I find this inconsiderate

jesspi68

I personally wouldn't say it (and I'm not on the forum enough to see repeated threads keep coming up anyway), but I do sort of understand the frustration of people that post on here a lot and see the same questions over and over again. Although, I've never used the search function on this board, so if it's *kitten*, then I can't really blame the question posters at all.

Here's my argument for this, because I hear this a lot.
We should not be expected to use the search option. The people who originally posted the questions got the benefit of a conversation - direct answers to their questions by real people. The new people could certainly look up those old questions, but then it would be answers to someone else's question, in effect making this a database instead of a community. New people should get the same joy of putting out a question and seeing responses by people that care.
Old people should realize that the new people want that same experience and not expect them to just look up their old history.

Exactly this, I use the search function but it is kind of disappointing when I am commenting on an old, old thread and find that no one else is gonna join in...

RonSwanson66

I don't post the angry/snarky responses, but I definitely understand the frustration. To me, there are a few reasons.

In the case of certain threads, there has clearly been NO attempt whatsoever to look at the boards at all before posting. It doesn't even require the search function (which people seem to be unaware of for some reason) for some topics because they are always on the first page of the board, such as "TOM" posts (and there are often several per day). It's rather irritating that someone will come to the board and just start posting things without making any effort to see what's going on, how the community is, or what people are talking about. Lurk a little first.

In other cases, it's very hard to believe that someone is asking a genuine question. When I see a post about someone eating 20 calories over their goal or asking if it's okay to eat a single serving of candy (yes, I have seen both topics), I think that that person is looking for attention and for people to tell them how great they're doing. Bragging disguised as self-deprecation seems to be universally annoying to people.

This exactly.

The search function on this site is not very good, so I don't expect new posters to be able to find answers to their questions there. But looking through the first page or two before asking questions is not too much to ask. When there are already three or four threads on the first page titled with your exact question, you don't need to start a new thread.

Learning a new topic is a two way process. The knowledgeable posters didn't get that way from having all of their information spoon-fed to them, and they expect the same from those they are passing their information on to.


Too many threads are a detriment to everyone who wants to expand their knowledge. Step away from the forum for an hour or two, and a new or interesting topic that was posted in your absence will have been lost in a sea of "Does this count as Water?"'s

dlaplume2

I personally wouldn't say it (and I'm not on the forum enough to see repeated threads keep coming up anyway), but I do sort of understand the frustration of people that post on here a lot and see the same questions over and over again. Although, I've never used the search function on this board, so if it's *kitten*, then I can't really blame the question posters at all.

Here's my argument for this, because I hear this a lot.
We should not be expected to use the search option. The people who originally posted the questions got the benefit of a conversation - direct answers to their questions by real people. The new people could certainly look up those old questions, but then it would be answers to someone else's question, in effect making this a database instead of a community. New people should get the same joy of putting out a question and seeing responses by people that care.
Old people should realize that the new people want that same experience and not expect them to just look up their old history.

I agree with this wholeheartedly. Very well said!!

jhudnal5

It doesn't bother me really but I know the reasoning the moderators and others want you to search before posting. It is because it helps keep the "board" and the "Internet" tidy. When we only have one thread about a topic it makes it easier for others to find it. The search engines that index the boards dont have a dozens and hundreds and eventually if left unkept thousands of threads all over about the same thing that some may have great information on the topic while others dont it makes it hard to find your information.

just my 2 cents.

P.S. It doesnt bother me that people do ask the same things or start the same topics previously covered because we are all human, we all have our own experiences and we all dont know the answers to every question including why you should search first before starting anew topic to see if it has been covered already. People are people, we are not machines its the beauty of life actually. If we all were the same or acted the same or new all the answers or the etiquette we would be computers and they have no character...

gpstrucker

I notice that most legit questions are answered politely and considerately and it's the dimmer people who get the negative responses.

Yes, you are quite right. It's not like the "dimmer people" need to learn or anything. They should just remain fat and out of shape and not bother everyone else with their quest to improve themselves.

bm99

I notice that most legit questions are answered politely and considerately and it's the dimmer people who get the negative responses.

Yes, you are quite right. It's not like the "dimmer people" need to learn or anything. They should just remain fat and out of shape and not bother everyone else with their quest to improve themselves.

When someone posts a question that is just spectacularly lacking in common sense, then I expect they will fail anyway. A large part of the weight loss process is educating yourself and while a site full of smarty pantses like this one can be an excellent resource, you must take the initiative and learn yourself. The people who come here and ask the dumbest questions they can think of are the same ones who will realize a healthier life can't be handed to them and they'll flit away to an easier fad diet.

And I am talking about the REALLY stupid questions, not just the ones asked over and over. You know them when you see them.

gogophers

I notice that most legit questions are answered politely and considerately and it's the dimmer people who get the negative responses.

Yes, you are quite right. It's not like the "dimmer people" need to learn or anything. They should just remain fat and out of shape and not bother everyone else with their quest to improve themselves.

I'm not sure how we're defining "dimmer people", but if people provide free advice and the poster is rude to them (note that disagreeing DOES NOT equal rude), I think the poster deserves to be ripped a new one.

LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo

I would only say it if it come from the very same person asking the very same question otherwise I would answer it the best I could based on my own experiences.

And I agree that it is mean & rude to say that especially to a newbie.

mustangmama3

I agree It does not bother me to answer the same question a hundred times if it helps one person then its worth it to me

Agree!!!

