by Mark Stone on Thu Dec 30, 2004 12:19 pm
When posting in forums like ours, it's easy to create misunderstandings. We can seem sarcastic when we don't mean to be sarcastic, overcritical when trying to be objective, etc. However, it's easy to avoid misrepresenting our intent by using [b]smileys[/b] to set the tone! Example:
Why do you only have a 30 gallon tank?:D
[i]Answer: I've got a 130 on order . . .[/i]
Why do you only have a 30 gallon tank?:confused:
[i]Answer: Excuse me for existing, but I have a 130 on order . . .[/i]
Why do you only have a 30 gallon tank?:mad:
[i]Answer: You SOB, I'm going back to Cichlid-forums where I feel welcome . . .[/i]
[b]Or . . .[/b]
Nice Tank:rolleyes: [i]sounds sarcastic . . .[/i]
Nice Tank:thumbsup: [i]sounds objective . . .[/i]
Not using a smiley at all can let a poster read any intent at all into a comment.
I'm a sensitive old man, so when I'm misunderstood and then yelled at in a forum I become deeply depressed for months:D . So if you're like me, use smileys to keep from being misunderstood! Remember the song "You gotta keep on smilin'...Keep on smilin'. . .
--Mark:cool:
Last edited by
Mark Stone on Thu Jan 13, 2005 11:56 am, edited 1 time in total.