The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

(I'm not sure if this has been brought up recently, so if it is inappropriate due to TOS, then please delete as needed.)

I would like to ask as a discussion (as there is a rate thread of the same nature), what does each individual thing about protection stamps, does this audience remember what they are needed for, or privileged for?

I have seen many members have these stamps on their profile and yet I have been messaged by many others who have several on their profiles and yet are still being harassed by members of the Rave... drama aside, does anyone really know or remember why the protection stamps were created in the first place?

(Please keep this thread clean of drama, no he said/she said, b.s. I really don't want the Dominars closing this down because of aired drama's. Thank you...)

No, I don't know what the protection stamps are for. I hope to find out what these are used for, from this post.

Were they not a way of saying "harass me and I have a he'll of a lot of people ready to harass, block, or make your life shit" that's what I thought.

The stamps were often there to show real friendships or kinship with the barer. If you personally respected the giver of the stamp then you may be more likely to bite your tongue or even look into become friends with that person yourself. The higher in level or stature of the giver the more meaning it in theory should hold.

Unfortunately every one has stamps these days and the rule of law is "once everyone is special then no one is" seems to have taken hold.

Instead of them being a seal of protection none of us can offer our friends online consider them more of a badge of respect and honor. That's why I technically don't have one anymore, but as BlackenedxWings I have a mark of respect I offer.

Mine are the people on here that are loyal and close friends. I don't add everyone's just because they are in a coven with me. It all comes from getting to know someone.

I've always viewed the protection stamps as an expression of friendship and an honor of grace given to someone you consider a serious confidante or companion online. I have always made a point of creating stamps individually for each person I've shared with...nothing generalized unless within a mentorship or coven.

I remember a time when "protection stamps" weren't even a thing here. Those were the days. Personally, I see no point in a protection stamp. I think they are silly and serve absolutely no purpose. I get that people view them as a sign of friendship and whatnot, but really, do you have to take someone else's image and massacre it by throwing crappy text on top of it saying something along the lines of "this person is protected by so-and-so. Don't mess with them" blah, blah, blah. After all, it's the internet, so really, how is a person to "protect" another here? Rates of ones and some block. Wow, you're asserting your power there.

Honestly, most are tacky and take up too much room on a profile. They clutter things up. And, it seems like they're all about how popular a person is. I've got x amount of these stamps, I've got a crap ton of friends, so watch out! Yeah, right. I have never put protection stamps on any of my profiles, and I never will. They serve no purpose. It's a trend on V.R. that I would love to see go away.

They were here before me. I take them as a sign of friendship, cause really how can you "protect" someone through a computer. Like to see a fist come at you thru a screen. So have fun with them, put them up if you wish.

In my opinion, all it really is, is a way for people to get their name out there. An advertisement purpose sort of thing, if you will. I pass mine out to close friends and use it what it is meant for. If someone harasses my friends, you can ask anyone I'm close to.. I go off on that mo fo! But most people will give them to anyone! That, I do not get!

I have the same feelings like everyone else here, 5 yrs ago protection stamp...what is that? Then there there was a flood of them going around. Today my stamp is available to coven members if they wish to use it, and I give it to personal friends I have here on VR. Some people on their profile have nothing but numerous protection stamps on it and it gets annoying scrolling through them, IMO.

I think that they are nice to have for you to share within your coven or amongst personal friends some are actually nice to have but more then a couple on your profile or so is just a bit much :O

Reading the many responses I would say in honesty that I would like a stamp, but only from someone that is a true friend. Within such dynamic a stamp on one’s profile seems worthwhile.

I just joined the site a couple of days ago and I am glad I found this thread. To be honest, they had me quite confused. I agree that some profiles I've seen have so many that it did become meaningless scrolling through them. The first couple profiles I read had a couple, I read them. Then I found a few with so many, I stopped reading them.

From a new member perspective, a few would be cool, but I think some profiles over do it.

I never really understood them. I've posted a couple of friends stamps in my journal some where but nothing beyond that. There's one woman that I would love one from and it would go smack dab on my profile or two men that I would do the same. There's not many people on this site that I feel would really "protect" me in real life if something came up or heck, even support me if something happened and I needed someone. It's more of a friendship thing with me.

