Who deserves a Gold Watch?

[Mary Lou 681]

I didn't say you need lives. I said I agree with Kkholiday who thinks a lot of posters take this site too personally. Nothing in these words indicates that you all should go and get a life - I just find it strange that people would take a message board so seriously.

The thing is that its hard not to take things personally when people come into threads specifically to bad mouth you and tell people that you're talking #######.

Sure, but still - it's just an Internet community, it's not like these people are ruining your life. Better yet - here we can turn the "ignore" feature on and don't see these "bad" posters at all. That's something that I wish was possible in real life.

Immigration is hardly like the normal 'internets'. Many VJers are here to others if we can.

Why are you here - to find help thru a very improtant part of your life, right?

This thread had 4 pages of good bante/discussion before you breezed in to say we are taking it too seriously. You even mentioned the rotten tomatoes in your post, as if you knew your comements were out of line....

I will remember that saying "I think you're taking this board too seriously" is considered an "out of line" comment around here.

And don't worry - I rarely scroll that far down and visit the "Site related dicussions" part, so I won't be ruining your good conversations any more.

Well i'm probably going to get flamed now too.....IMO i don't think Jewel was saying the "rotten tomatoes" comment to be out of line. How i saw it was she voiced her opinion and felt she would get jumped on for what she said, and guess what? She did. This immigration board is all what people make of it. I do agree people shouldnt have to be spoonfed, the guides are there for a reason. I think we can debate this issue until we are blue in the face, but people are gonna do what they want. I know i don't post alot in topics, but i do READ alot, and take all the information in to be informed. I just wish i had found this site before we were at the AOS interview stage. But i am grateful for the help i have received here. I'm not looking to argue its just my .02 worth.

Edited August 3, 2007 by garyandmarylou

[rebeccajo 14]

I thought Jewel was making a funny.

She's entitled to her opinion - IMO she didn't state it in a 'rude' way.

What prompted me to start the thread is rudeness. Things like name-calling, mocking, being constantly quarrelsome and the like. And it being done to me because I've 'been around'.

I take rudeness personally. Whether it's in the form of a letter, an email, a phone conversation, real life and yes - even an internet post. Communication is communication and whenever possible, we should respect each other. Just because I can't see or don't personally know the writer doesn't mean emotion won't be stirred by their words.

[Mary Lou 681]

I thought Jewel was making a funny.

She's entitled to her opinion - IMO she didn't state it in a 'rude' way.

What prompted me to start the thread is rudeness. Things like name-calling, mocking, being constantly quarrelsome and the like. And it being done to me because I've 'been around'.

I take rudeness personally. Whether it's in the form of a letter, an email, a phone conversation, real life and yes - even an internet post. Communication is communication and whenever possible, we should respect each other. Just because I can't see or don't personally know the writer doesn't mean emotion won't be stirred by their words.

I agree also that Jewel was making a funny. You just stated it better then me lol

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Some people's domineering personalities can really set the tone. In a real life social setting, they'd be dealt with by either confrontation or alienation...in the end, nobody would give them the time of day. Here, unfortunately, it's difficult for the new comers to figure out who these people are, especially when they can flip-on their charming switch.

[Clarky and Tarah 0]

My preference:

That is AWESOME. I can't wait until I get mine.

Actually, not that pointles, the main reason I block people is to not see their silly pictures in their signatures. I'm not referring to anyone in particular here (honestly).

As long as you don't mind cookie cat, that's okay.

I've always loved cookie cat. It reminds me of my own cat so I actually printed it off and stuck it to my refridgerator...is that werid?

Edited August 3, 2007 by Clarky and Tarah

[Mary Lou 681]

Some people's domineering personalities can really set the tone. In a real life social setting, they'd be dealt with by either confrontation or alienation...in the end, nobody would give them the time of day. Here, unfortunately, it's difficult for the new comers to figure out who these people are, especially when they can flip-on their charming switch.

Well said Steven

From some of the things i read here, if it were IRL, i'd probably be telling those people to eff off!!!!

[Sinergy 3]

Some people's domineering personalities can really set the tone. In a real life social setting, they'd be dealt with by either confrontation or alienation...in the end, nobody would give them the time of day. Here, unfortunately, it's difficult for the new comers to figure out who these people are, especially when they can flip-on their charming switch.

Well said Steven

From some of the things i read here, if it were IRL, i'd probably be telling those people to eff off!!!!

I would be in jail for assault

[Otto 83]

Some people's domineering personalities can really set the tone. In a real life social setting, they'd be dealt with by either confrontation or alienation...in the end, nobody would give them the time of day. Here, unfortunately, it's difficult for the new comers to figure out who these people are, especially when they can flip-on their charming switch.

It's not that difficult to figure out...

[Fandango 1,440]

Some people's domineering personalities can really set the tone. In a real life social setting, they'd be dealt with by either confrontation or alienation...in the end, nobody would give them the time of day. Here, unfortunately, it's difficult for the new comers to figure out who these people are, especially when they can flip-on their charming switch.

