Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Use Your Grown Up Words Please

I am no angel. I am bluntly honest and not very politically correct. My appearance does offend some people and I am stared at when I go out shopping. I am also polite, intelligent, open minded, not easily offended and I believe in proper behavior in all public areas physical or virtual. In other words, I believe that there is a time and a place for all language and behaviors.

I have been increasingly annoyed by the forum behavior at Etsy, mostly in the Etc. section. Look, I am a strong supporter of freedom of speech, but I really don't get why people feel it necessary to pepper their speech with all manner of profanities in a public space. I also do not get how people can be so comfortable discussing, lets say, sensitive topics where anyone could run across it. My daughters can't read yet, but when they can, I don't want to have to block Etsy because I don't know if the forums folks will behave.

Yesterday, Etsy instituted a "report this post" link in the forums as a way for people to more easily help keep the forums clean, organized and free from spam and other undesirable content. Immediately, the posts ran amok with dissent and "catch me if you can" behavior. They felt challenged by this and therefore resorted to the worst possible behavior. Here's the weird thing though, I couldn't bring myself to post a dissenting opinion. I was actually afraid of being called a Narc or something just because I don't want to see the F-bomb dropped in a forum title. When I saw the new feature, I thought, great, now it will be easy to catch the occasional spammer and people won't always be posting that "this is in the wrong section" and asking where admin is, they will just report the post, easy peasy, right? Apparently all some people see is a nefarious Big Brother plot.

What I don't think these people get, is that their language and behavior not only reflects on their stores, etsy and internet society in general, it reflects on themselves. Sure we all like to act raucous at times. There are few of us who haven't regretted something we said or did, but man, do they not realize that the typed word is permanent. It doesn't go away and you can't take it back. With every word you type, you are defining yourself to a public that has no other source of information about you. You are what you type. I've also noted that many of the most colorful personalities hardly ever make sales. I can't imagine that this is a mere coincidence.

This is not the first time people have hijacked this handmade community for conversations incongruous with the focus of the site and I'm sure it won't be the last time either. I've seen heated religious and political debates, as well as threads full of way too much personal information. Etsy was my very first forum experience and my lack of non-family friends in the real world has led me into many off-topic conversations, much the same way it did when I worked in retail. I guess the biggest difference is that, at a store, I see the customer and I know that they can hear me so we would adjust the conversation to be appropriate. Folks on the forums need to do the same thing, there are customers lurking everywhere and they are making purchases based on what they see.

While I'm known to let out a choice word or two on occasion, I never forget that profanity is the last resort of the unintelligent. I actually saw one person comment that we were adults and did not need babysitting and then proceed to type out a very offensive string of expletives much like a ten year old would when told not to curse. We are adults and I know that I would appreciate it if we all would act like adults.

68 comments:

Jennifer said...

I completely agree. These types of things never offend me, but it does give me insight as to the posters and perhaps their professionalism. Maybe that's wrong. I don't know.

I tend to stay out of said threads. Some of the immaturity there reminds me of high school...and no one wants to remember that!

amycornwell said...

I agree! Yes, there is free speech but if a person is being unprofessional and profane, I won't buy from them. I wouldn't expect the CEO from say, the Gap or Target to cuss people out on forums and think it's okay so why should we be any different? What you write and how you act definitely reflects on your business!

Sherry said...

Since last Friday I have taken a self imposed break from the fora. I just don't like what I see from both sides.
The fora is not unlike real life. The only actions you can control are your own. Most people that express themselves to get a reaction from others, could care less what others say.
They are also probably people we wouldn't spend time with in real life either.
It will be interesting to see how the dust settles.

Annie Howes said...

Well said!

Annie
http://anniehoweskeepsakes.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Well said!
I don't get offended easily, but I don't understand the use of a forum like Etsy's as a venting tool. There are lots of places people can go on a written tyrade were readers might actually give a crap!
Nice blog and nice work, BTW.
Karen L

Marty said...

You are spot on! Update - now anyone who thinks the report button is a good thing is being called a Puritan. Imagine that.

I guess now that I am older and hopefully wiser, I no longer see the need to thumb my nose at authority to prove a point, which is pointless anyway. Every time there is a change on Etsy, a huge discussion ensues with worst-case scenarios which are totally inaccurate.

Opinions are not being censored as some claim. Racism, trolls, sock puppets and other arrogant behavior should be reported and is standard procedure in any forum. Apparently these people don't have a clue about how internet communities operate.

