An open letter to the mer-community at large

[Mermaid Luna]

I just wanted to take a minute and say this to all of you, no matter what you are or do as part of the community. I know there's a fair amount of drama going on amongst many of us from time-to-time, or perhaps ongoing, depending on the situation.




Personally, I'm just going to be Switzerland. I don't like it when people argue and bully and play the blame game (especially 'cause I'm an empath), but I WILL say that I know not everyone in the community is going to be BFFs. If you have beef with someone, address them directly and politely, as you would want them to treat you. You don't have to feel all warm and fuzzy about each other, but at the very least, be civil. Don't flame, (type in ALL CAPS), bully, harass, pester, slander, troll, or just plain be rude.

Do you say you're a professional mermaid/tailmaker/artist/photographer/diver/etc.? Then act professional. Because if you don't, you'll lose clients - because EVERYTHING gets onto the internet eventually, and if people have had bad dealings with you, they'll talk about it. And Google finds it.

Just my two cents/opinion. I'm just starting out as a professional mermaid, and that's how I'm doing things in my professional as well as personal life. :)


~ Luna

[AniaR]

<3

[Aquatarian]

Agreed. Couldn't have said it better.

[Odette]

there is a website that writes reviews for businesses. you get to write them. we need to make one for mertailor. form all people who own one of his tails. starts with an E

[Mermaid Luna]

Well, you have that power and that right. I won't stop you. I'm just saying that we shouldn't attack people, no matter if it's well-deserved or not. If you're gonna write a review, go for it, but make it honest, and not personal. In our line of work especially, since we put ourselves in the public eye, you have to be the better person (the bigger man) and conduct yourself with honor and dignity and compassion.

[AniaR]

I just dont want people to feel like they can't speak honestly about their experiences for fear of retribution. I don't tolerate bullying or censoring. The whole purpose behind moving to our own new mernetwork was because of certain people doing just that. I think it's also a matter of appropriateness as well. I think it's appropriate to speak about your experience if people ask you, or within the context of a critique. I try very hard not to go out and just randomly find people and say "you know who sucks? _________" I also refrain from posting any of that stuff on my fb page because I feel it's very unfair to the fans to only get 1 side of a story and it's a manipulation of my influence to put people in that position. I deal my opposition a great deal more respect and allowance than they do me- but I will continue to do that not out of respect for them but respect for everyone else and being the bigger person. but

I get a lot of emails, along with a lot of PMs right here on this site from active members, afraid of posting their true opinions and experiences out of fear of retribution, lack of services, or being called "dramatic", To fix that-it has to go both ways. People have to not abuse their freedom of speech and right to post their experiences but members also have to be tolerant that simply because someone makes an honest post in an appropriate place does not mean they are dramatic or trying to cause drama. Drama only happens when people react to something, as opposed to responding.

[merpirate]

Wait but what if I enjoy drama? What if I pop a bag of popcorn, turn on my computer log in and read about it all night long, iif people start being nice and working things out, where will I go for my drama fix?










Sorry, had to be silly for a moment. But in all seriousness I agree with both of you. I am a part of a RHPS cast and have seen drama break people up and destroy good friendships.