Etiquette & Dress Code
Understanding why it goes far beyond just fashion
What it means in Second Life
Navigating the social landscape of Second Life involves understanding two major things: where you are (the maturity rating of the region) and what you are doing (the specific venue's theme). Here is how to dress and behave appropriately across the grid.
Understanding Region Maturity Ratings
Second Life is divided into three distinct region ratings. Your avatar’s appearance and behavior must strictly match the rating of the land you are currently on.
General (G): Think of this as a public, family-friendly space.
Dress Code: Full clothing is mandatory. Absolutely no nudity, sexually explicit avatars, or revealing "adult" themes are allowed.
Etiquette: Keep language, gestures, and conversations clean (G-rated).
Moderate (M): This is the most common rating on the grid, covering most shopping malls, dance clubs, and public bars.
Dress Code: Casual, clubwear, or beachwear is perfectly fine. While partial nudity (like swimwear) is acceptable, full nudity or highly explicit attire is usually forbidden in public view.
Etiquette: Conversations can be more mature, and PG-13/R-rated themes are allowed, but public sexual behavior is still strictly against the rules.
Adult (A): These areas are strictly for residents aged 18 and older.
Dress Code: Anything goes. Full nudity, explicit avatars, and fetish gear are allowed.
Etiquette: Openly sexual behavior and mature themes are permitted, though individual venues within Adult zones may still enforce their own specific rules.
Etiquette by Venue Type
Every location in Second Life can set its own rules. Always look for a "Covenant" (found in the About Land menu) or a sign at the landing point to read the local rules.
Clubs and Live Music Venues
Dress Code: Check the event theme! Clubs often host themed nights (e.g., Formal, Cyberpunk, Casual, 1920s). If it's a formal event, put on a gown or a tuxedo. If no theme is listed, "club stylish" or smart casual is a safe bet.
Script Limits: To prevent lag, many clubs ask you to detach high-script items (like complex jewelry, hair, or weapon systems) before entering.
Etiquette: If a live singer or DJ is performing, it is customary to tip them and the host/ess in L$ (Linden Dollars) if you enjoy the show. Avoid spamming gestures or typing in ALL CAPS in the local chat.
Shopping Areas and Malls
Dress Code: Casual or Moderate-friendly attire. Avoid arriving completely naked unless it is an explicitly tagged Adult shopping event.
Etiquette: Malls are high-lag zones. Always detach your scripted attachments, weapons, and heavy particle effects before teleporting to a store. This helps everyone load textures faster. Don't block vendors by standing directly in front of them while editing your avatar.
Public Spaces and Community Events
Dress Code: Respect the baseline rating of the region (usually General or Moderate). Standard casual wear (jeans, shirts, dresses) is standard.
Etiquette: Public spaces are for everyone. Avoid "griefing" (disrupting others with annoying objects or scripts), playing loud audio through your microphone without permission, or intruding on private conversations.
Golden Rules of Virtual Etiquette
Look Before You Leap (or Sit): Don’t randomly sit on furniture if someone else is using it, and never sit on another avatar unless invited.
Respect Private Property: If you see a boundary line on your mini-map or a sign indicating private land, do not trespass. If you accidentally teleport onto someone’s private home, apologize and teleport away immediately.
Camming Etiquette: In Second Life, you can move your camera anywhere. However, using your camera to spy on people inside their private homes or enclosed club booths is considered rude and invasive, especially if your "LookAt" crosshair is visible.
What's Next? In Second Life, "LookAt" (target and crosshair) refers to a feature that tracks where avatar's heads are pointing and where their camera is focused. We'll delve deeper into this in the next chapter and explain how to disable it.
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