Why is Broad-Minded a Quirk?

[Ragitsu]

Originally Posted by RedMattis

Broad-Minded doesn't make you gullible or stupid

Glad to see someone else thinks so.

[Figleaf23]

Originally Posted by malloyd

In what way? A completely neutral 0 point feature (based on having no mechanics whatsoever) is easily arguable, but I don't see how you can get beneficial out of that without reading as much additional positive stuff into the description as you are protesting the negative reading in of.

Well, there's no mechanic provided, but generally speaking, is it not considered good to get along well with others and not freak out when you see something strange?

[David Johnston2]

Originally Posted by Figleaf23

Well, there's no mechanic provided, but generally speaking, is it not considered good to get along well with others and not freak out when you see something strange?

It's also considered good to be law abiding and trustworthy, but you can score 10 points for it.

[Agemegos]

Originally Posted by Figleaf23

Well, there's no mechanic provided, but generally speaking, is it not considered good to get along well with others and not freak out when you see something strange?

In the vast majority of human societies, no, it is and has been considered bad and dangerous to associate with foreigners. A comparatively small number of modern progressives suppose that it ought to be considered virtuous, but they are few enough, even today.

[Ragitsu]

Originally Posted by Brett

In the vast majority of human societies, no, it is and has been considered bad and dangerous to associate with foreigners. A comparatively small number of modern progressives suppose that it ought to be considered virtuous, but they are few enough, even today.

*scratches head* That doesn't account for cultural diversity in countries where a significant portion of the citizens are the children or grandchildren of fairly recent immigrants. Are you saying this negative aspect of Broad-Minded would not come up in campaigns set within a single country/state, unless the PC is constantly encountering "foreigners"?

[RedMattis]

Remember that Broad-Minded also covers strangers and strange people.

"I'm going to ask the mercenaries what they are doing up here at our bar up in the hills"
instead of
"Let's just try not to make eye-contact with them. Hopefully they'll be on their way soon enough..."
or perhaps something like...
"Haven't they been her long enough? It should be obvious that us folk here don't like them 'ere!"

It's more than just a lack of racism we're talking about here, it's keeping an open mind about people.

[malloyd]

Originally Posted by Ragitsu

*scratches head* That doesn't account for cultural diversity in countries where a significant portion of the citizens are the children or grandchildren of fairly recent immigrants. Are you saying this negative aspect of Broad-Minded would not come up in campaigns set within a single country/state, unless the PC is constantly encountering "foreigners"?

I suppose not if the setting were homogenous enough to have no outsider groups. In which case you shouldn't get points for Xenophilia either.

Though it needn't be foreigners. "I saw Rick the other day down at the market, and he was talking with those damn Catholics. Seemed to actually be *listening* to them friendly like. Never would've thought he'd become a heretic, but learn something new every day I guess. Whose gonna tell the Pastor?"

[Figleaf23]

Originally Posted by David Johnston2

It's also considered good to be law abiding and trustworthy, but you can score 10 points for it.

You seem to be completely forgetting the nature of what is advantageous and disadvantageous for characters in a roleplaying game context.

[whswhs]

Originally Posted by Ragitsu

*scratches head* That doesn't account for cultural diversity in countries where a significant portion of the citizens are the children or grandchildren of fairly recent immigrants. Are you saying this negative aspect of Broad-Minded would not come up in campaigns set within a single country/state, unless the PC is constantly encountering "foreigners"?

Anyone seen West Side Story? or Mississippi Masala?

Bill Stoddard

[Figleaf23]

Originally Posted by Brett

In the vast majority of human societies, no, it is and has been considered bad and dangerous to associate with foreigners.

That's not the relevant perspective. The appropriate one is from the perspective of whether a PC has more and/or easier choices.

(And note that the description in the rules makes no reference to the opinions of society in general at all.)