Leelani

I am new here on this forum so I was wondering about an etiquette matter. If a question is addressed to another poster, by name, but I know the answer, is it considered rude to go ahead and answer before the addressee does?

Another thing I notice is that sometimes a poster will seemingly be ignored by others, while others seem to be part of a club. Is there something I am missing here?

Lenox

I just wanted to make sure you were not ignored.

jody

I'd go ahead and answer even if it were addressed to someone else. Tey might not be available or you might have a different or better answer.

lizziepayne

Since you're question wasn't directed to a specific person, I'll answer.

Actually, I'll leave the first question to the veterans; I have noticed others answering a questin directed to a particular poster, but don't know what the real board etiquette is on that.

For the second question, I'll just answer based on my experience at other boards since I'm also relatively new here. This is the case on another board where I am very active - there is a "core" group of members, several know each other in "real" life, others of us have met many other members over the years. New members are always welcome, many end up being a vital, fun part of the group, but sometimes it just takes a while to learn their personalities . . . as it does in the ?real world? . . . so our answers may be more straightforward with them, while with the ?old-timers?, we?re more comfortable with a little joking now and then.

marcy_

This a forum, not a private conversation. Sometimes people direct questions to a particular person because they know that that person has expertise on the subject, but if you have information, by all means feel free to jump in with your two cents worth.

Other people as well as the OP may benefit from your input.

mamc

I agree that even if a question is addressed to a specific person, it is OK to provide an answer if you have one. This is an open forum and if the poster only wants to hear from a single person, perhaps he or she should use e-mail instead.

european17

Topping...
I hope it will not be ignored!

sheila

Oh, tell them if you know. That's what it's all about

As to question 2, I don't think specific people are ignored, or newbies are ignored, but there is only so many times one has the energy to answer "Does anyone know a good B&B in Edinburgh?" or "what should I wear in Paris in the springtime?" an sometimes no-on knows the answer to "what time is the last trin from King's Lynn to Peterborough on Sundays when there's an "r" in the month?"

Leelani

lenox and european 17, I'm really not speaking of being ignored myself. I'm new here but have gotten many answers when posting. I was making a general observation after doing a lot of reading, in particular, on this European board. A lot of people seem to talk almost exclusively to each other a great deal of the time.

nocinonut

I get ignored most of the time here, but it doesn't bother me, I just keep on plugging away with my own ideas and if anyone wants to read them, great.

bonniebroad

Leelani, I posted on this Board years ago, before you had to register, and just came back recently and didn't have that much interaction with others at first. I don't think the regulars intend to ignore; they just get used to bantering with the same people after several years.

I usually don't answer a question specifically directed to a particular individual, at least not right away....... but that's just me. Welcome to the Board, BTW!

clevelandbrown

Perhaps I'm getting more churlish as I age, but I am not in favor of posts directed to a single party, as it seems to negate the idea that this is a forum of shared ideas. It doesn't bother me, however, when someone makes a posting inquiring about certain famed items, such as Maribel's files, nor when someone asks where a member has gone, or how they are doing.

As to not responding to some postings, I think I expect that a new person will have done at least a little research before posting, so when a subject has been beaten to death (how to get money overseas, for example), and someone posts a question indicating that they haven't even bothered to take the time to read any of the numerous threads on that subject, I am disinclined to answer. Fortunately, some of our kinder colleagues usually respond with a reference to the relevant threads.

suze

I post anytime I feel confident I know an answer that may be helpful. Since this is an open public forum that seems OK to me.

With any BB's I've seen often an "inner circle" develops where some of the most regular posters chat back and forth sometimes on sometimes off the original topic.

SalB

Welcome to the forum! I'm not sure of official etiquette, but when someone posts a question, presumably they want an answer. Even if the question is directed at a particular person, it seems logical to answer if you know. The "expert" may be offline or on vacation and the answer is the important part of the equation.

Those of us who are ignored just keep plugging away because we enjoy it. My high school was rather like this . . . an "in" group and the rest of us. We all had a grand time and so did they. Do stay with us and feel free to answer any question you can.

RufusTFirefly

Are YOU talking to ME?

kybourbon

Leelani - Many people on this board have met. Just type GTG in the search function and you will find get togethers all over the country and overseas.

I don't think posts are ignored but the boards are more active on certain days
or even at certain times of the day. Ira is good at locating neglected posts and topping them especially for new people. So if you see a post you think is being ignored just top it.

Marilyn

I would answer if I knew the information, unless it seemed like a really personal sort of question.

I don't think people are "ignored" on this board. What you are seeing is related to what kybourbon said above. Some of us have met, at regional get togethers which we've organized ourselves, or just because we've found another poster sympatico. I've had coffee or lunch with at least 3 people I've met on this board, beside those I've met at several larger get togethers.

When you find yourself posting on a thread with someone you've met or emailed directly with, it's quite natural to want to say a brief hello, how are you, along with the info related to the thread. If you are on the forum for a while (and if you provide an email address) it is likely that you will make some personal connections as well.

I will admit there are a few posters that I do ignore, but only because they are invariably unpleasant to interact with.

TopMan

Even though some posts are directed to one particular person because the questioner has the impression that the person being asked has "the" answer there have been times when "expert" ends up giving information that is not up to date or, in some cases, totally wrong.
So I think it is always helpful if you can provide accurate information (notice I used the term "information" which I think is very different from an "opinion&quot whether or not you were asked for it directly.

Fortunately, it is easy to ignore people here, especially when they decide that a particular thread is an absolutely fab way to turn things into a little private chat, whether they've actually met or not.

degas

Rats, nobody ever asks me a question!

Kind of makes me wonder why I ever responded to that email and paid $100 for a PHD from Acme Global Travel University.

cigalechanta

This is a forum, not a chat room. Feel free to respond to any thread even if it's a "fun" one. I respond to everyone and answer if addressed. There are a few who shun me, never answer my posts because mygrammar is not up to their standards or else they may say something rude, so don't worry, the majority here are fun, knowledeable and kind.