A Note on Etiquette

[handejector]

Edit 1-25-09-
I found this post yesterday while moving threads. Though some data is obviously a bit out of date now, the spirit of the post certainly is NOT.
Read on.....

Etiquette is briefly defined as: "the forms, manners, etc. conventially acceptable or required in society"

It seems like lately this place is suffering a bit of a meltdown, with members quitting, getting cursed, ridiculed, suspended, banned, or reamed!
Maybe it is gas prices or the economy in general, or just the summer heat, but civility seems to be suffering- or outright lacking....

This is a free party, folks, hosted by Parabellum.
I think things would run a bit smoother if we all ENVISION it as just that- a party hosted at someone's house. If you were at a large party, chances are you would not like everyone there. Some folks might even annoy you severely, but how would you behave at that party in someone else's home? Push the furniture to the walls, and invite them to brawl, or just curse them loudly and profusely- never mind the ladies and kids! At the very worst, quietly inviting them outside, as in "taking it to the street" for some grievous offense would be the limit, I should think. In other words, off the property of your host!

If you did not like the decor or the food at the party, would you complain loudly to your host in front of the other guests?
Perhaps you would make a discreet suggestion to your host privately.....

Here are the Posting Rules in their entirety:

General rules of posting on this site:

-Civil discourse is and should be the norm. Conduct yourselves as if you were a guest in someone's home.

If you cannot participate in a friendly and civil manner - without name calling and derogatory comments - then leave.

-Issues should be taken up with others - Off-line.
If you cannot resolve said issue, take it up with a staffer via email.

-There will be NO tolerance for vulgar language, gratuitous sexual references, racism, homophobia, etc.

-The Staff reserves the right to edit, or delete, ANY post we may find offensive without any explanation.

As with the Classified section, NO links to live Auctions or Auction sites are allowed
Please refrain from posting links to live auctions, if you want to post information on Auctions that are completed that is OK for information purposes, but no links to running auctions will be allowed.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SmithNut, 12 March 2007 12:31 PM

Thanks for reading the posting RULES

These rules are only posted in The Lounge.
Really quite simple, aren't they?
I hardly ever go to The Lounge because I am here to discuss old S&W's, and I rarely see anything there about them. I am not here to change the world, educate people about other things, learn about other things, or overhaul personalities. I occasionally chide someone who rubs me wrong or slams others or their gun a bit harshly. That could probably be just as well not done, for it probably accomplishes little or nothing.

My suggestion is to disagree politely when you feel it necessary, or simply ignore people you don't like.

Remember, it is about the guns. I seriously doubt you can fix your life here. You probably won't be able to fix anybody else's, either.

 

[OFT]

Well said, Lee. Think of this as a social gathering in Para's parlor. There should be no verbal differences to disrupt the discussions. If you want to argue with someone else then take it outside.

 

[Camster]

+1.
Unfortunately,as is the case of the internet in general with it's anonymity,some folks show their bad side, a side that wouldn't present in a face to face situation.(The possibility of a punch in the nose a deterrent to such cowards or illmannered folks.)

 

[j38]

Well said - and worth remembering at all times. Thanks, Lee!

Regards, Jerry

 

[Timb1]

Lee, spoken like a southern gentleman.

Also I would like to mention that I have been upset from time to time with different members, but not being a big poster I just leave it alone, and low and behold the offensive member is no longer posting for whatever reason.

Para, thanks for such a great place as this has been for the last five years.

Tim.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Amen Brother Lee.

The southern tradition lives on!

"Andy"

 

[GLL]

Lee:

Thank you !

What I find curious is not only has civility suffered here on this Forum but on the SWCA site as well ! As you said, it may be the economy, the weather, or just the phase of the moon, but there has indeed been a change!?

Jerry

 

[Andy Griffith]

Speaking of Etiquette...

Don't you hate it when someone grabs up a nice revolver and does things with it that they shouldn't? (Like the Joe Friday cylinder slap!)

It wouldn't happen on my personal pieces...but this made me think, that we should have some suggested pistol/revolver etiquette for newbies and old-hands alike. I'm always willing to review correct procedure and learn something new too.

 

[Tijeras_Slim]

"What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly." ~Thomas Paine

It would be a shame to see this Forum treated in such a fashion, all for the simple lack of politeness.

