1. When I play a female character, I get much more roleplay. Instantly with the same or other groups.
Because women are more appealing, sad but true. People gravitate towards 'pairing' even if it's not in a sexual/romantic setting.
2. People don't want to roleplay with quiet bookish characters, or characters who are more neutral with their emotions. People want a character who over-reacts or is vibrant about X, Y, Z.
With the bookish sorts it's because they're hard to engage. With a vibrant personality beneath the book is how they stay interesting or at least find a way to stay involved.
With the neutral sort it's the same thing. How do you approach someone who doesn't react to anything? Indifferent characters exude a sense of 'leave me alone' which people tend to oblige. This is why they're usually given dynamic character roles, or are the stereotypical 'deadpan snarker'.
You've really get the short end with both, because your character basically has 'I am a private character' painted on it, and makes it seem like you're an indifferent RPer. Whether that's your intent or not doesn't matter, it's the implication of being closed off, preoccupied, or uninterested that makes people wary OoCly.
The best way to overcome this kinda prevalent stigma is, more or less, finding a good partner and doing something structured or planned between the two of you, but in a public setting where others can enter into it if they so chose. Seeing your character actively engaging someone else makes you, OoCly, seem like you are approachable, which makes your character more approachable. You expand the 'presence' of your character as a part of the world until it seems natural to approach them, rather than like a forced, mechanically interaction. (It's how I got away with inciting RP in the middle of nowhere places like Silithus and Stormpeaks... people eventually came looking for me!)
It's a weird psychological process, but most RPers are shy by nature, even if they are a sociable person, and regardless of their character. They're very preoccupied with what's going on behind the screen. And due to the niche nature of the community, acting presumptuously often gets you labeled in a negative manner.
That also kinda ties into question 5. People are shy, and they worry about presuming you want to RP with them. It may make them seem pushy. Or maybe they think you'll contact them if you want to RP with them again. They may very well be feeling the exact same way. Communication is an important part of every relationship!
I admit it's a problem, even for me. My policy is sorta 'bother me whenever you feel like it, whatever I'm doing isn't important'. But I rarely ask of other people's attention because I assume they'll contact me if they need/desire my attention. (This is because of my tendency to over-talk to people. People who are accustomed to my nature know this, but it makes expanding circles very difficult)
So yeah, communicating with people is important. And if they don't want to communicate with you when you put forth the effort and try, they're probably kinda crap people anyway.
Because women are more appealing, sad but true. People gravitate towards 'pairing' even if it's not in a sexual/romantic setting.
2. People don't want to roleplay with quiet bookish characters, or characters who are more neutral with their emotions. People want a character who over-reacts or is vibrant about X, Y, Z.
With the bookish sorts it's because they're hard to engage. With a vibrant personality beneath the book is how they stay interesting or at least find a way to stay involved.
With the neutral sort it's the same thing. How do you approach someone who doesn't react to anything? Indifferent characters exude a sense of 'leave me alone' which people tend to oblige. This is why they're usually given dynamic character roles, or are the stereotypical 'deadpan snarker'.
You've really get the short end with both, because your character basically has 'I am a private character' painted on it, and makes it seem like you're an indifferent RPer. Whether that's your intent or not doesn't matter, it's the implication of being closed off, preoccupied, or uninterested that makes people wary OoCly.
The best way to overcome this kinda prevalent stigma is, more or less, finding a good partner and doing something structured or planned between the two of you, but in a public setting where others can enter into it if they so chose. Seeing your character actively engaging someone else makes you, OoCly, seem like you are approachable, which makes your character more approachable. You expand the 'presence' of your character as a part of the world until it seems natural to approach them, rather than like a forced, mechanically interaction. (It's how I got away with inciting RP in the middle of nowhere places like Silithus and Stormpeaks... people eventually came looking for me!)
It's a weird psychological process, but most RPers are shy by nature, even if they are a sociable person, and regardless of their character. They're very preoccupied with what's going on behind the screen. And due to the niche nature of the community, acting presumptuously often gets you labeled in a negative manner.
That also kinda ties into question 5. People are shy, and they worry about presuming you want to RP with them. It may make them seem pushy. Or maybe they think you'll contact them if you want to RP with them again. They may very well be feeling the exact same way. Communication is an important part of every relationship!
I admit it's a problem, even for me. My policy is sorta 'bother me whenever you feel like it, whatever I'm doing isn't important'. But I rarely ask of other people's attention because I assume they'll contact me if they need/desire my attention. (This is because of my tendency to over-talk to people. People who are accustomed to my nature know this, but it makes expanding circles very difficult)
So yeah, communicating with people is important. And if they don't want to communicate with you when you put forth the effort and try, they're probably kinda crap people anyway.
