Post by Magic Rob on Sept 2, 2014 12:19:56 GMT -8
Good afternoon Vampire land!
Let's talk about a thing that's been coming up a lot (and came up a lot in nights of EC past). That issue is Mommy/Daddy-ing or 'Fishing for Answers'. This is defined as when a player asks a specific member of staff and when they either A) Don't get the answer they want or B) Don't get the answer as quickly as possible, they go to another staffer with the same question.
Generally speaking, the intention of this is to say "Well, Chris said yes to this thing!" even though Rob had already told you no. This is a growing concern because it tends to start with very small topics or issues and when it isn't promptly quashed, it grows into bigger items. This promotes an entitled attitude to getting what you want, and causes potential staff issues when staffers clash over opposing views. If I say no to a thing and someone else says yes, this gives the illusion of dissidence among the crew, when in reality, you're just being a dick.
There are a few easy ways to avoid mommy/daddy-ing a topic.
1) Preface whatever you are going to say with 'I have already brought this to ____ Staffer. They replied with _____. I disagree for the following reasons.' That way you're being completely above board with staffers and we don't feel lied too.
2) In the above situation, approach the whole of staff instead of a single person. Sending an email that says the above not only doesn't make us feel mommy/daddy-ed, but it also makes us feel like you're being a stand-up fellow/gal about whatever issue you have.
3) Accept whatever the original staffer said on the topic. This is the very best way to convince Staff that you're an excellent person and not inclined to chicanery.
During this period of massive NPCs (with partial sheets), some rules fluidity while Staffers all work on the wording of a thing, approving dozens of sheets / backgrounds, and keeping all of the plots going to ensure that the majority of players can find something to occupy themselves... well, I as a person can understand why folks as players might want to verify a thing before running with it. What I can't really have is people doing this maliciously, with the intent of something different, or under the assumption that staff is too stupid to communicate with itself on topics.
Everyone can consider this a warning, please. Next time I see mommy/daddy/fishing, I'm rolling up a newspaper and bapping noses. Seriously. Nose-baps.
-Rob.