Dancer Archive
Thread: So frustrated...
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rayill
Wed Dec 29, 2004 2:33 pm
#1
First off, they should be happy that you were charging a fair and low price. If they can't keep track of five minutes, that's their problem.
I always tried to keep track of time for people, but it was so slow that it normally didn't matter. My Musician used to get much more business, and I always tried to send myself a tell for each person so that I can know who was done when. Personally, it's up to each person how to do it, and it's all on what makes you feel comfortable.
I'm sorry you had a crummy experience though. I'm just flat out taking a break because I got sick of a great deal of this kind of stuff.
Oh, and if anyone was interested, all I do is normally "/pause 240; /tell <myself> done". I never even bothered to make ita macro. Just type it in and cycle back to it when I actually did the next buff.
LyteFoot
Wed Dec 29, 2004 3:03 pm
#2
I don't hesitate I tell the jerks to find someone else and put them on ignore. The bot was broken and they had no option so you take control don't let them. There are good people out there as well and often if you stand up a bit they will chime in. If not then their tough luck, not worth ruining your experience for a bunch of childish players.
Doriana
Wed Dec 29, 2004 4:35 pm
#3
Yeah, I think the best advice that any of us can give is just don't let them get to you. We've all been in the same situation and I think we've all reacted the same way initially.
Me? I'm officially jaded now, which is probably evident in my recent posts here. I go through phases where it's all just too much, and I feel like I just can't take one more forum troll or one more rude patron or one more buffbot or one more AFKer without my head exploding. But.. they're just that -- phases, and they come and go and are sometimes better or worse. So maybe take a break from the MO, which from my experiences is one of the worst places because it attracts the majority of the uber-leet jedi and jedi-wannabe grinders.
Does your server have a live ent chat channel? I know that Flurry's EOF has been a great help to me, and our ent community is very supportive. It's great to be able to "/eof /whine, someone come hellllp me in the MO"
If you can tough it out, and maybe set aside a time to dedicate daily to performing in the same venue you can probably start to draw some people away from the bot. The problem I found with this, though, is that I'm a real person. I don't want to do the same thing at the same time, every day, like a job. But this is what people expect from us now and I'm often told that if I want to "compete" I need to be "reliable." And yes, I know some people who've had success this way. But sadly it means becoming more bot-like and I've found that's not something I'm personally willing to do. You might not feel uncomfortable with a set schedule though, as some people don't, so this might be something to try.
Other than that...Just remember we've been promised it will go away, and you're not alone. /hugs
Me? I'm officially jaded now, which is probably evident in my recent posts here. I go through phases where it's all just too much, and I feel like I just can't take one more forum troll or one more rude patron or one more buffbot or one more AFKer without my head exploding. But.. they're just that -- phases, and they come and go and are sometimes better or worse. So maybe take a break from the MO, which from my experiences is one of the worst places because it attracts the majority of the uber-leet jedi and jedi-wannabe grinders.
Does your server have a live ent chat channel? I know that Flurry's EOF has been a great help to me, and our ent community is very supportive. It's great to be able to "/eof /whine, someone come hellllp me in the MO"
If you can tough it out, and maybe set aside a time to dedicate daily to performing in the same venue you can probably start to draw some people away from the bot. The problem I found with this, though, is that I'm a real person. I don't want to do the same thing at the same time, every day, like a job. But this is what people expect from us now and I'm often told that if I want to "compete" I need to be "reliable." And yes, I know some people who've had success this way. But sadly it means becoming more bot-like and I've found that's not something I'm personally willing to do. You might not feel uncomfortable with a set schedule though, as some people don't, so this might be something to try.
Other than that...Just remember we've been promised it will go away, and you're not alone. /hugs
Jacquelyn
Thu Dec 30, 2004 1:26 am
#4
I dislike buff bots, so I put up my Master Dancer title, bot a stamina buff and went to the mining outpost on dantooine where one of the buff bots always resides. For the first 30 minutes, I stood around (title on and everything) while I watched countless fighters fight to get in line to use the buff bot. What is funny is that the buff bot's action buff had gone down and everyone was sitting there healing her as she flourished like crazy. The buff bot did not even have very high action so it eventually stopped dancing.
After that I started getting tells from a number of people, and I told them I charged 3k to enter the group.
People were upset because they wanted me to keep track of each and every one of them and how long it would take for me to buff each one of them. I basically told people to watch for 5 minutes to make sure it went through. For may people 3 minutes of watching was just too long for them and they would stop too soon and then cuss at me if it did not go through. They then finally paid a dancer to come back in and rebuff the buff bot. I had so many people who were just so rude and I was so humiliated at the way I was treated that I left. I have experienced this type of situation several times, it is not the first time. Anyway I now mostly only do private gigs.
