A Note on Etiquette

[R-Tex]

Originally posted by handejector:
Precisely.
...I did not want that nebulous term defined to me...

Or ON you either!

Great post, btw, Lee.

 

[wheelgun610]

A lot of the things that we used to consider "common', aren't too common these days. "Common courtesy" comes to mind first, with "common sense" a close second.

Thankfully

, we now have "political correctness" - which is nothing more than lawyer speak for "be polite or we'll sue ya"!

Don't get me started....

Mark

 

[jjones33]

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?

After this last episode I thought maybe we could have a forum heading called "Under the Bleachers" or "Behind the School Buses" where everybody that wanted to roll up their sleeves and go at it could do it away from everyone else. The CSP forum's administrator/owner has "Romper Room" where if you are bad or out of line when you log in I understand you go to a page that has baby rattles and baby bottles floating around and that's as far as you get until she deems you can come back.

Lee, good post and good points. I think sometimes a joke gets someone's feelings hurt and then stuff starts flying. Thanks.

 

[S&WIowegan]

Thanks Lee and I agree completely. Now I'm curious about what I missed

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

Lee and others;

This is perhaps the second or third time in as many years, that this subject has been revisited. I think periodically, it should.

Misunderstandings and misinterpretations of comments and remarks do happen in this kind of format, which lacks the emotional expression contained in oral conversations face to face. Some folks are a bit less eloquent than others and are often misunderstood.

I learned long ago that a few simple words spoken sincerely, such as "I apologize", say's much about a person's character and can make the difference in understanding their intent when words have failed them.

Civility in an anonymous venue like internet message boards, has deteriorated to sickening levels on many of them. We also must remember that all one needs to become a member of many of them, is a valid email address and some minor personal information, if any. There is no accounting for the individuals suitability, character, age, or for that matter, their mental stability.

The abuse of anonymity is something I can speak to. I am sometimes persuaded in email and even telephone conversations with "clients" making inquiries, that I'm talking to a 15 year old kid, pretending to be an adult. Or, that I'm dealing with someone a bit off an even keel. Or as we used to say in the job, "are you stoned or just stupid?". Polite discourse is expected between civilized people of at least average intelligence. But there is simply no accounting for posers, the ignorant, plainly rude or even mentally disturbed people.

In short, sometimes you just have no idea who you may be speaking to. This should not suggest that it makes rude and uncivil conduct excuseable, but it's another insight I thought to mention for everyone's consideration.

There is also the fact that contemporary society is reflected like a mirror image. Many of us are older, mature people. Yet others are youngsters who may have never benefitted from the kind of etiquette we were taught. Perhaps what I'm trying to say is not age specific, but rather that people are a product of the environment they are nurtured in. Look at contemporary film, music, art and the cultural icons they create, and our society admires. It's no surprise that uncivil behavior and rude discourse has become tolerated. Liberal tolerance for nearly everything I was taught as being objectionable as a young person, is accepted by the mass majority. It's no wonder disrespect for others has evolved into an institutional form of accepted conduct.

We may sometimes disagree with another person's view or opinion, but we should do so politely. If your impulse is to respond in kind to rudeness directed toward you it only illustrates one's inability to articulate an intelligent response, to an ignorant remark. I believe we are all better than that.

 

[Belfastman]

In today's soceity manners amd ethics have disappeared.I miss days when people where taught to be civil.

 

[user]

On the other hand, I've generally found the Smith-WessonForum.com to be frequented by the nicest of folks. There's been a few times when someone obviously got his nose out of joint and spilled some venom, but for the most part, the folks are tolerant, considerate, respectful, and courteous. They're so decent, I thought at first that they were all Virginians! (And, you have to understand that where I was raised, that was the highest compliment that could be dispensed.)

 

[handejector]

I found this today while moving 86932 threads.
It probably won't do anyone any harm....

 

[R-Tex]

Originally posted by handejector:...
It probably won't do anyone any harm....

And won't scare the horses!

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Hey Lee, everything looks great. On the live auctions- is that for the Classified section only or the whole forum? I alway though it was for the classified section. In the rules (I think) it needs to be stated a little better Please. Thanks

 

[ladder13]

This will be my sticky for the NY bashers. Thanks, Lee.

 

[jughead]

harshness to newbies has always been a pet peeve of mine. it has happened on almost every web site i frequent. we were all newbies at EVERYTHING sometime or other. keep up the good work.

 

[catdad]

Read and understood.

 

[CordWood]

NY'ers and NY is off limits. NO! Just kidding.
My parents would tell my sisters and myself to mind, be polite, or there would be consequences. My Dad could correct in public with "THE LOOK".
Lee, you are doing an excellent job herding cats.
Butch

 

[Hook and Bullet]

Shut up or put up.

 

[Crazy K38]

I agree with Lee, true I havn't been here long but I see this as being a major place to set a good example for the anti-gun community to see. If they looked in here and saw some of these examples then they would say see I told you, gun nuts acting crazy, but for the most part I see great people on here and with 45,000 members, I know we can't all be wrong

 

[Jack Flash]

Very good thread and something we should all think about. I especially think the suggestion about how to treat new posters is worth heeding. We were all new to the Forum once, and some of us such slow learners, we might as well be new.

(That's a joke folks).

I do think one corollary is appropriate:
Don't take everything personally. If you can't develop a thick skin, at least thicken it up a little bit. Another way of saying this is "don't always assume the worst about someone's intentions." It seems like some people here are offended far too easily. Responding with humor is a much better way to go, if not responding at all is impossible.

If someone really rubs you the wrong way, there is always the ignore button. I've noticed that fractious posters don't stay here long anyway, so why waste time with them?

 

[Chipmunk6]

but for the most part, the folks are tolerant, considerate, respectful, and courteous. They're so decent, I thought at first that they were all Virginians! (And, you have to understand that where I was raised, that was the highest compliment that could be dispensed.)

<span class="ev_code_BLUE">That quote of user's, kinda sums it all up for me.

Chipmunk6</span>

 

[dkees]

Great post!

Never miss a chance to do/say something nice.

 

[rburg]

I still like my "Abbylee" suggestion!

Or the Miss MannersLee.

OK, any new poster who asks a legitimate question deserves a good and well thought out answer. Even those not so legitimate questions that may have been asked from a position of ignorance probably deserve out time. Its how we became gun nuts. Some one probably took the time to explain things to us.

But there are exceptions. Obvious trolls are fair game. We get our fair share here. Some disguise themselves well enough it takes us a while to see their true colors. Most don't.