Behave

[mokum13]

Hi there. I'm a newbie on this forum. Followed it for some time but wasnt posting until recently.

The difficulty is that i'm a pretty shy person. When people are talking irl and i dont know anyone and everybody else seems to know each other i'm not likely to enter conversations.

Bit to my surprise this is also the case in cyberspace. Cant tell if by joining a conversation people think i'm butting in. So most of the time i dont.

main question is: Are there some unwritten rules a newbie should know of and can a newbie actually be one of the 'group'.

Hope this isnt a question that has been answered a million times. (couldnt find it) Just wanted to know and i think there are more like me.

 

[huskie]

No not really....... I know there are some boards out there (other than lit) were you will be treated bad for doing so but I have never seen it happen here.
so post and comment away as you like. Keep in mind if you come in acting like an ass hole thats the way you will be treated and so forth..... right?

 

[Belilica]

I think that if you have something to say, say it. Otherwise, you'll just keep on being the quiet observer. I used to be pretty shy too, but I started posting, and met a lot of friends doing it. If you feel like you're intruding, but really want to say something, you could always just say something like, "I'm sorry for interrupting, but..." although, I'm not sure it would be much of a problem on here. Good luck, and welcome to the world of posting on Lit!

Bel

 

[Freya]

I think at some point you just have to bite the bullet and post. I have found the people here to be extraordinarily friendly, even to new people. There is a thread on the Playground directed specifically for new people, and from what I seen and read they are quite welcoming. Also due to the high number of threads made for a specific purpose, if you find one that seems to interest you, feel free to post...I'm sure you won't be scared away.

 

[Ms_Lilith]

Throw yourself into whatever threads you feel you have something to say about. Most of us speak up whenever we're inspired, and that is just the waythe board is!

Post!
Have fun!

But don't feed the trolls. They'll bite your fingers.

 

[Weird Harold]

main question is: Are there some unwritten rules a newbie should know of and can a newbie actually be one of the 'group'.

Your question is a variant of "when do you stop being a newbie?" and there are a couple of threads on the general board that address that question.

If you know the answer to a question, have an opinon, or something just strikes you as silly, post a response. Try to keep the serious threads on track, but feel free to highjack anything inane or silly -- especially if it's already been highjacked.

Try to keep your flamethrower set on low and aimed at ides instead of people.

"Can a newbie actually be one of the group?" -- Nope.

If you think of yourself as a "newbie" you're setting yourslef apart from the "group." You can, however, become a part of the group just by participating in way that makes the board fun for everyone -- be smart and thoughtful when you can, and be silly along with everyone else when they're being silly. Essentially, be yourself, and not a "newbie" or anything else. Don't label yourself or anyone else and take each post for what it says and you'll be fine.

 

[mokum13]

thanks

Thank you all for those replies. I will take your advice and just throw myself into the forum. Speaking up when i feel to and not saying a word if i dont.

Hope to meet you all again in other places

 

[cindylouwho64]

That was great advice - thanks for asking that question, Mokum - I'm gonna try not to be so shy and jump right in myself!

It's kinda strange that I'm certainly not shy in person - but on the boards I am sorta - anyone else have that problem?

I'm sure it'll go away though!! I'll have myself a few cyber cocktails and be as friendly as usual - just be careful on the lampshade slinging off my head!

 

[dreamer]

It took me a good 6-7 months after registering to start posting. I think I had less than 3 posts for that whole time.

My whole Lit experience is like some sort of social education because I am not nearly as outspoken in RL as I can be here.

Enjoy and we look forward to hearing what you have to say.

 

[Belilica]

I registered so I could post my story and post on the BB, and I haven't shut up since... I guess it was because I'd spent a year anonymously browsing stories before I felt like registering.

Bel

 

[Soblue]

More people than you think feel this way. I only post half of the things I want to because I'll start a reply, then change my mind and not post it. Sometimes after reading what I typed, I don't think it's coherent or adding to the disscussion, so I nix it. Shy, yep that's me too.