First let me address my paranoia of creating a new topic for something that must have been posted on here before. I saw some older locked threads that had some points I am interested in discussing, but did not find anything recent that was necessarily relevant.
Your good regulars (aka your "crew").
I think, overall, having a good crew that contributes regularly (contribute meaning any positive effect on the room) is a great thing for any room to have, but do you ever wonder if your crew can be a significant factor in why a model may be "plateauing" / struggling to attract more regulars?
Recently, I have been in a few rooms where it has gotten me thinking about this topic and whether I need to better watch my behavior in the room where I am typically a regular. Below are some points where I think there could be merit into this notion of the crew holding a model back (all points where I have been guilty of at least once).
Your good regulars (aka your "crew").
I think, overall, having a good crew that contributes regularly (contribute meaning any positive effect on the room) is a great thing for any room to have, but do you ever wonder if your crew can be a significant factor in why a model may be "plateauing" / struggling to attract more regulars?
Recently, I have been in a few rooms where it has gotten me thinking about this topic and whether I need to better watch my behavior in the room where I am typically a regular. Below are some points where I think there could be merit into this notion of the crew holding a model back (all points where I have been guilty of at least once).
- The inside jokes - when the crew uses inside jokes a bit too much, I can see how new visitors get lost / confused in the conversation and ultimately feel intimidated in trying to jump in the conversation.
- Overly protective / white knight syndrome - your crew cares a lot about you. Sometimes a new visitor, not knowing all the rules of the room, makes a comment that is perceived as disrespectful. Your crew gets on the member's case. In most cases, the member really was a jerk you did not want in your room, but there are probably a few that were just misunderstandings. Also, could other new visitors in the room now be afraid to say anything after watching the other member get smacked down?
- Cliquish - this may overlap with other items, but I have been in rooms where only the clique talks to each other and are not so welcoming to new visitors. They are not rude to the new visitors, but maybe just don't feel as comfortable and open talking to new people. I try to make a point to greet anyone who says hi (whether a regular or someone new). If I notice a new member who is contributing nicely, I try to engage that member more in the conversations.
- The frequent and/or big tippers - how can this be a problem? I don't know. It probably isn't, but I sometimes get the sense that when your crew is making your day through tips, it can be intimidating to new tippers.
- The Jealous Regular - this one is rare because your crew typically wants to see you happy, but I can think of times where a new visitor comes in, makes a big splash and gobbles up most of the model's and/or room's attention. The "older regular" is thinking, "who is this new turkey on the farm" and starts to get a little defensive and/or competitive. Of course, competitive tipping can be interesting, but I can see it scaring away what could have been a new big contributing regular.
- Your crew is just weird - whether it be your personality that attracted these weirdos (I mean that in a good nice way) or whatever, but you've found yourself in a "niche market." Do you try and "course correct" to attract new visitors from "the mainstream" at risk of potentially upsetting your crew of weirdos? Though, if you have a truly good crew, they will adapt with you!
- There are more, but I'm really starting to get hungry and must go out to eat.