About humiliating yourself

[st_shir]

Hello.

 

 

 

I would like to address the issue of lowering yourself today.

 

 

 

I have been thieving for quite a while now and I have noticed I am reluctant to say my level when someone asks (for reference - it's almost 96 now). Since I thieve in Burthorpe (yes, I know plunder is faster), I get alot of curious newbies and other people asking me all kinds of questions. I do not mind the questions and such but what I do mind is.. Let me put it in an example:

 

 

 

X (random player): What's your thieving level? (Usually wuts yr thvin lvl)

 

Me: 95

 

X: I'm only 56 (anywhere from 50-70 usually)

 

Me: That's not bad

 

X: Yes it is. I'm such a noob. You're so good.

 

Lately, this is where the conversation ends.

 

 

 

Now, if you still don't see the problem, I'll point it out - there is absolutely no reason to constantly compare yourself with others and put yourself down. It is actually embarrasing to the high level (mostly, though there are those who enjoy it), besides it leaves a lousy impression of you. 56, 72, 37 or whatever level you have is not bad. You have worked to get that far and take pride in that. I do not mean you should be all about omg I'm so good you suck but the other extremity isn't good either.

 

 

 

For those who say I hang out in the wrong place (Burthorpe), I have 5 99s. I got my first a long time ago, but four last ones quite lately. For me, it has been a subtle transformation, I don't consider myself "big". Anyway, while I was fishing/woodcutting/firemaking/cooking, it's all the same. Everywhere, every time. Those people make me answer "12" to their question about my levels.

 

 

 

Which raises a theory that maybe that's why high levels don't say their levels? Besides the fact that they get asked alot/are stuck up/aren't paying attention/don't bother to answer. I have had a conversation about this with few other high levels who all say they have the same problem.

 

 

 

Concluding:

 

 

 

do not put yourself down for nothing. You will only humiliate yourself, embarrass the person you are talking to and making no point really. Be proud of what you are, both ingame and out. Live and let live.

 

 

 

Thanks to those who actually bothered to read more than the first and last sentence lol. I know I can be prolonged in my points.

[transcript80]

+1: A good point that was waiting to be made.

 

 

 

I have no 99's, but a nice total level and some rather high stats. I too, do not see why having "only" 50 thieving is such an abomination. Lots of the PC products, pures etc. have it at 1!

 

 

 

It takes real dedication to get a 99, so it is something special. Bt there is nothing wrong with having a few, or even a lot of levels "low".

 

 

 

Play the game as you enjoy it!

[silver24-7]

I have 66 and I'm actually quite proud of it, it's not liek thieving is an easy skill to train :S

 

And well I never had lower lvls call themselves noobs after asking for some of my higher lvls :S neither would I do so myself. I would be more likely to say niiice, I'm hoping to get X lvl in that skill someday, and most people react the same way to me.

[Kenshinjapan]

I've always wondered this. Like ur rogues den, theres a few with hih 90 cooking. And the guy with 80 will say "most cookings *only* 80 ". I think it's because they don't want higher levels to make them look dumb for thinking that he's like a stuck up kid (or whatever). And sometimes just to show that their cool and a level 80 is nothing to them :lol: .

[Suiku]

Look, I have 84 ranged (maybe not that great as 99, but i suppose it's fairly high) and sometimes people come and ask me my ranged lvl, I say it, and on reply the guy say "lol im 53 i suck" on something in that line, well, they not embarrassing themselves, they just say that so you reply "hey, it's not that bad, you're good!" so, they actually wanting a compliment saying that, then they can say a high lvl said they're good! it's that all about

 

 

 

sorry misspellings :P

 

 

 

in conclusion you must reply with an opthimist answer, is what they searchin' bout

[swordwindtrtrtrt]

When training at lessers lower lvl guys ask like attk or def lvl, I say the appropriate lvl and their like "nice, mines noob: 67" or something. I say like "no thats not noob, its competent" and stuff. This lvl 46 guy stood there and kept saying "im a noob" over and over. its just ridiculous.

[GrimHams]

I never try to look impressive next to other people if, say im training range and they ask my level. I usually (being in black hide) say 65 and they laugh and forget they asked me. If they persist i tell them im 90 but if i were 20 or 99 i wouldn't really want to tell random people my level.

 

 

 

I never understand why people care so much about your levels, i get really annoyed with "range lvl?" "90" "91" <- did i ask yours?

