Something that really bothers me.

[Wishydoo]

Whether it be online, or "in real life", it really bothers me to see when someone asks a question and they are met with mockery and ridicule.

Speaking for myself, I ask questions, because I don't know the answers. I want to be informed and gain knowledge, so I figure it is better to ask than to remain uninformed.

But when someone tells me that I've asked a stupid question, I get embarrassed.
Deep down I know there are really no dumb questions though.

I just don't like being made to feel like an idiot for asking.

 

[kejoda]

Wishydoo its the people that make you feel that way that are the idiots.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I sure agree with you, Lisa. There are NO stupid questions. If it is a question for somebody, it is a question.

 

[Wishydoo]

LOL, I usually get..."Come on, you don't know that??"

um NO..if I knew, I wouldn't have asked!

In the same amount of time it took for them to make their remark..they could have been helpful and answer my question.
That's how I figure it.

 

[philaround]

just tell them
"there are no stupid questions only stupid answers and I think your answer just went to the #1 spot on David Letterman's top 10 stupidest answers list"

 

[helenabear]

I agree with you 100% Wishydoo! No one should be made fun of for asking any question or made to feel like an idiot. I too, learn from my questions.

 

[preshi]

i dont think the problem was th original posters question it was some of the posts after that that came of as a tad racist... JMHO

 

[Wishydoo]

I'm not talking about a specific post preshi.
I see it and hear it all the time.

In real life...DH is the worst for doing this to me.

 

[preshi]

ahhh gotcha... yeah I get it too... esp in the line of buisness I am in... ay ay ay!!

 

[Grog]

I went back and reread the thread in question and I can't see where the OP (he only has two posts in the entire thread as of now) said anything that could be interpreted as racist. He asked about staying away from the China pavillion. If there was a deadly disease coming out of Norway right now he might have asked about the Norway pavillion. I don't know this for sure, but I'm willing to bet that the OP was simply worried about CMs who may have been in China recently.

I think that we all have to keep in mind that we all have different levels of fear and uncertainty when it comes to things like this. It would have been so simple to avoid the problems that arose in the other thread if everyone had just answered the question and reassured someone who may be a nervous traveller. Instead some took it wrong, and some seemed to just be looking for a chance to stir the pot a little.

 

[Grog]

I'm not talking about a specific post

Sorry. I interpeted it that way. See how easy that can happen

 

[Wishydoo]

And, I'll just add that, because it happens to me alot IRL, I am more sensitive about it when I see it happen to other people online and off. I know how it feels....not good.

 

[Pooh93]

I can't see where the OP (he only has two posts in the entire thread as of now) said anything that could be interpreted as racist.

Me either.

I think that we all have to keep in mind that we all have different levels of fear and uncertainty when it comes to things like this.

A little compassion goes a along way and doesn't cost a dime.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Well, since Carl's thread was mentioned here, and I was going to add a reply to it (till I saw it was shut down) I'll say it here rather than making an additional, seperate thread (sorry Wishy, even though you said this one does not address that one ).

My thoughts were the same as a number there on your thread, Carl (if you happen to read this thread). I think you had a very legitimate concern, one of potential personal danger and/or unnecessary risk, and simply asked a question. Those who responded with explanation and enlightenment, great, and those who made fun and ridiculed, well, I'll hold those thoughts to myself, but say I had some as I read that. People ask questions, legitimate ones, out of a lack of knowing the answer or looking for further clarification. I really hate it, as do you, Wishy, when people are jumped on when they don't understand something.

Dan
JMO

 

[Wishydoo]

Okay, now I just have to add that I did not say I "hate" anything, because I rarely use that word.
It does bother me ALOT though.

 

[Patrick IL.]

Problem I see is folks have different tolerence levels, also some people reply with implied "sarcasim" which is often how they express themselves. The thing about the internet is we are behind keyboards not face to face..we are lacking the ability to read each others face or explain a response. I feel this forum is for all questions, concerns, providing an opertunity for us to "educate" and share with each other with information, opinions {stated in a polite manner}, experiences ect... Tolerance and treating each other with respect is key in all cases.

Ok off the grandstand and back to your post Wishydoo

 

[Buckalew]

I am famous for asking questions. Answers I probably should know but don't so I ask... Like you, I'm like just tell me the answer so I'll know.

And another thing...I remember this happening a lot when I was growing up with my dad. I'd ask a question and he'd always say something like "You should know that by now" ,"What are they teaching you in that school?" or "You mean to tell me you don't know that??"
And I'd wouldn't get an answer either...

When I got a bit older I realized he didn't have the answers and this was the way he answered me. (And he was no dummy-- #2 in his class!) Maybe I just asked hard questions.

Honestly, this is a pet peeve of mine too.

 

[phamton]

Originally posted by Patrick IL.
The thing about the internet is we are behind keyboards not face to face..we are lacking the ability to read each others face or explain a response.

As one of the supposed sarcastic posters on "the thread that shall remain nameless," I have somewhat of an explaination, although far from an excuse.

Many of us on the board are not familiar with all the posters. I have read a few posts similar to this:

Cindy Lou said Oh my...send pixie dust please. I am so tired!!!! I have spent the last four hours picking lint out of my navel.

or

Joe Blow said I'm bored. So how many letters do you have in your name?

It is hard to tell if the person is serious or is just another "Jason" making a joke. If I am unsure, I try to do a profile search and read a few of the recent posts by said poster. (Just recently, I found that one poster was just a child posting on the CB and so that knowledge helped me understand the posts.)

I honestly thought the OP in "the thread that shall remain nameless" was kidding. It seemed to be like the joke of boycotting "French's mustard" because it was from France ...one of those {wink--wink} {nod--nod} jokes. I thought the post was joking about avoiding China in Epcot because of SARS in Hong Kong. If I offended anyone with my misunderstanding and my joke about the computer virus, then I sincerely apologize.

Bev "crawling back under my rock now" Hamilton

 

[Saffron]

Honestly, I've never been told that a question I've asked is stupid, and I've asked tons of questions that some would think are very stupid! I just haven't been told they're stupid. I've been told that I'm stupid and I've been told that what I've said is stupid, and I don't like that at all.

Sarcasm is another thing. I love sitcoms such as Fraiser and M*A*S*H and late night talk shows such as David Letterman and Konan O'Brian. They are all blatantly sarcastic. Sometimes sarcasm is just plain funny to me! Sometimes sarcasm can be funny amongst friends. I see it all the time on the CB and it's usually all in good fun, friends bantering back and forth, teasing each other, having fun. Sometimes sarcasm can be hurtful, no matter what the intention. Sarcasm with the sole intention of hurting someone or sarcasm directed at someone or a group of someones just to be a jerk for the sole purpose of being a jerk, is not funny, in my opinion.

Anyway back to "stupid questions". I think there are questions that make me go "Hmmmm?" especially if I don't know why they're asked. They aren't stupid, and I would never say they are, but they make me wonder what's behind the question. For instance, what if someone said, "So Saffron, what's with that picture in your signature, don't you think it's a little too cutesy for the CB?" I would never say that's a stupid question, but I would wonder what was meant by that question. Does that make sense?

Rambling, rambling, rambling, I'm off to the next thread now.

 

[Wishydoo]

LOL, yes Saffron, that makes sense...but my husband jumps on me if I ask him what time it is.