SuffolkSally

I personally wouldn't say it (and I'm not on the forum enough to see repeated threads keep coming up anyway), but I do sort of understand the frustration of people that post on here a lot and see the same questions over and over again. Although, I've never used the search function on this board, so if it's *kitten*, then I can't really blame the question posters at all.

Here's my argument for this, because I hear this a lot.
We should not be expected to use the search option. The people who originally posted the questions got the benefit of a conversation - direct answers to their questions by real people. The new people could certainly look up those old questions, but then it would be answers to someone else's question, in effect making this a database instead of a community. New people should get the same joy of putting out a question and seeing responses by people that care.
Old people should realize that the new people want that same experience and not expect them to just look up their old history.

Yes, with you on this! Anyway, the longer standing members don't have to respond, they can just ignore - no need to get arsy

tami101

I personally wouldn't say it (and I'm not on the forum enough to see repeated threads keep coming up anyway), but I do sort of understand the frustration of people that post on here a lot and see the same questions over and over again. Although, I've never used the search function on this board, so if it's *kitten*, then I can't really blame the question posters at all.

Here's my argument for this, because I hear this a lot.
We should not be expected to use the search option. The people who originally posted the questions got the benefit of a conversation - direct answers to their questions by real people. The new people could certainly look up those old questions, but then it would be answers to someone else's question, in effect making this a database instead of a community. New people should get the same joy of putting out a question and seeing responses by people that care.
Old people should realize that the new people want that same experience and not expect them to just look up their old history.

This exactly! I once looked up a question on an old thread (because I remembered reading about the search button from other posters) and I basically found my answer, but I had more questions but because it was an old thread, I didn't post on it because I didn't feel like it would be answered. I would have much rather preferred starting a new thread and I definitely will do that next time. Plus, it would have been fun to have an actual conversation with somebody who has had the same experiences.

HealthyBride5_3_13

I agree with you, it's rude and obnoxious.

^^^This

shariTN

Every time someone does that we should all say " Here we go again, someone being rude"

IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym

I personally wouldn't say it (and I'm not on the forum enough to see repeated threads keep coming up anyway), but I do sort of understand the frustration of people that post on here a lot and see the same questions over and over again. Although, I've never used the search function on this board, so if it's *kitten*, then I can't really blame the question posters at all.

Here's my argument for this, because I hear this a lot.
We should not be expected to use the search option. The people who originally posted the questions got the benefit of a conversation - direct answers to their questions by real people. The new people could certainly look up those old questions, but then it would be answers to someone else's question, in effect making this a database instead of a community. New people should get the same joy of putting out a question and seeing responses by people that care.
Old people should realize that the new people want that same experience and not expect them to just look up their old history.

I completely agree, its out of control. Awesome that those who want everyone to use the 'search' feature knows it all already, but they learned it from someone else, more than likely who paid it forward, so maybe extend the same courtesy. Just my thoughts....

Stefanie7125

I agree, it is rude. I know there is a search button, but I am not sure how long I was on MFP before I realized it and utilized it. If the post bothers you or upsets you, don't be rude just keep going and ignore it. Its really not that difficult. We need more kindness on the message boards...

tony2009

As a senior majoring in Management Information Systems, I can say that redundancy on these threads is at an astronomical level.

I mean, how can you not get a little aggravated when you see someone who gets on here and say, "how can I loose weight, I've tried 31349 other diets and failed, HELP ME PLEASE" , and when you look at their profile, they have no picture, an empty diary, and no information. They probably worked really hard to research the topic.

Ten minutes of research and you can probably find all of the answers you're looking for and some!

BOLO4Hagtha

I kinda agree with you there OP. Another pet peeve that I have is that some people have an over-inflated sense of righteousness. Especially if someone asks about diet supplements/pills and how they have worked for previous users. You always get that one person that calls the person asking the question stupid for even asking.

Truth is different things work different people. If you have nothing nice to say, don't post anything at all!

Givemewings

Here's my argument for this, because I hear this a lot.
We should not be expected to use the search option. The people who originally posted the questions got the benefit of a conversation - direct answers to their questions by real people. The new people could certainly look up those old questions, but then it would be answers to someone else's question, in effect making this a database instead of a community. New people should get the same joy of putting out a question and seeing responses by people that care.
Old people should realize that the new people want that same experience and not expect them to just look up their old history.
[/quote]

I agree with this!!

LorinaLynn

I also don't mind answering the same questions over again, because I realize that not everyone has been a member for a year and a half.

And say someone posts a follow-up question to an existing topic that's already 10 pages long. How many people are going to read through the whole thread again to see the new question on page 10? Most will skim the first page, respond to something on the first post, and skip the rest. New question will get completely ignored, and maybe buried behind three pages of "bump."

Plus... the search feature on this site absolutely SUCKS! The only way I can find a topic I'm looking for, is to use Google. MFP's search returns individual posts, not topics, and there's no way to sort them by relevance.

BrettPGH

Anyone who is ACTUALLY a long time forum user would know that most people just don't search. There's nothing that can be done about it.

Now if you start a thread and get good advice but you don't wanna hear it because it's not the answer you were looking for... I got no time for you Jack.

Tropical_Turtle

well I will be inconsiderate in saying - search the boards first to see if you can get your answer before posting. Sometimes it helps to troll because I know myself, if I had a question, I would search the boards thinking I could not be the only person wondering this.

Oh wait that might be common sense - what was I thinking