Back in my teens, somewhere around 2007-2009, I was having my first experiences with internet. And I meet my first digital friends (that's how I call my internet friends).

It was an incredible thing for me to talk with people from anywhere around the world. My english was slowly getting better, and I could understand everything they were saying to me. But at that time, I was more confortable with Portuguese speaking friends.

And I noticed something... When I was becoming an Adult, I was scared to grow up and have to give up on everything I like (games, animes, cartoons, movies) to become a somewhat more serious person (politics, etc). I was very pleased to see people in ther 40s still talking about things I enjoyed. So yeah, I wanted to meet new people.

Then, I joined a certain website and tried to "socialize" with gaming fans... But it was no good. They weren't very friendly to new people, and I was somewhat "purged" from that site. I think that was around 2011.

And I thought "Whoa, they really can't stand a newcomer"... It was a site about speedrunning games, and I showed my project to them and asked for directions. No responses. And when I submitted my run, they rejected it and said some very rude things.

Oh well...

Then a couple of years later, I meet some different people in another forum. They were a bit older than me, and there was a particular guy who quickly become my friend.

Something about him was very curious: No matter the heat of the discussion, he NEVER went berserk or something. He would keep his cool, argument, and give his opinion. He used funny emotes sometimes, and even if someone threw a jab at him, he would be very polite and give his opinion. Never losing his mind. He used to create funny threads too and interacted with everyone.

In fact, everyone liked him, and respected him.

I decided that I wanted to follow this guy's lead.

He teached me that not everyone on the internet is a troll or a rude person. And I noticed that, this guy, was the person that I wanted to meet when coming to a new place.

Today, I try to be like him. Don't judge anyone before meeting them. Be polite. Control your feelings to not lose your mind. If someone bothers you, and you feel like they're starting to throw jabs at you, answer with a polite statement, and walk away. Soon or later, they will reap what they soil.

I was never banned here in VG Chartz, so I think it's working.

I don't know what happened to him, since he disappeared some years ago. But I really hope he's Okay. He was the kind of user that any forum would love to have.

Everyone wants to be respected when they meet someone. And I want to give them this respect.

I've always found you to be great to interact with, to you're doing a good job by me.

I feel like my online persona can be a bit much at times, which is mostly due to my autism, I don't always know the most "socially appropriate" way to express myself.

I do try my best though to be civil and respectful.

Very good post, and one I fully endorse. If everyone on here was like this, the internet would have actually realized its full potential instead of what we now have.

One thing I've realized over the years, though, is that "normal" people don't go on forums. And you can triple that for gaming forums. Most of us are left of center and carry a lot of baggage. We are the nerds, the outcasts, the abnormal and strange. And a lot of times, these things cause damage, and then that damage shows up online... where it causes even more damage, and more, and more and well... you get the idea. So if you're communicating with damaged people, you have to expect damaged interactions. I try as hard as I can to bridge that gap, but sometimes, it's just too much. The person is too broken. But I still try. And even when I can't succeed, I almost always walk away. No point in arguing with people online about video games. They're suppose to bring joy, not pain, and I've got enough pain all on my own to deal with. I don't need anymore.

I'm touched you would dedicate this thread to me 🥲

You're a great person, curl. I'm happy to have you as my friend.

One hint I can give you: If you are a "veteran" in a forum, when a newcomer make a thread introducing them, give them a welcome. That's probably what they want to hear., and there's a big chance they will like you.

However, if you see that this person is "bad news", avoid them. If you engage into a fight, some people may think YOU are actually the rude person by mistake. I learned that along the years.

I see your point. You're right.

VGChartz for example is a site about gaming sales, and since we have Nintendo, Xbox, Playstation, PC, and Mobile fans all in one place, of course some some fights will happen.

I do like this: If I see a post about sales and I absolutely want to give my opinion, I say it. If a post is a "bait", I try my best to avoid it. Of course, I'm a human being, so I may be dragged too, but anyway. If someone quote me giving a positive feedback, I will upvote it and give my answer, if necessary. But if it's a troll, I will let them speaking alone.

I do my best so people won't think I'm the one being a bad guy.

Well, I learned a lot around here too. xD

Im trying not to get banned myself. I find the easiest way to stay in the clear is try to not post too much

Shit Curl you're one of the nicest people on here.  From my perspective I cannot recall a time when i thought you were "too much" . Just my 2 cents.

I really do think the vast majority of the people on here are pretty decent.  The only time I see anyone display despicable behavior is normally in threads that involve politics.  In my view just because someone may say some despicable things from time to time does not make them a bad person.  We are human and most all of us react poorly from time to time.  It is also not always easy to put yourself in someone else's shoes to be able to understand their perspective and therefore what informs their views on some subjects. People are complex and we should be slow to judge when we are only seeing a tiny glimpse of them through the peephole of VGChartz.

@Alex_The_Hedgehog May I ask who you are referring to that is no longer active?  Also your English is pretty damn good, bravo!  

Thanks.

I'm referring to a old friend from a brazilian gaming forum. I prefer not to say his name, since he used his actual name as his profile, and since he's inactive, I don't know if he would like it.