★ ~* Love Love Star Maid Café *~ ★

[Oli!]

 

 

EDIT: As an afterthought, on the flipside, it could also simply be because providing someone's real gender would provide the necessary OOC buffer needed to prevent people getting too far into things, which could be uncomfortable for those who are hosting the event.

 

So I suppose either possibility would be applicable and appropriate.

 

I'll be honest...I have no idea how this could act as a buffer to such a thing when they specifically say the Hosts and Hostesses have "no preference" as to gender.

 

 

As in, someone attending the event being extra pushy, thinking that they'll score (in whatever way) because the female Miqo'te serving them is an actual girl, when that may not be the case. Although one could argue that revealing genders makes others easier targets for said people, one would assume that the fact that they know what this event is about, and the fact that they are participating of their own free will means that they are prepared for that sort of situation, while the gender-identification eliminates the other, giving them less awkwardness to deal with. This could especially be the case given that often people feel "betrayed" when a character is a different gender from their player, as silly as one may find that to be. I've seen quite a few threads in a myriad of communities about that sort of thing, and there may even be a few here (though I haven't taken the time to look). Even if the servers have no preference, it can still get awkward in a myriad of ways.

 

No Preference Within Reason, one could say.

[LiadansWhisper]

 

 

 

As in, someone attending the event being extra pushy, thinking that they'll score (in whatever way) because the female Miqo'te serving them is an actual girl, when that may not be the case. Although one could argue that revealing genders makes others easier targets for said people, one would assume that the fact that they know what this event is about, and the fact that they are participating of their own free will means that they are prepared for that sort of situation, while the gender-identification eliminates the other, giving them less awkwardness to deal with. Even if the servers have no preference, it can still get awkward in a myriad of ways.

 

No Preference Within Reason, one could say.

 

Okay, but it wouldn't be an issue at all if they didn't reveal the RL gender of the participants.  Seriously, I don't know if you understand exactly how creepy and OOC and just...oh my god, that is so fucking creepy.  >.<

 

Revealing RL gender is the first step towards people "expecting things" from you in an OOC capacity.  Either this is an RP event, or it's not.  If it's not an RP event, it should not be advertised on an RP forum.  If it is an RP event, OOC genders of participants should never have been revealed.

[Dakki]

Somebody said... Massages with happy endings? *Is intrigued*

 

 

But in all seriousness, I for one am quite glad to hear of this event. Of course, the whole ERP-implications and gender verification things raise some eyebrows (my own included), but it's progress. And I suppose it opens up these sort of events to non-RPers, also. (Take that as you will. Could be good, could be not.)

 

It's not my sort of roleplaying, unless I'm feeling extremely camp, I turn FABULOUS on Saturdays. So yeah, I guess I'm glad it's not on Balmung. But at the end of the day, as it's not on Balmung or Gilgamesh, it's not really any of my business and I wish them luck with the whole thing. :moogle:

[LiadansWhisper]

Somebody said... Massages with happy endings? *Is intrigued*

 

Eh hem.  Yes.  Happy Endings.  The Little Death.  The Big O.

 

:thumbsup:

[Faye]

Even if it's not exactly an RP event... the real life gender thing is still weird. If the event doesn't have sexual implications, why does real life gender matter? Why would anyone care? I'm fairly certain giving away someone's real life gender would encourage people to harass them rather than deter them in most cases. We all know the stereotype about female gamers attracting attention, and it's rooted in some truth. On top of that, I know men who play female characters who have attracted admirers, told their admirers that they're a man in real life in hopes it would deter their admirers, and only been accused of lying instead. I've also known male players who were harassed by women (and other men). I don't see how disclosing anyone's real life gender could deter harassment in most situations.

[LiadansWhisper]

Even if it's not exactly an RP event... the real life gender thing is still weird. If the event doesn't have sexual implications, why does real life gender matter? Why would anyone care? I'm fairly certain giving away someone's real life gender would encourage people to harass them rather than deter them in most cases. We all know the stereotype about female gamers attracting attention, and it's rooted in some truth. On top of that, I know men who play female characters who have attracted admirers, told their admirers that they're a man in real life in hopes it would deter their admirers, and only been accused of lying instead. I've also known male players who were harassed by women (and other men). I don't see how disclosing anyone's real life gender could deter harassment in most situations.

