Spring has sprung

[almacdonald]

Ok, so people post a lot of threads on here when they are grieving and need sympathy. That's fantastic, they need a shoulder to cry on even if it's an internet shoulder.

What I don't get is why people put their signatures with pictures of their smiling happy babies or sonograms on a miscarriage thread. Or why do people leave their pet-filled signature turned on when someone posts about having to put down their favorite pet? Or have a happy family picture in a thread where someone's child has been in a serious accident? Think how you'd feel if you were in that person's place.

See that little check box right under the submit button? The one that says "Show your signature"?

That's all. I'm done now.

 

[mickeyboat]

Ok, so people post a lot of threads on here when they are grieving and need sympathy. That's fantastic, they need a shoulder to cry on even if it's an internet shoulder.

What I don't get is why people put their signatures with pictures of their smiling happy babies or sonograms on a miscarriage thread. Or why do people leave their pet-filled signature turned on when someone posts about having to put down their favorite pet? Or have a happy family picture in a thread where someone's child has been in a serious accident? Think how you'd feel if you were in that person's place.

See that little check box right under the submit button? The one that says "Show your signature"?

That's all. I'm done now.

I have thought about that myself. I think people forget what's in their signature, and maybe don't realize they can turn it off. Someone commented one time that they liked my signature, and it took a minute for me to remember what was in it. It's a good reminder for all of us to be more sensitive.

On the other hand, someone who posts regularly on the DIS, knows those things are in people's signatures, and if it is really too tough for them, they should avoid the DIS, because they are bound to see them. KWIM?

Denae

 

[Crankyshank]

Why don't the grieving people turn off signatures so they can't see it?
I don't think about my signature when I post something. My thoughts are on my reply and if posting sympathy, I'm thinking of my concern - not my signature.

 

[kdibattista]

Ok, so people post a lot of threads on here when they are grieving and need sympathy. That's fantastic, they need a shoulder to cry on even if it's an internet shoulder.

What I don't get is why people put their signatures with pictures of their smiling happy babies or sonograms on a miscarriage thread. Or why do people leave their pet-filled signature turned on when someone posts about having to put down their favorite pet? Or have a happy family picture in a thread where someone's child has been in a serious accident? Think how you'd feel if you were in that person's place.

See that little check box right under the submit button? The one that says "Show your signature"?

That's all. I'm done now.

Quite frankly, I would be happy with the support, regardless of what is in the signature

 

[In a hurry]

I lost 2 sons, but I am not offended by other people's kids. I love seeing the children of the Dis. I love that ultrasound that is in someone's signature. Denying other's good fortune does nothing to assuage my hurt.

So, I guess that I am saying that if I start a thread about a drunk driver and my sons, or a thread about my preemie daughter, that I wouldn't be offended that others have full-term deliveries, or sons graduating high school in their signatures. So, maybe that is how the people who have these things in their signatures feel too.

Not trying to be a jerk, but to give the answer that makes sense to me.

 

[monarchsfan16]

Not that I have anything that would offend people (I think) in my signature, but I honestly never knew you could turn your signature off. When you hit that button does it happen for just that thread, or all threads you post on? Chances are I'll never remember, but should I ever have something in my sig that might offend when someone's going through someone difficult, I'll certainly try to remember

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I don't know.

I wouldn't hide my children or pets from a grieving friend IRL and I don't see the signatures in any way other than that--as a way to share a little more about ourselves and I won't hide myself or expect others to do so either on those threads.

I don't see it as insensitive.

Now--what would be insensitive would to go in the post and say I'm sorry about ________________. Glad we aren't in your shoes. Johny and Judy are as healthy as can be. Spot is barking up a storm here, and we just upgraded to first class tickets on this next trip. So hope you don't stay down in the dumps too long.

I don't see siggies conveying that at all and know that they are not part of the message content.

 

[hiwaygal]

I never knew you could turn it off...hmmm...just never paid attention to that! But, yep, there it is...I could just "uncheck" that little box whenever I want to.


I don't think people are all that offended by a siggie...it is, just a siggie after all. The most important thing would be the message that person conveys.

I also wonder if perhaps seeing a child's photo in a message to someone who is going through a miscarriage might make the poster seem more "understanding", you know? I know this isn't the right way to put this, but I believe another dog/animal lover might be better able to understand how I would feel if I had to euthanize one of my pets.

 

[jbdreamer]

The real question is, has anyone actually been offended by a signature? You are just speculating. If my pet died, I would not be upset if someone giving me sympathy had a pet picture in their signature. Quite the contrary, I would see it more as a sign that they could relate to me.

I also had no idea you could hid your signature.

 

[ilovepcot]

OP, you make a great point, but....where do we draw the line? For instance, *how* sensitive should I be to my good friend over the death of her father? When I go to the funeral, should I insist my father not go (he knows these people well) along? It *could* upset my friend to see my father is living and appear insensitive to her due to the fact hers is not. Afraid we have to function in the real world and, unfortunately, the *bad" is a part of it as well as what "appears" insensitive sometimes. In other words, it's life and one must learn to cope.

 

[Sandy V.]

Quite frankly, I would be happy with the support, regardless of what is in the signature

That's how I feel too.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

honestly?

I think it would make me feel kind of -- weird -- to post a thread asking for support and have everybody turn off their signatures. It would be like they were changing who they are around me.

I guess it would kind of be like the feeling you get when tragedy strikes your life and the every room you walk into goes deathly quiet as soon as you enter. Then people are afraid to talk to you because they are afraid they'll say the wrong thing and hurt your feelings.

 

[Beth76]

So if your friend lost a child, you wouldn't bring your own child to the funeral for fear of upsetting the greiving?

 

[MAKmom]

Did not know I could do this. Since we are talking tech stuff can someone explain how the ignore thing works & what it does.

 

[Andrea]

Quite frankly, I would be happy with the support, regardless of what is in the signature

i agree

 

[Stacey2grls]

I lost 2 sons, but I am not offended by other people's kids. I love seeing the children of the Dis. I love that ultrasound that is in someone's signature. Denying other's good fortune does nothing to assuage my hurt.

So, I guess that I am saying that if I start a thread about a drunk driver and my sons, or a thread about my preemie daughter, that I wouldn't be offended that others have full-term deliveries, or sons graduating high school in their signatures. So, maybe that is how the people who have these things in their signatures feel too.

Not trying to be a jerk, but to give the answer that makes sense to me.

Very eloquently put. You are a class act.

 

[grlpwrd]

I remember you from another thread complimenting your dog dressed as Yoda and your cuddling cat then I looked in your profile.

Hmmm... I see your point.

Is that why you are hiding your signature? Or is it a response to a particular post? Have you been offended in any way? Is that why you posted about this subject?

I have apologized for my siggie on a few threads a while ago when I had quotes that seemed insensitive to the OP, but never for a pic.

 

[azgal81]

I never even notice peoples signatures! I see where you are coming from though but I don't think it's that big of an issue.

 

[RitaZ.]

I don't think we need to stop being who we are in order to show others compassion. Most of the time, I don't even notice people's signatures.

 

[MAKmom]

90% of the time I only know the Signature & not the name. My Memory is really bad. And when you change your picture you confuse me.

But I can see the OP point & know everyone knows they can turn off what they do not want to see or vica versa.