So I did my first ever “tradeskill for a random” yesterday. I was cruising through Stormwind on Centrella on the way to the bank when I spotted someone looking for the Fiery Weapon enchant in /1 local. And, as it happens, I picked up that particular enchantment late last week. Mats were exchanged, a weapon was enchanted, nothing-to-see-here-move-along-please.
Except for two things.
It’s like life, but…
Hanging out in WoW’s major hubs is in many ways almost exactly like hanging out in the center of most towns (or at least the ones I know). Loud people yakking it up on street corners, not caring who hears. Throngs of people and cars. Shoppers moving from entrance to entrance, laden with bags. Market traders loudly advertising their wares. Snatches of other people’s conversations as you pass them (or as they accidentally oops, wc). A fight or two, the obligatory naked person, crazies dancing in the street (iPod users?).
There are, sadly, precious few towns you can walk through without some poor unfortunate asking if you can “spare any change”, and Stormwind (for example) is no different. What I don’t hear on a typical walk through the delightful tree-lined boulevards of Lewisham is “WHERE CAN I BUY SHOES?”. Or “Hey, I’ve got some wool and some buttons. Can anyone make me a cardigan?”. Or “CAN SOMEONE MAKE THESE TROUSERS WARMER plx?”. Which is, I think, a shame.
And now I come to think of it, the market traders have a little more savvy in the real world. I’ve heard plenty of “Get ‘yer oranges, 4-fer-a-paaahnd” and the like, but relatively few stallholders with a pitch of “Bring ‘us some flour and I’ll make you some bread. £10 tip.” [s’not a tip, grumble grumble].
An unhealthy brand relationship
So in the brand-driven culture we live in, almost all of us like to associate with the companies whose products we like — it seems nearly everyone can be drawn into a little fanboi rant if you pick the right subject. Gucci vs Fendi. Primark vs New Look. AMD vs Intel. Sooner or later, most of us can find some form of brand loyalty which goes beyond the purely rational. But witness this (not verbatim, but true-to-the-spirit) conversation:
Shopper-Who-Shall-Remain-Anonymous: LF Enchanter to do Fiery Enchant on my weapon
Centrella [standing beside SWSRA, conveniently]: I can do that.
SWSRA: Where are you?
Centrella: /waves at SWSRA
SWSRA: /inv Centrella
SWSRA: Oh, there you are. Hello.
Buddy of SWSRA also in group: Hello.
[a trade window appears with mats]
Centrella: Hang on, I need my enchanting rod … thing
[run to bank; return to find SWSRA missing. Look on map to see SWSRA & buddy trailing behind. Cue mild embarrassment]
[trade window with weapon; enchanting ensues]
SWSRA: Thank you.
Centrella: No problem 😉
SWSRA [breathlessly]**: I’m going to make you my preferred enchanter and come back to you for all my enchants and add you to my friends list. Add me to your friends list, ok?
Centrella: Er … great. Cheers. Ok … gotta run! [exits stage left, at speed]
Now I don’t know about you, but I found that last part from SWSRA a little … uncomfortable. And whilst that might not be exactly the same words he used (dramatic license, y’all) it was very much how it made me feel. So anyway, I got the hell outta Dodge via a speed teleport and trundled off to continue questing. And was happily doing just that when I received:
SWSRA whispers: Have you added me yet? Make sure you add me?
To [SWSRA]: Of course
[sotto voce]: …not, you nutter.
I don’t need to. I’ll suspect I’ll have perfect recall of SWSRA’s real handle for a while yet…
** well ok, I don’t know for certain he was breathless. But that’s how I heard it.