just a question

[BC_MoM]

You know, but there are some people here who don't post at all in other's picture threads. They don't even reply to questions in their own, and yet they keep posting more. For the person I'm thinking of, it's like they think they're better than everyone on PT.

Situations like that bother me.

[Karen]

For the person I'm thinking of, it's like they think they're better than everyone on PT.

But you don't know that to be the case, that's a bad assumption to make. There could be many reasons why that person doesn't post more, shyness, lack of confidence in their word skills, never mind time constraints, so don't assume the woorst, okay?

[mrspunkysmom]

I feel bad for even starting this thread, it was none of you, it was someone that got mad at us when we were all upset and busy with Kiara being missing.

Sorry if I made everyone think it was them.

Even I checked to see if my insenstive self did something like that, but no, thankfully. I've been too busy working.

Glad Kiara was found.

[mrspunkysmom]

But you don't know that to be the case, that's a bad assumption to make. There could be many reasons why that person doesn't post more, shyness, lack of confidence in their word skills, never mind time constraints, so don't assume the woorst, okay?

That is true in many instances.

I have some comments, too.
The reasons people don't post are (incuding others listed for clarity and comprehensiveness):

Time constraints - people prioritize where they spend their time on the web; I'm busy with a new job this year and that is my priority.

Shyness - which can be from a quiet personality, from lack of confidence, from lack of trust

Lack of confidence - in language skills or otherwise,

Intimidation by comradery of current members - many boards are exclusive and only admit you into their inner circle after many months or years, like many small towns

Not comfortable with technology - For many people, the amount of skill needed to do something simple is overwhelming. Computer and Internet tech have improved so much over the last ten years, but it still has a long way to go so that your ordinary person doesn't need to be an expert just to post some pictures or put up a simple web page.

I'm actually comfortable with tech, but shooting and posting pictures takes time. I've never been much of a picture person myself, never have been very sentimental. I never even took pictures of Spunky's scar from the surgery.

Not sure what to say, but want to say something

Repulsed by excessive cuteness - I do talk to my kitties in some of the same fashion that I see written here. I also comment to myself on some of the pictures I see such as COTD, petfinder, or pictures here. I just cannot make myself write such stuff on the web. :yech: I would not have said something about this earlier, because 'to each his own', but there is an unwritten rule here that people that don't effuse over others' pictures and write silly comments do not deserve comment or attention. This is nothing new, since people have formed cliques since the dawn of time; just don't be surprised if all don't comply with your style.

That person may not have seen the thread about KIKI being missing. And the start of your post, you mentioned Kiara and I didn't connect the two. I searched for posts and finally connected the two. 'KIKI' turned up the post I was looking for.

So let people be people. Welcome all strangers and accept them. Make all comply by the same rules. If you have requirements for acceptance into community, post them in the FAQ (and at sign-up), including mushiness and comments requirements.

Communication is the key.

If this is not deleted I will be surprised.

Anne

[K9soul]

I agree everyone is different and has different tastes. There are certain things that strike me as excessive too (i.e. the use of 10+ emoticons per post), but everyone is different in how they express themselves. I agree that ANY community will have its groups of friendships, cliques if you will, although that gives it a more negative connotation.

Anyway I know why this was posted and who caseysmom was thinking of at the time. Again, I have no problem whether someone posts a lot or doesn't post at all, but if they choose not to post to anyone else they should not expect as much familiarity and attention to their own posts, simply because of the many reasons already stated that people cannot post to EVERY thread and most will put more effort into posting towards those they are more familiar with.

I don't agree with some of the other posts in this thread. If people want to post a paragraph or just post "cute!" they shouldn't have to worry about offending. I appreciate posts that say more than one word, but I certainly do not consider it "rude" if they don't. I figure if all they say is cute, they simply want me to know they saw and enjoyed my pictures and I'm fine with that . We can't weigh everyone on some scale based on how we ourselves think and communicate. I believe in accepting and embracing differences as much as possible, sometimes those differences are hard to relate to or understand, but making assumptions and judgments is not really fair. I know I hate it when I feel someone may be assuming negatively about me or judging me in some way based on 'appearances.' I don't think ANYONE likes being judged, and I think it's important to try and keep that in mind, when you find yourself judging someone else..

[Miss Z]

You know, but there are some people here who don't post at all in other's picture threads. They don't even reply to questions in their own, and yet they keep posting more.

Situations like that bother me.

That bothers me too. I post quite a lot of pictures on PT of my girls, but I would never expect anyone to reply to the thread. I'm quite happy to see the number of views, and it is nice to see people reply. I enjoy seeing pictures of other people's pets too, and try to visit dog and cat general to see pics in there instead of staying in pet general all the time. I usually reply, not necessarily with a huge amount of text, but just a line or two to let the person know how cute their pet is. I also feel the need to post a thankyou when someone replies on a thread I have started, I feel it's only common courtesy.

I have seen some instances of people who post a thread, then hang for ages about on 'Who's online' to see who's checking up on their thread (gah, I must be sad to check up on that kind of thing ). Of course, it is a fact that people who have been here longer get more replies generally than newbies, but people have to learn to take the time to get to know everyone and take the fact that not everyone can reply straight away for granted.

