As a well-known AFW resident busybody, I've periodically taken it upon myself to post courtesy reminders. As the American holiday of Thanksgiving approaches, I thought I'd do once more.
The friends I've made here (some of whom I've shared a glass or many with, some I've never seen!) are one of the things I'm thankful for. I hope everyone in US has a day of fun, festivity, friends, and family (assuming you regard the latter as a good thing). I hope the rest of you have a good day too- though it's not a holiday for you, may our good vibes flow over you. :)
A few thoughts (from previous courtesy posts):
1) This is Usenet , a tool for discussion. Don't expect to post something w/o possibility of someone refuting it.
2) Please keep in mind that many of the contributors to alt.food.wine do not speak English as their first language. Also even for some of us who do, it's easy to mistake the tone of written communication. If there's 2 ways to take a post, be easy on yourself and decide the least offensive perception is the correct one. :)
3) Let's try our best to avoid personal comments. If you don't like someone, filter their posts. The details of how to do that vary according to newsreader software, but tutorials exist on the Web for employing filters in all the popular newsreaders. If you use Google Groups just try to ignore. :)
4) If you realize someone's intent is to provoke and annoy (in other words, a troll) , please just ignore. Every time you argue with them, or invoke their name, you're stroking their (IMHO somewhat warped) ego.
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If you feel compelled to respond,I can't stop you. But please don't quote trolls , it puts their words in front of those who have kill-filed them
5)New Folks: you're here to learn, right? So if someone who has been on AFW for years and serious about wine for 30+ corrects you, learn from it, don't get your feelings hurt.
6) Old folks : remember you were new (to wine and AFW) at some point, too. Correct if need be, but let's try to do so graciously.
7) Personally, I find it less than helpful to make generalizations about people based on where they live, what they do outside wine, etc. People who invoke offensive off-topic subjects on a regular basis deserve to be killfiled, period.
8) No one is superior (In My Humble Opinion) based on either the simplicity or elegance of what they eat or drink. Isn't this group big enough for someone to have Shiraz with BBQed chicken and another to have rack of lamb with a fine Pauillac? Does it somehow offend you to read about a meal you wouldn't eat yourself? If someone says that they will not drink certain types of wines, don't waste your time worrying about their opinions of those wines, listen to those that do.
9)Newbies: we welcome your participation (this is speaking as someone who has participated for a few years, I'm neither a true old-timer or a newbie). But as in ANY social situation, whether on or off line, it is wisest not to attack a member of a community while a newbie, it really won't win you any points. It is a time-honored tradition that one should lurk for a while before posting to get a feel re tone of a group.
10)Most of the people here use their real names Some use a pseudonym, but do include a valid email address or other means to validate their existence. As to others, I personally don't feel that it's wise to put too much energy into conversations with those who are unaccountable and unreachable. As they say,YMMV.
So there. As usual, I'm sure I've offended a couple of old-timers and a couple of newbies, but hope the rest of you can take these remarks to heart. I don't claim to be immune to digression;all I'm asking is that we try to keep these guidelines in mind.
best wishes,