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Should people always be supportive on MFP?

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  • InnerFatGirl
    InnerFatGirl Posts: 2,687 Member
    When I say support, I don't mean lying. Lying is not really supportive. I mean don't be an *kitten* for the sake of being an *kitten* and don't take your bad day out on anyone else, including internet strangers here. I mean, some people in this world (a sad number, actually) are just petty little sadists who enjoy hurting others, and they definitely don't belong here. Or anywhere, really.
  • castadiva
    castadiva Posts: 2,016 Member
    The gap between constructive criticism and mean, making-myself-feel-better-about-myself bullying is a vast gulf, nonetheless I have seen many people (in the general forums) fall in and swim rapidly (better calorie burn :wink: ) towards the wrong shore.

    If someone is clearly deluding themselves, engaging in dangerous behaviour or spreading misinformation I see no problem in politely suggesting they look at things another way, or think about tackling the issue at hand from a different standpoint. It may not be a 'way to go!', but it is supportive. I don't see any need for a comparative stranger to tell them they're a "%*&"^~# idiot lard-@ss", or words to that effect.

    Should people always be supportive? Yes. There's nothing to be gained on either side of the equation from being unkind/unpleasant/out-and-out rude or mean. Should that support always come in the form of a warm internet hug, and 'you're wonderful', regardless of the situation at hand? No.
  • VelociMama
    VelociMama Posts: 3,119 Member
    Oh how I loathe the "support" argument. Always followed by the "we're all here for the same reason" nonsense.

    We're not. There are thousands and thousands of users here. Most looking to lose weight. Some wanting to gain or maintain. Some tracking their macros. Some here just for the social aspect. Some are here just to troll and make trouble. So no, we're not all here for the same reason.

    Next we have to decide what support is. Most people seem to think it means "telling me what I want to hear." Sorry Jack, that ain't it. Often times the best support you can get is someone telling you to stop whining and get your *kitten* in gear. But people don't want to hear that. They want to hear that it's not their fault they ate half a cake. That they don't need to run or lift if they don't feel like it. They want someone to tell them they're pretty and special.

    Screw support. Get it from your friends, real life or MFP. To expect complete internet strangers to be kind and helpful is just painfully naive.

    ^ This.
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