If they have a buffbot going and cant get into a group or don’t get a buff then they don’t ever blame the buff bot, the bot takes no abuse (well maybe the robot does but it doesn’t affect them). They will wait for 10 minutes to get in a buffbot group but they cant wait for 5 minutes to get a buff from a real dancer who is ATK.
If they cannot wait a full 3 minutes for a buff or don’t take off their helm like I ask them too then it is somehow my fault even though I am buffed and flourishing just like the buff bot would be. I am just so upset at how selfish and abusive so many people are who demand our services for free. It is just so degrading and humiliating.
It is like robots and computers replacing people's jobs in real life. This has affected me to a large degree and I cannot even seem to escape it in a fantasy game.
It is almost to the point that in order to compete with a buff bot I would have to become one even though I am there. If I let them know I am ATK then that is just opening myself up to all kinds of abuse.
So frustrated.
lekkuboogie
Thu Dec 30, 2004 9:40 am
#5
First off *hugs* and kudos to you for trying. Don't give up!
And secondly, I have actually changed servers, left behind wealth and friends to be on a smaller server with less of a problem for an ATK dancer, so I know how you feel.
Usually I dance in Coronet, and don't have to go head to head with a buff bot, but on the occaisions I do, this has been my strategy:
1) I do have a macro that says "Live Dancer happy to buff mind, please tell me for an invite". I don't loop it, but its handy if there is an influx of people or someone makes a spatial query, I just have to hit it. I also /greet or /welcome individual characters, and make minimal chat, "good evening" or such. Usually an adventurer in the MO on Dantooine really doesn't have the desire for a chat, like one might in the Theed or Coronet cantinas. I do however try to target and use %NT (that command places their name in the chat) to make it more personal and friendly.
2) If I'm against a bot, well, actually always, my 'price' is "Tip what you please". Sometimes I get nothing, sometimes I get a fortune. If they say they have no idea what fair is, I tell them average is around 3-10k, they usually tip somewhere in that range then. The goal (in this case) is not to make creds, its to give the combatant a positive experience with a live dancer, and propagate good will for us vs the bot.
3) This is my biggest and best secret, but I think it may help any live dancers out there who struggle on timers: As soon as the person is grouped type in /pause 300;/tell <their name> all done.
300 would be 5 minutes, if you set a 3 minute 20 second buff, use 200...180 seconds for the buff, and add 20 to give them time to watch. Yes it is a bit of typing, and make sure you spell the name right (not always easy) but this is worth it and not too hard to keep up with. This is my #1 best trick, now I share it for all, use it well!
4) I always go out to buff only when I'm in a positive mood, and I try to only put the most positive 'vibes' out there. If I get upset, I smile and go elsewhere...I don't want to give one tiny shred of negative ammo to the ones who already want to say 'see? live dancer's are <negative adjective here> buffbots are better!' To quote a favorite movie: Smile, and say something offhanded, like "I never minded the little things" 
..... then picture a bull rancor eating their heads.
..... then picture a bull rancor eating their heads.5) Additional tips: Don't assume that your Master Dancer tag will be enough advertising, lots of dancers dance AFK without displaying AFK..many players turn names off on their interface. Don't just watch the customers, interact, if only briefly. And do try to make regular (if not scheduled) appearances anywhere you want to try to compete...esp. during peak hours, name recognition helps! And although tempting, never disparage the bot to others...rise above and be better than that! Many combatants agree with how we feel, but remarking on it can backfire on you badly!
One way or the other, the climate of the game for entertainers will change, eventually. I still have faith that it will be in our favor, and the wait will have been worth it! Until then, hang in there, baby!
Ikewe
Thu Dec 30, 2004 10:10 am
#6
I have to second the use of the /pause.... /tell....the buff is done. It's a great tool to use when dealing with people who seem incapable of doing more than holding their weapon in an upright position.
Our day will come. Sometime in the distant future people will learn that they don't have to be chatty to be polite. And that while we may be the social profession, we don't actually need each of them to carry on a complete discourse during those few minutes it takes to give them their mind buff. All we really need is about 15 seconds of curteous behavior. In the mean time, all we can do is continue to hold our heads high and feel the dance in our hearts.
Ikewe, Master Dancer Shadowfire
MyT_Chicken
Thu Dec 30, 2004 10:38 am
#7
Speaking for both sides here, I'm kinda disapointed at how people treat others in this game. But you see it would be pointless to even say anything to a buff bot, sosome peoplethink they can actually get away with it when talking to another person. As said before, just /addingnore.
I've never been a huge fan of buffing people I don't know, not when I was a Doctor and definantly notas an entertainer. I buff people that I know, unless I'm bored orcould usesome money. Otherwise my wookiee just heals.
