What's going on with the MFP bad attitudes? :(

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Replies

  • BeachIron
    BeachIron Posts: 6,490 Member
    silly stuff . . . time for a beer
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    You are right, I didn't know that.

    Regardless, even if she, or anyone else, had always been slim, I still consider paying attention to diet and fitness as "busting your *kitten*".

    My intention was not to call this group out or denigrate them or anything. It was only to show that there is (at least a perceived) communication disconnect between the season folks and the newbies. You may not see it, as you are also seasoned and "among friends", but new people will often feel it. They come here alone, and having a bunch of people pile on their questions who all seem to be friends with each other can sometimes feel hostile.

    Especially if they aren't familiar with Internet forums in general.

    This is what I found sensible in your original assertion. The apparent disconnect between noob and more experienced hand. Yes, people on here tend to treat the person seeking advice as if they are the same person asking the same question 1,000 times rather than 1,000 different people. I find the phenomenon interesting...

    I am not sure what you mean by "seasoned". Are you referring to my forum post count or my training experience? Or as a gentleman of a certain age?!

    Please also tell me what you mean by "among friends". I have a tiny FL and, to my knowledge, no one upon it has commented in this thread. Actually, most people on my FL don't really use the forums much and most of my advice is normally ignored when I try to help people...
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    Okay, I creeper your profile:
    Under 40, Check
    Lifting heavy: check
    Only had 11 lb to lose: check
    thousands of posts: check
    5 out of 6 friends that show all seem to be under 40 and have 1000s of posts and, from what I remember of them, lift heavy.

    I understand that there are lost of people on this site from different backgrounds, but there does seem to be an extended group of people with these characteristics who have gotten exceedingly tired of "stupid fad diets".

    I don't blame you for this, I have received a lot of useful advice from this group, but I can see how someone new here, who has been told by everybody else that 1200 cals is the proper dieting level for women, that paleo is the way to go and that cardiovascular is what you need may be off put when people fail to answer her questions with patience.

    Lolwut?

    She reset her ticker.
    I am on her FL, and interact regularly with her. I know a number of people on her FL. It's diverse.
    She does cardio as well as strength work.

    So, by your reasoning, as I am 40, have lost almost 85lbs, and regularly do cardio (as well as lifting, woops, is that going to count against me?), somehow my posts have more credibility? Does that mean that as I am older than you and have lost more weight, that I am more credible than you are?

    Cool.

    However, I don't think that measuring ones ability to contribute here by their age or amount of weight lost is a road we really want to go down. It would get ugly, fast, and is quite honestly silly.

    "Lolwut" right back. I didn't mean any of that.

    To be honest: I didn't know people regularly reset tickers. I stand corrected.

    I am NOT saying that one person's opinion is more valid than another's based on external circumstances. I'm not sure where you got that from.

    I am confused as what exactly you are saying. I've read that post a number of times and I am not quite sure what the point is. I was leaning towards what Otter thought.


    *i am not trying to be mean. Your post definitely caught my attention and I genuinely trying to understand what you are saying.

    Okay. What I mean is, how a post is read can vary greatly depending on circumstances. If you have been here a long time and you have a lot of friends and feel at home, you're not going to be as sensitive to sarcasm or criticism. You're just not. To you, this is a safe place, you know the rules, you have more information regarding nutrition and fitness in general and you have seen all the posts before, sometimes 1000s of times.

    If you are new here, you are often alone. You may not know much yet and this place does not feel safe yet.

    When these new people ask questions, that the old people are going to find tiresome by this point, the new person may read the blunt and to the point answers of the old people as hostile, especially if they are piled on. The old people won't see it this way, they already feel safe here and are "just talking".

    The only reason I pointed out the similarities of what I see as the old group (of which I may have been mistaken) is to show that they are used to people like them with similar experience, and this can cause it to be more difficult to empathize with the fear and uncertainty of someone who is new.

    That clarifies it better. I don't necessarily agree there is one particular group that is to blame for this but I understand that you are saying.

    There are a lot of older posters here who don't fit that group either and interact the same way. I dare say they (or we because there I guess I could be grouped in there) aren't the only ones who are comfortable here.
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    It's ok to be polite and friendly. It's not a sign of weakness. :flowerforyou:

    haha, I love this! <3

    It's ok to not be over sensitive. It's not a sign of meanness.