[Lion]

Generally, people have one or two bad experiences with higher levels calling them "noobs" so feel the need to make a joke of their stats in order to bring them into the open and avoid ridicule.

 

 

 

The same principle applies in real life, and is the main reason you hear of people calling themselves fat or ugly. It's easier to just agree than to appear ignorant of your "Shortcomings".

 

 

 

It's unfortunate that people feel they have to do this; but with the ridiculous amount of immaturity in the Runescape community it's no surprise that people are intimidated by higher levelled players.

 

 

 

(I'm sorry if this post is completely incoherent, but I've just finished a stressful 3 hour drive and I need sleep. :wink:)

[SirHartlar]

If people start saying things like 'My stats suck' or 'I'm a noob', I generally go to the high scores and pick a skill which is outstanding and praise them. I'd much sooner try to pick up their spirits than stand there agreeing that 45 Magic isn't amazing.

[st_shir]

Well yes, I have tried the optimistic behavior. I really do believe that for example 50 cooking can be quite the achievement. It's all subjective. What's good to me can be lousy to someone else etc.

 

 

 

The point was more about the players who keep on going even after I compliment them. I actually timed one of those conversations. The guy put himself down for 42 minutes! What a dedication of proving to me he is worthless. And the funny thing is, I don't buy it hehe.

 

 

 

It is actually really sad. To think where this game has gone. It's like eating disorders in real life if you know what I mean. Maybe they do have some sort of a problem with self esteem.

 

 

 

Put this in your head: You are all good in your own way. We all rock!!

[Adam007]

The main reason for this is that teenage males (the vast majority of players) are by nature extremely competitive. By hearing that you're a higher level, they've lost that mini-conflict. Rest assured that if they found out they were the higher level they'd get a sense of satisfaction. Just as that age group is so competitive with each other in real life, they are in runescape. Haven't you ever wondered why when people meet in rs one of the first lines of conversation is "What's your str??" - they're sizing each other up, and even in a game displaying this constant drive of competitiveness.

[st_shir]

Yes, you are probably right on that.

 

 

 

I did honestly wonder why people want to know each others levels so badly. I really did think for a long time that it was just an excuse to start the conversation but seems it isn't.

 

 

 

Anyway, in real life it's all the same. Who has the bigger one. Who has the hardest life. Who is richer. Etc. The list could go on forever. And it all comes down to "who's da man!". Evolutionary thing in a way. "Argh baby, I have a hairier chest than him, take me!". Since society and human behavior has gone through serious development, the ways of expressing that have done that also.

 

 

 

What I was wondering about, wasn't particularly that constant competition but to my logic, if you lose that mini-battle, then why draw attention to it? Why even say you have lower level if you're not even asked? Why beat yourself to death if the other side is telling you that you are good? Do they honestly believe that if they don't act that way then we might make fun of their levels?

 

 

 

It is truly hard to get into teenage male mind, considering I have never been one. But I really do try :P

[Adam007]

Yes, you are probably right on that.

 

 

 

I did honestly wonder why people want to know each others levels so badly. I really did think for a long time that it was just an excuse to start the conversation but seems it isn't.

 

 

 

Anyway, in real life it's all the same. Who has the bigger one. Who has the hardest life. Who is richer. Etc. The list could go on forever. And it all comes down to "who's da man!". Evolutionary thing in a way. "Argh baby, I have a hairier chest than him, take me!". Since society and human behavior has gone through serious development, the ways of expressing that have done that also.

 

 

 

What I was wondering about, wasn't particularly that constant competition but to my logic, if you lose that mini-battle, then why draw attention to it? Why even say you have lower level if you're not even asked? Why beat yourself to death if the other side is telling you that you are good? Do they honestly believe that if they don't act that way then we might make fun of their levels?

 

 

 

 

It's just a sense of longing to be where the 'competition' is. They let out their frustration because they lost. Since they're on an anonymous level of speaking, they have less of a problem letting their feelings of inferiority out in hoping that the high level will 'comfort' him/her with some 'wisdom' of how he/she got to that level they want to be at.

[st_shir]

Any ideas on how to make it stop? :anxious:

[Adam007]

You can't really stop human nature. If it is related to the whole inferiority complex like I mentioned, better let out feelings than hold em in. Like I said, they probably just want empathy or advice.

