A lot of people visit the village and beaches of Otium every day, and a good share are repeat visitors. Here are a few that seem to pop a number of times each day.
These people tend to have rather cryptic names--not all of them, but a good many.You can expect names such as eviltwin777, diceydorah@@, pickzxitx1098. You get the idea. It is amusing to find names that include four-digit combinations that are clearly a year of birth, marriage, divorce, or whatever. How about shila1996? I have to wonder: Is that when she was born, when she was married, the year of birth of her first child, the year she graduated from school, or maybe the year she lost her virginity? Never hurts to ask.
These people tend to be hyperactive--not all of them, but a good many. They drop onto the beach or town square, hesitate a few seconds (possibly waiting for things to rez), and then they are off! They fly, the run everywhere. They go up the hills, down into the sea, up into the air ... all at a rate that more experienced SL citizens find crazy or annoying. But I have to admit, they see a lot of things in a short period of time.
These people use "Editing Appearance" to change their clothes--all do. So here they are, scampering around the beaches or wandering the streets of the town when, for not apparent reason, they assume the Editing Appearance stance. Sometimes it's apparent what they are trying to do, as you see one hair item piled upon another, multiple skins (how do that do that?), and standard-issue noob clothing going on and off. Other times, it's anyone's guess what they are trying to do. (We were all there at one time).
The one characteristic that I've found unpredictable is their willingness (or ability?) to chat. I truly enjoy talking with those who are trying to figure out the "rules of this game." If ( and this is a big IF) you can get them to slow down enough to chat, only about a third of them respond. Another one-third don't respond, but continue flying, running, falling into the sea. The remaining third POOF away the moment I say anything to them.
That latter group bothers me. Here I'm am attempting to show a friendly atmosphere at Otium, and I seem to frighten them away. That's terribly counterproductive. My solution, at least for the time being, is to watch them closely for a bit. It they are trying a lot of things -- learning to sit in chairs or using the horizontal bar--I'd guess they would be willing to chat. But if it appears they are just buzzing around aimlessly, I'd rather not say anything for fear it would intimidate them. This is hardly a scientific conclusion, but it's all I have to work with at the moment.
It makes my day when I say "Hello" to a noob, and it turns out that he/she/it is willing--even eager--to learn how this all works. Some call it "paying forward." That's a pretty good description for being that one person who was helpful in those first days in Second Life. We, you--most mature citizens of Second Life--recall someone who helped us through those first awkward and confusing weeks.
Yes, they are noobs. But they made a choice to visit Otium, and we all must respect that. Of course a few are immature alts bent on causing grief, but that's like doggie poo in the yard: You can choose to bitch about it, clean it up,or ignore it. But it still happens; and what is means is a matter of choice.
