Just a reminder for everyone ...

[shihtzulover850]

I understand that it is impossible to please everyone. I post because I enjoy it not to rack up posts. People jump to conclusions and don't get there facts straight. That is rude. I completely understand that it is hard to trust the new people but sometimes people take that to extreme lengths. You are going to scare a lot of people off that way. I have been accused of being rude and immature and frankly I don't appreciate that. Pet Talk is a community of people who enjoy talking about pets. Why can't we leave it at that?

[finn's mom]

I completely understand that it is hard to trust the new people. But sometimes people take that to extreme lengths. You are going to scare a lot of people off that way. Pet Talk is a community of people who enjoy talking about pets. Why can't they leave it at that?

A lot of times what is going on is that this is a relatively small, close knit community, at least as far as internet standards go. Some of these people are really close friends, on and off the computer. And, it's become a family for a lot of people here. Which is good. But, it can lead to a bit of animosity when other people try to join in. It's human nature to want to keep something to yourselves. Like your favorite local band, kinda. You want them to be bigger and make more money and be more famous, but, at the same time, you don't want to share with new fans. You were there first, you have known them longer, etc. But, this is a public forum, and, as long as it is a public forum, new people will find it and join. That's the appeal of a community like this. It's kindof a double-edged sword. Not everyone gets a great, warm welcome. I've seen people get scared off, definitely. And, a lot of times, it's better for the forum when that happens. Just like with anything else, not everyone is going to like it or feel at home or enjoy the way things are run. But, if you really like it here, and, you want to stick around, by all means...please do. Just like with anything else in life, though, you might have to go through some bumps in order to find your niche. I'll admit, some of the ways that people criticize is a little rough, but, for the most part, this thread has been very constructive. I hope you (being that you admitted that you frequently post...as i said earlier, i don't notice stuff like that, i am not that observant!) and anyone else who does any of the stuff that bothers multiple other users, can maybe take this constructive criticism and go with it. Anyway, I'm talking too dang much. Sorry.

[shihtzulover850]

I'll admit, some of the ways that people criticize is a little rough, but, for the most part, this thread has been very constructive. I hope you

yes it has and I thank you all for it.

[Miss Z]

I don't usually have a problem with how much people post. It's their account and they can do what they like with it, as long as the posts aren't offensive, rude or too controversial I admit to posting a couple of short answer posts when I was a couple of posts off double pillarhood, but sometimes I have to come on PT quickly, and don't have time to type a long response.

As mentioned before, I do find that some of the residents here can be rude to newbies and assume they're all trolls, and I also find occasionally that some of the 'older' people look down on, don't reply to threads and don't give messages of support to certain people if they are teenagers or newbies, and I find that pretty unkind. Anyone who is old enough to be on PT should be treated equally. When I reply to threads in introductions, I usually give my name and some info about myself so they can get to know me. When I first joined PT, I found it extremely confusing when PT residents called each other by name, of course I don't object to it, but it does sometimes make newbies feel left out. I have my name displayed under my username aswell so people know. All I'm saying is that I wish there was less friction between newbies and residents, and a few different people who visit the introduction forum more often!
Just IMHO.

[finn's mom]

I understand that it is impossible to please everyone. I post because I enjoy it not to rack up posts. People jump to conclusions and don't get there facts straight. That is rude.

You added this while I was typing my other response. You're sounding a little testy, now, don't forget...this is all supposed to be for the good of the forum. No one is saying you can't post. And, I understand your confusion...if I got told that I posted pointless threads, even though they all meant something to me, I wouldn't have a clue which thread people thought was pointless, and, I'd probably just stop posting altogether. And, it may be pointless to one person, and, not to another...I do think it's kindof presumptive to say that someone is just trying to rack up posts, but, to a lot of people, that's all that it looks like because the posts seem completely unneccessary to them. But, then...that brings you back to square one...which ones are pointless? Yikes! Just try to keep your chin up and not let it get you too down, like I said, you're new...you'll figure it out.

[Zippy]

I really like everone on here and have already had a hurtful thread which i said i was sorry for.I post a lot i am really going to try to cut back.But i love to tell everone how great there pets are and beautiful.Everone on here is very nice and everone has diff.things they stand for so i am try to be respectful to everone and not lose my temper.We are all not the same how boring of a world would that be.

[Kfamr]

I think, for the most part, everyone on Pet Talk has been guilty for all of the above and still are on occasion.

I know when I joined 5-6 (I lost count?) years ago that I was not aware of the "proper" posting etiquette - I probably posted many pointless threads (which indeed showed with zero to no replies) and I still do! However, pointlessness is a matter of opinion - that's my opinion atleast. Someone may think it's pointless for me to post pictures of my dogs eating their first raw meal, however - it was something very important to me!


Which leads to what finn's mom was saying - which are pointless, which aren't? At first glance, I may think a thread is pointless - but when I think about it farther, if it makes that person happy.... so what? I don't have to reply to it and neither does anyone else. There's no law stating we have to!

I too am guilty about the "I agree" - I'm sure. However, I usually try to add something along with that.


