I think it's time someone pointed out to all members the Etiquette and Guidelines for posting in the forum pages.
Really, and this has bothered me for a long long time, not just the past 3-4 days. Sometimes, or rather most of the time, these forums get way out of hand. Questions are posted, and nothing gets answered. It's very annoying to have to sift through 2-3 pages of comments that have nothing to do with the question.
That just doesn't include "witty banter", it includes comments like.. " Gee, I don't have an answer, but I'm sure someone else here could tell you". That's a particularily unhelpful response, which may leave some asking why you bothered to respond at all.
It's nice that some of the members get along so well that they can carry on their multimembered conversations here, but the problem is that it's not a chatroom.
I'm a member of another forum (non-decor related) and one of their rules is: "Thou shall not treat the forum as a chatroom". It works very well there, and you are able to read their forums and come away with knowlege about the topic that was posted. It's not intended to curb the forming of "virtual friendships", it's just there to keep the threads manageable and topic related.
It's not that we want to put an end to people's enjoyment of the forums, it's just that when things get out of hand (and yes, they have indeed) it makes it much less enjoyable for a great number of people.
So perhaps if we ALL take a moment to read over the Etiquette and Guidelines, and do our best to follow them, it'll make everyone's stay here that much more enjoyable.
[url]http://www.canadianhouseandhome.com/fmPol.php?content=101933[/url]
Also, it's my hope that the moderators be a little more strict with enforcing the guidelines. It will probably feel less like a personal dig if the reminder to follow the rules comes from them, instead of a fellow member. No one wants people's feelings hurt here, I think it's just that a little more order is needed.
hope this is helpful, and not hurtful,
kipper
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you most certainly have always been very helpful and always showed the up most respect towards everyone on this forum....like you, i have absolutely no problem sharing laughs or personal stuff, as i have many times......that is what makes this forum too....my only reason for asking for a reminder was so that the folks that ask for help their post can be seen, there was many times i would forget to post on the right board.....and i dont see anything wrong with some humour and chat in the post on the DD board.....if it is kept in moderation....the forum would become real boring if all we talked about was design.......when sharing with each other on a regular basis its bound to become a little personal......you are a super member france and super person and the last thing i would have wanted to do was hurt your feelings or anyones feelings.
Cracka!!!! lol dont worry everything will be just fine, i have confidence...so keep reading, things will be quiet
smiles
janetc
I use to be on this forum alot in the past but recently don't have the patience to read all this banter.
PLEASE CAN WE ALL GIVE IT A BREAK ????
I have no problem with humour what I have a problem with is when the humour is at someone else expense. I find that what some people here find so funny is not really funny at all. I realize it helps to get to know each other but I think that the petty nit picking should be left out and there is no need for it. I think that when someone gets reminded of it all h**l breaks lose and they don't like their motives questioned. Please lets leave this alone and get back to having fun and enjoying each others company.
smiles
janetc
hey janetc,
first off glad you're still around here.
secondly, just to be clear as i mentioned earlier in this thread already i AM in agreement with kippers feelings in her post. as i went off topic in the next few following my post #16 i simply was demonstrating that veering off topic is harmless and i don't offend anyone by doing so. this is free for all and i thought that meant for ALL.
i am here for decorating motives but having a chuckle is always a bonus. correct me please if i'm wrong but it seems that depending on whom one exchanges wits with on here determines whether it is acceptable behavior or not.
i am an adult and i am sincere and respectful.
regards,
france
well said DBD...my thoughts exactly, i have seen behaviour that is most shocking and even disappointing....some i thought were sincere and respectful, all respect lost and again no problem with humour wit and enjoying each others company....some of which i would prefer not to after reading what i have.
smiles
janetc
I have to say (because I think it deserves being noted given the recent behaviour) that those of you who have chosen to treat this thread especially with such a total lack of respect have caused me to lose a lot of respect for you. I expect better of alleged adults, but that is not what is being demonstrated here. Your behaviour here and on the other forum is insulting to those of us who have stated our opinions respectfully. I think it's especially rude to Kipper who started the thread and made a big point of relaying her opinion without offense and yet you choose to mock rather than simply state your opinion..
Apparently you just don't get this or a basic concept of respect for other beings. Shame on you (and I am pretty sure you know who you are as each and every one of you made your names known in this thread and on the other forum). I assumed you were adults but apparently you are not. As it appears here, you are not even nice people as you seem to have no compassion or consideration for the opinions of others when you mock as you do.
No one has said anything about not being friendly or having humour or any of the other lame arguements you have presented to cloud the issue. If you think that it's within good taste and manners to twist things in such a fasion I have news for you, it's not amusing or appreciated by me (for I can only speak for myself). Instead of being thoughtful or mindful of the initial request you even highjack this thread for some reason I can only classify as completely self-serving and inappropriate. You do it purposefully and self-centredly and it just shows where the problem is.
I also have to wonder what purpose it suits to bring up a grandmother's etiquette book and the implication that those who choose to use respect and the rules that exist on the forum of being clerks and outdated. What third class snobbery and arrogance. For one, it insults all those who are clerks as something that is not to be respected which is off base, for two it serves no other purpose but to thumb a nose at a simple request to follow the existing rules.
So what's your game? What is it you want? If it's to turn the place into chaos, to give the existing rules the finger, or to try and prove to yourselves (because really I don't think anyone else is impressed) that you have some sort of power, what is it you are accomplishing by highjacking the thread, mocking others, or publicly posting the type of posts you have recently which had more to do with hurting others than decorating? Can you explain this to me? How does this help the forum? What does it do for you to be so blatantly rude to others on the forum?
