posted on October 10, 2000 05:32:54 AM new
Oh, are we dating ourselves with these lyrics!!!
My son choked when "Johnny Angel" came on the Oldies radio station and I said what a big hit that was for Shelly Fabres in the 60s. He thought she was just a middle-aged actress who plays somebody's mother on a TV sitcom!!!!!!
I'm DEFINITELY "out". I never even made the drill team.........
posted on October 10, 2000 06:39:33 AM new
I have say I don't agree with this at all. This is my favorite place top ost if I have questions about ebayor just about anything else because it is such a helpful place. I used to chat quite a bit on the chat boards on ebay but rarely do now because it got way too personal. The moderators here keep anyone from being rude or attacking a person even if the other person deserves it. My only problem is I hesitate to ask when I have questions becuase I am afraid of being a pest. I can never decide which is the best category or way to deal with a certain situation and hate to keep bothering this great group of people.
posted on October 10, 2000 06:55:10 AM new
Gee I haven't been to AW in a couple of months -- the first thread I read is about PayPal -- very interesting, and scary. And the reason I come to these boards.
The second thread I read is about the "in crowd" (or the wolf pack) -- where have I heard that before? Maybe it was two months ago, or three months ago, or maybe 6 months ago. And then again maybe it was ALL those months.
Historically, this has has often been an issue on these boards. Some things never change -- tell me, who is in the "in crowd" this month? I can guarantee, it will be different in a month or so.
nc
And P.S. -- my posts are often ignored here, but who cares? I don't care who reads it, I just want to SAY it!
posted on October 10, 2000 07:27:59 AM newgranee - DATING ourselves? I don't know what you mean
xellil (BTW, typing your name is just plain fun) - thanks for a perceptive post.
Both personal experience and observation here and on other boards (in all sorts of interest "niches" ) demonstrate that everybody has his time on top of the world - being "in" (a/k/a wise, sensitive, funny, fill-in-your-favorite-adjective-here). Shortly thereafterward, our hero-of-last-minute posts again just as he always has - and receives a vigorous reaming for being perennially stupid/boorish/embarrassingly UNfunny/etc. How come? Well, setting aside sudden character changes on the part of our hero and truly boorish/idiotic posts, what's going on is a normal part of group dynamics - the group's subconscious way of maintaining balance. It's cyclical, as the ancients (with their "wheel of fortune" knew too well. There are always going to be a few perennial gods/goddesses and goons, but most of us have our turn at each.
[ edited by HartCottageQuilts on Oct 10, 2000 07:30 AM ]
posted on October 10, 2000 08:04:03 AM new
Being social animals makes humans naturally gravitate towards groups. At one time and perhaps even now, it helped insure survival.
The only problem is that the sense of security one derives from groups takes a large toll on one's individuality. It is very difficult to be true to yourself and function in a group unless of course you are the leader. Since there is only one leader everyone else needs to conform. Some people feel the price is worth it and some don't.
posted on October 10, 2000 08:40:35 AM new
But then isn't there pressure on the leader to conform to whatever role "got" him there so he can keep his position? I think all members of the group - at whatever level in the pecking order - can hold each other hostage if the "hostages" value their position over their individuality.
Group dynamics are fascinating...at least if like yours truly you prefer to be on the outside looking in If you're really affected by your position in the group, I can imagine it's considerably more hellish than being the geek, the oddball, and the last-picked (which I greatly prefer).
posted on October 10, 2000 08:42:12 AM new
Well, I see that I am the only one in agreement with Stantman's assessment. The only way to break in is to ease in with innocuous statements, ingratiating banter or helpless questions. If someone's first post is in any way challenging, inevitably one of the first few responses is to point out their recent registration in an attempt to discredit their point.
Later on someone will surmise that the poster is a reincarnation of a previously blacklisted user ("your syntax is familiar". A whole new round of bashing occurs, leaving anyone without the history in the dark (and god forbid if one of the clueless agrees with a post based solely on its face value). These posters are invariably put on some type of "list", so that the next time they say the sky is blue, someone will have to disagree just on principle.
Yes, the actual "in" crowd changes but there are a few "keepers of the flame" (pun intended).
All of this does not negate all of the good advice that exists in the forum but it keeps many lurkers from coming out and possibly contributing some worthwhile advise or opinions of their own.
(edited to add the winky was an accident, but I think I will leave it there)
[ edited by hopefulli on Oct 10, 2000 08:44 AM ]
[ edited by hopefulli on Oct 10, 2000 09:02 AM ]
posted on October 10, 2000 09:23:18 AM new
I think there's probably a middle ground between making one's initial posts ingratiating, innocuous and helpless and combative, belligerent and excoriating. Walking up to a group at a cocktail party and having the first words out of one's mouth be "You guys (what a little clique!)are such a bunch of self-aggrandizing jerks" is certainly going to get a response, but not necessarily a welcoming one.
posted on October 10, 2000 09:25:32 AM new
Use common sense. In real life, if you join a new group, do you start out by attacking or do you first ease into the group, get to know the people and let them get to know you?
posted on October 10, 2000 10:08:36 AM new
I certainly agree that there is a middle ground and I am not necessarily defending the manner in which this issue was conveyed-just the content.
posted on October 10, 2000 11:28:01 AM new
Sorry: don't have time to read all this fun thread, as I am VERY BUSY, so my apology if this has already been said:
While it is true that some posters do post in a condescending manner, and there is a fair amount of putting down some new-comers as well as "old-timers", thank goodness, the majority of posts by (new and old-timers), offer wonderful tips and answers in a most friendly and articulate fashion. (I still thank Preacher4 for posting about Personal Gallery...)
As far as sales... being busy applying only when selling a LOT...: Not so . Everyone sells different inventory. For some, one single sale might take care of a good portion of a month's expenses...still leaving much free time to...errrr...post
shadowkitty...Everyone knows kitties are in-and-out little fur balls... Regards to all the kitties...
stantman... this comment fkf yju, looks awfully rude to me...
Finally, I want to add that Trolling must take a LOT of time! I wonder if trolls ever have time to errrr....sell!
********************
Shosh
