Standing up to people who call you a freak may seem like the good thing to do, but it may also just get you in trouble or encourage them call you ugly even more. The best way to recieve respect is to earn it.

It is literally impossible to prevent everyone from teasing you or ignoring you, but you can make a good impression early on. One way is to improve your appearance on Whyville.

The first step: More than likely, at least two of your friends are on Whyville, too, so ask them if they can lend you a couple clams, and you will pay them back as soon as you get enough.

Second step: Look for a store at Akbar's. Preferably find one that sells many parts in a single store. Ones that flat-out say"cheap prices" will probably only sell contacts or necklaces. A high-quality store will be one that is well-known and sells lots of parts. Once you find this place, buy the parts you need. (Remember, these are your friends' clams, not your own, so shop wisely and give back any you don't use.)

Third step: Go to your satchel (the red bag on top of the bus, above your face). There, you will find books. Click on the Ledger (the black one). Then, click on the button that says 'Salary Ledger'. You will see a large number of activities you can play to earn clams every day. With those clams, you'll be able to pay your friends back. Just click on the name of each game in the list, and you will be sent straight to the game or its sign-up sheet.

It may take time at first, but you will get the hang of the games available. (If you need, search for them in the Times -- there are four years of articles to help you out!) In a few weeks or so, you will hopefully have enough clams to replace your first set of parts when they are nearly expired. You might even have enough to buy new face parts to change and add to your face.

Now you have a fairly good-looking face and only the odd person you talk to will call you ugly. There are always people looking to crush someone else's self-esteem. It's always going to happen. No matter how good-looking you are, or how many clams a day you earn, it's always going to happen.

At this point, people will probably want to be your friend, but why stop there? Let people know that you exist. Become well-known. The way to do this is to become a member of Club Why, become a Why-mail Helper, run in the elections, post a creative petition, write in the Whyville Times, or even enter widely-known events in Whyville such as Media Hour, Trivia Hour and the holiday contests.

When people know you, even fewer of them will call you ugly or a freak. Instead, they will look up to your name.

In my experience, I think that that is the best way to get respect and friends on Whyville. Truthfully, I think almost everyone on Whyville tends to ignore a person who's only wearing a face shape and so-called suspicious eyes. No one ever stops to think to themselves, "They might be a really nice person. I think I'll talk to them."

My point is, you have to buy respect, because it's almost guaranteed that it won't just come to you.

By sweety737