What the hell?
I don't think it's silly. I think it's sad. This is just the kind of thread I would ordinarily steer WAY clear of, but since I like this discussion forum, I feel compelled to say something. This has been getting worse and worse for the past year it seems. Really, what the hell is going on?
"Blow me dick breath"? "Likes the cock"? Would you say these kind of things in public to someone's face? What makes anyone think it's acceptable in this forum? Besides being outrageously rude, it also reveals a powerful homophobia on the part of the writer.
For new members to come on the forum asking advice and to then insult long time members if they do not like their response shows a serious lack of gratitude.
Riki's reply was pointed to be sure, but she was right. $200 seems like a small price for any good quality piece of furniture. People (not me, but quite a number of people) pay that much for a new pair of jeans these days. I think a well designed and well made wooden desk in good condition is a steal at that price.
However, if Riki's Walmart reference was off putting to you, can you not easily ignore it? I don't see why a small measure of civility on a discussion forum about modern design would be unreasonable to expect.
I'm sure that Patrick and Alex have little time to baby sit every thread here, but if people can't conduct themselves like adults may I respectfully suggest that they authorize a couple members to moderate the forum and jettison the kind of nasty replies and personal attacks that make others not want to participate?
I nominate you, Peg.
Of course you're entirely right.
I don't mind a bit of lighthearted banter now and again, obviously, but I agree that a certain decorum is appreciated and intolerance should be flagged.
I also agree that it's important to not lose sight of what the forum is really supposed to be all about - Mark's lapels. Wow!
I agree with you pegboard...
I agree with you pegboard entirely that type of language is not accetable on here, equally i think negative sarcastic responses such as riki's is exactly the type of thing that puts new potential users off joining, makes them cautious about asking questions (silly as they may appear) and will get peoples backs up. Lets not foget Tommy wasnt the only user making cock refrences.
If when you say new users you're are refering to myself, i have been a member for quite a considerable amount of time, i just dont tend to comment very often.
Nonetheless when it coes to price and cost its a matter of prespective and perception, as you evidenced with the jeans, and similarly for a student who may never have brought mcm, 200 dollars may feel like a bit of cash spent. It All comes down to the amount of disposable income sitting in your pocket, as little or big as it maybe. I think people need to be a little more patient and curtious to one another. At end of the day everybody likes to feel like theyve got a deal, if it sounds a stupid question (through inexperience) and the person replying has nothing constructive or helpful to say just dont post a reply, it really is that simple.. A friendly bit of joking and banter is fine, but there is no place for judgemental, preducjuce and insulting, unhelful behaviour, regardless of how long someone has been a member of this forum - share it, or spare us it. Refering to young collecters picking off a tree and the like, is just insulting and discouranging. Afterall we all share the same passion.
You have a point bobbdavs
I probably should not draw a distinction between new or old members. Having been a participant here for a while does not excuse rude remarks. However, (and I'm not here to defend Riki) if you only look at the first reply that elicited the "blow me" I think she was expressing a bit of disbelief at the question of value and having a bit of fun with the Walmart crack. The point being that if a hunk of garbage at Walmart is $160, how can $200 be "too much" for a quality vintage piece.
When I read the initial post I too wondered what they thought anyone might say. "Those only bring $75 at auction. You were swindled". Of course, there might be an instance where someone finds one at an estate sale or flea market for some crazy cheap price. But I think it's fairly obvious that a vintage piece like that in any retail context, be it antique mall or modern specialty shop, is going to be priced that much, or more likely, much more.
We can debate the perception of value and relative expense, but based on the number of students carrying iPhones around, (which if memory serves costs $200 in addition to your two year contract and data plan) I don't think $200 is an outlandish expenditure. Likewise, when I see someone posting digital images on an on line discussion forum, I assume they have the means to afford a digital camera or phone that can take pictures as well as a computer and monthly internet access. But I could be wrong. If I were working for minimum wage or unemployed, it would take a while to earn that $200 and maybe I'd have to borrow a camera and use the computer at the library.
Riki may have offended Tommy Sloan, but I don't think it warranted that kind of response. Likewise, I don't see the value of spacepirate1 injecting themselves into the conversation, not to comment on the desk, the price, or anything regarding the OP, but to simply stir the pot and exacerbate the name calling.
Anyway, my point really is that during any conversation folks will say things that rub others the wrong way. They might make a joke in poor taste, appear condescending, or just have a very different set of values or ideas. That is going to happen, and I'm sure I've inadvertently pissed people off myself. However, I think there is a difference between coming across as a jerk to someone and flat out saying "F*#k you!" Or worse (to me), using insults based on their perceived gender or sexual orientation. Being a tool has nothing to do with being gay or straight. I know assholes of both persuasions.
So again, if someone says something stupid or rude, maybe next time we can just leave it be and let them sit there and look stupid rather than respond and see if we can both race to the bottom of discourse.
Well said.
I completely agree with Pegboard and bobbdavs. I believe that I tried making a similar point about the issue of of forum content a few months back. I didn't find anything terribly wrong with Riki's original post. The way I read it was that she was making a valid point reinforced with a bit of humor, but I guess that's the problem with the Internet; things can be taken the wrong way. Unless of course, you are blatantly calling someone **** breath, telling them to blow you, insinuating that they give blow jobs or love ****. There should be no place for those kinds of posts on this forum, they're totally uncalled for.
I have no horse in this...
I have no horse in this race, but I thought I would mention that some of older members on this forum have a very nasty habit of being rude and condescending to new members who post here for the first time. It's especially evident in identification posts. They also tend to hijack threads with little inside jokes that never help the original poster.
I find this far more offensive than a c@ck joke.
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