Chat room etiquette (or how to NOT get bounced from a room)
As you travel through the different chat rooms on Paltalk you will soon find that many rooms have their own rules for participation. These 'rules' may not be part of the Paltalk terms of service, but Paltalk users are free to run their rooms in their own way with their own set of rules.
Many rooms go by a standard set of rules or 'etiquette'. By following these rules in the rooms that you join you may avoid 'red dots' ('restrictions') or embarrassing lectures about 'breaking the room rules' by the admins in the room.
It should be noted that Paltalk does not interfere in the way that people choose to run their own rooms provided that they follow the Paltalk terms of service.
Typing using the color red (only applies to the old classic version)
Typing in the color 'red' is usually reserved for the admins of the room. Typing with red text will usually result in a warning from an admin of the room that 'red is for admins only'. If you continue to type using red text they may even bounce you out of the room. Other colors that users find 'annoying' are light colors like yellow, bright green, or cyan.
Typing using CAPS (capital letters)
Typing in all 'CAPS' or capital letters is usually considered 'shouting' in text. Many users consider it to be rude to 'shout' in text. Use 'caps' to emphasize words, but try not to type entire sentences in capital letters.
'Flooding' the text chat area
'Spamming' or 'flooding text' by posting repeated messages will probably get you bounced from most rooms.
Posting links
Many rooms prefer that you ask for permission before posting links. This is not true for all rooms, but many rooms prefer that you only post links that are related to the topic of discussion in the room. See the previous paragraph about 'spamming' of 'flooding' text.
Join the queue to show others that you wish to speak
It is usually best to use the 'join queue' feature (formerly 'raise hand') to let others know that you would like to speak. People are usually invited to speak by 'raising their hand', then waiting their turn in line. When you are 'next in line' to speak you can usually 'take the mic' and speak after the person that is in line above you is finished speaking.
Allow the room admins to speak ahead of you
When waiting to speak, if you see that an admin of the room has joined the queue, it is usually best to let them speak ahead of you. They may have some important news for the room and will usually invite you to come to the head of the line again when they are finished.
Wait for your turn to speak
It is considered to be highly rude to 'jump the line' and speak before the person directly above you is finished speaking. 'Mic jumping' will usually result in a 'restriction' and a warning from the admins of the room. Some room admins will even bounce you immediately without warning for this offense.
Don't make personal attacks on others in the room
Personal attacks or negative references to other participants of the room is usually considered to be rude and will probably result in a warning or even a bounce from the room by one of the room admins. Attack the idea, not the person...
Refrain from using insulting language
Using racial or religious slurs is considered to be rude by most people and is highly discouraged in most rooms. Show your intelligence without showing your ignorance.
Abide by the rating of the room
If the room is G rated, swearing or using foul language in text or in voice will either get you bounced or 'restricted' and sternly warned not to do so again by the admins of the room. If you continuously break this rule and are reported to Paltalk administrators you may even be restricted from entering ALL G rated rooms on the system. G rated rooms should be safe for people of all ages and this rule is taken very seriously.
Room admins rule over the room
Challenging the authority of a room admin, or trying to tell them how to run their own room is usually NOT a good idea. Many people who run chat rooms on Paltalk consider their room to be THEIR space, or their own home. Telling someone how to run their own room usually results in a long lecture or a bounce from the room. The best way to handle this is to create your own chat room and run it the way that YOU feel a room should be run.
'Mic hogging'
'Mic hogging' or speaking on the mic for an extended period of time without making a point that is related to the topic of discussion is usually discouraged. Many rooms have arbitrary time limits that they set to allow everyone the chance to speak. It is best to try to get to the point and limit your speaking time to two or three minutes, and then allow others to respond. You are always free to 'join the queue' to speak again. 'Mic hogs' usually get a red dot and a lecture...
Stay on topic
Usually, the participants in a chat room will be involved in a conversation about a certain topic. If you engage in conversation that is not 'on topic' you may be seen as disrupting the conversation.
'This is not a pick-up room'
People that are interested in dating or meeting new people will usually be in the 'Friends Love & Romance' or 'Adult' categories. Other categories are usually engaged in other activities and asking questions like 'A/S/L?' are usually not welcome. Asking these kinds of questions will usually result in the admins of the room telling you that 'this is not a pick-up room', and then directing you to the Friends Love & Romance category.