    :heart: :heart: :heart:

    terrorist-fist-pound.jpg
  • Okay, I creeper your profile:
    Under 40, Check
    Lifting heavy: check
    Only had 11 lb to lose: check
    thousands of posts: check
    5 out of 6 friends that show all seem to be under 40 and have 1000s of posts and, from what I remember of them, lift heavy.

    I understand that there are lost of people on this site from different backgrounds, but there does seem to be an extended group of people with these characteristics who have gotten exceedingly tired of "stupid fad diets".

    I don't blame you for this, I have received a lot of useful advice from this group, but I can see how someone new here, who has been told by everybody else that 1200 cals is the proper dieting level for women, that paleo is the way to go and that cardiovascular is what you need may be off put when people fail to answer her questions with patience.

    Lolwut?

    She reset her ticker.
    I am on her FL, and interact regularly with her. I know a number of people on her FL. It's diverse.
    She does cardio as well as strength work.

    So, by your reasoning, as I am 40, have lost almost 85lbs, and regularly do cardio (as well as lifting, woops, is that going to count against me?), somehow my posts have more credibility? Does that mean that as I am older than you and have lost more weight, that I am more credible than you are?

    Cool.

    However, I don't think that measuring ones ability to contribute here by their age or amount of weight lost is a road we really want to go down. It would get ugly, fast, and is quite honestly silly.

    "Lolwut" right back. I didn't mean any of that.

    To be honest: I didn't know people regularly reset tickers. I stand corrected.

    I am NOT saying that one person's opinion is more valid than another's based on external circumstances. I'm not sure where you got that from.

    I am confused as what exactly you are saying. I've read that post a number of times and I am not quite sure what the point is. I was leaning towards what Otter thought.


    *i am not trying to be mean. Your post definitely caught my attention and I genuinely trying to understand what you are saying.

    Okay. What I mean is, how a post is read can vary greatly depending on circumstances. If you have been here a long time and you have a lot of friends and feel at home, you're not going to be as sensitive to sarcasm or criticism. You're just not. To you, this is a safe place, you know the rules, you have more information regarding nutrition and fitness in general and you have seen all the posts before, sometimes 1000s of times.

    If you are new here, you are often alone. You may not know much yet and this place does not feel safe yet.

    When these new people ask questions, that the old people are going to find tiresome by this point, the new person may read the blunt and to the point answers of the old people as hostile, especially if they are piled on. The old people won't see it this way, they already feel safe here and are "just talking".

    The only reason I pointed out the similarities of what I see as the old group (of which I may have been mistaken) is to show that they are used to people like them with similar experience, and this can cause it to be more difficult to empathize with the fear and uncertainty of someone who is new.

    That clarifies it better. I don't necessarily agree there is one particular group that is to blame for this but I understand that you are saying.

    There are a lot of older posters here who don't fit that group either and interact the same way. I dare say they (or we because there I guess I could be grouped in there) aren't the only ones who are comfortable here.


    I get that, you all aren't actually a monolith. And, I'm not saying either side is wrong.

    Most of these issues arrive from simple misunderstanding.

    Though there are some bullies.
    And there are some people who are overly sensitive.
    It's not the norm.
    Which is why I post :)
  • Iron_Feline
    Iron_Feline Posts: 10,750 Member
    I see I'm being discussed - how nice :ohwell:
  • ryry_
    ryry_ Posts: 4,966 Member
    silly stuff . . . time for a beer

    To quote the great George Constanza.

    BeachIron is back and I'm loving every minute of it!
  • stfuriada
    stfuriada Posts: 445 Member
    Tough love is the best motivation for some of us.

    The delicate flowers can continue ignore us and group hug each other into their goals.
  • JayneesGotAGut
    JayneesGotAGut Posts: 25 Member
    I love positivity and you're right, this is why I don't post very much at all. Glad to see there are others like me and if any of you would like extra support or to network, be sure to add me. Hold me accountable but let us build each other up.
  • You are right, I didn't know that.

    Regardless, even if she, or anyone else, had always been slim, I still consider paying attention to diet and fitness as "busting your *kitten*".

