It's hard being a new guy

[Gonz]

Some boards are just fucked. I joined a rock climbing board the other day, which is my other hobby besides cigars, so for my first post I made an introduction in their general forum. After being around a handful of other boards I've discovered that this is a fairly normal and courteous way to go about it.

So far the only replies I've gotten are smartass remarks such as "We don't care about your boring life newbie!" and "That was a great personal ad!".

WTF? I'm glad folks here have a little more tact and decency.

 

[alexgtp]

NO ONE CARES NEWBIE!!! Tell someone else your SOB story!!..LOL!! :sign:

Wow that sounds like a crappy board to be on!

Luckily the BOTL's on this board are kind..and very forgiving..! :whistling:

 

[junkman_56]

Some boards are just fucked. I joined a rock climbing board the other day, which is my other hobby besides cigars, so for my first post I made an introduction in their general forum. After being around a handful of other boards I've discovered that this is a fairly normal and courteous way to go about it.

So far the only replies I've gotten are smartass remarks such as "We don't care about your boring life newbie!" and "That was a great personal ad!".

WTF? I'm glad folks here have a little more tact and decency.

[snapback]248372[/snapback]​

No offence, but rock climbers tend to be a little high strung.
Being a caver there is a natural rivalry there, so my perception's a little colored by that fact....

 

[PTownshend]

So far the only replies I've gotten are smartass remarks such as "We don't care about your boring life newbie!" and "That was a great personal ad!".

[snapback]248372[/snapback]​

Certainly sounds like replies from those who can't climb so well and landed on their heads.

Darren

 

[Tech]

Damn, and I thought some of the cigar boards were tough.

 

[Gonz]

I don't think my stay will be long over there. It's funny, this is actually starting to look like a textbook crash and burn. Everytime I watch folks here do it, I haven't ever tried to put myself in their shoes and assume they actually had good intentions to start. They just simply come accross as assholes, and they're gone before too long. Here's a copy of a pm I just sent to one of the mods who not only deleted my introduction post, but actually added their own comment that I read before it was gone.

"I was wondering if you could help me out a bit. I haven't spent alot of time around climbing forums, so perhaps I don't "get" the attitude or the way things work. I was simply trying to introduce myself to the community, which I believe is a nice gesture, and all I get is a bunch of wiseass responses and attitude. Is this the way climbing forums are? For example, "STFU noob". What purpose does that serve? Are folks threatened by someone who is new, yet has alot of experience? Are they afraid I'll answer someone's question faster than they can, hence not giving them the opportunity to spray?

I really believe I have something to offer folks here, but it seems I'm not welcome. I was hoping, since your profile indicates you have over 1000 posts, that you could shed some light on why folks are acting like such assholes when all I did was attempt to introduce myself. Is this the traditional initiation that all folks go through?

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this and hopefully respond.

Andy"

Reading this I can only imagine the size of the torch that would ignite under one's ass if they did this here! Oh well, easy come, easy go!

 

[Lee]

Gonz, just go over there and tell them all to STFU....

You'll probably get banned, you'll laugh a little and all will be well.... :laugh:

Or you could just send Lumpy over....

 

[Ginseng]

I don't think my stay will be long over there. It's funny, this is actually starting to look like a textbook crash and burn. Everytime I watch folks here do it, I haven't ever tried to put myself in their shoes and assume they actually had good intentions to start. They just simply come accross as assholes, and they're gone before too long. Here's a copy of a pm I just sent to one of the mods who not only deleted my introduction post, but actually added their own comment that I read before it was gone.

"I was wondering if you could help me out a bit. I haven't spent alot of time around climbing forums, so perhaps I don't "get" the attitude or the way things work. I was simply trying to introduce myself to the community, which I believe is a nice gesture, and all I get is a bunch of wiseass responses and attitude. Is this the way climbing forums are? For example, "STFU noob". What purpose does that serve? Are folks threatened by someone who is new, yet has alot of experience? Are they afraid I'll answer someone's question faster than they can, hence not giving them the opportunity to spray?

I really believe I have something to offer folks here, but it seems I'm not welcome. I was hoping, since your profile indicates you have over 1000 posts, that you could shed some light on why folks are acting like such assholes when all I did was attempt to introduce myself. Is this the traditional initiation that all folks go through?

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this and hopefully respond.

Andy"

Reading this I can only imagine the size of the torch that would ignite under one's ass if they did this here! Oh well, easy come, easy go!

[snapback]248525[/snapback]​

You did right, at least in my book, Gonz.

Insecurity, competitveness untempered by compassion, possessiveness and lack of consideration and respect. All things to be vigilant against in our own dealings with others. The question I ask myself as I "try on" communities online and in life is "Would I really like to see myself change in a way that would allow me to become part of this?"

You did right. And frankly, eff-em if they're going to be pricks. "Gatekeepers" are viewed as necessary by some. In the aggressive pursuit of potential "false negatives" (letting in a scumbag or shill), we risk a high level of false positives or the driving away of a member who could have contributed meaningfully to the community.

Wilkey