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Message: <blockquote data-quote="jdfrenzel" data-source="post: 74812" data-attributes="member: 810">It seems to me the issue is one of respect. Every culture in every time period has some mechanisms for gaining and showing respect, but I've found that most players lack any regard for it whatever. At least until they themselves are in a position of power. Then if the big titles and line-towing aren't showered upon them, watch them cry foul.Most PCs try to deal with every problem using force, and some of the posts reflect this: "We don't have to bow to anyone because we are all Very Tough Guys." There is nothing egalitarian or meritocratic about this. Being better able to beat someone up makes one a bully or barbarian, not a respectable free-spirit. Just because a noble sits in a keep and does what seems to be a whole lot of nothing doesn't mean he's not worthy of respect. As pointed out in earlier posts (with terrific wit-I loved the bit about marrying the ugly one), being a noble is hardly fun and games. But is killing a dragon really more respectable than running an entire nation? OK, so the king can't kill a dragon, but then again, PCs can't or aren't willing to run a nation. Does that make PCs more important to their world? Hardly! Or in a modern example, are SEALs really more respectable or important than Supreme Court Justices? Are their achievements greater? No. (Are SEALs more interesting? Hell yes.)I deal with this with a simple rule about respect: You don't get it unless you give it. If my PCs want to give sass to worthy rulers, or start ordering around high priests, they've earned a few more enemies and they will meet them soon enough. And I'm not concerned about the details of how they show respect, just as long as they make an effort. In other words, they don't necessarily have to bow unless I've specified otherwise, but basic "Yes sir, no ma'am" is good enough. They don't have to. But they'll probably never get "propers" from anyone else unless they do.--- John</blockquote>

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