RP Etiquette for non-RPers
Many of us on tumblr enjoy following role play blogs, even if we don’t actively roleplay or don’t typically roleplay in that storyline. Still, that doesn’t excuse rude behavior. Here’s a few tips to help keep some of our favorite writers sane:
If a roleplayer has a starter call, don’t answer that call (such as by re blogging) unless you intend to actually roleplay.
Try not to take things personally if a person doesn’t respond to your ask right away. There’s lots of reasons why they may not be responding: they’re tired, they’re in the middle of something, the ask got eaten, the thread got lost, they are struggling to find a good reply, etc.
A role player can only reply to fan mail if they are following you back. For many role players it is extremely impractical to follow back everyone, so in this instance using the ask and submit features are advised.
Sometimes there are rules about asks. Sometimes there aren’t rules, but you may still want to put thought into your asks if you want to be taken seriously.
Don’t be afraid to talk to the mod
Know when to let go, including when things aren’t going your way.
Make sure to be able to distinguish between constructive criticism vs destructive hate mail.
Use the same rules of etiquette you learned in kindergarten.
And if you do decide you want to roleplay with a person after all…
Even if you don’t run an active role play character but you still want to participate in an open thread and open starters, sometimes that’s okay. Good communication with the mod is key.
It’s important to read any other information the mod has on their character or setting (such as a verse page) before proceeding with the role play.
You can also try looking through the archives and seeing what they have posted about a topic or policy in the past, but every person has a right to change their mind.
Consider brushing up on some basic roleplay etiquette