 

[Dan M]

Great Post Lee,

Like our moms always told us "If you can't say something nice, Don't say anything at all" It took too many years for that to sink in.

We want to attract New Collectors/Shooters not run them off with the petty and sarcastic comments or slurs.

thanks

Dan

 

[Toyman]

Lee; why don't you copy this to the post 1945 and general part of the forum ?

 

[DHENRY]

Well thought-out, Lee.
My folks always said that good manners were the difference between people you looked up to, and those you didn't.
Don

 

[Muddyboot]

I don't know who said it but words to live by.
" Politeness cost nothing but the rewards are many"

 

[azmick]

Don't you hate it when someone grabs up a nice revolver and does things with it that they shouldn't? (Like the Joe Friday cylinder slap!)

just what part of the anatomy of the offender should be targeted in this case?

 

[rburg]

Originally posted by Toyman:
Lee; why don't you copy this to the post 1945 and general part of the forum ?

Maybe we need a new section of the forum. We could title it "Dear Abbylee!"

OK, how about Miss Mannerslee?

 

[dinghysailer]

Aye

I have not burdened this board with my politics or other personal manure, as it would probably be offensive to some, if not many. We should all attempt to be respectful, and stay more or less on topic.

As this is the more historical side of the board, and history, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder, we often go off in interesting directions, which is good, as long as we don't get carried away. I especially enjoyed the recent digression into labor history in the coalfields.

Often the best way to deal with fools is to ignore them. Occasionally you can shame them, very very very rarely will they see that your facts and logic are superior to theirs.

Yours for the works

 

[handejector]

Thanks, all, for the agreement. All we have to do to make this place really roll is talk guns politely.
All we have to do to burn it down is to treat others as we do not wish to be treated.
Take one hit if you can, and wait a while, and see what develops. Better to err on the side of gentility than stir up pointless animus.

dinghysailer- wise words.

Another comment I would make is about "new guys" and younger people joining the forum- BE GENTLE. We need to cultivate an ever-growing collector base, so our heirs will have someone to sell this junk to one day! Don't crush the new guy or youngster that is falling in love with S&W. How much junk did you buy when you first started?

That said, onward to my heckler-

Originally posted by rburg:

Originally posted by Toyman:
Lee; why don't you copy this to the post 1945 and general part of the forum ?

Maybe we need a new section of the forum. We could title it "Dear Abbylee!"

OK, how about Miss Mannerslee?

Dick Burg

Dick,
I think you eminently more qualified than I to monitor a manners/etiquette section.

 

[jeremyws1]

Originally posted by handejector:
Another comment I would make is about "new guys" and younger people joining the forum- BE GENTLE. We need to cultivate an ever-growing collector base, so our heirs will have someone to sell this junk to one day! Don't crush the new guy or youngster that is falling in love with S&W. How much junk did you buy when you first started?

+1

 

[Guest]

Lee; I guess I'm showing my age a bit because I can remember when "Etiquette" was a subject taught both in the Home and in the Schools. Many of the Homes now days are too badly broken to even have the slightest idea what "Etiquette" is let alone how to pass this information on to their kids. And, as for the Schools, well, the local PD has a squad car posted at the intersection of one of the local High School parking lots every morning and afternoon giving "Etiquette Lessons" to both Students and Drivers. The Intelligent(not) School Board had the Parking Lot Entrance constructed right at the top of a hill on one of the Cities most heavily used streets. I contacted the Principal about one of their Students "J" Walking directly in front of my vehicle and I was very rudely informed that "they" weren't there to teach the students who to act when they aren't on school property!!! Go figure.

 

[handejector]

Lee; I guess I'm showing my age a bit because I can remember when "Etiquette" was a subject taught both in the Home and in the Schools. Many of the Homes now days are too badly broken to even have the slightest idea what "Etiquette" is let alone how to pass this information on to their kids.

Precisely.
I remember my Mother looking into the back seat of the car and saying "If you act up at these people's house, I'll jerk a knot in you!" I did not want that nebulous term defined to me.

I remember my Dad saying "You can have good manners when you have nothing else."
He told me to never precede a female through a door, nor a man senior to me.
He was not a fanatic, but the common courtesies were expected- nay, DEMANDED.