 

Speaking from experience, I've never been directly involved in a situation or observed a situation where revealing a RL gender dissuaded or deterred harassers or harassment.

[Almil]

Someone please quote where is says people need to be same sex irl based on which sex they play?  I can't be bothered to read everything in that other thread. But apparently it's issue here.

[LiadansWhisper]

Someone please quote where is says people need to be same sex irl based on which sex they play?  I can't be bothered to read everything in that other thread. But apparently it's issue here.

 

It doesn't.  It says that all Hosts are played by RL males, regardless of character gender, and all Hostesses are played by RL females, regardless of character gender.

[Faye]

Someone please quote where is says people need to be same sex irl based on which sex they play?  I can't be bothered to read everything in that other thread. But apparently it's issue here.

 

That's not the issue, the issue is that the thread states the characters hosting the event are being sorted into Maids and Hosts based on their RL gender rather than their character's gender. So rather than your character flirting with their character, since it's not even explicitly an RP event, they want you to... spend real gil to flirt with something whose real life gender they've disclosed to you? Idk.

[Almil]

Someone please quote where is says people need to be same sex irl based on which sex they play?  I can't be bothered to read everything in that other thread. But apparently it's issue here.

 

It doesn't.  It says that all Hosts are played by RL males, regardless of character gender, and all Hostesses are played by RL females, regardless of character gender.

 

...well that's what gets me more confused. (first language factor?)

I thought Host=male, Hostess=female .... so, how can it be "regardless of character gender"?  Then they clearly have gender.

Which would mean that ofc the females only play females and males only play males.

[LiadansWhisper]

 

 

...well that's what gets me more confused. (first language factor?)

I thought Host=male, Hostess=female .... so, how can it be "regardless of character gender"?  Then they clearly have gender.

Which would mean that ofc the females only play females and males only play males.

 

What it means is:

 

Nancy plays a Male Miqo'te named Rawr.  Rawr will be a Hostess/Maid, because Nancy is female.

 

Jeremy plays a Female Miqo'te named Bunny.  Bunny will be a Host, because Jeremy is male.

 

At least, that is how I read it.  It basically means people are purchasing the player's time, not the character.

[Faye]

Someone please quote where is says people need to be same sex irl based on which sex they play?  I can't be bothered to read everything in that other thread. But apparently it's issue here.

 

It doesn't.  It says that all Hosts are played by RL males, regardless of character gender, and all Hostesses are played by RL females, regardless of character gender.

 

...well that's what gets me more confused. (first language factor?)

I thought Host=male, Hostess=female .... so, how can it be "regardless of character gender"?  Then they clearly have gender.

Which would mean that ofc the females only play females and males only play males.

 

If someone is female and playing a male character, she will still be a Hostess in the event. If someone is male and playing a female character, he will still be a Host. It's not quite an RP event, so the event is based around the RL player rather than their avatar.

[Almil]

.... that's just silly and confusing. Why give gender based "titles/ranks" to them at all then? Why not just call them all "escorts"......... (I dunno)

[LiadansWhisper]

.... that's just silly and confusing. Why give gender based "titles/ranks" to them at all then? Why not just call them all "escorts"......... (I dunno)

 

The only reason I can come up with is that it's sexually based.

[Faye]

.... that's just silly and confusing. Why give gender based "titles/ranks" to them at all then? Why not just call them all "escorts"......... (I dunno)

 

I suppose they really want to distinguish the person's real life gender.

[Naunet]

If someone is female and playing a male character, she will still be a Hostess in the event. If someone is male and playing a female character, he will still be a Host. It's not quite an RP event, so the event is based around the RL player rather than their avatar.

 

That's even more disturbing.

