Responses to questions from new members.

[Uzume 0]

I'm getting a bit annoyed with the way some people respond to questions from new members.

Just because they may seem like obvious questions and may have been answered a hundred times before, just because they are answered in timelines etc etc etc..... this process is daunting for everyone and we all need support.

Have you considered the fact that maybe asking an obvious question might just be the only way to introduce oneself when new on the site? Also, although thousands of people are applying for the same visas, we were all new and unsure when we started this.

I must say that most people are wonderful on here, but SOME sound rude and irritable when answering new people's questions (you know who you are) and I, for one, feel saddened by this when I see it.

[athena_ny 1]

I'm getting a bit annoyed with the way some people respond to questions from new members.

Just because they may seem like obvious questions and may have been answered a hundred times before, just because they are answered in timelines etc etc etc..... this process is daunting for everyone and we all need support.

Have you considered the fact that maybe asking an obvious question might just be the only way to introduce oneself when new on the site? Also, although thousands of people are applying for the same visas, we were all new and unsure when we started this.

I must say that most people are wonderful on here, but SOME sound rude and irritable when answering new people's questions (you know who you are) and I, for one, feel saddened by this when I see it.

I see nothing wrong w/ telling someone to read the guides or create their timelines. Timelines are essential because how can we help them when we don't know what visa, when it was filed, etc etc? Guides are essential because you'll find 90% of the questions one has when new to the process in there. No one has the time to answer the same questions that are answered in the guides 200 times a day - if there were no guides, that's what we'd be doing. I don't find it unreasonable to ask people to read the guides to educate themselves to make the process easier on THEM and so that simple questions don't overshadow those that are unique, harder to answer issues.

[TimsDaisy 0]

We're friendlier than a USCIS agent who stamps "denied" on a petition with mistakes on it because a person didn't read up for themselves on how to do things!

I thought people were a bit terse with me when I first joined as well - I asked some simple questions and got some "Read the guides" responses and some less-nice responses than those. I don't think being rude is called for, but when I see a question that implies a person hasn't even read the plain instructions that come with the form they are filling out, I am less likely to use kid gloves and coddle the poster than I am to say "hey, wake up, this is a tedious, detail-oriented process and you better shape up, pay attention, and not be overly-reliant on VJ."

I think it serves anyone better in the long run.

[Uzume 0]

I'm getting a bit annoyed with the way some people respond to questions from new members.

Just because they may seem like obvious questions and may have been answered a hundred times before, just because they are answered in timelines etc etc etc..... this process is daunting for everyone and we all need support.

Have you considered the fact that maybe asking an obvious question might just be the only way to introduce oneself when new on the site? Also, although thousands of people are applying for the same visas, we were all new and unsure when we started this.

I must say that most people are wonderful on here, but SOME sound rude and irritable when answering new people's questions (you know who you are) and I, for one, feel saddened by this when I see it.

I see nothing wrong w/ telling someone to read the guides or create their timelines. Timelines are essential because how can we help them when we don't know what visa, when it was filed, etc etc? Guides are essential because you'll find 90% of the questions one has when new to the process in there. No one has the time to answer the same questions that are answered in the guides 200 times a day - if there were no guides, that's what we'd be doing. I don't find it unreasonable to ask people to read the guides to educate themselves to make the process easier on THEM and so that simple questions don't overshadow those that are unique, harder to answer issues.

I am not talking about WHAT people are told, just how. Each to their own, I know but there's nothing wrong with sounding friendly when people join the site however "silly" someone may feel their question is. I think my first post points out what I mean, I have read a couple of posts (and received one when new myself), where some people sounded very chiding at asking a question. Now I have had more time to explore, I have found the areas I need, at the start, I didn't know. If I can find the posts I read I will include them as an example if needed but I am sure you get my drift (?)

[Fandango 1,439]

I think sometimes many new members want the answers and the process spoon-fed to them. This is not a helpdesk...we can help each other out, but it's up to the individual to take full responsibility byfamiliarizing him/herself with the process.

[Alex+R 0]

I think that it's true that many seasoned posters seem very irritated with new VJers who ask obvious questions. (And I know I would be, too. That's why I tend to stay off the K1 board sometimes--my temper is famously short.) Yes, they could be more friendly answering your questions, but the bottom line is that they ARE answering your obvious questions. In other words, they are doing the work for you, and that takes an enormous amount of patience, especially when you consider that new people ask the SAME obvious questions over and over. Accept the gift and stop criticizing the packaging, IMO.

PS to the OP: asking an obvious question is not the only way to introduce yourself; we have an entire forum for just that ("Introducing Our Members").

[no name 1]

I think sometimes many new members want the answers and the process spoon-fed to them. This is not a helpdesk...

[meauxna 15]

I hate this kind of discussion, but maybe it's useful.

When I go to a new online community (and it's often when I am looking for URGENT help with something that I didn't study up on ahead of time when I should have known better) I do not expect the members of an existing group (that has its own way of doing things, its own culture and its own lingo) to drop what they are doing and give me a crash course on my question (like, How do I write HTML?).

No wonder people LOVE it when that happens here!

So I stop, read the sticky post at the top of whatever forum, read the FAQs if there are a million notes around saying to do so, read a few posts, try out the search feature.. IOW, I TRY to find what I'm looking for. I also get a pulse for how people talk to each other in that venue and see if the answers are usually harsh or jokey or serious or not. If they look harsh, and I still want the info, I put on a flame retardent suit and some skin toughener.

Then I go and ask my n00b question. I also say: hey, I'm a n00b at this, I read this that and the other thing, and it appears that the answer to my question is "this"--is that right?

I get really good receptions to these posts.

