How should AFF receive new poster "rants"......

[boomy]

Boomy, perhaps part of this negative experience is perceived rather than real? What I mean is that, what is being felt as an "attack on credibility" is actually just people asking for more detail?As I posted upthread, people who read such posts want to understand what exactly a situation is, and almost invariably in such threads, the OP has not included much detail due to inexperience in the forum, or also very often has been deliberately selective in the story.

At the end of the day, even if "questions" are just seeking info, and not attacks, if they make the new poster feel attacked, that is a true negative anyway.

Asking the OP for more details, politely, is ok.
The problem is some regular posters immediately assume new member’s rants are exaggerated.

When joined AFF I was already P1 and knew QF very well but because I was new some members were condescending, assuming they know better and my experiences could not be accurate.
I’m sure this is exactly how other newbies feel when sharing their stories and getting negative feedbacks from members who think they know it all.

 

[davidj]

Ah, I think you'll find that there is a bit of facetiousness in Dr Ralph's post (at least that's how i read it)

Not sure about that! In that thread someone has already commented they should change the thread title as there is nothing to suggest it was stolen!

The problem is some regular posters immediately assume new member’s rants are exaggerated.

Exactly.

For all we know, the "newbie" flies more than most people here.

 

[burmans]

Attacks not limited to new members. I can understand how some feel they are bullied.

People who live in glass houses?

 

[straitman]

People who live in glass houses?

This does of course apply to everyone though some don’t want to understand.

 

[Pushka]

Even I’m getting the popcorn out now.

 

[juddles]

It is interesting having this thread running and simultaneously that thread about the "stolen laptop" happens to appear - it is a good exercise to study how it is going (even though it is not yet a "rant", but has a few characteristics that indicate it may be a very short-lived entrance by the OP)

The OP posted the thread clearly trying to help a friend, and of course we all wish to assist. But in the 6 hours or so since making the first post, the OP has disappeared - now that is certainly not unusual - it is only a few hours. But more members are seeing the post, making more suggestions, etc, but such discussions (without the OP actively participating) can quickly get out of hand due to lack of further info from the OP.

For example, there is the issue of "stolen" versus "lost property". There is not really much to indicate what the situation is, apart from a reference to some odd activity in some account the OP thinks the owner of the laptop thinks there may have been. To find out more (so as to know whether they should be making a police report etc rather than chase up lost property) would require some more info, ie questions become necessary. But how do you gently ask this further info without making the OP think that "we" are doubting the story?

 

[drron]

Though the OP of the other post has been a member since July so has not just joined up to have a rant.
She may even be a Super Cars fan.They have had other things to think about this weekend without looking at AFF.

 

[juddles]

.....
She may even be a Super Cars fan.They have had other things to think about this weekend without looking at AFF.

Probably similar story for staff in the Lost property department in BNE airport

 

[Matt_01]

Interesting read, I just like a good rant doesn’t matter if is from new members, I also had the odd rant and still here.

 

[mrsterryn]

I was a lurker for quite a while before I posted.
I have contributed to quite a few different forums non flying .
I consider myself to be well intentioned and reasonably thick skinned .
However one of my initial threads I was lambasted for poor taste. I was mortified I couldn't understand how the person who responded could see that in my thread. The thread was promptly deleted my request and I contemplated whether to continue posting.
Well my ego took a battering but I like to waffle a lot
Posts can be far too easily misconstrued in tone. As there is no tone online
AFF is an excellent resource however some posters do post without thinking. For me when chastised by a long term member ....I do wonder how newbies would take it ?
I am old , retired and whinge to my husband
Then I post again.
As cliche as it maybe....when someone like me makes a reply I doubt it has the impact of long time/senior member .

 

[Pushka]

I was a lurker for quite a while before I posted.
I have contributed to quite a few different forums non flying .
I consider myself to be well intentioned and reasonably thick skinned .
However one of my initial threads I was lambasted for poor taste. I was mortified I couldn't understand how the person who responded could see that in my thread. The thread was promptly deleted my request and I contemplated whether to continue posting.
Well my ego took a battering but I like to waffle a lot
Posts can be far too easily misconstrued in tone. As there is no tone online
AFF is an excellent resource however some posters do post without thinking. For me when chastised by a long term member ....I do wonder how newbies would take it ?
I am old , retired and whinge to my husband
Then I post again.
As cliche as it maybe....when someone like me makes a reply I doubt it has the impact of long time/senior member .

Good to see you stuck around.

Your last line is relevant in a contradictory way. I’ve just read quite an inflammatory post made by a newbie to a long term member. (Not me) Had some impact on my thoughts!

Other than a personal rant eg Virgin overcharge and Laptop issues, how do others take it when a newbie makes a pretty nasty (in my eyes) comments to a long term member? Gets my back up a little regardless of who the long term poster is.

 

[boomy]

Other than a personal rant eg Virgin overcharge and Laptop issues, how do others take it when a newbie makes a pretty nasty (in my eyes) comments to a long term member? Gets my back up a little regardless of who the long term poster is.

In my view members attaking each other is equally wrong regardless of how senior they are or how many posts they have.

 

[drron]

I think I read the same post Pushka.I wanted to make a reply and I probably would have a while ago but now just say to myself-not worth it.
To me though it doesn't matter whether the comment is made by a newbie or long term poster nor who the target of the bile is it is just inappropriate.

 

[Deleted member]

Attacks not limited to new members. I can understand how some feel they are bullied.