    My intention was not to call this group out or denigrate them or anything. It was only to show that there is (at least a perceived) communication disconnect between the season folks and the newbies. You may not see it, as you are also seasoned and "among friends", but new people will often feel it. They come here alone, and having a bunch of people pile on their questions who all seem to be friends with each other can sometimes feel hostile.

    Especially if they aren't familiar with Internet forums in general.

    This is what I found sensible in your original assertion. The apparent disconnect between noob and more experienced hand. Yes, people on here tend to treat the person seeking advice as if they are the same person asking the same question 1,000 times rather than 1,000 different people. I find the phenomenon interesting...

    I am not sure what you mean by "seasoned". Are you referring to my forum post count or my training experience? Or as a gentleman of a certain age?!

    Please also tell me what you mean by "among friends". I have a tiny FL and, to my knowledge, no one upon it has commented in this thread. Actually, most people on my FL don't really use the forums much and most of my advice is normally ignored when I try to help people...

    Lol, when I said "you", I didn't mean you specifically. I just meant "seasoned people".
    Chalk that one up to bad grammar/lack of clarification.

    By seasoned people, I mean people who have been here for a long time and are active on the messaging boards.
    And by "friends" I don't mean the friends list either. I really haven't checked that, except for in this thread the one time. What I mean is, they seem to know and like each other.
  • Iron_Feline
    Iron_Feline Posts: 10,750 Member
    There does seem to be a clique of people who have been here for a while and have long since reached goal and have a lot of good knowlege to share with us new people.

    I think the problem is that it's hard, psychologically, to remember that each new person who asks about their 1200 calorie diet or the caloric demon of the day is new, really is confused and has been bombarded by sensationalized information regarding nutrition.

    It's a conversation that they have had a thousand times before, and they seem to be treating all these people as the same person, who happens to be frustratingly slow to learn to use the search button but quick to make a mean people thread

    I understand this, to an extent, as I work in technical support and I have to make a large effort to remember that each new person who has no idea where to begin with their smartphone has not heard the 1000 other conversations I've had on the subject.

    Combine this with the fact that they all seem to be friends, see each other's comments and tend to pile on, and you get an environment that seems hostile to newbies.

    Also, a lot of them are young/old and have worked hard to get and remain fit, tend to lift heavy and try to stop people doing stupid fad diets and get them to see that weight loss can be simple.

    The best advice for noobs, including myself, is to do your best to search previous topics before posting. And if you do post keep and open mind about the answers you get as there is normally excellent advice in the replies.

    It's a shame, because we all do like the one on one attention and getting our specific questions answered.

    Also, don't be one of those people who posts just to get validation. If you already "know" the answer and you are not going to change your mind, then don't "ask" about it.

    FIFY

    Okay, I creeper your profile:
    Under 40, Check
    Lifting heavy: check
    Only had 11 lb to lose: check
    thousands of posts: check
    5 out of 6 friends that show all seem to be under 40 and have 1000s of posts and, from what I remember of them, lift heavy.

    I understand that there are lost of people on this site from different backgrounds, but there does seem to be an extended group of people with these characteristics who have gotten exceedingly tired of "stupid fad diets".

    I don't blame you for this, I have received a lot of useful advice from this group, but I can see how someone new here, who has been told by everybody else that 1200 cals is the proper dieting level for women, that paleo is the way to go and that cardiovascular is what you need may be off put when people fail to answer her questions with patience.

    Sorry my age appears to be an issue for you :ohwell:

    I have more than 6 friends - and I don't pick them by age or activities.

    I do lft heavy but I also run and bike - I'm planning on doing a tri next year. I like a balance.

    I didn't have only 11lbs to lose - I reset my ticker - that's just my current goal.

    Everyone should be tired of stupid fad diets.

    And if you have received lots of good advice from this group - I don't really see what your issue is.

    Oh and I have 1000's of posts as I like to try to help people - not just whine and moan and create mean people threads. But people and threads like this make me wonder why I bother.

    Oh and you add the tone to the posts you read - think about it.
  • jofjltncb6
    jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member
    Has anyone else ever perused really old threads? I have. If you ever do, look at the dynamics back then. It's the same discussions with the same interplay...except that the names are different. You also have the same "victims", only different names.

    People who say that this is a new development don't remember their MFP history accurately. This is further exacerbated by an inability to provide links to examples of this so-called recent phenomenon.
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    I love positivity and you're right, this is why I don't post very much at all. Glad to see there are others like me and if any of you would like extra support or to network, be sure to add me. Hold me accountable but let us build each other up.

