Date: Fri, 09 Feb 2001 14:07:22 -0500
From: Tom Neff <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Yes, all sizable lists have these "types" of people on them, and it's fun
to list them once in a while. Others include
* the charmingly grammar-challenged postaholic
And its mate: the poster who insists that any message with an error
(usually they choose one particular error, like it's for its, or your for
you're, and then go on to make several different ones on their own) isn't
worth reading (but of course their posts stating this are?).
* the Nine 1-Line Posts In A Row Creature
Argggg!
* Apology Person (sorry for mentioning her/him!) - every posting begins
"Sorry to [bring this up|waste list bandwidth|ask a stupid
question|interrupt everyone's reading|...], then mentions something
perfectly ordinary, then adds an "I know this is probably [off
topic|stupid|silly|too long|...]", then finishes the thought or request,
then closes out with "Again, sorry..."
Oh wow I know this one. Unfortunately, most of these on my list have
decided that the best way to deal with their fears is to send their
questions privately to me. Since it's a health list I don't like to leave
people hanging (many of the questions are pretty serious) but it takes up a
lot of my time. And if I can't post any answer I write, I'll get the same
question asked privately by someone else.
I often deal with this by pointing the person back to the list (usually by
saying I'll answer them there). Sometimes I'll ask permission to forward
their post (with my reply) there if I think it's a question (and answer)
that others will want to hear.
Then there are the people who apoligize profusely and then post something
they know darned well isn't allowed on the list. Like a virus warning or a
request for information on a completely unrelated topic or a copyrighted
news article. So god forbid you should criticize them for it! (this is one
reason my main list is moderated)
I've also noticed that support groups have different dynamics and players
from hobby and professional groups (and they're completely different from
political and opinion groups).
My absolute favorite (not!) support group player is the one that yells
obsenities and calls people who set them off the worst possible names,
often forwarding private email so they can scream about it on list. I was
the object of one of these people's wrath once. I had sent her a polite
and brief private email asking if she would please not forward at least a
dozen long joke chain mails to the list every day.
And then when confronted about their behavior they say it is a symptom of
their illness (or a result of stress) and they can't help it and how dare
anyone hold them responsible (there's never an apology attached). On my
list these people get booted almost immediately, but I've been on other
lists where the moderator never stepped in.
Then there are the enablers...those people who yell cruelty whenever anyone
even suggests that an abusive person be removed from the list. "She needs
this group!" "He'll die without the support he gets here!" "She has no
place else to go!" *grimace*
Cyndi
--
_______________________________________________________________________________
"There's nothing wrong with me. Maybe there's Cyndi Norman
something wrong with the universe." (ST:TNG) [EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.tikvah.com/
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