I think it should be a rule....

[BrandiR]

I didn't literally mean there should be a rule. I meant that (and someone alluded to this) it wouldn't kill us to be more polite to each other. Sure, you have the right to post a rude, mute response, but just because you have that right doesn't necessarily mean you should exercise it.

Most of you who disagree with me are actually among the people whose opinions here I respect, along with your no-crap approach to relaying that advice. I'm not saying that you should sugar coat everything you say and coddle people because you don't want to hurt their feelings. There are people who are just more abrasive than others and there are people who are more sensitive than others. I don't think it's realistic or fair to expect everyone to communicate the same way, we're all different people.

Knock people down if that's your personality, just extend a hand to help them up before you walk away.

[Inknsteel]

I don't believe in making "rules" that restrict free thought or free speech, but I agree that people in general could use more tact.

I also feel like the purpose of a forum is to come together as a community and to share knowledge in hopes of contributing to the community and helping people who may not have the knowledge and experience others do. What's the point in making a post solely to "brow beat" a user or posting negative comments about someone or something without offering any suggestions that might help? Does it make you feel better about yourself that you can hide behind your keyboard being rude, insulting and tearing other people down? I guess that's what some people get off on... It takes all kinds...

But, I will also add that on this forum, I think for every one of the non-contributing, bully types, there are five people who genuinely care and try to help.

[wilomn]

Knock people down if that's your personality, just extend a hand to help them up before you walk away.

New rule?

How about this- we all do as we all wish and the powers that be will let handle the rest, either modifying what needs modification or whatever action they deem necessary.

Post away, make your points, say your says and leave it at that. Most here are able to decide for themselves what they want to do and why they want to do it.

[BrandiR]

New rule?

How about this- we all do as we all wish and the powers that be will let handle the rest, either modifying what needs modification or whatever action they deem necessary.

Post away, make your points, say your says and leave it at that. Most here are able to decide for themselves what they want to do and why they want to do it.

Did you miss the part where I said I didn't mean, "It should be a rule..." literally?

[xFenrir]

I agree, but sometimes it gets tiring answering the SAME basic questions that you really should know BEFORE you get a snake. Even if you don't find the caresheets on here before you get one, a simple Google search will answer your basic questions, and just looking at the first page of all the subforums will usually find you your answer.

[Kodieh]

I harken back to the common sense comments, but what everyone needs to acknowledge is that while this may be the umpteenth time you seen and answered this question, it is only the first time this person has asked it.

Brandi isn't referring to people who post threads like "I want ball python, what should I know about them?" but people genuinely needing help. Like, humidity in tank not great, tips needed. Or, I want to build a rack, what material is better x or y? Those kind of things, I think everyone's quick to jump down her throat for "defending" effortlessness when she really is defending the people who are trying in some respect.

Sent from my SAMSUNG Galaxy SIII using Tapatalk 2

[BrandiR]

I agree, but sometimes it gets tiring answering the SAME basic questions that you really should know BEFORE you get a snake. Even if you don't find the caresheets on here before you get one, a simple Google search will answer your basic questions, and just looking at the first page of all the subforums will usually find you your answer.

I agree with this completely! Even as someone totally new and inexperienced, I see, "Help! Stuck Shed!" and I think to myself, "Really? This again?" So I understand that it must be incredibly frustrating for people who have extensive knowledge and have been at this for years to constantly be bombarded with the same questions that are very easily answered.

At the same time, I think a lot of new people know that they can easily find what they're looking for but they want to ask on the forum because they want to make their presence known and gradually melt into the group. When you're new, you just don't have the new and cool questions and comments that are interesting to the more advanced members.

[ewaldrep]

There is also a lot of conflicting information out there and one might come across a thread written 5 years ago with the prevailing wisdom at the time that is now frowned upon. I have found "caresheets" for bps with conflicting information, I have been quite happy since I found this forum so I can ask questions from those with more knowledge and experience and is is generally quite nice.

Overall, if the goal is behavior modification then shaming/guilting someone that asks a question in earnest may not be the best approach. If ones goal is to be mean to someone for not being as smart and knowledgable, then bashing may be the right approach.

[coolballsdave]

When I come accross threads with critisism like that I ignore them and move on to different threads. I also find the digs unnecissary and rude. Those threads, I think, scare people from posting. It seems like a sort of culture on here though, people "like" those comments more. Thanks for speaking up about it, I don't agree with it either.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2

[Rob]

It's the way of the world, some people are nice some people not so much. I also think there is so much room for interpretation in text that people can come of as rude or mean even if they had no intention in doing so.