You have only succeeded in making someone like myself see that you haven't shown an ounce of respect for others here. You have your own agenda which has nothing to do with the core of this site's forums. How can you possibly justify behaving so badly as having anything to do with humour, wit, or heaven forbid, decorating? For the life of me, I can not see one good reason for what you have tried to do in this thread (not even bringing in yesterday's poor showing from you) and am very interested in finding out what you are using for justification to be so disrespectful.
Come on, all of you who seem to think this is acceptable, what gives you the right to be so rude and flip others off like you do? What are you trying to prove?
[COLOR=Navy]It's not good etiquette to use another decorating forum to bad-mouth people from this forum.
Red, perhaps you should buy a copy of Miss Manners for all your H&H friends.[/COLOR]
Lol Lol Lol!!!!!
i get p'od when i have to clean or paint!
yup...again...when i get pissed off i paint and clean.... :)
jenjen has been painting again. are the brushes even dry from yesterdays painting??
green...sounds nice for the laundry room.
actually i think i've created/engage in enough s**t disturbing today....ill have to start fresh tomorrow...hey i painted my laundry room!!...a nice soft greeny colour...can't remember the name tho...everytime i try to take a pic...it doesn't turn out tho...
you be the pied piper.. it's your day!
better than up the creek without a paddle... ;)
count me in!!!
...down the garden path i go!
that's two pages of on topic commentary perhaps you would like to engage in a little off-topic hoopla and take this thread down an entirely different path??
(...so to speak.)
the witty posts are what makes for interesting reading as well as giving and taking design advice.
i think it's more personable that way as many have suggested.
design forums attract creative folks with imagination and intelligence so it's only expected that posts veer off topic. it's human nature.
now that we are in agreement let's move on!
I also think, that the banter back and forth between members is what makes this so fun. Its hard to help someone with something as personal and designing their home, unless you know them.
I think its great that most ppl here, are here to make a few friends, as well as pick up some advice from the many talented ppl, who come to this forum everyday.
the good work Mike!
Your humour is much appreciated - especially when it veers significantly off course!
I once had the chance to look through an etiquette book from the fifties that my grandmother had. Here women ASPIRED to perhaps a clerical position if they were lucky!! It was, in hindsight, outdated and completely inappropriate.
That reminds me - I should get a Miss Manners book for my mom for Christmas - she loves that kinda thing!
I just noticed an administrator's announcement re: etiquette at the very top of the FFA. It was posted on MOnday.
Just thought I'd give folks the heads up in case, like me, they had not noticed it.
and i wouldn't have it any other way Dreamer
don't you dare appologize for anything!!!!....i look forward to reading your posts
This is the very reason I do not partcipate too much anymore. Not only is this forum a place where we can share ideas and offer our support, it is also a place for visiting and learning about members taste and style through their personalities. Gads, if I didn't get to know my clients, friends or family - how could I possibly know what they would like? Just like anywhere, in order to have a discussion, you have to know who and what you are talking about. I do love the banter, it sharpens our wit and keeps us interesting. Without it the forum dies and is very boring, indeed. And the other crap that happens here - well, I can leave it, it has no place anywhere. I chose to ignore it as much as possible. There is a reporting system in place for that. I miss the older members who have left and I am so glad that Dreamer and AAn have returned. There are smart people on this forum and we all deserve respect, not demeaning remarks. That serves no one.:(
If you are to shoulder the responsibility for anything, it should be for giving many of us a good laugh - often at our beloved jenjen's expense. I find your manners quite exemplary and think you would be a ton of fun at a party!
we're back to this (we didn't even survive a year!). Sorry if I'm to blame or have offended anyone. I know there are times when I go off topic. I only mean to put a smile on peoples' faces. Is this issue the reason the site has been quiet the last couple of days? I recall last spring things got really quiet after a similar "discussion."
As always, you are the voice of reason.
It seems to me that some members start a thread with a decorating question and yet are quite pleased to have it veer off into tomfoolery and enjoy participating in the chat. So long as no one "hijacks" a serious thread so that the person who sought an answer is left without one, where is the harm?
I find it quite interesting to learn what constitutes "correct behaviour" here on the forum. There are certainly varying perceptions. I do not find "witty banter" tiring in the least as long as it is meant in good humour or at least pleasant. There is something to learn in most posts whether it is perfectly "on topic" or not. Often we learn of a members' own preferences, taste and style and quite often becomes quite characteristic of their personality. I do think this has some value as opinions are discussed or advice is sought. I do think your etiquette suggestion is a matter of preference as I am sure that many members are here as often for the friendship and familiarity as for advice and various topic disussion....hence, "General". One decorating/design topic can lead and cover many other topics along the way....sometimes to a new thread where it will continue in another forum. To restrict content as suggested, will only serve to discourage participation as we hesitate, wondering what will be deemed worthy.
I couldn't agree more.
I don't mind a certain amount of chat but when it takes up 70% of a thread which was dedicated to something else I find it cumbersone to wade through just to get to the information parts of the thread. If it's in a thread labelled as chat or whatever in the FFA, at least I can choose whether I want to take the time to read through or not.
Nowe maybe we can get back to what these forums are ment to be instead of reams of pages yakking about nothing. They are not ment to be chat lines and that is where they have been going. Lets get back to questions and answers and leave all this personal stuff out of it.