As for people having too many... I hate it. I'm on dial up. I can't load profiles with so many on them. I just won't rate the person and I'll figure the link to add the person if I talk to them enough.

I don't have a problem with them. I know that the stamps do not mean you are protected. Its just fun and shows friendship. Its too bad that there are mean people here on VR, but mean people are everywhere. I don't see why everyone is making such a big deal about it. Freedom of expression. They don't harm anyone. I think if you don't like them, then scroll past them. I personally enjoy seeing what others have created.

Just more clutter and wasted space. If you want to know who your friends are look at your list of friends to the right.

I have made 2 protection stamps, I post the links in my Coven and Mentorship for members to use, if they want to, it is totally their choice.
I have a few on my profile, the rest of them are in my Journal and that is where they will stay and where any others that I get go.
I have had some new members ask if they can have it and I have let them use them, that is how I show support for new members and I hope that it helps them feel welcome.

Protection stamps are another tool of VR to show the reader of your profile , who are your allied in this site. Yes, you may have friends, but allied will stay with you in every moment, good or bad. Also, they look cool in a profile and is a way to promote your allied profile, so your readers can go and read there.

I think they symbolize friendships taken on trust myself.

So - protection stamps are pointless symbols of online friendship...

I had always felt that they were given to close online friends to show respect and friendship. Not to be used as, "if you harm this soul I will hunt you down and beat you!"

I would agree that some profiles have so many of them on their profile that it takes forever for the profile to load.

Back in the day when I first joined Vampire Rave, I had a few of them on my profile, and even gave my protection stamp to a few people. I don't exactly know why I displayed them on my page. If I were to have an issue with a member on V.R I wouldn't have expected those people (the ones that gave me their protection stamps) to jump to my aid and 'defend me'. I gave mine out as a gift. Sort of like the Sire's mark, to advertise that that particular person had earned my favor, or friendship, or whatever. You know? I don't use them now. But back then, they felt appropriate, and where even fun to make and distribute.
So yeah, I traded them with friends to display our friendship and what not. Sort of like an unofficial mark.

Protection Stamps are a pledge of friendship and honor from the sender. I hold high regards for any member that I send a stamp to and do perform burnt offerings in name of those who carry my pledge of friendship and honor. The words in my protection stamp divulge it's nature, it is not hollow.

They're mostly a popularity thing. I've had people I've never spoken to send me them and ask me for mine. It's good to have friends and connections here, but bragging about it is a little funny. I also doubt it deters people from getting into arguments as there aren't many people going "Oh I'd disagree with that person but they have 5 protection stamps."

The name confounds me -- how can you offer protection to someone online?

And as far as friendship, I don't need a stamp to know who my friends are.

They are pointless. :|

I personally think that they are fun, and I like them! People who are friends give each other protection stamps as a sign of friendship. Of course they cannot actually protect you but having one from a friends shows that you respect them and they respect you. I don't care what anyone says, I like them! Why does everyone have to play hardass??? This is a place to have a good time and make new friends. If you can't behave appropriately, well, thats why you have an issue.

As a matter of fact, to find them pointless is actually deafeating the entire pourpose of this site. we aren't here to make enemies or to wreak havoc. I think that the drama kings and queens are the ones who have taken this site to another level. And saying that, Cancer has had to make 'What they are Doing" so that all the little petty ones and troublemakers are able to see who has done them wrong....boo hoo. I'm sorry troubled ones...you need to get over yourselves. I just can't understand why some people have to be so mean. Why can't you just treat others the way you would like to be treated???? What is it about drama that makes you tick?? Man, I am glad I am not so petty.

I like protection stamps ... there are a fun and creative way to celebrate friendship. Being in a virtual world ... the only way some can express their feelings in through these stamps.

To me they are just like any other graphics you add to your profile ... it provides a little more about you .... in this case ... who your friends are.

Whether they do provide a sense of protection ... is another question.

A lot of the stamps, to me, seem to be something of a joke. Most of them use them as a means to "gang up" on other members and harass them when one in the group is disappointed. I see it more as a bullying tag. "Mess with me and these people will come to deal with you" type thing. Now if someone wanted to give a nice friendship tag that would be cool, I guess... Without all the "protected by" and "mess with them you'll regret it" crap. I understand being proud of friendships but there are better ways to show it.