Really starting to understand...

[HumphreyBoagart]

I'm really starting to understand why some of the big breeders and veterans of this site don't bother posting anymore or trying to help newbies. They ask for help, so you try and help them and they do nothing but disrespect you.
Is this just me or has anyone else noticed this?

[DragnDrop]

Welcome to reality.
Most people appreciate help, it's the so-and-so's that stick out in the crowd, the ones you remember more clearly. After almost getting ulcers over it, I now just stop responding to them after the 2nd time they get ornery about the help I give. Saves a lot of time and hassle and concentrate on the ones who want help.

It's like that no matter what you do or where you go in life, you get used to it after a few decades.
:)

[Manitoban Herps]

They should help, even when newbies ask questions I still learn from the "vetrans" and I take there advice. people are just to lazy these days :) Someone learns something new each day.

[peterm15]

to tell you the truth i havent really noticed... i just make sure to say that im either doing my reasearch or say how much ive done. and i always get the help i need

[CDN-Cresties]

I haven't noticed that either. Usually big breeders would have lots of work to do in maintaining their collection, not to mention family, friends, work, etc....

[beanersmysav]

I don't usually notice people not taking advice. I've noticed one case in all the subforums I post on wont bring up who because they are sorry about it.

[Bartman]

Ill try and put any info I can to help them out and if they dont like the answer, then forget about em.

[latazyo]

everyone should post to try and help, we've all read "veteran" answers before and can write the post as easily as they can

its not their job to reply to every new thread that comes out, it is all of our obligations as members to the site

[zero&stich]

When mid September hit, the forums slowed down. I noticed that. I felt that was because it was time for the breeding season and most were focusing on their collections. Now its nearing later in the year, the forums have picked up in activity.

I'm not sure where anyone thought the 'vets' ran for the hills? Maybe I missed something.

[marisa]

Many people are too busy these days to have time for online forums. Even myself, I have to make SURE I schedual in some time because I am a moderator, as sometimes during the week I am simply too tired after working.

Aside from that, regardless of how bad newbies are, it's EVERYONEs responsibility to encourage new members to the hobby. Especially the breeders! If they don't encourage, and get newbies on the right track, then who will be buying snakes from them in 5, 10, 15 years? Young people, and new people are the market of tomorrow.

On the other hand, yes it does become difficult and trying to get a point across to someone who might not want to listen. The best way to handle this frustration and possible anger is to simply take a little break from the forums. I find this helps me. :)

Marisa

[mykee]

I've noticed that the "veterans" in the hobby, or at least the ones we would consider to have a plethorous amount of knowledge do post, but with the foolishness that goes on in these forums A LOT of the time, they just have better things to do than get dragged into some immature childishness. Good on them too, most of them have a decent reputation to uphold and arguing about some moot point with a 14 year old (just the number that popped into my head, nothing against you young'uns) isn't going to benefit them in any way. My bet is they are on here more than you think, and just don't post as often.

[BWSmith]

I find it easier just to write "canned" replies to the common questions so I can just copy and paste.

How many times do we have to answer:
What is a good first snake?
My Ball Python won't eat?
How do I get rid of Mites?
Help, my snake is striking.
Is feeding live ok?
How do I switch to Frozen?
What does 0.1 or 1.0 mean?
How can I tell if my snake is a boy or girl?
What temp should I give my boa?

The list goes on. Much easier to type it once than once a week.

[clint545]

It's just fustrating when alot of the answers can be found in any basic caresheet out there. And the fact that they are asked after the herps has been purchased rather than before.

[Jason Wakelin]

If you are a "veteran", which I consider myself at 20 + years of keeping, chances are you are pretty busy. For instance, my typical day would consist of getting up early to make breakfast and lunches for the children and wife (as I am a chef by trade). Get the kids off to school and daycare and head to work. When I get home there is dinner to make, or dishes to do, or both. Play with the kids, check their homework, help clean the house, and spend some time with my wife. Then, and only then, work the reptile room. Feeding and cage maintence take a minimum of 2 hours a day/evening. Now that I'm incubating eggs the future will consist of more time with the collection. And this is in the winter, when I'm not working my gardens. Nor does it account for time with extended family, friends, or the day to day activities (shopping, doctors visits, etc.,) that we all have.

My point here is not to "piss and moan" about not having the time to help. I enjoy my life very much. But I remember being in this hobby when I was 12, 13, 14,...., or when I was in school. Even with a part time job I still had so much more time to give. Same goes for my life before children and a house.

I suspect many, if not most, veteran keepers share a similar lifestyle. So when you have the time to be here it can be a luxury. And while here trying to give advice to those who for whatever reason choose not to accept (or even listen to) it, is frustrating. But, then to watch the thread (well meaning, at least in the beginning) descend into a "flame war", is annoying at best. Not to mention a waste of your time.

I'm certainly not an authority on any species of reptile or amphibian, though I have much experience. And I don't give alot of advice (only 50+/- posts in 2&1/2 years here). But I used to see more verterans here, some I know and respect, some I don't. My suspecsion (sp?) is that they are getting a bit tired of the flame wars. Captive husbandry of herps can be done in several different methods for the same species. So to put out there that you maintain an animal in a different method and then to be persecuted for it is ..... again frustrating.

I speak only for myself. I do not pretend to know what others are thinking. But after what I've seen happen around here lately I'd put money on a bet that I'm not the only one who thinks this way.