    Me too, and I think I am "positive" that I do not want this to turn into a place where people are afraid to inform me of the truth and sometimes beat me over the head with it, lest I become stubborn in my zeal to reach goal and unwilling to listen to reason as I've seen so many people do and have sometimes done myself. There needs to remain some level of "I can handle a grown up conversation" on a site meant for the 18 and over whereby real adults from various walks of life and styles of speak can get their points across to one another in a manner different peoples can understand, accept, and assimilate. For this reason I don't appreciate the threads that call up the behavior of "groups" undescribed and then vaguely refer to them as mean.
  • There does seem to be a clique of people who have been here for a while and have long since reached goal and have a lot of good knowlege to share with us new people.

    I think the problem is that it's hard, psychologically, to remember that each new person who asks about their 1200 calorie diet or the caloric demon of the day is new, really is confused and has been bombarded by sensationalized information regarding nutrition.

    It's a conversation that they have had a thousand times before, and they seem to be treating all these people as the same person, who happens to be frustratingly slow to learn to use the search button but quick to make a mean people thread

    I understand this, to an extent, as I work in technical support and I have to make a large effort to remember that each new person who has no idea where to begin with their smartphone has not heard the 1000 other conversations I've had on the subject.

    Combine this with the fact that they all seem to be friends, see each other's comments and tend to pile on, and you get an environment that seems hostile to newbies.

    Also, a lot of them are young/old and have worked hard to get and remain fit, tend to lift heavy and try to stop people doing stupid fad diets and get them to see that weight loss can be simple.

    The best advice for noobs, including myself, is to do your best to search previous topics before posting. And if you do post keep and open mind about the answers you get as there is normally excellent advice in the replies.

    It's a shame, because we all do like the one on one attention and getting our specific questions answered.

    Also, don't be one of those people who posts just to get validation. If you already "know" the answer and you are not going to change your mind, then don't "ask" about it.

    FIFY

    Okay, I creeper your profile:
    Under 40, Check
    Lifting heavy: check
    Only had 11 lb to lose: check
    thousands of posts: check
    5 out of 6 friends that show all seem to be under 40 and have 1000s of posts and, from what I remember of them, lift heavy.

    I understand that there are lost of people on this site from different backgrounds, but there does seem to be an extended group of people with these characteristics who have gotten exceedingly tired of "stupid fad diets".

    I don't blame you for this, I have received a lot of useful advice from this group, but I can see how someone new here, who has been told by everybody else that 1200 cals is the proper dieting level for women, that paleo is the way to go and that cardiovascular is what you need may be off put when people fail to answer her questions with patience.

    Sorry my age appears to be an issue for you :ohwell:

    I have more than 6 friends - and I don't pick them by age or activities.

    I do lft heavy but I also run and bike - I'm planning on doing a tri next year. I like a balance.

    I didn't have only 11lbs to lose - I reset my ticker - that's just my current goal.

    Everyone should be tired of stupid fad diets.

    And if you have received lots of good advice from this group - I don't really see what your issue is.

    Oh and I have 1000's of posts as I like to try to help people - not just whine and moan and create mean people threads. But people and threads like this make me wonder why I bother.

    Oh and you add the tone to the posts you read - think about it.

    Well, here is an example.

    Besides having received helpful advice. I didn't mean any of that.

    You "fixed" my post. That seemed snarky. I know you might not mean it that way.

    This is exactly my point. I posted an opinion, you "corrected" it. I used you as an example as what *I* as a new person have encountered. You took what I said out of context. Probably thinking I was snarking on you, which I get.

    This all creates for an environment that can seem hostile.

    This is not my intention. I promise.
  • BeachGingerOnTheRocks
    BeachGingerOnTheRocks Posts: 3,927 Member
    Has anyone else ever perused really old threads? I have. If you ever do, look at the dynamics back then. It's the same discussions with the same interplay...except that the names are different. You also have the same "victims", only different names.

    People who say that this is a new development don't remember their MFP history accurately. This is further exacerbated by an inability to provide links to examples of this so-called recent phenomenon.

    Ah, the good old days when everything was happy and innocent.