Do these people have anything better to do? Apparently they aren't busy making sales..

Beadin By The Sea said...

I saw that post yesterday too and I thought it was pretty juvenile myself. I do find myself forming a certain opinion of someone and their shop because of words they choose in the forums so what you are saying is exactly true!

Anonymous said...

very well said. i completely agree.

Anonymous said...

Good point.

I post here and there, and when I see a good topic that I'd like to post in, there always seems to be someone who is rude and downright nasty to others who post, so I stay out of it.

I've heard many ppl say they won't post for the same reason. It's the ppl who don't post that probably have the best things to say, and that's unfortunate.

Mary Ann said...

I agree. I am personally not offended by it, but as a seller I would never present myself that way. If someone Googles your Etsy shop all your posts will also appear. I want mine to look professional.

Anonymous said...

OH gosh I so agree with this. Although I myself don't get offended easily either but other posters are easily offended and hurt by some of the comments said. They just don't realize that what you say can really affect you shop at Etsy by what and how you say things in the threads. I have a few shops I will just not go to based on their attitudes in the forums.

Mary V. Smith said...

Very, very well written Pam!

Made By Moms said...

I agree and yet disagree at the same time.

While I feel that watching your mouth and trying to be respectful (most of the time) are goals everyone should strive for, the "Report this Post" button can absolutely be used for political or religious censoring.

The Etc Category was created for off-topic conversation -- does that mean people shouldn't be allowed to debate philosophy, ethics, politics or religion? If that's not allowed, what's the point of the Etc section? If people seriously judge me, and my products, by the political or religious ideology I hold then I don't want those people as my customers anyway. Intolerance, anyone?

The Etc section is akin to the employee break room -- if Etsy doesn't want us discussing material not relevant to Etsy or discussing potentially heated material, they should ban the Etc section and be done with it. As it is, I've never had a problem with discussing politics or religion anywhere and I'm certainly not going to censor my behavior online for fear of differing ideologies.

I don't censor myself in real life and I'm certainly not going to censor myself online -- no matter how many "customers" I scare away. If they won't buy from me because I'm not Christian or because I'm a registered Libertarian, who is truly to blame there? Me, for my big mouth, or them for their intolerance?

Keep in mind, I am not defending people who are legitimately trolls or spammers... but I can absolutely see this button as a way to control people's opinions. Oh, you're for "privatized Social Security" -- Report This Post. Oh, you're an agnostic -- Report This Post. It's a slippery slope between trying to keep the message boards free from spam and censoring the opinions of the membership.

If you don't want those kinds of forums, make Etsy's Forums like Epinions' Message Boards -- no off-topic conversation, PERIOD. No politics. No religion. No "my kid is so cute" banter. No "going on a date tonight" crap. Nothing. When you allow some off-topic, but ban others, you run into censorship. Plain and simple.

Either ban everything or ban nothing. Simple and easy as pie.

PS: I have no idea what happened on the boards yesterday and I'm pretty new to Etsy itself, so I'm not even sure what brought your original post on... but I just wanted to react to what I read.

PPS: With high school seniors being so uneducated about politics, you'd think that a political thread where minors actually would read it would be a positive thing.

Nicole said...

Well said indeed. I'm not easily offended but I am often surprised at the language used on a professional site. Both as a buyer and as a seller.

The printed word is indeed permanent.

Anonymous said...

Great post. I posted today about top sellers not using the forums as a promotional tool.
I don't spend a lot of time on the forums because I don't have a lot of free time.
There are very helpful folks there but there also are those who are ready to launch an attack on anyone who doesn't agree with them.
I buy far much more than I sell because my shops not really set up completely. I DO stay away from those who display rudeness or child-like attitudes in the fora. I don't care how much I like the stuff in their shop... and like Elisebeth, I've already been through high school and don't care to go back!

Brooke Medlin said...

The Etc Category was created for off-topic conversation -- does that mean people shouldn't be allowed

----

From what I understand, it was created because random off-topic stuff was posted in other categories. Much the same way the promotions category was created to get self-promotional posts out of the 'buying and selling' section.


And the break room comparison doesn't hold water. No other employee breakroom is open to anyone and everyone.

Anonymous said...

I am so disinterested in having an arguement with anyone that i'll never meet from the other side of the globe that i just ignore all the poo i see and tread gracefully, like a tiger, through the forums. LOL
Swearing......hmmmm, not for me but i suppose others feel that it is the norm now.
Nice post, very well written. :)

Kim said...

