WA community, you might find this particularly interesting.
Hello again, everyone!
I hope you're all doing and feeling well!
Today, I am writing this blog because I have a little something to say. I wouldn't say this is really a rant but closer to a "public service announcement".
It has come to my attention that some WA members have been here longer than others. (Obviously) Since there are a lot of us that are new, and there are more and more new members daily, a lot of us don't know all the ins, outs and rules of this great platform.
From my understanding, we're all here to help each other, right?
I'm sure there are a lot of members who are just like me. If I've done something wrong without
knowing it, I do like to know that I've done wrong so I can correct it. I probably tend to beat myself up a little too much when I've done something wrong but that's me, it's what I do.
Lately, I have done a few things that might've been considered wrong to some and passable to others. Nothing that's listed in the rules as a "don't do this, it's taboo", that's for sure. I've even seen some others do the same things I have with no repercussions, thank goodness for them!
Don't get me wrong here, I appreciate when people tell me I've done something wrong, frowned upon and even if I have made typos. That way I can learn and correct. BUT! There's a way to approach that kind of situation.
Do you publicly point out and embarrass the person who has done wrong? Most definitely NOT! In my
opinion, which I'm more than sure it's not only my opinion, but if I had seen someone who has done something wrong whether it be a huge problem or something minuscule, I would PM that person as to not publicly embarrass them for all of WA to see.
I don't know if it's to show you've been here longer than us newbies and know all the rules better than we do or if it makes you feel better about yourselves but either way, it's not right.
Some people, like me, get embarrassed and feel bad easily so when we're told on some WA thread that we've done something that may not have been OK it makes us want to retreat and not communicate within the community for fear of messing up again.
That's not right either, is it?
We're all supposed to feel like we can communicate here, that's how we get help, learn and grow as a community and also in our business.
Anyway, I'm not writing any of this to upset anyone (or pinpoint anyone in particular) but rather, do the complete opposite. I feel like something needs to be said, especially for us newbies who don't "know it all".
Please, if you see someone, ANYONE who has done something wrong, send a PM to let them know. Now, I do know that only premium members have the privilege of private message but there still has to be a nicer way than pointing it out for everyone to see.
Thank you for your understanding.
Recent Comments
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Mama Lama, it was brave of you to bring this subject into the open. I am of the 60's generation so I don't have the computer skills that most of the later users have. Please try not to take these things to heart although I also have a tendency to be easily hurt. I feel that as long as you are willing to "put yourself out there" you are doing yourself good.
Keep it up,
Laine
Thank you, Laine ☺️
I get hurt easily but I'm not letting stuff like that get in my way. It bothers more more than anything, I don't like being embarrassed as I'm sure most people don't. That's why I felt I should bring this up and give my opinion on it. Some might not be as strong as others and they may give up on WA because of a situation like this. I don't want that to happen. No one should have to second guess themselves because someone answered rudely or shamed them.
I really respect your attitude and determination. Please know that there are many people at WA that are wishing you success.
I'm one of them,
Laine
Aw, thank you so much for your kind words, Laine! ☺️ I appreciate it more than you know!
I wish you all much success, too! 💲💲💲
Laine! I totally get where you're coming from, but if anyone publicly scolds me--I can take it! This old lizard has grown a thicker skin over the years, but unfortunately, i can also give as good as I get😈!
Love hearing from you, my friend!
Jeff
Well, Lizzard Man, I need to take a page off you playbook and toughen up a bit. But I am who and for better or worse who I am.
Laine
Alas, the 'keyboard warrior' is strong in some, maybe because they have cut their teeth on certain social media platforms.
I'm with you on this one.
It takes two minutes to drop a 'heads up' message to someone. The times I have done so, the response has been one of grateful thanks.
I agree! A little too strong I'd say 😏
Thank you for being one of the people who care about how they make people feel.
Everyone appreciates someone who cares ☺️
Hi Melissa, I have not been a victim of this, thank you for making this issue public. I’m not a ‘social media’ type of person. However, this sound to me similar to the cyber bullying that I see reported in the press. Which I find very disappointing, as I thought that WA members where above this sort of juvenile behaviour.
Cheers
Robert
I'm glad you haven't been a victim and I hope you continue without ever becoming a victim.
Yes, it's not the end of the world but you're right, it does sound a lot like cyber bullying, doesn't it?
It is disappointing because I very much thought certain people in the WA community wouldn't come down to that either. It's not very many that I've seen, there are definitely WAY more good, helpful people than bad people here.
I just hope this reaches everyone that it needs to so they can try to change their ways.
Thank you for your comment ☺️
Don’t let this incident put you off. WA Is a great community, inevitable there will be a few bad apples!!
Robert
Thanks, Robert ☺️
No worries, I won't let this steer me away. WA is an awesome community and a great place to learn everything we need to. I just hope that this post can help some understand that we all want the same respect.
Cowards are usually the ones who cyber bully, Melissa! I tend not to give them the time of day--I've got too many more important things to do! Thanks for this post!😎
I’m sorry that there are times where you don’t feel supported as you learn new things. Your suggestion is a good one That a PM be written to explain some protocol or other. I hope you’ll keep interacting here because it’s a great way to learn and a great way for you to help others to learn. Thanks for being so honest. Will try to do better.
Oh yes, I will keep interacting because that's how I will learn and grow. I just hope that some people learn matters and acceptable behavior some day so that newbies don't end up quitting on their dreams because of this kind of issue.
Fortunately, even though I get embarrassed about my mistakes being so public, I let it fuel me to do better. Haters and critics have always pushed me to do better at what I'm doing.
And just for the record, I've never seen you be rude or anything less than kind. ☺️
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You bring up a very good point.
On the surface we can all agree that we appreciate it when our mistakes are corrected but in reality, when this happens "out in public" it has the potential to make the recipient very uncomfortable.
I try to be cognizant of this and if I have ever said anything to make anyone to make them feel uncomfortable I would hope this would be brought to my attention.
WA may be the last (and only?) social platform where this level of respect and courtesy can be found. Let's all keep it that way!
Thank you 😊
I agree, some people may be comfortable enough to not mind having it pointed out publicly, I tried to brush it off and see it as a learning experience for other newbies not to do the same things I did when I was corrected but it still bothered me. Maybe it has to do with being bullied most of my life 🤷
Either way, it warrants a PM as opposed to pointing it out for everyone to see. Yes, a lot have been here longer but it's not a reason to point the finger.
You're right on that! Most social media is riddled with bullying! It's sad, really. I feel like I say this to my kids way too much but can't we all just get along?
I know we have different views and different upbringing but I mean, as a human population, we're all the same. Skin, bones and organs. Doesn't matter what color or where we're from, we all need respect. ☺️
Now I feel like one of those miss America pageant ladies! Lol
I'm in complete agreement, Susan!😎🐶🐶👍👍👍