Server Etiquette
When playing on a Minecraft server (or really any gaming server), there are things that you're expected to do. Most of these things are common courtesy, or at least fall under the golden rule of "don't be a dick," but some of you people really need a lesson in how to behave on servers.
1. Be friendly
The very first thing you should do upon joining a server is to say hello to anyone online, especially if you are greeted first. If someone said hello to you on the street, you wouldn't just ignore them and walk on past, so greet people and make yourself known. Also, being friendly towards people on the server lets them know that you're probably not going to break rules, and it helps build trust for you in the community.
2. Read the Rules and all Information
Seriously. Lots of people just assume that all servers have the same rules, and while some may, plenty of servers have very different and very specific rules. You need to be aware of the rules so that you don't get banned from the server. Most servers have the rules listed at their initial spawn, and/or have a "/rules" command. If you take 2 minutes to read the rules, it will make your life a lot easier. Also, before you ask questions, make sure to read server information, including any FAQ's. Most people ignore this, because they think reading is scary, and expect to be spoon-fed everything, but before you bother staff or other players with simple questions, try reading available information. The fact that the information is there means that someone took the time to write it out for you so that people wouldn't have to answer the same questions over and over again.
3. Respect the Rules
Even if you don't agree with the rules of a server, you need to abide by them, or chances are you will be banned. If a rule doesn't seem right to you, ask an admin or moderator about why the rule exists. Chances are they'll be willing to explain, or they'll redirect you to somewhere where you can find an explanation. Blatantly disrespecting rules, even if it's because you think they're unfair, will more than likely get you banned.
4. Respect Other Players, Especially Staff
Being a jerk to people on a server is a good way to get yourself banned, not to mention it's just obnoxious. You wouldn't walk into a restaurant, walk up to someone while they were eating, punch them a few times, hump them, and then call them a bitch over and over, so why would you do it on a server? Chances are, you'll get reported and banned, and banned instantly if you do it to staff. Also, if you're the kind of sick fuck that thinks that kind of thing is funny, take note that you're not actually hurting anybody. You really come across as a pathetic child begging for attention than an intimidating bully, so you're only making yourself look like an ass. Respecting staff is also a big one. Server staff work tirelessly to improve the server, often spending weeks building things for the server, and loads of their own time and money keeping the server alive and running. The least you can do is show them a little respect. However, you don't have to be reverent to staff. Generally, they're not celebrities, and find it awkward to be treated as such. Treat them respectfully, but like a normal person as well.
5. Respect the Property of Others
This includes others' builds, items, pets, etc. Don't go around breaking someone's house just because you feel like it, or because you want their stuff. Again, it's a good way to get banned. Most servers have anti-grief plugins installed, so if you break into someone's house, you'll most likely be found out very quickly. Note: Even if you break in through someone's wall, then put blocks back, it's still considered griefing. The only time where this is OK is if 1. you accidentally break something in someone's house, and 2. if you are legitimately stuck somewhere, and cannot escape without breaking something. If you're on a server where people can lock their doors, and you find a house with a locked door, do NOT break in anyway. You wouldn't do that with someone's real house, would you? No, because that would make you a felon as well as an asshole. Killing others' pets or tamed animals is also a huge no-no. Don't think that just because you're hungry that it's OK to kill someone's cows or chickens. Obviously this doesn't apply to Raid/PvP/Grief servers.
6. Don't Beg
Some servers don't mind you asking for things, but on many, including ours, we don't tolerate it. We especially don't like it when people beg for things that they can easily get themselves, such as food. Server staff are not your butlers, taxis, search engines, etc. Some servers give players starter kits, and some don't. You are not entitled to ANYTHING on a server. You are accessing a free service, and the fact that anything is provided for you is a privilege. Also, if you're asking for information and you don't get an answer within 3 seconds, don't ask again. Chances are people are either ignoring you because your question wasn't worth answering, or are still typing out their answer. Begging for OP, or to be promoted, is also a really dumb idea. Unless the admins on a server are total idiots, they won't give you OP (operator) permissions, even if you are "from planetminecraft and i will delete your server if u don't give me op!!" (which is completely fake, by the way). Begging is a good way to get banned.
There are so many other things I could talk about here, but I shouldn't have to. Basically, it boils down to a few general things:
Don't be a dick
Read information and appreciate things that are given to you
Show respect.
Edits:
6. Ask Before Teleporting:
If you have teleport permissions, make sure to ask someone before you teleport to them. If not, you'll probably scare the crap out of them, and teleporting to someone uninvited is rude. Not everyone wants people to tp to them, so make sure you ask first. If someone asks you not to tp to them, do not do it. Also, you are not entitled to have your tp requests accepted.
