Change begins with the individual, and if the perpetrators of such behavior do not of their own volition correct themselves (as demonstrated by the ones who bounce to one female avatar after another), then it’s high time the populace of Home who do know better to step up and demonstrate that this behavior is not tolerated.

You can take a lot of abuse if you trade your skin in for leather, however not all of the female user base has developed such a defense (not that they should need to, in an ideal situation, but it does come in handy) to handle the horde of Home leg-humpers.

And never speak for someone else. It’s just bad form.

I found it an intresting perspective into the female world in which a woman checks the other girls out before she even ‘notices’ a guy. I’m now 35 and I hadn’t even noticed that. Of course as a guy too, I would maybe at first spot the girl i would like to talk t, But I’m also looking around at my nearest competitor, probably that guy thats much more bigger than me, wears a better suit (This guy could be carrying SERIOUS cash)and far more aggressive and likely to get his own way. That possible Boyfriend or Partner that could easily be watching me from the corner of the room and leap out and beat the crap out of me. So I guess I have to move with caution too.

For me.. On Home, (Real Life too) If i see a girl on her own, I have to question ‘Does she just want to be on her own?’ I would sit or stand maybe at a distance from her., play it safe, because I wouldnt want her threatened by me. Make some small talk, something observational other than the weather crack a small joke. If she doesn’t respond to either of those things it’s just as well to leave her be.

I hadn’t realised until now that most of my friendslist is made up of the Female friends i meet on Home, I’m comfortable with talking to girls, probably more so than men. Maybe its the constant change in conversation women have that interests me, i love how they can jump into one subject then into another with ease. I’m jealous at how open women can be when they greet one another in the street, just that big warm, open hug. If i did that with a guy (Heterosexual of course) it’s not going to be recieved as well.

I come from a one parent family, I’ve been surrounded by women all my life. And as for finding romance on Home and beyond? Anythings possible, and I’m a single man that can never say never and I’m not going to predict where or HOW I meet that special person. But I’m not desparate for love, if shes crazy enough to stick around me then thats a good thing, but for now I’m happy with the talking and dancing and all the crazy parties i get invited to.

Terra_Cide, this is a great articel and you really have opened up something here.

You both have good points; just remember to separate the points themselves from the personal emotions that are beneath the surface.

No ad hominem attacks from either side, please.

No, it is NEVER okay for ANYONE to mistreat ANYBODY over the way they dress; provocatively or not, and it is NOT acceptable to say, “well, she’s dressed that way, she (could be he) should expect it. This is Home.”

That’s like saying such atrocious behavior in the real world is acceptable because the girl is wearing a bikini and therefore any and all unwelcome attention she may get she should expect, and therefore deserve.

That’s like saying a child should have expected to get smacked because he misbehaved.

These are PIXELS on a SCREEN, for crying out loud. P.I.X.E.L.S. You’re getting hot and bothered over a bunch of ones and zeros?! Seriously? You don’t even know if the living breathing human being on the other side is even the sex they’re representing themselves in this virtual world to begin with. If you have the mental acuity and maturity to know how to operate a PlayStation, it shouldn’t be that much of a stretch to realize that what’s on the screen isn’t exactly what you’re gonna get.

All joking aside though, I’ve had that old chestnut, “r u a lesbian?” thrown at me more than a few times as a result of my swift, unfeeling-meat-cleaver-style of dealing with unwelcome digital male suitors (i.e., “Do you really talk like that in real life, or are you too stupid to care about first impressions?”), and to be honest, I take it as a point of pride. The reasoning being is that if their behavior in Home is any indication of what they would do in real life, then most definitely I’d be pulling in more women!

The reality is, if your intentions for going on Home are of an amorous variety (or something more base), then you 99.99% of the time will be brushed off like so much pixelated lint. The majority of those who come to Home (and stay on Home) do so for pretty much the same reason, and it’s been mentioned here numerous times: they have some sort of “damage” about them that makes real life social interaction a challenge. They come to Home because they feel it’s a safe place to get away from those challenges.

In the end, it’s really all about respect, and those who cannot abide by that won’t last very long on Home.

Meanwhile, a lady walks into Spago’s for lunch dressed in her best suit and checks out the other ladies: (“are those real pearls or are they fake?”). the men look and say to themselves, “she’s hot -- she’s not”

The big difference however, is that after the initial assessment of ‘hotness’, a man decides ‘do I want to date her or just boink her?” The more suggestive the outfit, the less likely he will take her anywhere but the closest motel. THe more fashionable the outfit, a man has to decide “can I afford her for the long-haul or do I just want a trophy date for a big event?”

So, the flirting has another dimension: do you want him looking at your boobs or at your brains? Are you looking for a one-night stand or an ongoing relationship? Note, in a virtual reality, each is a valid experience -- but you have to consider how you want to be evaluated by that male pea-brain and how you want him to treat you.

(And, of course, after months of cajoling her to write something, she now wants to get on a podcast and begin phase two of taking over the world. Hm.)

I agree, though, it’s a remarkable article.

Also, your defense of the provocative clothing on the females is right on the mark, it really is a disgusting justification to treat them like bimbos. Great report. Also, these phrases should all cause the user to get shocked through their controller:

1 -- u got mike
2 -- u got piks
3 -- were u frum