    Now, all we need is for someone to say "get off my lawn."
  • jofjltncb6
    jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member
    Has anyone else ever perused really old threads? I have. If you ever do, look at the dynamics back then. It's the same discussions with the same interplay...except that the names are different. You also have the same "victims", only different names.

    People who say that this is a new development don't remember their MFP history accurately. This is further exacerbated by an inability to provide links to examples of this so-called recent phenomenon.

    Ah, the good old days when everything was happy and innocent.

    Now, all we need is for someone to say "get off my lawn."

    (Ironically, that's often *my* line.)
  • LiftAllThePizzas
    LiftAllThePizzas Posts: 17,857 Member
    So I have been on and off of this site for a few years now. Just started my 3rd round, and I'm determined to accomplish my goals this time! But with the huge growth of this site, I have also noticed some changes.

    Has anyone else noticed that the "attitude" of MFP seems to not be as it was before? It gets more and more hostile each time I read post. Don't get me wrong, all of my friends are GREAT - they always have awesome posts on my feed that I can get inspiration from. I'm talking about the message boards, specifically the "Motivation and Support" category.

    I read posts from people who are reaching out for help (on whatever subject it may be) by posting on the message boards. What they get in return is people making fun of grammar, spelling, usage, or giving sarcastic remarks back. This is not a rare occasion, either. I'd say it's what happens the majority of the time. It really hurts my heart to see those people, who may not have the same education as everyone else, get shot down over minor details. People seem to have lost sight of what this website is for. We are all here for the same reason - to get/stay healthy.

    I posted on the motivation and support category during the last time I tried to lose weight (my 2nd attempt) and decided quickly that I will no longer ask for help on message boards. It was a post about my unsupportive boyfriend, and I admit, it was "ranty." But almost all of the responses that I received were rude, judgmental, or sarcastic.

    It's too bad that we all have to say hurtful or mean things to each other when this is such a wonderful site that can be so helpful to people. Until I see I change, I think I'll stick to posting questions on my status or use Google.

    *End Rant*
    You don't like that people post negative things on the forum, so you go to the "motivation and support" forum and post the most negative thing you can think of.

    Sounds legit.
  • I'm so glad that you posted this. I don't post at all because of the sarcastic, rude people on here. People come here for advice and motivation. I honestly don't think they would ask questions if they knew the answers. What they get is rude commentary from people who think everyone must think the same way they do. At first I enjoyed reading posts in the community. Now I rarely read because of this very thing.

    Mama must not have taught them the same thing mama taught me.... if you can't say something nice... you know the rest...
  • Iron_Feline
    Iron_Feline Posts: 10,750 Member
    By seasoned people, I mean people who have been here for a long time and are active on the messaging boards.
    And by "friends" I don't mean the friends list either. I really haven't checked that, except for in this thread the one time. What I mean is, they seem to know and like each other.

    Sooooooooo people who have been here a while - who get to know each other as they are active on the boards - who may or may not become friends shouldn't comment as we forget what it's like to be noobs?

    Sooooooooo only people who haven't been here long enough to realise that a HUGE amount of the ideas on weight loss are fads or just really bad ideas or unnecessary should be the only ones to reply - in case someone else doesn't like the "tone" of their post?

    I find it interesting that the people who agree with the MFP "bullies" are the ones who have only been here a short while or are the current white knight in residence.

    Oh and for the record - I type exactly how I talk - I say what I mean and don't cover it in glitter and rainbows. Don't like it - don't listen to it or send me a friend request.

    The the internet is just like real life you won't get on / like everyone. Just move on, put them on ignore if you have to but stop whining about it. (yes I would say that to your face)

    :flowerforyou:
  • ryry_
    ryry_ Posts: 4,966 Member
    I'm so glad that you posted this. I don't post at all because of the sarcastic, rude people on here. People come here for advice and motivation. I honestly don't think they would ask questions if they knew the answers. What they get is rude commentary from people who think everyone must think the same way they do. At first I enjoyed reading posts in the community. Now I rarely read because of this very thing.

    Mama must not have taught them the same thing mama taught me.... if you can't say something nice... you know the rest...

