Countering BG Negativity

Stop me if you've seen this before.

Randomguy-Server: WOW ALLIANCE SUCKS AT BGS
Pubescentguy-Server: UR MOM
Pubescentguysfriend-Server: lololol srsly, reroll horde
Blitzguy-Server: WE'RE BLITZING, YEAH
Debbiedowner-Server: WTG FUCKING SCRUBS, WE JUST LOST

Yeah, I can go on.

I know I said I'd do my next post on enchants for moonkins, but I've done SO MANY moonkin-related posts in a row that I want to hop back onto my soapbox and talk about BG negativity.

It's bloody rampant.

A combination of faction apathy and being stuck in a certain strategic rut leads to battleground chats that are remarkably similar to that listed above. I would like to propose a few strategies for NOT UNLEASHING TOTAL RAEG at your faction.

Yes, this post is mildly facetious, and these strategies may come across as condescending or patronizing, but the fact of the matter is, there is absolutely no gain (see that again - no gain) in verbally abusing others in bgchat, or anywhere else for that matter. And, to be honest, when people treat others like garbage, the end result is that the person attacked is going to feel mildly like garbage.

I'm just going to get right into it.

1) Use neutral language

In a situation where you might bark orders at someone, such as distributing strategic placements at the beginning of AB or EotS or the like, language is KEY. Instead of approaching a BG going "okay fuckers, this is how we're going to do this", enter the BG and simply add to the strategies floating around.

BAD:

"Okay assholes, group 1 go to LM, group 2 to GM and if I see anyone going to blacksmith before we have stables, you're all fucking newbs."

GOOD:

"Group 1 - LM, Group 2 - GM, cap stables before BS, stick around until your flag caps."

Look how non-combattive the second one is. You won't provoke anyone, you won't be provoked (since if anyone decides to be snarky after sending out instructions in that neutral manner, it's their loss to do so), and at least a small chunk of the BG might pay attention.

2) Positive reinforcement

This seems simple enough, but goddamn does it work.

Say your team has just caught three bases in EotS. The fight is rough, horde might still be plaguing one of the bases, but a simple "good job, keep it up, guard if you can" is going to go a long way.

Positive reinforcement especially works when your team is losing.

That's not a typo.

When your side is the one losing, that's when negativity is most bred. This is the part where you see insults slinging, people getting called out for "sucking", etc. Praise the small achievements that happen in this time. For example, an AV Blitz goes south, and quickly becomes a turtle on both sides. This is a prime situation where your side might get really pissed. As a team player, you can take charge in a situation like this and act in a positive fashion. Propose a secondary strategy ("it's okay, it's okay, let's defend the bunkers and try to grab mines for resources" "great job getting the mines guys") and win or lose, you might evade some of the rampant insult-flinging.

Then again, you can't change people - that's not what this post is trying to do. If someone is going to be an asshole, they're going to be an asshole. But these simple strategies might help your PERSONAL experience in BGs as you grind your way to your next personal milestone. A positive mindset in battlegrounds can take you a long way.

/climbs off soapbox