He's clearly being sarcastic, but what was his point?

Requesting that taunting be disabled on the server would be an absurd overreaction?

I agree.

Again, and this is getting very tiresome: I have never asked that taunting be disabled on the server.

So, once again I ask. What was his point?

OK so you don't want taunting to be disabled via plugin, server rules etc.

I'm not asking that you prevent them from taunting. I'm simply asking, here, where it might be noticed by someone with a different mindset to them and who might have the ability to exercise some kind of influence over them, that they refrain from taunting me.

I wasn't aware that my goals had changed Blinx, but to answer you directly, I guess it all boils down to this quote from Dazed:

"Me, Zerged and others have taunted almost every kill for 3 years or more."

There's some debate over the specifics of this statement, but though I've been actively tolerant of both Dazed and Zerged over the past few years, as I see it, it wasn't until fairly recently (I took a break earlier in the year, and when I returned it seemed to be gaining popularity) that others decided to adopt this behaviour, forming a clique of sorts.

It's pretty easy to stomach a couple of people you don't care much for doing something mildly abrasive, but when it becomes a "thing", and others adopt it, then ignoring it becomes much more of an issue. At least for me.

As I've said all along, I don't mind people taunting. Taunting has its place, in moderation.

That said, these guys (by their own admission) do it all the time to everyone, and that is something I find, well, kinda obnoxious.

Plus, in my mind, I don't see how it's normal, acceptable behaviour for anyone (whether it's in a public Valve server or a clan server that takes pride in teamwork and good competition, like HH), let alone a positive experience for someone unfamiliar to the server.

As Mehby posted earlier (though his intent was likely different to mine), the definition of taunt is:

"provoke or challenge (someone) with insulting remarks" - the remark in this case being a character animation.

I've acknowledged that the majority of their taunts likely don't hold any malice, but you have to do work to get beyond the innate meaning of such an action, which in their minds has been twisted into some kind of positive, fun gesture. Sadly, I haven't reached this point.

Ideally, I'd like them to only taunt people who they know, for sure, are down for their type of fun.

I've never suggested that they stop entirely.

I've never suggested that they have their ability to taunt taken away from them.

I've never suggested that they should be admonished or punished for their actions.

Dazed has made it clear he's never going to stop taunting, and in pretty dramatic fashion too. I don't think I'll change his mind, but that's OK. Nothing to get angry about.

I started this thread to discuss the matter. Many people have willfully misinterpreted its intent and what I've written. I expected this, to an extent. I don't mind, these things happen, and people will form whatever opinions they like. Others (admittedly, fewer) have been supportive, which is reassuring, but I've just enjoyed the discussion.

I'm not sure where it will go. At this point I feel like I'm just replying to comments posted with good and bad intent.

I can understand that people get annoyed by being tauntet. However, it's just a game mechanic and the obvious answer then is simply: Deal with it.
I really don't see how moderating peoples behaviour, if its not abusive or against the rules, is ever a good idea. Especially considering that now we have arrived at a point where people suggest that some loadouts are not fun for them and should thus be 'banned' too, because their way to play the game is the only way.

Spandex,

What you've written is so painfully absurd I'm having difficulty even comprehending what you're attempting to do.

Did you not read the 3rd post on this very page?