First steps toward improving our relations?

[Velociryx]

Just started a thread in the general civ3 ptw demogame section which pokes some light hearted fun at ourselves....it won't move mountains overnight, but if we can get the other folks to see that we're not above some self depreciating humor, I think they'll begin to ease off....

-=Vel=-

[Shiber]

I like your idea, and your sense of humor. 'Passing GAS'

[alva]

I really didn't know what to think of it when I saw it , even thought you posted it on a wrong forum..

[Velociryx]

Well, like I said, it won't change things overnight, but if we have an "image problem" with the rest of the planet, then long-term, that could spell big trouble for us....so, if we distract them with a bit of laughter....

Glad you guys think the idea a worthy one....now, let's go kick some Voxian arse!

-=Vel=-

[Randolph]

If I read the Togas transcript right, a few well placed and well deserved complements might go a long way also. Even the people who don't like us do respect "us" (certain members of our team), and people like complements from people they respect.

[Velociryx]

Right on, bud! Total agreement with that!

-=Vel=-

[Theseus]

That's a good call... in all seriousness, when the time is right, I would like to pay a compliment to Vox' strategist(s).

(Leaving aside how they fouled up what could have been a master stroke )

[DeepO]

I already did this in communication to Lego, and possibly even to RP... personally, I'm impressed by how they were able to let us think they were going after Bob a second time. Seen in hindsight, it wouldn't have mattered, as we weren't planning to build more defense anyway, but still, I liked the maneuver a lot.

One problem with complimenting people on their skill is that you implicitely assume you are better then them. It's a very tricky thing to do it right. I don't want to enforce the idea others have of us that we think ourselves superiour, by commenting on some of the better moves of other teams. That implictely means that in general, we consider their moves inferiour.

DeepO

[Arrian]

I'd rather we just kept quiet about other team's moves in the game.

DeepO is correct that a compliment on strategy could be interpreted as "oh, I see, you guys thought we were idiots, then, huh? You arrogant bastards!"

Since we already have the "arrogant" label, let's just not take that chance. Let's joke around, have fun, and leave the stategy comments in our own forum.

-Arrian

[Theseus]

I think the trick is to be self-deprecating...

"Some strategy gurus we are!! "

[Randolph]

Originally posted by DeepO
I already did this in communication to Lego, and possibly even to RP... personally, I'm impressed by how they were able to let us think they were going after Bob a second time. Seen in hindsight, it wouldn't have mattered, as we weren't planning to build more defense anyway, but still, I liked the maneuver a lot.

One problem with complimenting people on their skill is that you implicitely assume you are better then them. It's a very tricky thing to do it right. I don't want to enforce the idea others have of us that we think ourselves superiour, by commenting on some of the better moves of other teams. That implictely means that in general, we consider their moves inferiour.

DeepO

Although there's something to what you're saying, I'm going to have to generally disagree. Someone might make a quick response, but overall people like complements too much to really feel that way.

First of all by complementing someone you certainly aren't saying that you are better, complements are very often made to people of equal or greater skill.
Secondly it depends on how you say it. Yes, saying "wow I really didn't think you'd be able to do that" could easily cause a negative reaction. But if you talk to them as one equal to another they're much more likely to take it for what it is and not some subtle snub.
Again, people like complements. When someone receives one they want to believe that it is well deserved, and are thus much less likely to look for ulterior motives for saying it than other comments.

If you feel you'd rather just keep quiet, then by all means do so, but remember that saying nothing is a conscious choice also and people will interpret it as such.

[DeepO]

Randolph, don't get me wrong, I just said I was doing it already

I just want to warn that, because others might have a certain idea of us, we should try to avoid to increase it. I was certailny not saying we shouldn't compliment others. Yes indeed, everyone likes compliments, but only if they are real, and not faked.

BTW, did I tell you today already you were looking totally handsome, as always?

DeepO