    ....Don't worry about or try to change and ask everyone to support you in your right to be mean?
  • I think there is merit on both sides (hear me out before you start yelling!). There are people who post really bad weight loss ideas, ask for people's opinions, and get butthurt when people tell them they are wrong and their plan is a terrible one. I have limited sympathy for these people. if you ask what people think of your idea, expect to find out what they think about your idea.

    But there does seem to be a contingent on here (and every forum, I am so not singling out MFP) that is itching for a chance to put someone down or hurt their feelings. Ad hominem attacks, intentionally taking things way out of context, and spiteful attitudes are not "truth" and they are not effective ways to argue.

    I admit to finding some of the sarcastic remarks clever, even when they are directed at me, but most are just mean and extremely arrogant. It doesn't feel like an attempt at humour, just a venting of bile. Maybe if you asked yourself what would happen if you said this to someone in real life, you would know if you should say it online. If the person would be somewhat embarrassed, and say "touche", it's probably pithy. If they would run off crying and not come back, or punch you in the face, perhaps you should keep it to yourself.


    Am I on the same forum? I often see reference to these kind of posts and groups of people but I never see links to examples of it and I haven't seen it myself. I do see the odd rude remark but it is usually from an account with few posts and the generic avatar. Plus people tend to call them out, like people have done on this thread.

    OP - I don't understand. If this is the post you are talking about, I see tons of supportive nice posts. There are some that say things you may not want to hear but I don't see the rude judgemental posts.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/964885-okay-i-m-a-big-baby


    FTR - if you aren't looking for feedback, rants don't usually go over well here. People will give you feedback if posted on the forums. If that's not what you are looking for, maybe the blog feature might be a better option.

    MAN, that's an old thread. I just like how the OP ends as /rant thus describing itself as a rant and contains a reference to another rant. That saved me time in looking up whether this OP was a ranty type person.

    Ex of being judemental ^
    This post and the other one I referenced I believe have only been my "ranty" posts. But feel free to creep through the rest and see if you can find some more. I am definitely not intending to be a ranty person, but instead call out myself when it does happen.
  • BeachIron
    BeachIron Posts: 6,490 Member
    I'm so glad that you posted this. I don't post at all because of the sarcastic, rude people on here. People come here for advice and motivation. I honestly don't think they would ask questions if they knew the answers. What they get is rude commentary from people who think everyone must think the same way they do. At first I enjoyed reading posts in the community. Now I rarely read because of this very thing.

    Mama must not have taught them the same thing mama taught me.... if you can't say something nice... you know the rest...

    I wonder if Mama would have approved of this post . . .
  • Iron_Feline
    Iron_Feline Posts: 10,750 Member
    There does seem to be a clique of people who have been here for a while and have long since reached goal and have a lot of good knowlege to share with us new people.

    I think the problem is that it's hard, psychologically, to remember that each new person who asks about their 1200 calorie diet or the caloric demon of the day is new, really is confused and has been bombarded by sensationalized information regarding nutrition.

    It's a conversation that they have had a thousand times before, and they seem to be treating all these people as the same person, who happens to be frustratingly slow to learn to use the search button but quick to make a mean people thread

    I understand this, to an extent, as I work in technical support and I have to make a large effort to remember that each new person who has no idea where to begin with their smartphone has not heard the 1000 other conversations I've had on the subject.

    Combine this with the fact that they all seem to be friends, see each other's comments and tend to pile on, and you get an environment that seems hostile to newbies.

    Also, a lot of them are young/old and have worked hard to get and remain fit, tend to lift heavy and try to stop people doing stupid fad diets and get them to see that weight loss can be simple.

    The best advice for noobs, including myself, is to do your best to search previous topics before posting. And if you do post keep and open mind about the answers you get as there is normally excellent advice in the replies.

    It's a shame, because we all do like the one on one attention and getting our specific questions answered.

    Also, don't be one of those people who posts just to get validation. If you already "know" the answer and you are not going to change your mind, then don't "ask" about it.

    FIFY

    Okay, I creeper your profile:
    Under 40, Check
    Lifting heavy: check
    Only had 11 lb to lose: check
    thousands of posts: check
    5 out of 6 friends that show all seem to be under 40 and have 1000s of posts and, from what I remember of them, lift heavy.

    I understand that there are lost of people on this site from different backgrounds, but there does seem to be an extended group of people with these characteristics who have gotten exceedingly tired of "stupid fad diets".

