To the OP. Man, its the internet. Yes people at times can be "rude" or whatever. Take it and learn from it. Most people on here are very reasonable people.

well, that was the unspoken obvious. SHEETCAKE never fails to disappoint.

but still, i feel like something is missing.

ah yes. DITY?

I do love the snark, but sometimes, I wonder if we couldn't just give most new people the benefit of the doubt and try to be extra tactful when we correct or challenge them.

Sure, some (and I may be one) are extra dumb about what they post, and some are clearly trolls or lifelong idiots incapable of learning. But because GC is bad about piling on when someone screws up (and I'm as guilty as anyone), and most new users aren't ready for a full on hit by the cult or whatever, couldn't we ease up?

Not a TOS issue, but just a matter of having good manners? Maybe?

Think about how effective MysticCat is. Isn't that something to strive for? He can bring the snark when he needs to, but he avoids just being kind of generally POed and waiting for someone to screw up and I'm not sure most of us do.

as someone told me...

"if he uses the ignore button he will be igging just about everyone here...."

I've been around GC for a while.

I've been a big mean moderator twice now.

I think we can be pretty nasty for little or no reason.

I also think we've gotten worse.

We could be a lot more friendly.

I think this thread has veered off topic a little, but since I don't have time to read all 7 pages that have accumulated in one day, I'm just going to say what comes to mind.

GC can be intimidating--especially when you come here and it seems like everyone knows everyone and we're all buddy buddy. Some of us know each other IRL, but most of us don't--only what we learn about each other on GC.

I think being attacked or not within your first few posts has a lot to do with the topic you chose to discuss (ie-am I asking if even though I'm already initiated I can join another NPC or getting on here for your first time and letting Ms. attitude fly)

Becoming comfortable on GC has a lot to do with what first few posts you chose to make. I observed GC for almost a full year before I became an actively posting member. I was also very choosy about the threads I replied to. I started posting only in my orgs and then broadened out.

And, I'm not going to sit here and claim to be a 'senior member' or anything, but I've been pretty active on the boards all summer and have been able to offer insights, thoughts, pose questions-hell, I even let Ms. Attitude fly in the thread about Homosexuality & MS.

Some GC members do take the board wayyyy too seriously others, like me, I just think it's fun. I've been able to meet and network with greeks all over the country and I enjoy that. Sometimes, the atmosphere here is a little less than inviting but only if you take it that way. My most favorite GC members are the ones that say what they want to say no matter how it's seen (ehemm, AlphaFrog ,<333). They make this place the most fun because they often say the things that I want to say, but don't yet have the nerve.

Either way, GC is what you make it. If you think it's a place full of Ms. Attitudes then that's what you'll see.

If you think it's a place to meet people and share ideas, you'll find even more. (Behind the hazy overcast, that is) ;)

Tons of people have managed to find their way to GC and become part of the community over the years. Those that find it easy to mesh with the GC culture are people who have thick skins, know their shit and either lurk for a long time to get the feel of the place, or they do their searching and research so they avoid posting things we've all seen a million times.

My advice for newbies - lurking is the best advice that I can give outside the words USE SEARCH. If I was showing up as a newbie, I'd try and watch the atmosphere, suss out what the place is like, then start posting on a few innocuous social threads in Chit Chat before I'd jump into serious conversation that I might not realize the history to in this place.

If you're coming on here because you have a specific question, make sure it hasn't been answered before (it mostly likely has; be creative with searching). Be polite when you ask. If you get snarked at, ignore it - even better, check yourself. You might be a trainwreck waiting to happen.


*Use of the word 'you' is strictly for demo purposes only. No specific 'you' is being addressed. If you think you're 'you', then you're mistaken. You're not 'you'.*

You've just trigger an existential dilemma for me.

Generally, you're right, but I still think we could be nicer to new folks.

And Lisa's point about dropping back and using google to search may finally mean I can actually search GC with some success. Usually my results have no connection to my search terms when I use the GC search button.

I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM!!

Anyway, back to the topic at hand....:p

I agree with all of the above.
I am a sinner as well.
I have made many errors here-some real and some
just perceived.
And have tried to learn from them.
Can "we" be better? Yes.
Can "we" be worse? Yes.
Should posters watch, learn and understand? Yes.
Are there a few threads best not to jump into ice cold? Yes.
Are there ways to better phase questions? Yes.
Is spell check a wonderful thing to download? Yes.

The Grapist!

Oh yeah, and you're all reported. :D

OMG...why could I have forgotten about being reported.

I report myself for forgetting to report people!! lol.

To the OP, I'm pretty much new myself. I haven't been on here a year yet and I'm still learning. Just post and learn from older members. Some members will like you, some won't. Just learn, be yourself, hold your ground, and have fun chatting. You'll be alright.:)

Btw: To the OP. You can't please every joker on here, so don't try.