Now I've added a good few more North American's to my friends list on Live. As a result I've been playing in more North American only servers, something I don't have happen normally as I am in the UK. Now I've always heard trash talk but I don't think I've heard it quite as bad as I have recently with the American folks. Just about every insult is something to do with dick and ass it is this constant back and forward between idiots to see who can phrase the exact same thing differently.

I'm in one server and make comment...."fuck England....or wherever you are from" is the response. And this isn't from some 13 year old kid, this guy sounded older and it pains me to know that there are so many unbelievably ignorant and stupid people out there. I can see how people are put off by online gaming, especially where mics are involved; it can be quite an intimidating place and many just can't be bothered to deal with it. Personally I don't have it get to me, I enjoy playing real people too much, but considering how widespread this trash talk is I would say something more needs to be done from MS to deal with these sorts.

With millions of Live users that can't be easy, filing complaints does work but many don't bother and some have just come to accept the state of things. I think there should be some sort of immediate response. i.e. you file a complaint there and then, that person is flagged and if a Live Team Member is available, they listen to that conversation. Or something..... or at least make a great example of people. When someone is caught continually insulting other players, have them named and shamed just like they did with the gamerscore boosters. Have their gamertag permanently edited, blacklist them to play with all the other morons.

There is nothing wrong with a bit of ligh-hearted banter or taunting. It can make for a better game, but something needs to be done with the abundance of racists and prejudicial half-wits.

I agree, ive had alot of people talk shit to me just cause i was a chick and doing good, but im used it as ive been talked shit to just about nonstop my whole life its when they start trashing my friends that piss me off

Completely agree with you on this one. I've been saying the same thing since Live came out. I think I've come to  point where I would rather just play with people I know well or not play at all.

Having played World of Warcraft for the last 2 years, I've come across the worst of the internet in terms of racial or simply obscene banter. I think a little bit of cursing is acceptable, as long as its done in good spirit but a lot of  Americans tend to think that anything said over the internet doesn't matter and it can't get back to you in real life. So they just go all out and start being derogatory and mean. Its the same case with Live members, especially given its demographic here. Unless there are some real repercussions for their behaviour, people aren't going to change.

I've had some amount of pelters over the Live service from mostly Americans, who think they rule the service.  I remember joining a CoD4 game and being told by one American that I should "f**k off along with all the other gays, Brits and Mexicans" as this was "an American service for American people" and that I had "no f**king business here".

Seriously... I was like Dude What ?.

The rest of the time they just start asking you to do Shrek, Phat Bastard of Scotty from Star Trek impressions... ironic cos all 3 of those are voiced by Canadians. Either that or they think cos they had a great granny that was Scottish they are Scottish too... and that being in a small country like I am I must have heard of her or even met her.

Switchkilla, the occasions where I have been in a server with a girl one of two things happen. Perversion or sexual abuse, like you say Killjoy, best thing to do right now is play with friends, that's what the friends list is for - but it doesn't always work out, and of course there will be the other team. It would be unfair of me to say "Americans are worse when it comes to trash talk" because that comes across as all-encompassing, I just seem to notice it more on those servers.

Foolinjection, I've had something almost identical said to me - crazy stuff. Other standards like crumpets, tea and the queen are popular.

Don't forget teeth, apparently we all have bad teeth right?