    I don't blame you for this, I have received a lot of useful advice from this group, but I can see how someone new here, who has been told by everybody else that 1200 cals is the proper dieting level for women, that paleo is the way to go and that cardiovascular is what you need may be off put when people fail to answer her questions with patience.

    Sorry my age appears to be an issue for you :ohwell:

    I have more than 6 friends - and I don't pick them by age or activities.

    I do lft heavy but I also run and bike - I'm planning on doing a tri next year. I like a balance.

    I didn't have only 11lbs to lose - I reset my ticker - that's just my current goal.

    Everyone should be tired of stupid fad diets.

    And if you have received lots of good advice from this group - I don't really see what your issue is.

    Oh and I have 1000's of posts as I like to try to help people - not just whine and moan and create mean people threads. But people and threads like this make me wonder why I bother.

    Oh and you add the tone to the posts you read - think about it.

    Well, here is an example.

    Besides having received helpful advice. I didn't mean any of that.

    You "fixed" my post. That seemed snarky. I know you might not mean it that way.

    This is exactly my point. I posted an opinion, you "corrected" it. I used you as an example as what *I* as a new person have encountered. You took what I said out of context. Probably thinking I was snarking on you, which I get.

    This all creates for an environment that can seem hostile.

    This is not my intention. I promise.

    By fixing it I simply gave my opinon in reponse in a different manner.

    Then what did you mean by all the little "checks" next to my attributes - they all looked like reasons I'm either a bully/mean/shouldn't post.
  • Hildy_J
    Hildy_J Posts: 1,050 Member
    *opens thread*
    *sees*

    You are ignoring this user
    You are ignoring this user
    You are ignoring this user
    You are ignoring this user
    You are ignoring this user
    You are ignoring this user
    You are ignoring this user
    You are ignoring this user
    You are ignoring this user
    You are ignoring this user
    You are ignoring this user
    You are ignoring this user

    *closes thread*
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    You are ignoring this user

    I didn't know you could do that - thanks!
  • Iron_Feline
    Iron_Feline Posts: 10,750 Member
    *opens thread*
    *sees*

    You are ignoring this user
    You are ignoring this user
    You are ignoring this user
    You are ignoring this user
    You are ignoring this user
    You are ignoring this user
    You are ignoring this user
    You are ignoring this user
    You are ignoring this user
    You are ignoring this user
    You are ignoring this user
    You are ignoring this user

    *closes thread*

    I suspect this says more about you than the people you are ignoring. Especially since you felt the need to post this.

    *Wonders if she will see this post - realises she doesn't care*
  • LiftAllThePizzas
    LiftAllThePizzas Posts: 17,857 Member
    Okay. What I mean is, how a post is read can vary greatly depending on circumstances. If you have been here a long time and you have a lot of friends and feel at home, you're not going to be as sensitive to sarcasm or criticism. You're just not. To you, this is a safe place, you know the rules, you have more information regarding nutrition and fitness in general and you have seen all the posts before, sometimes 1000s of times.

    If you are new here, you are often alone. You may not know much yet and this place does not feel safe yet.

    When these new people ask questions, that the old people are going to find tiresome by this point, the new person may read the blunt and to the point answers of the old people as hostile, especially if they are piled on. The old people won't see it this way, they already feel safe here and are "just talking".

    The only reason I pointed out the similarities of what I see as the old group (of which I may have been mistaken) is to show that they are used to people like them with similar experience, and this can cause it to be more difficult to empathize with the fear and uncertainty of someone who is new.
    This sounds reasonable enough, except it isn't consistent with the reality I've observed. I've known plenty of people (myself included) who go to a new forum, read a few posts, and jump right in, and are comfortable. And I've seen plenty of people who have been on a forum a long time and still feel like they are victims.
  • Iron_Feline
    Iron_Feline Posts: 10,750 Member
    You are ignoring this user

    I didn't know you could do that - thanks!

    Yep - just click the arrow next to the persons name.

    Edit: must edit this post as it could be seen as helpful, and I wouldn't like to change the perceived status quo of the boards.
  • in_the_stars
    in_the_stars Posts: 1,395 Member
    Maya Angelou — 'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'

    When people are unhappy with their own lives they're not generous with others.
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    But...shades of grey, right?

    Preferably 50 of them...
This discussion has been closed.