It's great that people can post what they want. They just need to remember that it is a reflection of themselves...good or bad!!!!!!

She Who Runs Amok said...

My circle of stores to buy from is shrinking daily. Its not that Im offended by the language (I have two teenagers, Ive heard it all and then some!) but I do have some reasonable expectations on how ADULTS who are operating businesses should act.

I think a massive forum muting for the repeat offenders would probably cure some of the ETC issues over the Report This Thread button....

More and more, I notice the successful sellers are NOT in the forums often, and rarely in the ETC one. I think I know why!

~brenda

enso said...

Profanity is one of those your-cultural-mileage-will-vary things, a little off color doesn't bother me, but when it's all you bring to the table it gets old.

What bugs me are the ongoing personal (VERY) personal disclosures. That's what (non shop) blogs are for. If I cared, I would make a point to find it. I don't like feeling like I'm hostage at someone's emotional strip act.

Jenn Maruska said...

Very well written.

lynn bowes said...

Traveling through a forum thread occasionally makes me feel like an old person in a young person world. It's so easy to be anonymous in written word on the internet, isn't it? I'm hardly prudish, either, but I do have a better sense of restraint than some forum posters and better ways to spend my creative time that shaking up a jar of bees.

Did I say I agree with you, OP?

Rosebud Collection said...

To me, you are a class act..Good for you..I am so happy you told me what the report,etc, was for..I didn't understand it. I knew I never wrote anything that would upset anyone, and didn't read about this..Thank you..
Heck, I am a grandmother that started a blog, and just try and keep everything positive..to keep myself going..Painted angels to keep me going through the winter, so to keep from getting depressed..Have seen things on the forum that wasn't to my liking, but I figured everyone thought it was okay.For sure, I wouldn't complain, since I am an older person and you know how some would react to that..
Good for you, standing up for something you believe in.Again, I think you are a class act.

Marty said...

The Etc forum is not like an employee break room. I would never discuss vulger or personal issues or use profanity around my co-workers or boss, would you? Sorry, but we all censor ourselves, and anyone who says they don't is lying. Does everyone blurt out everything they are thinking? Of course not, we keep our mouth shut when it's inappropriate.

People are missing the point entirely about the Report button. It's not there to censor opinions about religion, politics, or other personal topics. Someone can report you all they want if they disagree with you, but a post will mostly likely only be deleted if it breaks a forum rule, and stating an opinion is not one of them. Trolling, posting racist comments, calling out, using a sock puppet account to disrupt the forums is breaking the stated rules. And yes, they should be deleted.

Chrisbookarama said...

I don't pay attention to much of the F-bombing but the fora can be a nasty place. I'm pretty new and was shocked at how an innocent comment can be twisted into something else by another poster. Soon it's a knock-down, drag-out fight! I saw a woman make a pretty dumb comment which she shouldn't have made but at least 50 people ganged up on her and berated the woman. It was a lynching! You'd never see 50 people stand in line to tell someone to their face that they were an idiot in real life. Why do people do it online?

I try to stay out of it :(

njm said...

I completely agree! The reality is that being an adult may give you license to do and say what you please. However, the test of maturity is knowing that just because you have the right, doesn't mean that you should exercise that right. Mature adults know understand the difference.

Whenever I see threads that are questionable, I never post there. I have no desire to be associated personally or professionally with that type of behavior.

TabiHats

animeg said...

eh, I don't think all viewers of the forums have the same views of profanity or professionalism.

Hot Rocks said...

There is a time and a place for that kind of "chat", and Etsy is not the place! Great post.

Anitra Cameron said...

You are so right!

You reminded me of a time I went to a pub to hear a group sing. Their lead looked and sang like an angel, but when I was introduced to her, oh my. I could flat not believe the profanities that came out of that angelic mouth. The incongruity of it has stuck with me for twenty years, and made me very cautious about foul speech.

And in a professional setting like Etsy? Please, people. You make beautiful things. Why not beautiful words as well?

CURU said...

It's nearly impossible to offend me and I don't care if people use language like that, but a forum where potential customers can read it doesn't seem to be the wisest place to "be yourself".

Etsy shops may not be people's main job or business, but it's still a business.

I saw some pretty pathetic examples of acting like 12 year olds too with language. Wow, you can swear. Hooray. Again, doesn't offend me but if it offends a customer they shouldn't be surprised.

njm said...

