MaidenFair
Chef - Head Philologist
Are you talking about small players or large players, though? Because I think @Alram's concern is about small players offering 3-star trades they can't actually afford just because they think that's "the done thing" (correct me if I'm wrong, please!), which isn't necessarily an attempt to get them picked up first (I also don't see how even a lot of small players doing that with 100-good trades or less would significantly impact the market when larger players are trading in tens or even hundreds of thousands). If I read you right, what you're concerned about is large players who routinely post 3-star trades just to show up at the top of the trader, right, and/or people trying to make a profit on goods that are universally short? Personally, it seems like if those players and their effect is your main concern, then refusing to take any 3-star trades seems like using a shotgun on a mosquito, because those same small players you're trying to keep the market useful for are now not getting their trades picked up at all (assuming they're also offering 3-stars, for whatever reason). But that's just my viewpoint on it.Three star traders undercut the market to get their trades picked up first in the name of generosity.
I mean, I can't speak for everyone, because the bullying concern wasn't mine to begin with, but in my opinion: absolutely, and if anyone complains, you can refer them to me. If after genuinely listening to the other side of the argument, you still maintain your opinion that all 3-star trades actually damage the market, you have a valid concern and that is a good enough reason to worry about it, express your opinion, and even explain to new players why you won't take their trades, and how you think the market works best. I am likewise free to continue to place or take the occasional 3-star trade. I think the only place that would potentially stray into the actual bullying/coercion/what-have-you issue someone brought up is if either of us posit our opinions on these things as law, without allowing for the freedom of new players to think through the topic for themselves and possibly come to a different conclusion. In the end, I think it circles back around to Darielle's reason for originally posting: trying to genuinely understand an opposite opinion/what someone is feeling, even if you ultimately come to the conclusion that you still disagree with their conclusions.What if I actually think it is a damaging thing? Can I say it?