After going through my Pacifist Week, it's harder for me to do certain "piratey" things. Aye, before, I wasn't willfully violent when it came to interactive gaming, but I'm hesitant in engaging others when I just see a ship setting around, minding its own business.
It also has caused be to think how I approach other pirates -- both visually and audibly.
Visually
...I first went about going cannons up and holding a lantern (like how @DuMy2008 taught me). If not the Lantern, at least some goodies in peace.
1) I then started sailing the white pennant until the Rainbow flag came into game. Then I started sailing THAT flag. I'm a vicarious BRONY/PEGASISTER. Aye. That means I watch My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (or at least, try to). The reason for that particular flag (even though being confused for gay/lesbian..which isn't so different from real life) represent FRIENDSHIP for me. It's my MLP flag, my RAINBOWDASH flag, who represents Loyalty in the show yet who can be very competitive, brash, and arrogant at times but she's still a good friend.
So. When I don't want to engage others with aggressive, thieving tactics, I fly my MLA pennant. And if approached or see a ship sailing toward me, I whip out the megaphone and ask, "ARE YE A BRONY? WHO's YOUR FAVOURITE PONY? MINE IS SUNSET SHIMMER." Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't -- but at least an effort has been made before resorting to "Kill or Be Killed."
2) Also I use the sails to depict my intentions. White or Bilge Rat Tankard sails for peaceful sailing OR Blood Red for piratey fiestiness.
Aubibly
1) I also try to play the SqueezeBox.
To me, the SqueezeBox is the more silly and friendly noise maker in the game. If someone sees me coming at them making sweet music, they might figure that I'm either crazy or crazily friendly.