Thanks for your time,
Jason

[marisa]

I like your post Jason...I'd like to address one thing for everyone though.

"But after what I've seen happen around here lately I'd put money on a bet that I'm not the only one who thinks this way."

This forum is so far behind in the amount of flame wars and bad comments when you compare to other reptile forums, that it's silly! We are very lucky to have a bare minimum of what the other large forums have!!!

While there is still some flaming and flame wars, I can put up with that if it means I don't have to put up with people of other forums do on a constant basis.

Again, good posts everyone.

Marisa

[Jason Wakelin]

Marisa,

I by no means disagree with you. I used to spend more time on other forums, Kingsnake in particular. I stopped spending time there a long time ago, quite possibly before I found this arena. The civility (in general), and the method used by the moderators here are the reason(s) I stay. But, nonetheless flame wars are an annoying waste of time, whether here or elsewhere. I'm sure it is an unavoidable byproduct of the internet, where people can sit at a desk and spout all methods of garbage. But it still sucks.

Jason

[JonD]

Originally posted by HumphreyBoagart
I'm really starting to understand why some of the big breeders and veterans of this site don't bother posting anymore or trying to help newbies. They ask for help, so you try and help them and they do nothing but disrespect you.
Is this just me or has anyone else noticed this?

This is comming from a small amount of newbies that are too lazy to do anything for themselves. The disrespect is from just always looking for the easy way out and proper husbandry is not as simple as they would like it to be....:rolleyes: and it's like someone telling them to do extra work...:eek:

That said, I'm sure the majority of newbies do exactly what they should be doing and that is doing some research and then ask for specifics.

[Linds]

I think that some people have become tired of giving advice when asked by someone who doesn't know, only to have that person unwilling to take it, and even argue it. Some people stay, but like Hilde mentioned, have learned to adapt. There are loads of reasons though for people not answering as much as they used to, or becoming absent altogether, and it isn't limited to only the veteran herpers on the site. I think it just tends to be more noticed when they go missing, especially since they are a smaller percentage of the community.

Originally posted by latazyo
everyone should post to try and help, we've all read "veteran" answers before and can write the post as easily as they can

its not their job to reply to every new thread that comes out, it is all of our obligations as members to the site

Not necessarily. It doesn't build much credibility to go around parrotting others advice (aka an 'internet expert'), nor does it give you a leg to stand on in if indeed it turns in to a more in depth discussion, however it doesn't hurt to mention that you have heard it through the grapevine or wherever if that person is truly not getting any responses from people that know first-hand. Many people do not wait though, and instead jump all over a post the second it goes up.

[gonesnakee]

I'd have to agree with the "flamers" comments etc. Too much petty BS on the go more often then not & lots more interested in their internet image than they are Herps. Petty politics, attitudes & egos are the downfall of any site & its posts. More often than not people post on the defence because so many others love to bash. I try to make a point of staying off here when I'm all PO'ed but with others the old "Misery Loves Company" seems to be the way it is. I find that if you fail to acknowledge the petty BS the less it affects you & those looking for that attention will seek it elsewhere hopefully. Oh & lets all try to "Stay on topic here" LOL Mark

[sleddergirl]

I have found, in the time I've been here, that when I take the time to read through the proper threads (to see if the questions I have, have already been asked and answered) and then ask.....for the most part everyone has been willing to give their opinions/answers.

I usually only ask if I can't find the answer or if the answers I have found have been conflicting, then I will ask for personal experience. Those of you who have helped me, I greatly appreciate it and I'm sure the time will come again, that I need your input....;)

For those of you who are "new".....just look around a bit for your answers, before you jump in both feet asking a thousand questions..................just a suggestion.

[Artemis]

Just reading the initial post made about 4 usernames in particular spring to mind.... and I still to this day wonder if those poor snakes made it. It makes you roll your eyes, and people old and newer do the best they can to help people. It all becomes a question of knowing when to quit. ;)

[chas*e]

Maybe the newbies should help the Veterans..or so called veterans.

[JAdkins2451]

I have read alot where people flame the newbie, I havent been flamed yet and I am a "newbie". But I understand expeianced or not some people ask stupid questions. When all they have to do is go to the search feature. And that can solve there problem, instead of asking a question that may have been posted a day before. Alot of newbies are just takin the easy way out by asking dumb questions. So they kind of deserve to get a negitive responce.

This is just my opinion.

Jamie

[HumphreyBoagart]

When I posted this thread, I wasn't by any means saying that we shouldn't help one another. Newbie or veteran. I don't care how stupid the question may seem to some of us. There is no such thing as a stupid question, and the asker of the question obviously doesn't know the answer or he/she wouldn't have asked it. It is a very good thing that they ask the questions. I personally don't care if someone agrees or disagrees with my opinions, what gets me is when someone asks for help, and you do you're best to try and help them, and they just disrespect you in return. I don't expect them to do what I say, nor do I expect a thank you. But when someone is trying to help you after they just asked for help, and all you get in return is a bunch of snide comments it starts to make you not want to help anymore.
Also I am not saying that veterans shouldn't help newbies by any means. I was just saying that I am starting to understand why alot of them don't bother anymore. It just really sucks when you are sincerely trying to help someone and their animals out, and it is so unappreciated that you get rude comments back in return as a "thank you".
This doesn't mean that I'm going to stop trying to help as much as I can (I know this will dissapoint some of you, as you don't want my help), but I just think people should show more respect to others that are trying to help you. Especially if you are asking for their help.

Hump.