MFP Pet Peeve

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Nalgh94
Nalgh94 Posts: 181 Member
in Motivation and Support
I've browsed a few topics over here and I found something that has really bothered me. Certain people have started topics to ask for advice whether on food, exercise or supplments and have been met with the "I'm an expert and this is a stupid inquiry" attitude. Even if you think a certain supplement or practice is not healthy or ineffective, you really don't have to make that person feel bad or stupid about asking. I get that some people here have more knowledge and have already been down the successful journey but some of us here are trying to learn our way around and it would be easier if people didn't ridicule others for questions.

Sorry just a rant but it's been bothering me more and more as I browse this forum looking for serious answers.
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Replies

  • ubermensch13
    ubermensch13 Posts: 824 Member
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    Well, not everyone believes in a certain style of giving advice. Many are the tough love types. Especially when it comes to certain things(eating under 1000 calories, diet pills, etc) people react strongly. You also have to realize, many of the vets here have seen the same topic a billion times and probably have given advice many different types of ways before.....frustration sometimes plays a roll.
  • jzammetti
    jzammetti Posts: 1,956 Member
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    No one is required to respond. I agree they should be nice or be quiet
  • prairiedawg2014
    prairiedawg2014 Posts: 367
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    I've browsed a few topics over here and I found something that has really bothered me. Certain people have started topics to ask for advice whether on food, exercise or supplments and have been met with the "I'm an expert and this is a stupid inquiry" attitude. Even if you think a certain supplement or practice is not healthy or ineffective, you really don't have to make that person feel bad or stupid about asking. I get that some people here have more knowledge and have already been down the successful journey but some of us here are trying to learn our way around and it would be easier if people didn't ridicule others for questions.

    Sorry just a rant but it's been bothering me more and more as I browse this forum looking for serious answers.



    i totally agree!!
  • somemansdream
    somemansdream Posts: 88
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    Yes, I have seen how things can easily get out of control here. However, its still a great place to get advice and ideas, support etc.

    Debbie :)
  • wanda9501
    wanda9501 Posts: 114
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    The old saying still stands, "If you can't say anything nice, than don't say anything at all"!! We are all here for the same reason and being nasty is not required or needed, especially for someone who just started this new phase in their life. The last thing someone who is trying to lose weight needs, is someone being nasty. That can really make a person feel defeated.

    Good luck to everyone on their journey!!
  • Lrdoflamancha
    Lrdoflamancha Posts: 1,280 Member
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    I hate it when someone asks a question, and the first responder tells them to use the search function. Because the question has been answered many times before.
  • Nalgh94
    Nalgh94 Posts: 181 Member
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    Yes, I have seen how things can easily get out of control here. However, its still a great place to get advice and ideas, support etc.

    Debbie :)

    Oh I love it here and it's the first place I come to to seek advice. But like the rest have said, if you can't give your advice nicely, maybe it's better to stay quiet
  • apvalletta
    apvalletta Posts: 110 Member
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    The old saying still stands, "If you can't say anything nice, than don't say anything at all"!! We are all here for the same reason and being nasty is not required or needed, especially for someone who just started this new phase in their life. The last thing someone who is trying to lose weight needs, is someone being nasty. That can really make a person feel defeated.

    Good luck to everyone on their journey!!

    Well said Wanda & best of luck to all!
  • ubermensch13
    ubermensch13 Posts: 824 Member
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    No one is required to respond. I agree they should be nice or be quiet

    Be nice or be quiet--the mantra of the thin skinned. Ugh!
  • Nalgh94
    Nalgh94 Posts: 181 Member
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    Well, not everyone believes in a certain style of giving advice. Many are the tough love types. Especially when it comes to certain things(eating under 1000 calories, diet pills, etc) people react strongly. You also have to realize, many of the vets here have seen the same topic a billion times and probably have given advice many different types of ways before.....frustration sometimes plays a roll.

    Very true but they don't have to respond, the person asking the question may also be frustrated and there's no point adding to tha frustration. If someone isn't well informed they may be afraid to ask anymore and that will end up in terrible results
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
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    my favourite is people who say 'i do x, y and z and i cant lose weight' so people suggest trying a, b or c, and the OP shoots each idea down with an excuse why they couldnt possibly try that... so what did they bother asking for?!
  • Nalgh94
    Nalgh94 Posts: 181 Member
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    I hate it when someone asks a question, and the first responder tells them to use the search function. Because the question has been answered many times before.