It's not that difficult to figure out...

I agree.

Especially with the post history being able to be brought up...one can see what kind of person one is dealing with. No one has that benefit irl.

______

The problem is when the flip out posts are deleted, that it becomes more covert. Because there's no record of it.

For the most part, when dealing with someone you do not gel with...every option is available here as irl...You can confront, you can ignore, etc....cept the physical aspect. But we're all adults, so I don't think anyone's going to resort to violence just because of a personality conflict.

[John & Annie 0]

Been keeping my eye on this post and the only thing I really could say is that "wisdom seeks a multitude of counselors".

So if the views expressed are varied, regardless of the delivery, you as the person seeking the advice or lurking on someone else's advice could digest all of the opinions and make an informed decision.

All of that being said, I want a gold watch, but our time is not up yet.

[Marilyn. 340]

whenever I see this thread a line from While You Were sleeping keeps going through my head...

"A GOLD WATCH, YOU GOT ME A GOLD WATCH!!" I hear the actresses voice saying it too...

[Ladylethal 12]

I've been reading the thread but haven't got much to say, except that as a newbie I'd read the threads paying attention to what the more experienced members had to say and ignoring stupid comments, arguements, etc. Also, I'd wait to hear at least two people say the same thing before accepting it as "truth".

Is there a divide? Probably, 'cus newbies are eager to get answers NOW, on THEIR terms, and oldbies tend to lose patience with certain poster types.

Is it a bad thing? Dunno, but it's a natural thing in message boards.

[GabachaYucateca 0]

So I agree that work is boring at this moment, so I took the time to read this thread. Interesting discussion going on, interesting enough that I followed through to the end. I started to notice that the chat was populated by people with familiar names, many of whom have replied to a question of mine with advice, but all had lots of little hearts under their names.

I wanted to reply to TracyTN and say that I also find this immigration stuff fascinating, and even have learned loads about processes that I will never have to go through (we hope), like filing hardship waivers for illegal presence.

But anywhoo, the first comment I saw from someone without lots of little blue boxes and hearts was jumped on immediately.

I almost didn't even say anything here because I didn't want to be accused of "drive by posting" and making comments that people would jump on me for.

I think THAT's what some people are talking about around here...fear of getting backlash from responding. Thankfully, I saw a couple of people chime in about the whole throwing tomatoes thing being just a joke, but the fact remains that there's an atmosphere of cliquishnesh here...and that was made extremely apparent when the first non-veteran posted in this thread and immediately got bashed. Is that the type of place you want this to be? This IS a public message board, and there are ways on the internet for people to have private discussions if they don't want to be interrupted.

Okay, interruption over...carry on.

[Sinergy 3]

So I agree that work is boring at this moment, so I took the time to read this thread. Interesting discussion going on, interesting enough that I followed through to the end. I started to notice that the chat was populated by people with familiar names, many of whom have replied to a question of mine with advice, but all had lots of little hearts under their names.

I wanted to reply to TracyTN and say that I also find this immigration stuff fascinating, and even have learned loads about processes that I will never have to go through (we hope), like filing hardship waivers for illegal presence.

But anywhoo, the first comment I saw from someone without lots of little blue boxes and hearts was jumped on immediately.

I almost didn't even say anything here because I didn't want to be accused of "drive by posting" and making comments that people would jump on me for.

I think THAT's what some people are talking about around here...fear of getting backlash from responding. Thankfully, I saw a couple of people chime in about the whole throwing tomatoes thing being just a joke, but the fact remains that there's an atmosphere of cliquishnesh here...and that was made extremely apparent when the first non-veteran posted in this thread and immediately got bashed. Is that the type of place you want this to be? This IS a public message board, and there are ways on the internet for people to have private discussions if they don't want to be interrupted.

Okay, interruption over...carry on.

Wheather you have a bunch of blue boxes and hearts or not, if you say something that upsets ppl or ruffles their feathers youll hear about it. so i think the blue boxes and heart are irrelavent to who gets as you say "jumped on". And im not jumping on you LOL im just clearing that up

Edited August 3, 2007 by Ionescu

[one...two...tree 2,762]

but the fact remains that there's an atmosphere of cliquishnesh here...and that was made extremely apparent when the first non-veteran posted in this thread and immediately got bashed. Is that the type of place you want this to be? This IS a public message board, and there are ways on the internet for people to have private discussions if they don't want to be interrupted.

Okay, interruption over...carry on.

I agree that if ANYONE who joins this site feels intimidated or excluded from participating in discussions or even just posting a question, then we are defeating the purpose of this site. Cliques exist in all social networks, but I don't think familiarity should be confused as cliquing. Those who are active on this forum have come to know one another and it is actually rare that you'll find any two that agree on everything.

It really boils down to friendliness and I recall comments made by various members on several occasions to the effect that showing kindness, being tactful, or just holding your tongue is just 'blowing daisies out of your #######' or 'bunnies and rainbows'...something to that sort. This is what I'm talking about with setting the tone - the overall atmosphere of this site.