion, because we have that same thing in the Real World.
You can have your Ishgardian prude who doesn't believe in Sex before marriage who would have a heart attack walking into Balmung's Quicksand, and that's pretty realistic in my opinion. As much as as an Ishgardian Youth who's felt sexually repressed all their life by their house's views on sex and the likes, who decides to throw inhibition to the wind and indulge.
So, to each their own, and I'd say, stick to the RP you like. As far as seeing girls with strings covering their breasts or guys naked except for a speedo, take it as a cultural thing or that the person is mad. Or possibly lost a bet. That's how my characters tend to roll. In most cultures beauty is a sign of power, so why not flaunt it?