[Rinette]

Top of the third post on the official SE forums:

 

*Please note all of our Maids are actual females while all of our Hosts are actual males, regardless of character sex. Of course, our Maids & Hosts have no preferences when it comes to love! If you are Master or Mistress seeking the same or opposite sex Maid or Host we're more then happy to serve you with affection!

[Almil]

.... that's just silly and confusing. Why give gender based "titles/ranks" to them at all then? Why not just call them all "escorts"......... (I dunno)

 

I suppose they really want to distinguish the person's real life gender.

 

Hmm yea, now I can somehow get the point of using the titles. But, it would mean it's like super far from RP ... and I know they didn't say it's RP event, just makes me wonder the whole point then. Especially when it costs real Gil? 

Guess it's just "come see pretty characters" event, and no-one would even bother to 'pay', because

A: they don't have ERP/cybering possibility

B: it's apparently not RP either to try make connection IC

 

---so yea, not sure why someone would pay ONLY to talk to the RL players behind the characters for short time. I talk to people free!

[LiadansWhisper]

 

 

A: they don't have ERP/cybering possibility

 

If you believe this restriction will actually be in place during the event...I have a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn.

[Almil]

 

 

A: they don't have ERP/cybering possibility

 

If you believe this restriction will actually be in place during the event...I have a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn.

 

 Just quoting what I read them announce, that it wouldn't be happening. So still wondering why anyone, RPer or other player would pay for it.

[LiadansWhisper]

 

 

 Just quoting what I read them announce, that it wouldn't be happening. So still wondering why anyone, RPer or other player would pay for it.

 

The same reason why people paid hundreds of dollars of real life currency to purchase time with "escorts" in Second Life.

[Rinette]

The same reason why people paid hundreds of dollars of real life currency to purchase time with "escorts" in Second Life.

 

Wait... WAT?

[LiadansWhisper]

The same reason why people paid hundreds of dollars of real life currency to purchase time with "escorts" in Second Life.

 

Wait... WAT?

 

I'm not even joking.  There were also Slave Auctions held a few years back for players (in the virtual world, anyway) that actually involved thousands of dollars.  :dazed:

[Almil]

Ok, I finally clicked the link and looked at the original thread bit more.  (because this day is already horrible and I can't give a f*ck with the RL things I meant to go to this morning >_< )

 

 

This seems to be the point of the event? Prizes? Lottery? Chance to get rich?

 

Prizes 

 

★ Gil Givaway

100,000 gil Base prize + all maid cafe fee's included!

★ Art Prize

1 simple chibi commission from Nariko Star for a character of your choice. Ex: Character could be similar to the header above with your choice of pose/gear/etc.

 

*Prize giveaway will promptly start at 5:45pm PST on our main Cafe floor, if you do not come forth within 3 minutes of your name being called by one of our selected maids we will draw another name for the prize.

 

 

 

......though I'm not sure how trusted that would be. How is the winner picked? And can the friends of the event creators take part?  Now I don't actually mean to slander anyone, I think it's great that other servers have events too. I'm just confused and curious~~~

 

(Also, most people in RPC are in Balmung or Gilgamesh, so the big money prize wouldn't do us any good even if we made alt on that realm to take part of the event).

[Dravus]

I'm a pretty guarded person online and rarely reveal detailed information about myself until I've known someone for quite some time. I don't have anything to hide and I'm a pretty social guy, I just like feeling safe and enjoy my privacy.

 

The thing is, even something as simple as revealing one's real gender can cause all sorts of issues. I won't beat around the bush: there's a notable portion of messed up individuals lurking in pretty much every online community. When I played WoW actively I had two different stalkers on separate occasions. One of them managed to piece together the information I'd given other people and found my Facebook account to begin harassing me there. The other sought to try and ruin the relationship between my partner and I so that she could have me to herself.

 

With that said, I don't think anyone should feel as though they need to avoid revealing stuff about themselves. They just need to be very careful and learn to recognise potential red flags. Perhaps this event really is simply one big misunderstanding, though it doesn't hurt to be cautious.

 

Luckily most people won't be in the situation that I and others have been in, though rarity doesn't mean it couldn't happen as unfortunate as that is.