Remember when Glitch was new? Whether it was 2010, or two weeks ago, odds are pretty good you remember when Glitch was still beta. Remember when we were figuring out this game together?
Now that Glitch is open, a lot of new players are experiencing the game for the first time, going through all of those same experiences. They have a greater challenge though, because they're faced with a tight knit group of players who have been here longer, achieved more, and have a level of status they can't ever achieve. They ask those players for help and often times get some very nice and helpful answers.
On the flip side, this older, cooler group can be a bit intimidating. We've got a new class of freshmen and there's a bit of hazing and disgruntlement going on. There's a lot of "people keep stealing/annoying/whatever," types of threads / comments in chat.
Yes, there are jerks in this game. There will always be jerks in this game. Jerks are a part of life, and no one has succeeded in creating an effective jerk filter.
But, I have an idea.
Us being curmudgeons will only result in the new guys getting prickly in return. Part of what makes us so cool is the fact that we're as open and supportive as we are. We have quests that grant experience in the game - give a newer player something (levels 3-5), but that's a pretty easy quest to win. I can give a bean to someone and get experience for it. I want you guys to do something awesome for someone else. Don't give noobs a bean, is what I'm getting at.
I task you with bartering for something with another player - doesn't matter what level they are, but it helps if they're newer to the game and need something from you as well. Exchange a service or stuff with them for something you need, even if you can buy it/get it yourself pretty easily some other way. But here's the fun part:
Go above and beyond. Surprise them with your generosity. Impress them with how cool of a community this is. Do it because you can, not because you're getting something in return. Show them how awesome it is to be a part of this game. Do it when they need it - when they're low on energy, when they have a broken tool and no cash, or when they need a mood boost. I'm not asking this to be completely selfless - get them to give something to you - but really reward them for it.
This is to the glitchen like myself who aren't habitually super cool players. The average folks who have fun but don't go crazy being saintly like some of you guys are. I know there are quite a number of seasoned glitch pros who are generous and friendly and awesome. This is mostly directed at the rest of us who want to build upon this community but don't necessarily know where to start.
Edit: I also want to point out that some of the "x keep stealing/whatever" threads and comments are totally legit issues. My point here is that it's tough to come in as the other guy when a lot of that is going on.
Edits:
1. In 2010, the game was in Alpha, not Beta.
2. Instead of Noob, (which is apparently offensive), I propose calling new people Nuggets. Yes, this is a BSG reference.
3. Clearly I am not clear. Hence the title of this post has been changed. Give nuggets as many beans as you want for the in-game quest. For this quest, engage them in the game and community by trading with them.