Made by Moms makes an interesting point. I disagree with most of the comment, but it is still a good point.

While the Etc. section is to be used for off topic comments, there is still a time and a place for everything. Discussion and courteous debating over any topic is acceptable in my opinion. Regardless of the topic... from "my cute kid" to "I dislike Bill Clinton" to "Agnosticism".

The issue, I thought, was the use of profanity and other types of inappropriate language. In this regard, the reference to the "breakroom" does not apply. In my company and in most companies, the use of profanity, racial slurs, or any other degrading and offensive language is prohibited as well as grounds for termination.

As I stated in my earlier comment just because you are old enough to say and do it, does not mean that you should.

TabiHats

Infinite Cosmos said...

VERY well said Totus! I agree 100%. I am one of those people that if i see you (general "you") posting something truly offensive in the forums, i will steer clear of your shop. call me sensitive of whatever but that's how i feel. I know there are others out there who feel the same way so i try to keep that in mind when i post in the forums. just seems like common sense to me but i guess it is more like UNcommon sense!

Sara Millis said...

I missed yesterday's posts, but here, here anyway (LOL)... I always try to avoid any posts that I think may lead to this type of beahviour in sellers and buyers on Etsy (and other forums too)... don't want to be tarred with the same brush, it does effect your reputation!

twiddlestix said...

well said!

A Blond And A Torch said...

You are completely right. Sometimes I wonder if people realize what they could be doing to their businesses. Of course, that is the branding some people want I suppose.

Unknown said...

I agree wholeheartedly and thank you for writing about this. Frankly, I just stay away from Etc.

Astrida Naturals said...

I agree with Made by Moms and other comments that say people shouldn't have to censor themselves. We are all grown and can make our own choices. We do, also, have free speech in this country, and that should never be taken away. With that said, I will continue on to say that I do see how some people are offended. I am sometimes offended by the free speech of other people, but I know they are entitled to it so I don't let it bother me. As far as professionalism goes, I try not to judge people by their rants. I know I rant sometimes, and I don't think I should have to worry about my opinions affecting my sales. Anyone who needs to use that to decide whether or not to buy from me, is probably looking for a reason not to buy from me, so it was never going to be a sale.

Caroline said...

I love you TotusMel, for posting this! I really don't understand why people would care too much about it. If they do, they probably know that they are saying inappropriate things. I am not worried. :-) I am mainly loving it for being able to report promos. Maybe people do not care about how they come across but profane language and TMI are really really low class.

Unknown said...

I agree. Free speech is great but let's apply a good helping of common sense before it flies out of our mouths and key boards!

DJ said...

Bravo, enough said. Thanks

Brooke Medlin said...

Free speech does not equal being as vulgar as you can because you can. That's not what it was meant nor created for. Personally, I only like to talk about free speech when it refers to something important, not my or your ability to use the word 'cunt' in a public forum just because you feel like 'shaking things up'.

Alorinna said...

Nothing more to add than I agree 100%.

BrighidsForge said...

Very well stated. Courteous and adult. I have NO idea what initiated this, since I was not in the fora yesterday, but it must have been interesting.

Sadly, people do seem to forget that they should be acting as they would if they were at their office or any place in public. Would they start cussing or calling someone names? Or would they tighten their lips and WALK AWAY?

When I see a discussion in the fora starting to get out of hand, I'll usually say something about let's act professional or some such. If the situation persists, I'll leave the fora. Just like TV, you CAN CHANGE THE CHANNEL, if you start getting to "into it". Take the online version of a deep breath and get on with your day and life.

Bottom line: is anything that does not involve immediate physical harm to yourself or another worth getting so worked up? Does it allow you to be more creative in your creations and their marketing?

Treat people the way YOU would like to be treated.

Bijoutery said...

Well put TotusMel!
This is part of the reason I pretty much stick w/ only a few select threads anymore.

A good thing to keep in mind, is online anything someone writes is in the public eye 24/7/365 - Both good and bad!

SapphireLizard said...

Well said. I completely agree.

No, I'm not perfect either. I have a temper, and I have definitely let it go at inappropriate times.

Its not good for their business, but I guess that's their problem. It is very immature. They can go ahead and call me a goody-goody, or whatever they want to call me. That's just the way I am, and always have been.

Mandi said...

Here here!! Very well stated, and I agree. I HAVE been turned off by sellers because of the way they've conducted themselves in the forums.

Blooming Lily said...

