When I post here on XMTS

[Luckey]

Jamie,
A wonderful post, thank you. As the duly elected and appointed President-for-Life of the local chapter of "Introverts Annonymous" (it's only me because, well, I'm an introvert) I don't post much. I do however check out XMtS at least once a day and sometimes more. I can't tell you all how much you have taught me not only about kilts and all things related, but about ALL things in general. The fine ladies and gentlemen of our community should lock arms, take one step towards the front of the stage and bow in unison. You deserve all the accolades you recieve.
Jim

[Yaish]

I did indeed read ALL of Jamies post, and I agree with it actually. I didn't want the flip side to be forgotten either.

A good part of what I do is customer service and crisis intervention. A large part of that is knowing what to say and how to say it, and even what things should be left unsaid. Really, that's just part of life and being a basic decent human being.
Another part of life, and being a decent human being is having a thick skin, learning when to leave it alone, and realizing that not everyone else is out to please you.

I like this board, I come here every day and read, post, and play by the rules. I may not always agree with all the rules, but I do agree to ABIDE by the rules which is all anyone can ask. I'm not even suggesting that the rules need to be changed. I am merely mentioning that a community serves it's members, not the other way around.

[Panache]

I started this thread a week ago today.

In that time the Mod Squad and I have had to deal with a few postings that were very unworthy of X Marks the Scot. It's our job to do such but sometimes, like today, it makes me sad to think that there can be so little respect for a community like this one. I sometimes wonder is it worth it?

Then I returned to this thread and in reading the reponses, including and especially Yaish's who offered some differing thoughts in a manner that was both respectful and polite, and suddenly I felt a lot better.

This place is worth it because of all you great people. So many of you prove everyday that courtesy, civility, politeness, honor, and good fellowship have at least one place on the worldwide web.

I doff my plumed hat to all the good members here, the ladies and gentlemen of X Marks the Scot!

Sincerely

Jamie

[Cynthia]

Panache, first I want to thank you and the rest of the admins and moderators for keeping an eye on the board and keeping it running for the rest of us. I know how big a job it can be and how it can sometimes be an unpopular one.

I must say, however, that I really do enjoy this board. When you all use the words "Ladies" and "Gentlemen", you truly do mean it. Even when there is something posted that eventually needs to be deleted or locked, or gets a little crazy with a disagreement or... well, you get the idea... I still am impressed with how everyone is here.

I can honestly say that I'm very pleased that I found this community (it truly is a community) and that I signed up so that I can continue visiting and hopefully contributing for a long time.

Thank you to everyone!

[gilmore]

True, but lets not forget the flip side shall we?

A community is made of it's members. Make them "leave themselves at the door" too much and the members just stop going.

That's not a criticism, just a fact.

I agree. It is indeed a fact, as history as shown. And valuable, well informed ideas have been lost to us because of it.

I was discussing religion in the workplace with a member who has been in India for several months. There, workers often put up things that have to do with their religions in their work spaces, and no one seems to be bothered. He mentioned to a coworker that it wouldn't be done in the US, since it might give offense to some. The response was that offense can't be given if it is not taken.

I am clergy, but I would prefer to read interesting and informative posts that err toward the ill-spoken, rather than predictable and uninteresting posts that are pleasantly stated, if I had to choose. We cannot control the world, but we can control our own minds, and mine doesn't take offense easily.

[Panache]

... We cannot control the world, but we can control our own minds, and mine doesn't take offense easily.

gilmore,

Then that is to your credit. You are of course correct that some good content can be found in heated discussion and strongly worded opinions.

The flip side to this flip side is that you can lose even more good content by putting off people. I don't think we would have Matt's presence, or Hamish's, or many others here if we allowed a Free-for-all . For the content gained by such there is still content lost.

When the choice is made to be a family friendly place it is required that basic ground rules be established. These ground rules are going to leave some interesting content out. But it does leave a level playing field for everyone here to offer their information and experiences and feel safe and comfortable doing so.

I had mentioned previously, I have had the pleasure of having many very interesting exchanges regarding politics, religion, and other topics not allowed on the open forum via the PM system. So even within our forum rules there are ways for interested parties to have discussion beyond what is allowed on XMTS open forum.

Is this a compromise?

Absolutely! (I believe I noted this on another thread not too long ago)

But it is the best that can be done when you have a place that encourages the participation of entire families.


As it was Theodor Geisel's birthday at the start of this week it this seems an appropriate quote for this thread and XMTS:

You'll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You'll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with great care and great tact
and remember that Life's
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left


Cheers

Jamie

[McClef]

The job of a moderator is an arduous and often thankless task - that applies not only in this forum but any who have experience of moderating know what it's like.

They too have to leave part of themselves at the door. We are not asked to agree with the rules but to assent to them and keep to them. Sometimes we may feel that they over err on the side of caution but the funny thing is that's rare and I usually find that I would too in their position because they too are bound. It is not a democracy after all and the aim is light rather than heat.

If it wanted to be a more restricted adult site then obviously the rules would be different but its target audience is wider. Views on what is suitable do vary from country to country but the rules have been constructed from the main ethos of the host country and they have still striven to be as fair and welcoming as possible.

To enjoy the benefits and privileges of citizenship of our countries we have to accept rules and what is fine in our own country is not necessarily the same in another. It's the same here.

It's a universal experience that religion and politics are good derailers and in any case detract from what these forums are about, as do other emotive subjects.

What is offensive will vary from individual to individual. The idea is not to offend here and also to be polite and friendly.

No forum can please everyone all of the time but this one on the whole manages to - not a bad achievement in the weird and wonderful world of the internet!

[Tattoo Bradley]

*bump*

[Finn]

Contentiousness runs in cycles it seems.

[pdcorlis]

On a good day I remember to ask myself...

Does it have to be said?
Does it have to be said by me?
Does it have to be said by me right now?

On a bad day I probably owe someone an apology.