Some posters are condescending

Status
Not open for further replies.
Folks

While some of these replies are funny, can you maybe resist the urge to entertain us on this thread.

I am trying to get to grips with the issue that some posters are being condescending.

So far, the example of me calling people "rude" for bumping posts has been given and I am not going to use that word anymore.

Only one other example has been given - a post by MF1. The advice in that post is excellent and the story is appropriate. MF1's style of writing is distinctive and gets the point across in an astonishingly effective way. I am not going to ask MF1 to please refrain from a bit of irony or humour because someone manages to interpret it as condescending.

Any other examples of condescending posts? If not, I will close the thread.
 
So what if some Posters are condescending. These forums are pretty powerful where people can have debates, express opinions, criticize important people, exchange humour etc.

If you cannot deal with a little condescention what are you doing on this forum? If you post here you have to bear the consequences and condescention from some is just a daily risk.

If you can't bear the heat, keep out of the kitchen.
 
'no one can make you feel inferior without your consent ' eleanor Roosevelt
 
So what if some Posters are condescending.

If you cannot deal with a little condescention what are you doing on this forum?

If you can't bear the heat, keep out of the kitchen.

This is true to some extent if it's a row between Complainer and Purple. They are both well able to ignore it or to respond. It's also true of the likes of politics.ie which is a debating society.

But the purpose of askaboutmoney is to help people with questions on financial and consumer issues. If they are reluctant to post in case they look stupid in public and will be looked down upon by experienced posters, then askaboutmoney is failing.

I have seen no evidence of this condescension and no one has provided it yet.
 
Cos yiz are messers! :p

Seriously though Brendan, you have answered your own question, there is no proof of condescending attitudes, just some hypersensitivity to certain posts made by the frequent posters or mods.

Storm in a teacup!
 
I don't see a huge amount of condescending behaviour on AAM. It's not something you will ever be able to stamp out entirely on a forum and there will always be the odd rude and condescending poster thinking they're being clever, but they don't usually get much support from other posters.I don't think it's a particular problem on AAM.
 
But the purpose of askaboutmoney is to help people with questions on financial and consumer issues. If they are reluctant to post in case they look stupid in public and will be looked down upon by experienced posters, then askaboutmoney is failing.

I have seen no evidence of this condescension and no one has provided it yet.

Brendan

The people you're asking now are those who either don't have a problem with the site or those who are happy enough to live with it despite what they might regard as its imperfections.

Peoples's reference to condescension (well my own anyway) is based, I believe, on their cumulative experience with the site. I certainly don't take note of the precise times I felt that posters have been condescending beacuse it doesn't bother me sufficiently. I can't therefore provide the empirical evidence you now seek but can only point to my own perception based on years of use of the site.

As I said in an earlier post, someone using the site can choose NOT to use it if they don't like it or can't live with it. I suspect many people have already done so although, again, I have no evidence to support my contention.

For my own part, I believe the tone and culture of the site is a direct consequence of the modeation style which, presumably, comes from you. How you choose to moderate the site is your own business and, on balance, I think you and your fellow mods do a very good job in maintaining an excellent service while at the same time maintaining a good level of intelligent debate.

That said, I think the approach of some mods (and, suitably supported, some contributors) can be a bit school-teacherish (perhaps this is a more accurate description than condescending). It's not WHAT'S said on some occasions, it can be the WAY that it's said. It's one thing to point out someone's breach of the guidelines and to apply a yellow or red card as appropriate. You have a largely thankless task for administering the site and where I've been in breach before, I've been genuinely sorry for the additional administrative burden it's placed on you.

That said, (and as I've said earlier) I don't think it permits you or anyone to make character judgements based on your limited experience with an individual. If you consider a certain incident to be beneath the standard of behaviour you're prepared to tolerate, that's fine. Just say that and the person will take the hint by either modifying their behaviour or leaving.

In my own case, I felt theat your response to one of my posts was a bit OTT. I was a bit annoyed but not to the point where I consdiered leaving the site. Others in my situation may have come to another conclusion.
 
I have experienced this (condescending) attitude as well. To be very honest.
However it was only from one Mod who for some reason seemed to have taken a dislike to me.
I experienced this in both the money sections and the depths.
Brendan if you want I can PM you more specific details. However at the end of the day it doesnt keep me awake at night, this person did a lot for AAM (I believe) and while it resulted in me being less active here I dont (nor did I at the time) seek to have the issue addressed.
 
If you don't like a particular poster's style use the Edit Ignore List in User CP and you won't see their posts.
 
If you don't like a particular poster's style use the Edit Ignore List in User CP and you won't see their posts.

Unless someone quotes them in a post.

I had someone on an ignore list ( Not you Purple) but he was often quoted in other people's post....thankfully he is now banned!
 
Why would you put someone on an ignore list? Just don't answer the posts you don't want to. I have seen posts from people that I would not agree with on 9 out of 10 subjects that have proved very useful. Genuinely surprised that people would use that function. Having said that, there are about 18 posters who have annoyed me over the past couple of years. Consider yourselves ignored!
 
Cos yiz are messers! :p

Seriously though Brendan, you have answered your own question, there is no proof of condescending attitudes, just some hypersensitivity to certain posts made by the frequent posters or mods.

Storm in a teacup!
+1. In summary, AAM is a very helpful well moderated site. Keep up the good work!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top