@ThatOneDude said:
It made hanging out in a coffee shop interesting when something would happen plot wise out of no where inside the shop itself or out front that the characters could jump into if they wanted to.
I am putting emphasis on out front if they wanted to. This can either be great, or incredibly poor taste. I have this strange pet-p over hogging. I find it poor taste when things are going along unimpeded and suddenly everything has to stop and the light has to shine away from what you were enjoying to what someone else thinks is enjoyable. In other words, the Staffmember who appears in a puff of virtual smoke and declares something astonishing will happen right now, like an overly theatrical stage magician, makes me want to chuck whatever I can get my hands on nearby.
I just don't find it cool, or appreciated. when I've gone to trouble - for example - to get my european friend into some RP. I tend to plot out a lot of RP, too.. I line my ducks in a row. I need to talk to you, and you, and you, and you, and for this IC information to transfer from A to B. It sounds like a job when I type it out like that, but there are times when you need there to be tangible conversation behind what is taking place in the game world. A lot of my RP centers around that tangible transferring.
So when a Staffmember appears suddenly and sidetracks my day's efforts, and dumps a shoot-out into the bar, I've lost my window. Not only that, suddenly I am reminded that RP in public really just equals endangerment. Be prepared every time you go outside, you might get shot at! It makes me wary. I stop going out into public as often. I start focusing on private Scenes. I do less and less where people are playing. This can have wide-ranging effects, especially when you are in a position of leadership down the line.
I have always wanted some kind of installed system to signal Staff that, should enough people in a location, public or private, want something to happen, Staff can take a quick look at their gaming that night and see where the desire really is. Just an easy communicator: +wantstaffrp
I think there is a time and place for what Staff are hoping to achieve when they dive-bomb a location, I just think the means are not always considerate. Worse, I'm the prig when I say, no, we only had 45m today to RP, and you're interfering, get out. Worse even still, I hate when there is a fight over the situation. I've had a Staff member literally say, "Well if you don't like it, get out." I've had other Staff members say, "Too bad, you're staying, and that's that." I've literally encountered Staff who have a side agenda of being disruptive just to be disruptive.
Since most games don't have an actual alert system for Staff to know when a group of players are shifting from "We want to do our thing" to "We wouldn't mind being in the thick of something", an easy way to make things open so that people can decide on their participation is to make an announcement ahead of time This would work better, imo: At Chez Panisse tomorrow, something will happen! Come have lunch and see what all the fuss is about! This is especially good for people who like to plan their activities. They know when, where, and can be ready appropriately with materials and their gaming hat on.
Alternatively, making something happen nearby, so that people can split the group would work alright, if there are a decent number of folks present, this way something can continue (like Sid and Lizzy breaking up), but something new can take place for the rest of the people present: *Outside of Chez Panisse, something is happening! Come out, should you wish to interrupt your lunch! * It works out the same, people know a when (now), where (outside), and can get their gaming hat on (albeit quickly).
TL:DR
A head's up is nice. Being able to opt out is nicer. Being able to opt out without losing the RP you actually intended to have (that Staff have no idea you worked so hard to schedule) is nicer still. Being able to say no without having the Staff member be offended, and being allowed to finish what you were doing, is the nicest.