Cliques !

[TirelessTongue]

Have you ever noticed a pattern in some of these forums? Its usually the same litsters over and over posting the same threads, and the same litsters replying to them over and over again.

Very rarely is there anything interesting in the threads they post, but you generally see that a group of the same people keep gravitating in these threads. Usually newbies are shut out and given a cold response. Especially in the GB !

Am I the only one who notices this? I just feel I need to visit more Boards for a change.......you know? something refreshing !

 

[BlueSugar]

Its one of those things we all notice and observe but don't say anything about. I've noticed it at least. Its all that "I'm better then you bc I've been here longer..." crap, and the intimidation games that get played on newbies.

That and there isn't too much cross board posters for pretty much the same reasons.

 

[TirelessTongue]

Its one of those things we all notice and observe but don't say anything about. I've noticed it at least. Its all that "I'm better then you bc I've been here longer..." crap, and the intimidation games that get played on newbies.

That and there isn't too much cross board posters for pretty much the same reasons.

Yeah, you hit the nail on the head. I've seen alot of crap. Some litsters, especially the ladies, are alot nicer to their regulars. But should you speak to them or comment them about something, you are ignored.

There are some exceptions. But honestly, I don't need to mention names. I'm polite to everyone on this board at first. But I'm sure its the same way on other boards besides lit.

 

[Fleatopia]

I haven't actually seen a whole lot of noob-pointed meanness around here. That might change as time goes on and I see more posts and/or get more involved. In general though, everytime I've posted I've received a response of some sort acknowledging my input/advice/story. That sort of recognition from <i>someone</i> makes continued posting more pleasurable and more likely.

I just don't flirt the way I see a lot of folks do around here. That might make me a stick in the mud or frigid, but I just don't feel right flirting with a bunch of other people even if it's online. Makes me feel a little like I'm shopping for a replacement for the boyfriend even when I'm not. Then I feel guilty and kind of awful.

Yes, I know flirting doesn't actually have to go anywhere and that it's plain fun. I'm just sayin' how I feel.

 

[TirelessTongue]

Perhaps a visit to the General board is what you'll need? Lots of people start threads about personal matters that have happened in a PM, and or matters with other litsters offline. Most of the threads don't make sense anyways and the subject material is drivel spewed by the cliques that linger there. The GB is not a good place for a Newbie. The How To section and even the Cafe has much nicer people.

Don't get me wrong, The general board has some cool thread, but you mostly have to sift through the rubbish to get to them and they are usually buried very quickly. I visit the GB because some of my favorite litsters hang out there.

Don't forget to visit Amateur pic feedback....lots of nice pictures there. And the people are very decent tool.

Flirting is fun, some ladies on here will flirt with you and nearly all the guys here flirt. Most of it doesn't lead to anything and thats what makes it fun.

 

[Ezzy]

Have you ever noticed a pattern in some of these forums? Its usually the same litsters over and over posting the same threads, and the same litsters replying to them over and over again.

Very rarely is there anything interesting in the threads they post, but you generally see that a group of the same people keep gravitating in these threads. Usually newbies are shut out and given a cold response. Especially in the GB !

Am I the only one who notices this? I just feel I need to visit more Boards for a change.......you know? something refreshing !

There are cliques on all the forums, with the same Litsters posting on the same forums, we all find the places we feel someone is listening to what we have to say, or we just don't care and keep posting anyway.

Even here on the How To and HT Cafe there are those who like to be opinionated about anything posted here, I'll have something to say on any thread that I post on, as I want to leave a pearl of wisdom, or a little acid remark.

Those who post on here also post on other forums when the fancy takes them. The GB is more cliquish then most of the other forums on here, and so it is often the place members notice it first, but if you dare to say so on the GB, you can expect to be trolled for a week.

 

[amraam840]

Agreed, all! I noted that most of the threads with interesting topics/titles/whatev, once they get 100 or so replies the point becomes moot and everyone is just going on about whatever and stuff.. Being relatively new here, I just look for interesting stuff to talk about, I haven't developed the fan base that I see some posters have, and I go to some of these threads in the GB and the first post and replies are enough to catch my attention, so I click on the last page link and all I see is. "Hey 'soandso'." "Whatup 'you'?" "Blalblablablabla" "yeah". Or something to that likeness... The few threads that I found stay on topic are like the number games and word games in the playground. Anyway, that's my 2cents worth... blablablabla bleh.

