Rudeness on the forum

I just finished replying to someone's rude post on one of the threads. I had made a comment about why people have to start arguments over simple questions such as "Where can I buy fresh skim milk?" and, as I have come to expect in this forum, got a rude response. While I am aware of why people tend to be more rude online than they are in person (they're not seeing the person face to face, etc.), I wanted to open a dialogue about this topic so other people can voice their opinion about the way this happens on Toytown.

As I have met some Toytown people here in Berlin, it has come to my attention that there are some who would like to pose questions to the forum but won't do so because they don't like the rude responses other people get. I think it's a pity that, in a forum for expats, where people are experiencing the frustrations of adapting to a new culture and could benefit so much from any information we can provide to them, some people feel so scared to post a question. It's a real pity because I know most people in the forum are perfectly polite and happy to help.

I'm not about to request a code of conduct, or to discourage heated discussions. However, I would like to suggest that people a) consider starting a new thread when they want to start a discussion that's only tangentally related to the original posting, and b) avoid insulting other people. Is that really too much to ask?

There already is a code of conduct.

Forum_usage_guidelines
Please_do_not_bite_the_newcomers
Newcomers_and_the_search_function
Staying_cool_when_the_discussion_gets_hot

Those I knew about. This I did not:

http://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Wonder_Woman_outfit

well to my surprise i've found i'm damned good at it (being rude) as i've had little reason to be in the "real world"

i agree with all you said, this morning i made a pledge to button it and thats what i intend to do... but yes its ok having a code of conduct, only if the members self regulate themselves... cant say no more.

In most cases its a question that could be answered by "search".
Most people that ask a question that get a rude answer just didn't read the "code of conduct" that suggests a "search" before starting (yet again) a new thread that has in all probability answered the question posted.

Mind you, I as all here, realize that the answers/comments sometimes are uncalled for but no worry, BadDoggie appears to have less time in the future so that should make it more quiet for all.

TT is like a handful of student mix- different every time and sometimes there are more nuts, sometimes those awful dried fruit pieces that one hates, but puts up with.

But I just went to that milk thread and from what I saw, it was you who were rather rude to Toby and not the other way round. If people started a new thread every single time the conversation took a turn it would be ridiculous.

Personally, I don't think people have to be extremely rude to each other but its quite fun when things get heated. I've even been on the receiving end (I think someone once said I posted a load of shit) but that's life!

I'm sorry, but if you don't want people to be rude back and post rude comments then perhaps the OP's should take more than 2 seconds
and actually THINK about what they what/are looking for BEFORE posting...

Do you really think people posting stupid question like "Where do I buy Milk", Where do I buy xxx, or How do I xxxx
don't deserve some of these responses? Some of it is just common sense. If your looking for Milk, do you think your
going to find it in A- A Food Store/Market B- A hardware store or C- the local arts and crafts store..

The rest can be covered by searching the forums 1 Million+ posts with the search function, as depending on the topic
it (The question) may have been asked/answered before (Sometimes MANY times).. And what the forum search
function can't answer Google will...

The last remaining bit, is to then (and only then) post to the forums asking for help or advise when all of the above
aves. are exhausted. If you don't like this advise and insist on posting useless/stupid questions to the forums, then
your going to get Pounced on by the many regulars/Old Timers.. Plain and simple..

PS: If somebody asked me face-to-face where to buy something as simple as milk, they'd get the same response
in person as they would here..

I've gone right off TT as a lot of people were so rude when I posted last, like lots of other people I am sure

But you're obviously still using the forum, right?

I can sympathise with those who would rather lurk, than actively participate. There is definitely a boorish element among the forum users. Sure, sometimes people ask obvious or silly questions. Big deal. What? Is the world going to blow up as a result?

Any posts which are duplicates / ridiculous can easily be (i) ignored or (ii) closed by a moderator. It's quite pathetic that someone would actually take the time to compose a sarcastic reply, designed to ridicule the poster. For one thing, it likely wastes more time than simply answering the question (again). For another, its very German (lol), and to think these same posters then besmirch the character of our Germanic friends elsewhere.

I guess sometimes people might just have had a bad day, but equally I'm sure some get their kicks as "internet warriors". To be fair, perhaps there are cultural issues. Even amongst we English speakers there are such issues. Perhaps some posters find others more direct or strongly spoken than they are used to at home. Even still, I would say some posts are definitely OTT (especially in response to new people).

It was this thread which made me register, specifically to respond. I find the forum generally interesting and helpful - it is a wonderful thing to benefit from the experience of people who know a place well - however until now I have mostly lurked, as apart from the helpful replies, the other thing which sticks out is the very noticeable amount of replies from bolshy people with obvious social issues.

This is not directed at anyone in particular, but if you feel personally attacked by it, it probably means you are a prick ;-)

Oh englishrose, that's right, I knew that login sounded familiar: I want to divorce and leave Germany with the kids, Is this possible?

I personally find the rude comments funny a lot of the time, especially in heated debates. And if someone makes an ass out of me, it's not usually because their opinion differs from mine, but because I posted something ridiculous and sounded like a dumbass.
At the end of the day, it's just stuff that's happening online. Sure, I've been upset by responses to my comments, but it's just the internet. When I'm with TTers, I take things a little more seriously, but most of you all haven't even met me, and I haven't met you. So who cares? There's no sense in getting uptight about things; most of us are strangers, and the ones that aren't usually know each other well enough to either shrug it off or deal with it.

I like to be rude on TT when it's called for. It's against the law in Minnesota, so it's nice to have TT as an outlet. I got so used to the general culture of rudeness in Germany that by the time I came back, I just couldn't revert to Minnesota Nice. Thanks, TT!

You see what we have here is a problem of theatrics. Case in point at all TT events that I attend I am as rude as possible that way online peeps expect less of me. Except G24 I could never be rude to her*.

*Katrina use to have that status then she started hanging out with that Matt charachter