I agree! I see people talking about sex, and threesomes, and things that are just not appropriate for a SELLING website. Go to a porno site if you want to know and converse about that kind of information. I don't understand why people whould want to share such personal information with complete strangers.

RedMarionette said...

I agree with you 100%
Everything one does on Etsy no matter where it is, to me, is a reflection of their store.

Crystal said...

Great post! :)

Sylvie said...

Good post. A couple of things I've noticed people saying I want to address.

First, the "Report This Post" button is not going to censor anyone for swearing, for expressing views whether political, religious or otherwise, or because someone doesn't like what you said, etc. It's to give Admin a more direct link to something out of line that would cause the thread to be closed. Calling out, sock puppets, posting info about Etsy transactions, etc. Infractions that threads have been and do get closed for all the time. The button just gives Admin the tool to go right to the source of the possible infraction. Then they will determine if it's a real offense or not and act accordingly. It's a little paranoid in my opinion, to think this is going to lead to censorship. Besides, every other public forum on the internet has this feature.

Second, the break room analogy does not apply to this discussion. First off, most places of business I know of, would not allow their employees to behave that way, even in the break room. And other businesses' break rooms are NOT open to the public for anyone and everyone to read or hear what's being said.

Lastly, free speech is great and everyone's right. But, that does not apply when you are using a business's site and they have rules you have to abide by. Just like the old, tired, and overused example of "You can't yell FIRE in a crowded theater."

I have no feelings on this new forum feature in any way shape or form. I couldn't be more indifferent. But I think it's mildly interesting to see the different reactions. I guess I'm just not that vested in Etsy's forums as some people appear to be. I think that's a good thing.

DivaDea said...

Amen!
My rule of thumb is this: If my mother and my best potential customer come across what I'm writing, will I be sorry? If no, I post. If yes, I delete :)

Made By Moms said...

A couple of quick things...

#1: You're right in the fact that employee break rooms are off limits -- why not make the Etc forums off limits? In addition, you've obviously never worked at a high school with a lot of young teachers all sharing the same lunch. Our topics did, indeed, range the spectrum from our love lives to politics, religion to gossip. Were there students there? No, but how in the world can a business monitor everything their employees say? I doubt our bosses knew anything we discussed in that room, nor did any of our students.

#2: I was never defending those who curse -- I was pointing out that a simple thing such as "Report This Post" can be manipulated to mean anything they want. I've seen threads closed for no good reason, with the silly little "Please treat everyone with respect." There was respect, obviously something someone said got the monitor's panties in a bunch and she closed it. To be honest, if you can't make your point eloquently then I usually won't debate with you, so I have no problems with curse-word filters (most sites have filters, by the way), but I do have problems with something so arbitrary as "Report this Post."

#3: If there are threads that discuss objectionable content... don't go into them or back out quickly. Just like with the TV or radio -- you don't have to watch South Park or listen to Howard Stern if they offend you (South Park rocks, by the way), but don't ruin it for everyone else. Again, racism, etc, don't have a place anywhere... but I have yet to see something that was ridiculously offensive or racist in any way since I've been coming to the Etc forum.

#4: Perhaps I need to restate something I said earlier -- No, I do not censor myself when in a discussion with someone else. You're right, I won't walk up to my boss (if I had one) and call him a fat pig -- you're right, I do censor myself. However, if I'm engaged in a political discussion with someone I will not censor myself -- I don't care if I'm offending Joe Schmoe that happened to be walking by in the street. If Joe Schmoe doesn't like it, he doesn't have to listen. Could that person who walked by and overheard me talking about how much I hate Bush be a potential radically Republican customer? Yup. Do I care? Nope.

#5: Profanity banned in the workplace? Perhaps when customers are around, but really? I've worked since I was sixteen (make that about 12 years) in places like Publix (grocery store), bars, restaurants, a University... and in every place we were free to curse as long as customers weren't around. Heck, I can remember one memorable time when I managed a business (right out of college, right before teaching) and I dropped something on my foot. I let out a string of JHC and fbombs like you wouldn't believe -- all in front of my Area Manager. She laughed. Apparently either she didn't care or I was such a good manager that it didn't matter. Pick one.

Of course, customers *might* be around here... but we're our own bosses and we can censor ourselves as much as we'd like.

#6: How much do people really care about Etsy? The vast majority of my sales are through word-of-mouth and local craft fairs, not through Etsy.