 

[crazybbwgirl]

I find it amusing how vehemently many GB membera deny that cliques exist. I find the dynamics of that board very intriguing.

I have also been guilty of being snippy to newbies - just sometimes their post strikes me the wrong way. I have tried giving that up for Lent.

I don't usually flirt much on the board. I feel awkward doing it. Although there was that one time...... lol

 

[Lynxie]

Even the HT forums have their own cliques, but they tend to not be as exclusive as those on the GB and other forums. At least here you're more apt to find intelligent conversation. Once in a while I'll visit the GB, but I think it takes me longer to find the few scraps of sensible posts that exist there than it's actually worth.

 

[My Own Way]

Like Lynxie, I visit the GB once in a blue moon...if I'm bored and there's nothing going on in the Cafe or on the HT board. Frankly...they scare me over there. Most threads start out nice but by the third page have erupted into an all out brawl.

So far on the HT and HTC forums, I've found nothing but a warm reception from everyone I've spoken to. I think it's all a matter of understanding the dynamics of a board, accepting them, and working within the boundries.

 

[Ravin the Poet]

The GB board to me seems more like a "free post land" since half the time most of the posts are one little liners, and people replying with a smile.

Basically I stuck with the same attitude coming here. I didn't take people's shit and I just was having fun posting. I find the mose "Cliquey" places are the writers forms. I understand the whole, earn your stripes but posting stories, but there are some authors that don't even help the new people. I posted a poem, asked for feedback and was hounded by posts of "You can't just walk in here demanding, you need to give feedback on others before we give on yours". And if you offend someone they believe to be a "great" writer, god help you. I know I offended one of the higher ups (not a mod) and basically was ran out of the poetry form because I didn't want to deal with their shit.

I like the How to people. Sure the same people reply, but it's the people who you want to hear from. SweetErika (sp?) comes to mind, the Harold guy for computer stuff and a hand full of others. It's nice to see others actually helping and not shoving out.

Ravin

 

[BlueSugar]

ya know. there are other boards to talk about other then the GB, didn't this board do its share and a half of GeeBee bashing?

Grow up.

Don't forget about the play grounders

 

[Cathleen]

I think there are groups of people that 'hang' together. It is perfectly normal in my opinion. We gravitate to certain people for a number of reasons. All the boards here have groups that are friendly with one another. It isn't a bad thing unless that group is uninviting.

There are those people in all parts of life that will always want to push or test others foritude - it isn't something I find useful. I do like to get to know others and the only way I can is to listen and be involved.

The flack between the GB and the PG is kind of nutty to me. I have posted on those boards, mostly the PG and HT. Since the creation of the HT Cafe I have 'met' some GB folks who are quite nice and I enjoy them very much. There are nice people all over the boards - we all beat to a different drummer. Variety is nice.

The 'I've been here longer' and 'high post' attitudes are unimportant to me - it doesn't speak well of those who keep tossing it around. Why it matters to some I have no idea - it doesn't have any weight in my opinion.

I suppose the bottom line is 'like attracts like', it is natural to respond to others in varying degrees.

 

[amraam840]

Cathleen, couldn't have said it better myself...

 

[Cathleen]

Oh sure you could have amraam. Also please feel free to call me Cate if you wish (or any of the other variations).

 

[LadyJeanne]

I'm usually in the Author's Hangout. Generally a nice group, interesting threads, and usually welcoming to newbies. All writers and readers welcome!

(although you won't find, how do I get my wife to..., kind of threads. )

 

[LonelyNights]

Since I started out around here a few weeks ago I've basically foregone the GB because with all the cliques and off-topicness it's hard to find your nitche in there, but I do lurk around the HT boards and the Cafe, and also the PG where they have state specific threads because those threads are always pretty open to new people...that and the other thing I do is that I look for new th reads and really don't even bother with them if there are far too many replies.

