There are different ways of looking at things, and it's quite situational.
As those who've played with me can attest, I pass... A LOT, on things I can Need, and Saleable things as well, but I also don't generally sit in the DF for completely random parties. Most of the people I play with are either FC, or IRL friends.
For PUG's... by all means Be mercenary if the group warrants it.
I say this as someone who would sell hideously expensive ships to both sides of a conflict in Eve, sometimes setting up deliveries for both sides in the same system, to encourage the loss of those ships as quickly as possible. "So... Can I offer you gentlemen another round? "
I'm a LOT nicer in XIV.
With people I have to deal with on a regular basis, I lot My class, or one multi class item, and if my gear is better, tell people to greed the same class stuff I don't care about. Once everyone has something, I'm willing to lot again.
It's like Free speech, It does not protect you from the results of, or reactions to that speech. It's quite legitimate to scoop every piece of loot you can get, in any situation, and I will never argue against the right to do so.
If someone "local" is prone to just scooping everything up, I don't say a damn thing against them, I'll Congratulate them every time, but it certainly makes a lasting impression when those people start asking for my assistance later.
Having lived through the worst greed of both XI, and Eve, there are some things more valuable in the grand scheme of things, and I've never shied from cutting off my own nose to spite my face.
Of course, most of my Non-gaming, Non family time is spent around heavily armed older Vets, retired police, and firearm safety instructors. Environments like that tend to demand a greater attention to fair play and sportsmanship, even when there is no "rulebook" authority to enforce such things.
When an 82 year old looks you in the eye and says he's killed with a spoon... You just can't be quite sure if he's crazy or reminiscing. Best to err on the side of prudence.
Strength to all, through strength for all.
Edited, Sep 16th 2013 4:11am by OtosanOokami