Mark Cahill
01-28-2005, 09:58 AM
Over the past couple of weeks, we've had more than our normal amount of problem posts. Some have been the standard "guy registers, then spams the forums with unsponsored commercial messages" - which we easily deal with, even though they are a pain.
Lately we've has several issues with Personal Attacks (which are specifically forbidden by our posting guidelines, see item #2 here (http://reel-time.com/forum/faq.php?faq=rt_faq_item#faq_posting_faq_item)...) - and these have come in several cases from some of our long time members. Listen, we realize that it's winter, the northeast is blanketed in snow, and generally fishing season seems like it's years away. We also realize that many of you have a legitimate point, and while we may not agree with it, it may be important to the community at large. But there is a right way and a wrong way to deliver that message. Here are a couple of case studies:
Situation: A guide has screwed up your trip by hitting on your wife.(#$122)Wrong: "The jerk was more interested in trying to stick it to my wife than poling the boat. He's a skirt chaser and I hear he's got a case of Chlamidia..."
:)Right: " I didn't have a great experience with the guide, and don't recommend him..."
Situation: A tying expert gives a class on some new techniques involving space age materials. You are a "classic" tyer who believes that one should only tie flies with natural materials.(#$122)Wrong: "Timmy Tyer is a shameless showoff who doesn't understand that fly tying is about deer hair and feathers, not mylar and dacron. He's ruining our sport and needs to be culled from the herd..."
:)Right: "I'm not a fan of new tying techniques. I prefer to stick to the classics. If you're into classics exclusively, then Timmy probably isn't for you...."What do these share? No personal attack, while delivering essentially the same message. Be positive, and constructive. Realize that yours is not the only viewpoint. This isn't math where there is one and only one answer to a question.
For the record, I love fly fishing because it is a great solitary sport, and generally devoid of personality issues. It's not freshwater bass tournaments, or golf and I don't want it to go there. Leave personalities out of this and we will all be better off.
Lately we've has several issues with Personal Attacks (which are specifically forbidden by our posting guidelines, see item #2 here (http://reel-time.com/forum/faq.php?faq=rt_faq_item#faq_posting_faq_item)...) - and these have come in several cases from some of our long time members. Listen, we realize that it's winter, the northeast is blanketed in snow, and generally fishing season seems like it's years away. We also realize that many of you have a legitimate point, and while we may not agree with it, it may be important to the community at large. But there is a right way and a wrong way to deliver that message. Here are a couple of case studies:
Situation: A guide has screwed up your trip by hitting on your wife.(#$122)Wrong: "The jerk was more interested in trying to stick it to my wife than poling the boat. He's a skirt chaser and I hear he's got a case of Chlamidia..."
:)Right: " I didn't have a great experience with the guide, and don't recommend him..."
Situation: A tying expert gives a class on some new techniques involving space age materials. You are a "classic" tyer who believes that one should only tie flies with natural materials.(#$122)Wrong: "Timmy Tyer is a shameless showoff who doesn't understand that fly tying is about deer hair and feathers, not mylar and dacron. He's ruining our sport and needs to be culled from the herd..."
:)Right: "I'm not a fan of new tying techniques. I prefer to stick to the classics. If you're into classics exclusively, then Timmy probably isn't for you...."What do these share? No personal attack, while delivering essentially the same message. Be positive, and constructive. Realize that yours is not the only viewpoint. This isn't math where there is one and only one answer to a question.
For the record, I love fly fishing because it is a great solitary sport, and generally devoid of personality issues. It's not freshwater bass tournaments, or golf and I don't want it to go there. Leave personalities out of this and we will all be better off.