 

[SweetErika]

Interesting topic, TT. I have to say I've never gotten a clique-ish vibe from HT like I have from other forums. Sure, some people know each other and interact more than others, but not to the point where everyone else is excluded. At least I hope no one feels that way. However, I can see where it might appear to be more of a clique when nearly everyone gives similar advice and opinions, even though it's usually common sense and "this is a clique" is just an excuse to discount what they don't want to hear.

The anti-newbie attitude is just plain ridiculous, and I'm glad it's not as prevalent in HT and GLBT. I've always looked for quality in posts, and often notice how newbies bring fresh perspectives and have a lot to contribute. I do look through posts a person has made to get a feel for where they're coming from, and to be honest, I tend to write-off those who have only made certain types of posts in specific forums, especially when it comes to PMs.

I browse through the GB, PG, and AmPics on occasion, but am usually dumbfounded by the apparent enjoyment of tearing others down, mindlessness, and public proclamations of private information. Of course there are great people and posts in all of the forums, but I think they're harder to find in some than others.

 

[Eilan]

I've admitted in previous threads that I've been lurking around here for a VERY long time, and over the years I've seen the How To board evolve into a very nice community. Most of my posting is done here, though I do lurk quite a bit on other boards.

Most of the people who post on the HT Board and Cafe give sound, well-thought-out advice. They're also pretty respectful, unless people come around seeking validation instead of advice and get pissy because they don't hear what they want to hear. Then the HT regulars don't take no shit off nobody. I like that. But then I'm a bitch that way.

 

[TirelessTongue]

Although I don't visit the playground much at all, it just seems like it is as much as a free for all like the GB. There are some days where I post alot, and some days I don't because there aren't any good threads to reply to and there is nothing but bullshit being said. The politics, the attention whoring, and mindless bickering of the GB is just growing old. Like Lynxie said, there are a few good posters and threads in the GB, but there are few and far between.

There are a few people I like and quite a few people I cannot stand on the GB, so I guess I'll post more on the HT, HT cafe, and other boards. I also have a story I've been working on, but I don't think its nearly going to set the world on fire here.

 

[Debbie]

I disagree with a few things you had to say Tireless Tongue. But it's been a long week for me so I'm going to have an early night.

The GB will always have bickering. It will never be a place of complete peace. It gets the most visitors and a wide range of people who will never ever all agree on one topic. That's part of what makes the GB what it is. Diversity.

More often than not newbies get more welcomes or responses on the GB than when they post on any other forum. Especially the PG where a, "Hi, I'm new will plummet like a stone."

Of late I have tried to start a few discussion threads or add to any threads that are interesting.

Can I ask if you have tried to add to the GB what you would like to see more of?

On the whole the GB isn't that bad. Especially if people post and try and find what they like about the GB and promote that.

We can only get out of any forum what we put in.

But I also wanted to say that the HT board and cafe has had the odd interesting thread that I have enjoyed posting on and will continue to do so.

Here's to more interesting conversations and enjoyment.

 

[Debbie]

Did I kill this thread? Or is it because I predominately post on the GB that I may appear to be biased about the way the GB is?


I laugh when I see the label, "So and so is a GBer (PGer/HTer etc)." when someone posts in a forum they don't often frequent.

Perusing most of the forums can usually be of interest.
Each forum has it's quirks, regulars and unspoken rules.

And each forum provides it's regulars with something - otherwise they wouldn't keep coming back.

 

[amraam840]

indeed

 

[HornyHenry]

The GB and the AH both

Have you ever noticed a pattern in some of these forums? Its usually the same litsters over and over posting the same threads, and the same litsters replying to them over and over again.

Very rarely is there anything interesting in the threads they post, but you generally see that a group of the same people keep gravitating in these threads. Usually newbies are shut out and given a cold response. Especially in the GB !

Am I the only one who notices this? I just feel I need to visit more Boards for a change.......you know? something refreshing !

Yep, lot of cliques there. That's why I'm here.
Nothing wrong with the GB, per se, and there are some nice people there, I suppose. I check out about every 20th thread. The problem is that about 9 out of 10 threads there are garbage and mindless. That's ok, too, if that's what those people need. I have problems finding the good threads, and if I post one day, it is lost by the next day, down to page 8 or 9 or so.

 

[Debbie]

Ouch - There are some very interesting threads too.