    Or "just stick to eating less and moving more"...I think everyone here is trying to do that anyways
  • Nalgh94
    Nalgh94 Posts: 181 Member
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    my favourite is people who say 'i do x, y and z and i cant lose weight' so people suggest trying a, b or c, and the OP shoots each idea down with an excuse why they couldnt possibly try that... so what did they bother asking for?!

    Well that's a whole different topic which I also agree with. Generally when I inquire here, I at least try to follow the advice and suggestions I get
  • Alex_is_Hawks
    Alex_is_Hawks Posts: 3,499 Member
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    no offense, but did you do a search on this topic too?

    cause it's been done before...and the answers aren't gonna change....

    some people just respond that way, some people don't...MFP is a microcosm of human behaviour and there's no escaping that.

    Jus sayin.
  • cmcollins001
    cmcollins001 Posts: 3,472 Member
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    Anyone who has any forum experience, anywhere, ever, has this same gripe...and the same responses to this gripe will follow which will range from, "Yeah! I agree...people need to learn to be nicer or don't answer, because not everyone knows" to "Don't read what you don't like" to "People respond to difference advice different ways" to "It's called Search...try using it." to "Uggg!!! THIS question AGAIN
  • itsmyvwbeetle
    itsmyvwbeetle Posts: 272 Member
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    I hate it when someone asks a question, and the first responder tells them to use the search function. Because the question has been answered many times before.

    Me too!! Why? One person was curious, sure that person could have spent the few seconds and done a search for it and got the answer. But, by asking that question, it may have caused several more people to click on it that possibly also had the same question but it wasnt fresh on their mind.

    Yes we know we can search but is it really that bad to ask a question and get some friendly advice and possibly make a few new friends to encourage on your journey?? I dont think so...
  • greentart
    greentart Posts: 411 Member
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    No one is required to respond. I agree they should be nice or be quiet

    Be nice or be quiet--the mantra of the thin skinned. Ugh!


    As an overweight person, I am very thin skinned and self conscious, especially ABOUT my weight and how to lose it. Do I expect everyone to be all cupcakes and rainbows with me? No. However, sometimes when people are struggling with a certain subject, our nerves get the better of us and we forget (or don't know) that there's a search function. Perhaps it's as simple as they were looking for a different answer.

    I think if a person isn't willing to be supportive on a SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY, then they should keep their traps shut.
  • almc170
    almc170 Posts: 1,093 Member
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    Just try to keep context in mind when you're reading some of these posts. They're not always as innocent as they seem. If you look a little closer at some of those "advice-seeking" threads, you'll see that a number of them are started by sales people trying to draw attention to their product. I have no sympathy for them, and they deserve whatever snark is thrown their way. Sometimes, too, people will start a new thread simply because they didn't like an answer they got on an earlier one. That's annoying for people who have taken the time to try to help them.
  • Rags2Righteous
    Rags2Righteous Posts: 200 Member
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    I also find this very annoying, although I do understand why some people do it. Another issue I have is when someone makes an inquiry and people respond by telling them to do something that has nothing to do with the question. For example, "Does anyone else juice? What types of recipes/combinations do you like?" and the answer is "Eat your fruits and vegetables whole to get fiber, don't drink them." I get annoyed reading posts like that because the original poster wasn't asking about fiber or whole fruits, but specifically about juicing. Everything has its time and place.
    I've browsed a few topics over here and I found something that has really bothered me. Certain people have started topics to ask for advice whether on food, exercise or supplments and have been met with the "I'm an expert and this is a stupid inquiry" attitude. Even if you think a certain supplement or practice is not healthy or ineffective, you really don't have to make that person feel bad or stupid about asking. I get that some people here have more knowledge and have already been down the successful journey but some of us here are trying to learn our way around and it would be easier if people didn't ridicule others for questions.

    Sorry just a rant but it's been bothering me more and more as I browse this forum looking for serious answers.
  • RatherBeFishing
    RatherBeFishing Posts: 61 Member
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    Welcome to the age of social media. Where people are jerks because you can't reach out and slap them. Plus people think that because it worked for them everyone should do it. I have about 12 years, of nutrition and exercise under my belt, and I always finding way to improve or change with new research and my own results and the results I have helped other achieve. The number one thing I have found out is nothing works the same for everyone, everyone is different. I have come across a lot of posts on this board with bad advice given by people. It sucks because there is no rating system, to say if you should trust someones advice or not.

    Just like all these people responding with Oh my this again. Use the search, they didn't have to respond to the thread, but they can't help it..

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