Opinions are like bellybottons, everyone has one, here's mine...

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Posted by JohnT on February 13, 2001 at 12:09:02:

In Reply to: A PLEA TO ALL OF YOU... posted by xta on February 12, 2001 at 20:10:43:

My first impression was to just leave this alone, but then I started thinking�. First impression? Hmmmm Maybe there�s a message here� Xta�s right in that we seem to be a little more confrontational lately, but it�s been going on to some degree since I�ve been posting here, which has been about 6 months. I�ve spent the last 17 years as a sales rep in the insurance business, and I was the president of an AKC National Breed Club for two terms. Why do I mention this and what does it qualify me for? Absolutely nothing. (Other than having a thick skin, so feel free to let fly at me over this post) However, this life experience in dealing with other people in both the business world and a �common interest� group has taught me a few things about �first impressions�. If a newbie gets the wrong impression of this forum on their first visit, they frequently leave and never post again. Their impression is that we�re �clannish� and closed, when in reality, nothing could (or should) be further from the truth. If that happens, we have lost the opportunity to teach and inform. After all, why do we come here? I would like to think it is to learn, to teach and inform, to exchange ideas, and for the fellowship of others with similar interests. (green ones) I personally think that the iguana knowledge base here on Kingsnake is the best on the net. I�ve done a lot of looking around, and that�s why I settled here.

Now, that�s not to say that we should all be peaches and cream in every post; many here are articulate and forceful in their writings and opinions, and that�s OK. Don�t mistake that I�m pointing fingers or taking sides, as I too have chewed on some posters pretty hard in this forum, and am disturbed when a poster only answers the post which contains what they wanted to hear. Happens all the time. I also think that the exchange of strong opinions is an avenue of learning, even for the newbies. Confrontation CAN be a learning experience. Having said that, now I�ll address the �first impressions� statement. In my opinion, we must think about what we write and say when answering a post from someone who seems new. A few well-worded questions will frequently bring out what the real reason for the post is. A natural reaction to a strongly worded post, which does not contain what the poster expected, is for the poster to become overly defensive. (First impressions again) And we all do this, even amongst ourselves. Things are usually downhill from there. We then lose the opportunity with that individual to possibly help one of the green guys, which is what we all need to be doing here. Once a discussion is started, then we must all use our best judgment as to what is appropriate to the situation.

Bottom line: We can�t teach �em if we can�t reach �em

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Re: Opinions are like bellybottons, everyone has one, here's mine... xta 02/13/01 (0)

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: My first impression was to just leave this alone, but then I started thinking�. First impression? Hmmmm Maybe there�s a message here� Xta�s right in that we seem to be a little more confrontational lately, but it�s been going on to some degree since I�ve been posting here, which has been about 6 months. I�ve spent the last 17 years as a sales rep in the insurance business, and I was the president of an AKC National Breed Club for two terms. Why do I mention this and what does it qualify me for? Absolutely nothing. (Other than having a thick skin, so feel free to let fly at me over this post) However, this life experience in dealing with other people in both the business world and a �common interest� group has taught me a few things about �first impressions�. If a newbie gets the wrong impression of this forum on their first visit, they frequently leave and never post again. Their impression is that we�re �clannish� and closed, when in reality, nothing could (or should) be further from the truth. If that happens, we have lost the opportunity to teach and inform. After all, why do we come here? I would like to think it is to learn, to teach and inform, to exchange ideas, and for the fellowship of others with similar interests. (green ones) I personally think that the iguana knowledge base here on Kingsnake is the best on the net. I�ve done a lot of looking around, and that�s why I settled here. : Now, that�s not to say that we should all be peaches and cream in every post; many here are articulate and forceful in their writings and opinions, and that�s OK. Don�t mistake that I�m pointing fingers or taking sides, as I too have chewed on some posters pretty hard in this forum, and am disturbed when a poster only answers the post which contains what they wanted to hear. Happens all the time. I also think that the exchange of strong opinions is an avenue of learning, even for the newbies. Confrontation CAN be a learning experience. Having said that, now I�ll address the �first impressions� statement. In my opinion, we must think about what we write and say when answering a post from someone who seems new. A few well-worded questions will frequently bring out what the real reason for the post is. A natural reaction to a strongly worded post, which does not contain what the poster expected, is for the poster to become overly defensive. (First impressions again) And we all do this, even amongst ourselves. Things are usually downhill from there. We then lose the opportunity with that individual to possibly help one of the green guys, which is what we all need to be doing here. Once a discussion is started, then we must all use our best judgment as to what is appropriate to the situation. : Bottom line: We can�t teach �em if we can�t reach �em

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