[T. Skill]

If people start saying things like 'My stats suck' or 'I'm a noob', I generally go to the high scores and pick a skill which is outstanding and praise them. I'd much sooner try to pick up their spirits than stand there agreeing that 45 Magic isn't amazing.

 

 

 

I do the same. I also do the reverse of this when someone with a higher level than me says I'm "noob" or my level is "noob". I normally go to the high scores and more often than not I find a level that I beat them in by 5 more levels. I point this out to them and then normally they call me a "noob" one more time but after that they stop talking. :)

[Latinoking]

I sometimes call myself a "noob" when I see person my level or less wearing a dragon chain; a rare; or even having guthans w/ spear.

 

 

 

I dunno maybe just I'm not mind focus to go make 990k (rc nats) a day like some people :-k

 

 

 

Rcing gets boring people!

 

 

 

I dunno maybe I'll redeem myself this summer \

 

 

 

But I don't kick myself about because those people usually don't got what I got: A SCYTHE !!!! Woot go me for playing halloween 2002!

[Ltje]

Any ideas on how to make it stop? :anxious:

 

 

 

Stop playing, or put chat to off.

 

Like said, it is just the human/male nature.

 

 

 

 

 

Interesting topic though, I wondered about it as well. I've tried the tactic of searching the highscore for a stat they 'win' in, but most of the time thats way to much work, to be honest. :P

 

Besides, half the time they don't really listen to it anyways...

[Adam007]

 

But I don't kick myself about because those people usually don't got what I got: A SCYTHE !!!! Woot go me for playing halloween 2002!

 

 

 

2002, 2003, close enough.

 

 

 

Really though I think when they put themselves down they do this because they want the person they're talking with to boost their morale. They've lost their mini-confrontation, they feel like whatever level they want is impossible to get, so really they just want to set the other person up to give them some good ol empathy and advice from someone who's been in their shoes to how to get to their level.

[st_shir]

Offtopic: Woot, got 96 thief hehe.

 

 

 

Ontopic: Actually come to think of it (thinking with an extremely tired brain), I guess my current approach is the best there is. I compliment them and all but if they keep ranting, I stop replying.

 

 

 

Weird though, this is the only thing that bothers me ingame. Really. People calling me noob is more funny than annoying or whatever. But these people just puzzle me and make me feel bad that I'm making them feel bad somehow.

 

 

 

Okay off to bed, this thinking thing isn't working anymore.

[Adam007]

You're not making them feel bad. Again, all you need to do is empathize with them and give them some advice about the skill.

[Latinoking]

 

But I don't kick myself about because those people usually don't got what I got: A SCYTHE !!!! Woot go me for playing halloween 2002!

 

 

 

2002, 2003, close enough.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003 my bad but I do have one mind you :oops:

 

 

 

on topic: just tell them to check hi-scores that always works

[transcript80]

 

But I don't kick myself about because those people usually don't got what I got: A SCYTHE !!!! Woot go me for playing halloween 2002!

 

 

 

Ur my GOD!!!! (DO NOT QUOTE THIS!)

 

 

 

I mean, I'll never be able to buy a scythe since I don't allready have one! In 2003 I didn't play RS... I played RL (lol) but anyhow...

 

 

 

There is no way to stop human nature or evolution in that manner. I think we have to put up with it, either comfort them/ignore them. Humans/men are competitive, and I'm glad that I can "win" in RS, because my chest is not that hairy....

[Outsanity]

I personally don't have a problem saying my levels. If someone wants to know, I'll tell them. They'll respond how they want to, I suppose. Usually, yes, I'll get the "Omg...you rock. My level is so bad!" response...but that really can't be helped.

 

 

 

I will never put someone down for their levels (Unless they're a friend and I'm motivating them to train. But shhh...that's my secret. =-p)

 

 

 

Anyways...my point: Yes...it's not good of them to put themselves down. Can you force them to think more optimistically? No.

 

 

 

Semi-Sort of-Kind of Off Topic Thought: I'm going for 99 Thieving, also! Currently 97, and about 900k from 98. XD

[aznmidget448]

I usually say "Lol, I'm only level 'x'"

 

 

 

I see this in a lot of wcers in draynor (where I've officially stopped going because people are always there taking all the logs and I really need xp #-o ). When I moved to the Barbarian Assault area, I've noticed that less people have said this. I'm guessing it's probably because they have higher wc levels than the draynor people.