(2021-11-10 17:00)Windracer Wrote: [ -> ]I suppose it can mean they've discovered and been comfortable with their own theriotype for a while, but one therian can't be more knowledgeable than another when it comes to a person's identity.
A person's single identity no, but a community and what is and isn't accepted within that community (example; P-Shifting used to be a problematic topic, but thankfully it seems kiddos have stopped obsessing over it as heavily) tends to fall onto the older members. People who are knew to accepting that part of themselves also tend to require role models of some degree, and that's where grey-muzzles will step in as well. It's all about aid and education, and in some cases, someone who appears knowledgeable can be put on a pedestal by younger members or by members who highly value their advice. Even here we have roles like Pup Reps and TG Reps to distinguish highly regarded members who are constantly helping out. I think that in that retrospect, Grey-Muzzles have their place. It's just not the place that this little dramatic spat places them in. 
The other thing is that historically no one would call THEMSELVES a graymuzzle -- it was a term used exclusively by others to denote their own feelings about the graymuzzle, it was earned, not demanded.
To my understanding: Greymuzzle is a title that is given to you by the community after you reach a certain point in age, time in the community as well as contribution to the community. It's not a self proclaimed title and like Bear said, not demanded.
To me, the greymuzzle title is about respect not power or experience.
(2021-11-10 19:41)Alone Wrote: [ -> ]To my understanding: Greymuzzle is a title that is given to you by the community after you reach a certain point in age, time in the community as well as contribution to the community.
i always understood the term to just mean an old fart. a little unfortunate since i'm just an old fart 
ah well, we live and learn 'ay?
(2022-08-22 21:39)libra Wrote: [ -> ] (2021-11-10 19:41)Alone Wrote: [ -> ]To my understanding: Greymuzzle is a title that is given to you by the community after you reach a certain point in age, time in the community as well as contribution to the community.
i always understood the term to just mean an old fart. a little unfortunate since i'm just an old fart
ah well, we live and learn 'ay?
That seems a more common interpretation in the furry community and I've made that mistake before, too.
I think many therians are guarded against the term because in our community, it almost represents an "elder" in terms of applicable community experience and relations.
Someone who is old isn't necessarily wise. Someone who has been in the community for a long time may not necessarily be too involved in it or have its interests in mind.
To me, the term is more of a culmination of things rather than a set period of time, be it age or time in community, and it involves a degree of interaction and "scratching beneath the surface" to understand what therians experience beyond a superficial level.
Well, by now Sia's muzzle has actually gone grey, so she is the graymuzzlest of us all.
LP,
Dusty
"greymuzzle" can be a very difficult term. I could be considered a greymuzzle for being in the community for 8 years, but I am only 17 and do not meet the idea that greymuzzles are old members of the community. I don't have a problem with the term its just kinda tricky to properly use, and not to mention some people use it to be dickheads to others, abusing power type thing.
in conclusion, anyone can be considered a gryemuzzle, since there isn't really a clear definition as to what it is.