the real difference is - that in many cases of major proportions - zoners actually think before they shoot back. - that is a trademark of zoners.
we spent ages to work out a fictional treaty about a fictional portion of a planet with bowex. - and many a players were seriously involved in that.
it is not really so annoying to be shot at - that happens. - its just disappointing that its inappropriate. - you do not WANT zoners to react like other factions. - being shot at and make a counterattack with a fleet. - why should zoners do it? - its not their canon roleplay. ( <-- remember? - not all factions are alike )
many zoners do not WANT to fire back, thats why they re zoners. - many zoners WANT to fly large ships and not bomber ( which are only meant to fire back ) - many zoners like to fly capital ships, cuase they are also roleplayed as their home ( and you make it look like its something bad - yes, its me interpretating something you never said or probably never intended to say... )
the keyword here is "respect" - not some streetslang - but just civilized respect of a factions canon RP.
canon RP of zoners is NOT "not to get shot at" - but canon RP is that zoners still enjoy neutrality, no matter if you like it or not. - that is canon, you cannot budge it. -
i said it before i say it again... if you shoot zoners, if you deliberately violate their laws - have the guts to turn all zoners red to you and never use zoner installations anymore. - cause nothing is worse than a person that yells at zoners for whatever reasons just to go and buy his next piece of equipment as the nearest freeport.