I would like to clear up this comment "don’t take off their helm like I ask them too then it is somehow my fault". Buffing has absolutely nothing to do with armor. You see if the person was watching/listening to you before being invited to the group, they wont get the buff until they /watch or /listen while they are in the group and doing do for 3-5 mins
Group = /watch or /listen only afterthey arein the group
/setp = user must /watch or /listen before you (TheEntertainer)actually does the /setp command.
Now you probably already know that, but I guess for future reference if you ever deciede to buff people again after you invite them make sure youmake it clear tothem;type /watch or /listen. And when they are done have them type /stopw or /stopl. I don't like the radial setup, and I always make it clear they need to type in the commands.
Like everyone else is saying though, I wouldn't let it bother you, odds are you will never see them again, and if you ever do, odds are they will need something from you, so make it count.
Jacquelyn
Fri Dec 31, 2004 1:09 am
#8
Thanks for the support guys. Most everything said does make sense. I see that several of you put allot into these posts and I appreciate your effort to help. One of the things I have been doing is going to Mos Eisley and buffing the newbs and talking with them without asking for anything in return. Many of them have never had a mind buff before and I am hoping I can provide a good experience for them. Others are more experienced players starting out with a new toon and they seem to be very appreciative of my services and attention.
Thanks again.. I think I found my place since it is not all about the money for me but more for the interaction. Yes there are a few jerks here but that does not bother me. What gets to me is when it seems that 90% of the people are that way.
I think you are right that MO is not the right demographic to focus on.
Thanks again
Starcia - Master Dancer/Shipwright/Droid Engineer
lekkuboogie
Fri Dec 31, 2004 4:52 pm
#9
You go hon! A great refresher is always to seek out the newbies and new characters..it reminds you of the fun days we had when we all started playing =)
Tatooine is a brighter spot to have a Master Dancer like you there to entertain and spread good will !
*big HUG*
Isleh
Fri Dec 31, 2004 6:08 pm
#10
MyT_Chicken wrote:
Speaking for both sides here, I'm kinda disapointed at how people treat others in this game. But you see it would be pointless to even say anything to a buff bot, sosome peoplethink they can actually get away with it when talking to another person. As said before, just /addingnore.
I've never been a huge fan of buffing people I don't know, not when I was a Doctor and definantly notas an entertainer. I buff people that I know, unless I'm bored orcould usesome money. Otherwise my wookiee just heals.
I would like to clear up this comment "don’t take off their helm like I ask them too then it is somehow my fault". Buffing has absolutely nothing to do with armor. You see if the person was watching/listening to you before being invited to the group, they wont get the buff until they /watch or /listen while they are in the group and doing do for 3-5 mins
Group = /watch or /listen only afterthey arein the group
/setp = user must /watch or /listen before you (TheEntertainer)actually does the /setp command.
Now you probably already know that, but I guess for future reference if you ever deciede to buff people again after you invite them make sure youmake it clear tothem;type /watch or /listen. And when they are done have them type /stopw or /stopl. I don't like the radial setup, and I always make it clear they need to type in the commands.
Like everyone else is saying though, I wouldn't let it bother you, odds are you will never see them again, and if you ever do, odds are they will need something from you, so make it count.
/ttell ( target tell, the second 't' is not a typo ) are handy for this. You can set a macro with the instructions and just select and hit the macro in your tool bar.
) are handy for this. You can set a macro with the instructions and just select and hit the macro in your tool bar./alarmAddIn is also handy. ( /alarmaddin[hrs] [min] [message] ) Both My TeeTell macros includes instructions telling them when to type '/watch' and then to type '/alarmAddIn 0 5 Mind Buff Done!'. In addition from getting an audio alarm. They get a system message saying the buff is done.
Group Buff macro
/invite;/pause 1;/ttell Hi ya! Okay, join the group and then select me and type "/watch" and hit enter ( If you have already done so, you will need to do it again for the buff to work ). You can keep track of the time by setting an in game alarm. Type "/alarmAddIn 0 5 Mind Buff Done" and hit enter to do so. Once you hear the alarm, type "/stopw" and hit enter. After that. You're all done!
Set Performance macro
/setp;/pause 1;/ttell Hi ya! Okay,select me and type "/watch" and hit enter ( If you have already done so, you will need to do it again for the buff to work ). You can keep track of the time by setting an in game alarm. Type "/alarmAddIn 0 5 Mind Buff Done" and hit enter to do so. Once you hear the alarm, type "/stopw" and hit enter. After that. You're all done!
Message Edited by Isleh on 12-31-2004 05:21 PM
Message Edited by Isleh on 12-31-2004 05:22 PM
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