#7: I go to the Etsy forums because it's a fun place to discuss and debate -- I have enough stress in my life, I certainly don't need Etsy to add to it. I'm not going to worry about what I say (because 99% of the time it doesn't involve profanity) or if it offends anyone.

I said it before and I'll say it again:

If they don't want off-topic stuff, they should delete Etc. I do understand it was created because off-topic stuff started popping up elsewhere, but that means they'll just need more monitors to check the boards and ensure no off-topic conversation comes up. Delete the threads and be done with it. Repeat offenders have their accounts canceled. Epinions' has done a masterful job with it -- perhaps Etsy should discuss how they promote monitors and ask them to patrol the boards. It is possible.

Auntie Dis said...

Well said! I completely agree with everything you have said! Sometimes I feel like I'm back in high school when I read the forums, and I'll be the first to admit I'm not always the one acting like a grown up!

Bianca said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Bianca said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Waterrose said...

Another great topic/discussion. When I come across forum topics that appear out of line and not something that I want to join in on...I make my exit. But not without the thought of...don't they realize that everyone and anyone can read these posts. And, since they never disappear...they can be read for a very long time and all a person has to do is do a search. I'm certainly not afraid of strong opinions, nor voicing my own, but there is always a time and a plac.

Ginger said...

I have to say I agree with you 100%. I don't spend any time in the etc section of the fora because there are things that are discussed there that are inappropriate for a business site.
I am all for friendly banter but discussing things that remind me of a Jerry Springer episode don't belong on a public selling site any more then they would being discussed in any other retail setting. I get bored with childish behavior very quickly and won't waist my time in their stores.

Anonymous said...

Very well said! I am most definately someone who is offended easily, especially by off color language. One of the most important people in my life, my grandmother, was a nurse, and was very outspoken and cussed better than any sailor you could imagine. But Etsy is my place of business as it is for many, many others, and it just doesn't seem a very professional thing to do in the forums. With me it's not only a case of possibly not doing business with some that I have seen in the forums, but there are some that I won't even post in a thread with them if I can help it because chances are it's gonna turn into a circus. Oh well.....

Erin said...

Amen sister!

Tatyana said...

The thing is there is no rule against using profanity. At least none that i can see. I clicked on "report this post" on a contentless thread with a curse in the title... the options that i can click are:

-Thread is in the wrong section of the forums.
-Post discusses private matters (transaction details, feedback, copying, etc).
-Post is abusive or insulting to another member.
-Post negatively "calls out" a specific user by name or identifiable hints.
-Post is from an alternate or "sock puppet" account.

Sure I can assume that its an "abusive" thread and claim that I'm offended. But I don't see any rules that say you can't curse or that doing so is offensive/abusive/etc. Or else there would be a filter and curses would show up as "*******" or whatever.

Personally I curse like a sailor... IRL and in my personal blog. I would never do it where i think potential clients would be and I am not willing to associate cursing with my shop.

Anyway I think you're totally right and people are really immature in Etc. There was a post called "." today. With no content whatsoever. Come on, what a waste of Etsy's bandwidth. If they ever raise listing prices, I'll blame the morons who abused the system.

Sarah McBride said...

I completely agree with you. I have spent less and less time in the forums because of bad behaviour, language and cases of too much information.

sad really.

Kirsten said...

I've been avoiding the forums because of a lot of the unpleasantness. I hope the new changes lead to a more helpful positive discussion space.

Katie L. said...

Here Here!!! I agree whole heartedly! Good for you for not being afraid to say how you feel. I hate always feeling like I have to hide the fact that someone offended me so I won't offend them, well no more! thanks for helping me see the light, lol :)

Katie L. said...

and there are quite a few people that i won't buy from for the way they act in the forums
it's definantely like high school in there sometimes

Kill Taupe said...

I too am constantly baffled by the behavior in the forums. It's like, we're here to run a business. If you owned a store and customers came in would you speak that way to a customer?

Martha Hughes said...

To be rude in a forum or post is a deliberate act as far as I'm concerned. It takes some effort to spew forth via type and there's no way you can say "I'm sorry - it just came out." You are in total control of your actions in the forums.

I'm no angel and I like to mix it up every now and then - just ask my husband. :) But my professional image is more important to me than exercising my right to free speech in a forum where my prospective customers can read. It's just not worth it.

Liebling said...

Well said! I couldn't agree with you more. I'm not easily offended either, but I do feel that Etsy forums are not the place for threads like that.

Kim said...

This is a BEAUTIFUL post. BRAVO