My LS has written rules, but far fewer (in the hopes that they would be remembered and followed):
Quote:
1. Be friendly and respect each other. Please refrain from making rude comments at other people. If you have a problem with another member, please try to settle your differences maturely, via {/tell}s or PM's.
2. There is no rule for "making this your main LS"; you're welcomed to come in, switch to other LS, etc. as frequently as you like, and stay in any LS as much as you like.
There are informal rules (or 'culture'), which I helped to shape. One aspect in particular is worth mentioning; I dislike foul language, and discourage others from using some four letter words too liberally. >_>;
I tend to 'enforce' it more when there are teenagers on the LS, but mostly, people become less inclined to use swear words simply out of courtesy to myself and my sister. We are a "Friends and Family" LS, and that respect is very much a part of us.
Aakura said:
All members are subject to participate in at least one linkshell event once a month(Attendance will be taken). Please be courteous and contact the leader or officers asap if you cannot make it to an event after signing up for one.
Personally, I think it's a bad idea. People should attend events because they want to, not because they are forced to. The same for the linkpearl, really; if a person unhappy with an LS, let him go and find his own way to enjoy Vana'diel.
Aakura said:
There may be a case where a member is exhibiting disruptive behaviour over the linkshell, or to another member. Under these circumstances, the members pearl may be temporarily broken.
This may be a bad policy. Ask people who run afoul of the rules (or just plain mad due to arguments with others) to go off pearl for a while, but a social LS should always welcome its members when they are sociable and respectful of other members.
Any pearl break should be for reason so bad, the person should not return for the good the LS and the person who is kicked.
Aakura said:
The problem I seemed to be having lately is, there are a few in the group who don't think rules are necessary and the ls should be left alone as is.
Rules have to make sense; crude sexual banter going on for more than five minutes is just too annoying, and should not even start at all when kids/teenagers are around. Remind the (young) adults they are in some ways "parents" to the young players, and have to keep the atmosphere family friendly--as in making sure not to give the teenagers' parents reasons to take their FFXI accounts away.
On the other side of the coin, at late night, when all kids should be in bed (nagged to bed if must be), and people want to let loose a bit, tolerate it even if it's not your nature.
Aakura said:
I have had to banned members, because of very crude graphic sexual comments, (I mean "Hustler" Magazine crude), Banned members for not listening and continually breaking ls rules, and even banned one male member for excessive stalking. ; ;
Get rid of the stalkers and lock their forum accounts. Not worth dealing with, unless you hate having women in your LS.
After three warnings, the same boot for sex talkers which makes female members uncomfortable. (Don't just wait for the complaints to filter to you--actively poll the people to detect problems before people start avoiding the LS for that reason.)
Aakura said:
I've been called everything from Prude, to Queen of the S***. Believe me we aren't prudes, but we do watch the language during the afternoons when the kids are on.
Well, you may or may not be a prude, but I am one for sure. And, I think it's OK to be a bit prudish, as long as one has reasonable (as in grounded in reason) give and take with the non-prudes. >_>b