Some people should reconsider what they post and the wording they use.
It may be viewed by some to be inflammatory.

 

[RooFlyer]

WOW ...
now in questions, we have a headline " laptop stolen at BNE INT" from a 1 post wonder......

Read the details it was "forgotten" at security a few days back and now complain no reply for a day or 2 via email ..

Grabbing the popcorn for this one ..

It is interesting having this thread running and simultaneously that thread about the "stolen laptop" happens to appear - it is a good exercise to study how it is going (even though it is not yet a "rant", but has a few characteristics that indicate it may be a very short-lived entrance by the OP)

The OP posted the thread clearly trying to help a friend, and of course we all wish to assist. But in the 6 hours or so since making the first post, the OP has disappeared - now that is certainly not unusual - it is only a few hours. But more members are seeing the post, making more suggestions, etc, but such discussions (without the OP actively participating) can quickly get out of hand due to lack of further info from the OP.

For example, there is the issue of "stolen" versus "lost property". There is not really much to indicate what the situation is, apart from a reference to some odd activity in some account the OP thinks the owner of the laptop thinks there may have been. To find out more (so as to know whether they should be making a police report etc rather than chase up lost property) would require some more info, ie questions become necessary. But how do you gently ask this further info without making the OP think that "we" are doubting the story?

A couple of responses that well illustrate my 'problem' with some reponders to first-posters who have a problem or bad experience - doubt and cynicism where its not warranted or necessary.

The first, above, assuming its not a piss-take, brands the OP a '1 post wonder' and immediately doubts that the laptop was accidently left behind at security by the use of scare quotes around 'forgotten'. 'Grabs the popcorn' rather than going in and attempting to help the OP with their request for help.

The second, expresses two points of doubt of the OP. First that they have 'disappeared' - after 6 hours!. 'Disappeared' casts the OP in a negative light. Remember not everyone is obsessed about AFF as some of us are. Second, some doubt again that the laptop was stolen (also mentioned twice in responses to the OP).

Neither are necessary, I think. Personally, I thought the 'stolen' bit was unlikely, but plausible, and it was not relevant to the reply I gave. I simply replied to the OP in that thread attempting to assist them with their, or their friend's problem. I just took it all at face value and tried to be constructive.

To find out more (so as to know whether they should be making a police report etc rather than chase up lost property) would require some more info, ie questions become necessary. But how do you gently ask this further info without making the OP think that "we" are doubting the story?

There was no need to do this; if you thought there needed to be more added than asked for, - such as suggesting a police report - simply put it in the reply. I assume if you weren't satisfied with any reply, you'd make more 'enquiries'?

I have long thought myself as a bit of a cynic - if nothing else this and other threads have made me realise I'm not as bad in that regard as I imagined myself !

 

[Spongbob]

I mostly agree with the trend in "rant" posts. Many of there (not all) are from pax who either did not do their own homework (i.e. check airline policies etc, search AFF for how similar problems were dealt with in the past), or pax who want special treatment. For these types of rants, I just ignore the thread.

There are some rants that are due to poor conduct by airlines and their staff, and are justified IMHO. These types of rants add to the knowledge of AFF members, as do the reposes from other AFF members.

 

[mrsterryn]

Good to see you stuck around.
Your last line is relevant in a contradictory way. I’ve just read quite an inflammatory post made by a newbie to a long term member. (Not me) Had some impact on my thoughts!

Other than a personal rant eg Virgin overcharge and Laptop issues, how do others take it when a newbie makes a pretty nasty (in my eyes) comments to a long term member? Gets my back up a little regardless of who the long term poster is.

Thanks
I find it more ....odd..when two long term posters go at it hammer and tongs.
However I think well they have survived on the forum together this long sooo.
With a newbie ranting at a long term member I have to say I would probable just think they are an idiot for posting like that when brand new
Now before I am told off
I think that because it is like coming into a new work environment. You don't go in there all gung ho going off at people without doing some research .
I was thinking all kinds of reasons pros and cons and nope ...being rude and nasty doesn't matter who you are , not a good thing to do.

 

[Pushka]

Thanks
I find it more ....odd..when two long term posters go at it hammer and tongs.
However I think well they have survived on the forum together this long sooo.
With a newbie ranting at a long term member I have to say I would probable just think they are an idiot for posting like that when brand new
Now before I am told off
I think that because it is like coming into a new work environment. You don't go in there all gung ho going off at people without doing some research .
I was thinking all kinds of reasons pros and cons and nope ...being rude and nasty doesn't matter who you are , not a good thing to do.

Indeed. Agree completely.

 

[williamsf1]

A couple of responses that well illustrate my 'problem' with some reponders to first-posters who have a problem or bad experience - doubt and cynicism where its not warranted or necessary.

My cynicism appears to be justified by the mods (and others)- with the headline of that thread being updated.

 

[Pug1]

Very interesting topic which I thought could equally apply to emails sent to work colleagues. Thankfully I'm now retired and don't have to worry about that stuff. I was (and could still be!) guilty of some dumb posts in my early days. However I was given good advice in the responses; one or two of those were I thought a bit 'curt" but I soon realised I was wrong they were simply trying to help. Now I try to be a bit more "Buddhist" in my dealings with everyone and when I get annoyed about something I stay "off the air" for a while to calm down. I do think it's a real skill to ask questions in a way that doesn't seem critical or condescending. Those are my thoughts anyway. AFF is a great forum and I've learned a lot since joining so thank you to all of you who have guided me.