[finn's mom]

I agree with the whole "you get what you give." I know I used to be on here all the time and used to comment a lot! I honestly never felt like I got from people what I put out, but, that wasn't ever too much of an issue for me. I still stop at Pet Talk daily, but, mostly to read my private messages. Every once in awhile (like today), I'll browse more than normal and I'll post a few times, too. There are also a few people that I will just about always post when I see a thread of theirs, simply because of individual experiences I've had with them, usually privately. It's not a snub to anyone if I don't post, I just don't allow myself much time online anymore (although I do find myself falling into that trap sometimes, and, I always regret it later!). I know that certain things bother some people, and, certain things bother a lot of people. I don't let myself get too backed up worrying about what others are going to think about my lack of posting lately. I honestly don't post hoping for reciprocation. I post because I have something to offer (or at least I hope so, anyway!). Anyway, I have posted some picture threads in the last few months, but, I typically post them because I get a private message requesting that I share. I haven't read this entire thread, but, I will after I post this. I just thought I'd at least put why I don't post as often as I used to, but, still will occassionally post photos.

[finn's mom]

All right, now I've read this entire thread, and, I guess I never saw the thread where someone got upset when they didn't get replies...people are hypersensitive about things like that, sometimes.

And, to the original poster, I don't want you to think that I thought this thread was directed to me in particular, because I didn't. I just wanted to share my perspective. So, maybe many others who've responded didn't necessarily feel that you were talking about them. Basically, all I'm saying is "don't fret." I don't think you really hurt anyone's feelings by posting this thread.

[caseysmom]

Thanks Finn's mom..I always enjoy your posts and pics so don't be a stranger.

[Cataholic]

Actually, one of the reasons I don't respond to them is because I used to respond as 'aw, how cute' or comments like that and (this happened a while ago) I got a PM telling me that I was just trying to get my number of posts up by posting such 'pointless' comments. I probably shouldn't have let that get to me but it did, so now I barely reply to picture threads.

That is really unbelievable! (I don't mean I think you are telling a story, but, that someone would even state such a thing! Makes me remember why I have occasionally posted a PM. People like that are secret bullys, and **need** to be exposed). Sorry to hear you have taken that particular PM to heart.

[Catlady711]

I usually don't look at threads...Unless the title sounds interesting. ei: game, something to do with a greyhound or whippet , or a question that I am somewhat knowlegable on.

JMO Of course

I'm kinda the same way, except in my case it's not just greyhounds or whippets lol

I have dial up, and threads with alot of pictures takes a long long time to load so I generally don't look at ones that have alot of pix, and I don't post pix either, 'cept my siggy. No offence to anyone, I like pix of critters, it's just my dial up can't handle it.

[Twisterdog]

I hardly ever look at picture threads. I don't have time, for one thing. My computer is old and slow.

For another thing ... and gosh, I KNOW this is going to sound rude, I'm sorry in advance ... but I don't necesarily want to look at the same dogs or cats over and over and over and over again. I mean, I like to look at everyone's pet a couple of times, it's interesting to see what types of pets everyone owns and make the connection between the pet and the person. But looking at the same dog in a slightly different pose or in a different costume or whatever several times a week is just not for me. (And, BTW, I have absolutely NO ONE in particular in mind when saying this, so NO ONE better take it personally and be offended.)

I guess I'm just not that into pictures. I have some pictures of my dogs on the computer, but not many and I rarely take new ones. I can't even find the camera, actually.

If I do take the time to open a picture thread, I usually comment though, because it's a subject that caught my attention and interests me. I rarely post pictures, either. And I NEVER open the threads that say, "89 pictures" in the title. I appreciate the warning, though, because my computer would take FOREVER to open that.

I guess, not really being a picture person, I don't really understand what the big deal is. You post a picture; maybe someone comments, maybe they don't. You see a picture; maybe you comment, maybe you don't. Same with regular posts ... sometimes you make a post that generates pages and pages of responses. Sometimes you get one or two. It's not a big deal either way, as far as I can see.

[Lobodeb]

I agree with the saying, get what you give. I know there is one person in particular that seems notorious for posting pics yet never posting in others' threads. When I first joined PT, I tried commenting in this person's thread but quickly saw that he/she never posted in mine, so I simply stopped commenting. It bugs me, I'll admit. Especially since this person posts very regularly, yet not much changes in the picture.

I don't post in every thread for the simple fact that I might not have anything more to add. For example, if there's 3 pages of "awww he/she is so cute," then I really don't feel the need to add another. And since I haven't been around much, not many people reply to my threads anymore, but oh well. Get what you give, right?

I do have to disagree with the person who commented about not knowing technology (sorry, I'm too lazy to look for your post to quote you). If you're techologically saavy enough to post pics, you should know enough to post a comment.

One thing I always try to remember while I'm at PT is something that Karen said a while back. Pardon my paraphrasing, but it was something along the lines of, "we're all here because we like pets, and sometimes that's the ONLY thing we have in common." I think that is so true, especially seeing the number of arguements that have been going on.

[trayi52]

Sometimes I don't respond to posts because I just don't know how to word what I want to say. It is in my mind but it just will not come out right, and sounds so stupid! So I just keep my mouth shut. I think it has something to do with me being bi-polar. My mind is jumbled at times, and then sometimes it is just as clear as can be. Right now it is a bit on the jumbled side. LOL!!

Willie

[mruffruff]

Willie, I know what you mean. I think my age is catching up with me. Sometimes I want to post a reply, but when I type it out it, sounds pretty dumb or pointless. So I just don't post. When I do, I don't worry about who or how many views/answers I get.

Some days it takes a lot of concentration to remember how to post pictures. Since no one asks, I don't worry about it.

I'm in an older age group than most people so my interests are different. And I have a lot of 'been there, saw that' attitude just from living so long.

I do appreciate it when a thread of pictures is noted in the title with the number of pictures. I can bypass it if I'm pressed for time at work. Our network is very slow.