I'm polite and generally sensitive to people's situations here. But yesterday was a good example of someone getting their nose pushed out of shape over *nothing*. Review of that person's past participation convinces me that the poster is just an a-hole, and he probably "sees" that response wherever he goes.

Some people are always going to see themselves as picked on. There's a limit to how much others will reasonably accomodate that.

[jpine 0]

i dont think i get this question. You dont like how people reply to you? Simple read the all the guides and you really dont need to ask any questions. I have asked a lot of stupid questions on here that I know for a fact are in the guide. The reason i do this is honestly its easier for me to just ask instead of read through everything for every detail i need. I did read the guides before asking questions but honestly this is a long process and forgot a lot along the way. When i ask a question that i am too lazy to look up, which happens im not lying about that. I accept all answers given to me and yes some are a bit smart ###, but i expect that when i am lazy by not looking it up in past posts and the guides. This is really a bad toppic to start as 99% of the people here will answer your question, i guess not in the manner you would like.

Problem: i dont like how you answer me

Solution 1: dont ak the question.

Solution 2: realize you are being lazy (me) and respect the fact that someone is taking there time to answer your question.

I have been here for a long time, not as long as many but have never heard this nonsense ever on this site.

I'm getting a bit annoyed with the way some people respond to questions from new members.

Just because they may seem like obvious questions and may have been answered a hundred times before, just because they are answered in timelines etc etc etc..... this process is daunting for everyone and we all need support.

Have you considered the fact that maybe asking an obvious question might just be the only way to introduce oneself when new on the site? Also, although thousands of people are applying for the same visas, we were all new and unsure when we started this.

I must say that most people are wonderful on here, but SOME sound rude and irritable when answering new people's questions (you know who you are) and I, for one, feel saddened by this when I see it.

[YuAndDan 153]

I think sometimes many new members want the answers and the process spoon-fed to them. This is not a helpdesk...we can help each other out, but it's up to the individual to take full responsibility byfamiliarizing him/herself with the process.

Exactly, I tend to post quotes from sources like USCIS website, Department of State, and the consulates, and embassies, as well as links to the guides, and FAQ here on VJ. If I can find the answers in the obvious locations why don't they?

I get a bit alloyed when the poster, posts questions, and they dont take the time to fill in the blanks in their profile, things like Immigrant Country, Service center, Immigration status, and timelines go a long way in helping answer questions, this data helps understand better their situation and what they are asking. Filed for N/A, Country N/A and no timeline does not help.

Having the details filled out US THEM

[no name 1]

I think sometimes many new members want the answers and the process spoon-fed to them. This is not a helpdesk...we can help each other out, but it's up to the individual to take full responsibility byfamiliarizing him/herself with the process.

Exactly, I tend to post quotes from sources like USCIS website, Department of State, and the consulates, and embassies, as well as links to the guides, and FAQ here on VJ. If I can find the answers in the obvious locations why don't they?

I get a bit alloyed when the poster, posts questions, and they dont take the time to fill in the blanks in their profile, things like Immigrant Country, Service center, Immigration status, and timelines go a long way in helping answer questions, this data helps understand better their situation and what they are asking. Filed for N/A, Country N/A and no timeline does not help.

Having the details filled out US THEM

Your patience with replying to these posts always astounds me. Good job!

[Yodrak 7]

Uzume,

It isn't only new members who ask obvious questions or questions that are asked numerous times every hour. Some people simply don't look for information, their nature is to ask questions without regard to whether or not the information is readily available. Other people like to read a lot, and ask questions only when they've exhausted all of the sources that they can find.

Looking at it from the other side of the issue, some people are happy to respond to any post no matter what the question and whether or not they know the answer.

Takes all kinds, I guess.

Yodrak

I'm getting a bit annoyed with the way some people respond to questions from new members.

Just because they may seem like obvious questions and may have been answered a hundred times before, just because they are answered in timelines etc etc etc..... this process is daunting for everyone and we all need support.

Have you considered the fact that maybe asking an obvious question might just be the only way to introduce oneself when new on the site? Also, although thousands of people are applying for the same visas, we were all new and unsure when we started this.

I must say that most people are wonderful on here, but SOME sound rude and irritable when answering new people's questions (you know who you are) and I, for one, feel saddened by this when I see it.

Edited April 25, 2007 by Yodrak

[Niels Bohr 72]

I love to spoon-feed people, that way I can become their leader. LOL. Just kidding.

[Mags 112]

Well, the thing that I have noticed is that when a member here DOES respond politely, takes time to write a reply and gives great information, that there is quite a lot of the newer members who don't take the time to thank that person either.

It's a two way street IMO; it goes both ways (obviously!).

The other thing I find is that the guides are just that, a guide. They shouldn't be quoted here there and everywhere as the golden ticket to USCIS. They should be used alongside other information, mainly from the USCIS sites. Yet they are treated as the be all and end all by some. Yes, they are helpful, they helped me, but they are not the only source of information available.

Edited April 25, 2007 by mags

[Marilyn. 340]

Well, the thing that I have noticed is that when a member here DOES respond politely, takes time to write a reply and gives great information, that there is quite a lot of the newer members who don't take the time to thank that person either.

It's a two way street IMO; it goes both ways (obviously!).

The other thing I find is that the guides are just that, a guide. They shouldn't be quoted here there and everywhere as the golden ticket to USCIS. They should be used alongside other information, mainly from the USCIS sites. Yet they are treated as the be all and end all by some. Yes, they are helpful, they helped me, but they are not the only source of information available.[/b]

yeah, I agree...

there is a polite way of helping people... you can point them in the right direction but you don't have to be snippy and rude about it.... I am not referring to you mags ....

Edited April 25, 2007 by MarilynP