Dom/mes, Masters, Mistresses, slaves and subs, where is your pride?

[The Lord Winter]

It appears that you care very deeply what opinions others hold of you & your choice to spend time in an online community such is this one. Do you feel you're judged negatively by keeping virtual company with the people here? Perhaps it's because I'm very selective of those whose opinions matter but I don't put much stock in what people who don't know me think about me. If someone forms a perception of who I am based solely upon time spent in an online forum, they are welcome to do so, with little impact on my life at all.

It does appear that way, doesn't it? Seems I have been a bit misleading in that regard, but I digress. It is not about being judged negatively or positively. There are those that we could bend over backward in our attempts to please and still they would look down their noses, yet neither is that the point of this thread. In truth, until recently, I've said very little on the boards, giving little of myself for anyone to form an opinion on, except for the handful of friends I've made on the boards in my time here.

The purpose of this thread is to ask of the basic manners one would expect anyone to display: Where have they gone?

My pride and my honor are completely intact, yet I feel no need to impose my view of "proper" behavior on others not under my direction. These individuals act in accordance with the guidelines agreed upon in their relationships, which will each vary in terms of expectations & consequences. As far as someone "more honor-bound" evaluating me - what right have they to judge any relationship but their own? And why would their opinion matter to me in the least? It's just an opinion, which everyone is entitled to & most people freely express.

As I stated in my original post, I was not speaking to the unowned/uncollared majority. I am referring to the willful ones that Archeon tagged quite efficiently as playing the "you can't control me in chat, so you're weak" game.

I have no doubt that my minion will uphold my honor - and I will be the one to judge if any "misbehavior" has occurred, not someone who knows neither of us nor the parameters of our relationship. The only one to whom he owes respect is me - not any other random person on the Internet or in real-life who grants himself or herself a title. Respect is earned, not just passed out because of a claim to dominance.

As I agreed with Dawg, respect is earned, I agree with you here also. but I speak not to respectfulness, but to manners and courtesy. It is, in some areas of the site, chat included, sorely lacking.

Also, I would place no restrictions on his right to express his own opinions or to speak his mind in a forum such as this. The Library is a site for the open exchange of ideas, for the asking of questions & seeking of insight. Why would I limit his ability for self-expression in this environment, as long as he does not violate the posted rules?

Again, it isn't about speaking one's mind or restricting the expression of opinions, but of doing so in a well-mannered and courteous context. If we expect such behavior of our charges offline, why not carry it online when this social medium is becoming more and more of an integral part of our daily lives?