As for some long-term members being "rude" or "stuck up" I do believe that is an unfair statement. We have been thru quite a bit here at Pet Talk - people lying about their deaths, going to emergency rooms, their pets getting hurt, and even having fake pets. For many, once trust is broken - it's gone for good. I know many people here are very leary of new members especially if their posts seem fishy. The best thing to do it be upfront 100% and try wording yourself as best as possible. Generally while surfing Pet Talk I have WordPad open and compile my thoughts there, read and re-read to make sure I am expressing myself as best I can. There are quite a few new members who I try giving the benefit of the doubt, but still don't know for sure about them, that includes some older members, too!



I remember getting "yelled at" for lack of better term for posting too many pictures. But, then when I went for a while without posting pictures, I got "yelled at" again! I quite caring what anyone else thought about my picture posting and just did it for me. I really enjoy posting pictures, I really enjoy receiving comments about them - but I cannot please everyone and myself at the same time. Sometimes we've just got to make sacrifices and sometimes we've got to do things soley for ourselves. As long as there's an equal balance, we're okay.


I admit there's not enough time in the day to reply to everyone - and there are period I go thru only replying to members I'm familiar with. But, isn't it usually like that in person? You don't just randomly pick somone out of the phone book to call - usually just your close friends, right? I have been personally ridiculed because some new members seem to think *just* because I have the top number of posts here, I'm SUPPOSED to reply to their threads, every single time? I know there are other members who don't reply to nearly the amount of threads I do, yet they never get "yelled at."

And I understand that there are many people who reply to my posts - and I appreciate that with every grain of my being (and I assume I make that pretty clear with my thank-yous) however like I said.. there just isn't enough time. I cannot express how much it means to me when I receive comments about my three and if I could, I'd quit my job to have more time to reply to every single thread, post, or PM.


Okay.. I'm done for now and will sit here with my fingers crossed hoping no one takes this the wrong way.


{{GROUP HUG}}

[shihtzulover850]

I understand the trust thing and thank you for explaining things nicely. I din't know you had the most posts here! wow!

[finn's mom]

Kay, wow, there's not a thing in your post that isn't obviously from the heart, and, if it's taken the wrong way, bah. It's a fantasticly well written, very well said post. I'm glad I got back online and saw that.

[K9soul]

I feel I'd like to clarify a bit on my "pointless post" comment since there seems to be confusion about that. I really have no problem with people who post something that is important to them even though it may be a "small" thing. What I tend to be talking about are those who, it seems to me, are deliberately making an effort to rack up a post count as fast as they can, to start many many 'chatroom' type threads every single day, and the MOMENT these people get 1,000 posts they are the FIRST to run to general and announce it, because I think people enjoy the pillarhood posts and sometimes newer people get in a rush to see one of their own. I'm speaking of the posts that almost read like an instant messenger conversation or chat room.

I work a job where I type all day, often from morning until I go to bed, and I just can't keep up here the way I'd like. I always hate responding only to 1-2 people, and then others start reading things into it such "well she only responds to older people" or "she must not like me." So I've gotten to the point where my posting is very minimal at this time. However I truly enjoy taking a break from work for a couple minutes sometimes, and looking through pictures, or reading a story.

I think this thread is very constructive and gives everyone something to think about from differing perspectives. We just have to be open to that rather than getting defensive and reading too much negative into people's thoughts.

[Suki Wingy]

I am guilty of just repying "Aww " to a lot of picture threads but it is often times because I looked through the pictures and want to let them know I did and that I thought they were cute but didn't have anything else to say.

[Roxyluvsme13]

I am guilty of just repying "Aww " to a lot of picture threads but it is often times because I looked through the pictures and want to let them know I did and that I thought they were cute but didn't have anything else to say.

I'm guilty of that, too. Especially when on MSN or AIM someone asks me to reply to a thread. Then, of course they don't reply to mine, so I don't see why I bother. Anyways, I apologize for "I agree, and Aww"

[shihtzulover850]

Exactly! A lot of times there isn't anything more to say.

[jazzcat]

I am guilty of just repying "Aww " to a lot of picture threads but it is often times because I looked through the pictures and want to let them know I did and that I thought they were cute but didn't have anything else to say.

I do that a lot too because I think it's a short and sweet way to say to the poster I saw the picture/post, enjoyed it and thanks for posting it.

When I post I appreciate acknowledgement that it was seen and am happy with just "aww". I know the number of views shows it was seen but a reply, even brief, means more to me. I guess it just tells me it my post wasn't "pointless".

I do agree that there seems to be a lot of new threads started that may be geared for raising post counts and that can get annoying. Usually I notice who those posters are and I get to the point I never open anything they post. Ashame because at some point they might post something interesting and I'll miss it.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I agree on one hand, then on the other hand I disagree....maybe because the last few times I've been on there's been a few days (ok, somtimes a week) since the last time I posted so I want to make sure I reply to all the posts that well.....my whole grind here is that we've all heard the threads where people complain that people don't respond to their threads. So here I am after being away from PT for 2 - 3 days and I want to respond to threads because people like it when you respond, and what's the point of starting a thread if people don't respond to it?

So, we're supposed to respond to peoples' threads, yet we're not supposed to reply with little one or two line responses. Do you want me to respond or not? I'm a bit grumpy and crabby today so my opinion right now might not be appropriate but if you don't want me to respond, fine, I won't, but then don't start complaining when you don't get any responses. Sheesh.