Just a comment
 

I know this board is not called the "advice and answers to questions for people considering emigrating to Canada" but still that seems to be quite often the sort of unofficial function. So, when people come on the board and ask questions, I think the least we can do is to encourage them and be helpful.

So what if the question has been asked 100 times before - if you don't have time to answer it, then leave it to those who do. So what if the questions seems stupid to you - perhaps the person is not familiar with the Internet or with message boards etc. etc. so cut them some slack.

There have been a few posts on here recently from newcomers complaining about snotty replies. If the question has been asked 5000 times before, surely a proper response might be to suggest that the poster searches for similar threads - and tell them how to do it. I know that there are instructions, sometimes newcomers don't even know where to find the instructions. Or just answer the question again. Is it such a big deal?

I think if you don't have anything nice or constructive to say - then don't bother saying it! I would think it was very hurtful to be a newcomer asking a "stupid" question and getting a rude snotty response.

And now I suppose I will get responses saying that their mission in life is not to be nice to people - that is their prerogative - I personally try to be nice most of the time.

Re: Just a comment
 

Well said Liz!

Maybe not so much "encourage" in some cases as "enlighten" ;) but civility costs nothing.

Re: Just a comment
 

Hooray :) I have been hiding here for a week and a half researching posts .. (but I have found answers to most of my questions without asking!) ;)

Re: Just a comment
 

Well said Liz, one of my complaints many moons ago - and Welcome Beckyboo, we don't all bite!

Re: Just a comment
 

Well to be fair, I would say posts such as "I want to emigrate to canada where do I start?, and I have seen some.......don't really deserve a serious response.

How many times have people been directed to the CIC website, surely it cant be that hard to find and I would have thought one of the first things you would start looking for if you were serious about immigration.

I found the board useful to ask the odd specific question during the process but wouldn't have relied on it to guide me through the whole thing.

I think there has been a change in the mood of the forum since the last major episode that resulted in the Maple Leaf being created, since then there are still moans about thread content. i.e. sending Karma, being mean to newcomers.

I have heard people say that they think the UK is a nanny state, it looks like this forum is heading in the same direction. So new rules need to be added to the posting guidelines then:

1. Always be positive and nurturing to all posters, especially newcomers.
2. Do not mention whether you have or have not sent Karma

Any other suggestions for new posting rules?

Re: Just a comment
 

1. Put your hand up before asking a question.
2. No shouting out.
3. Please ask before you go to the toilet. :)

Re: Just a comment
 

I have heard people say that they think the UK is a nanny state, it looks like this forum is heading in the same direction. So new rules need to be added to the posting guidelines then:

1. Always be positive and nurturing to all posters, especially newcomers.
2. Do not mention whether you have or have not sent Karma

Any other suggestions for new posting rules?[/QUOTE]


I agree with Liz - no need for rudeness, sometimes even the most savvy of people get lost when it comes to something new. As for new rules - I don't think nurturing is necessary but certainly politeness, guidance and general friendliness as you would to anyone is important - no one wants to be made to feel insiginificant or stupid.

The karma thing - I don't get what the issue is.... I agree, no one needs to blather on every time about sending karma just to show off but sometimes it's a nice way for the sender to let the receiver know that they are genuinely thinking of them and occasionally the recipient may not even know what karma is so might not know to look.

So my rule suggestion is: Don't deliberately setting out to offend or belittle someone and treat people as you would wish to be treated and just ignore the posts you don't feel you can help with. :cool:

Re: Just a comment
 

Only one rule is required, and it the Golden one.

Treat others as you would wish to be treated.


Its not complicated, or any great secret, but it amazes me how many people forget about it.

Re: Just a comment
 

Couldn't agree more- hopefully that advice will be taken on board.

Re: Just a comment
 

I know quite a few people who do not use the Internet as much as I do. These people might be very interested in emigrating, but not familiar with the Internet. I have several friends who are busy and while they have computers, they mainly use them for e-mails and very specific things and quite often they don't sit around surfing. So they might find this board by accident, but not know how to look up government of Canada sites, things like that.

Re: Just a comment
 

Besides, if you think its a dumb question and dont think its worth asking or answering, then just ignore it. Someone else will point them in the right direction, or if not then they will eventually figure out the search functions, or how to google for themselves.

The exception to this rule is the "Where should I live?" question, where "Iqualuit" is the stock answer. In fact, that has now become a handy search keyword for all of those threads ;)

Re: Just a comment
 

QUOTE=mjanovitz:Well to be fair, I would say posts such as "I want to emigrate to canada where do I start?, and I have seen some.......don't really deserve a serious response.

Why not? People's minds work in different ways (ok some might not appear to work much at all, but that's folk!) :p Some people are not at all comfortable with searching the internet for what they need to know, and it's not unreasonable if you are thinking it might be nice to live elsewhere, that you start by asking how to go about it, and what it's like, from people who have done it! (Even if you and I know that it's probably an impossible question to answer) :rolleyes:

How many times have people been directed to the CIC website, surely it cant be that hard to find and I would have thought one of the first things you would start looking for if you were serious about immigration.

You might, but they obviously don't, so it's ok to politely redirect them, isn't it?


I think there has been a change in the mood of the forum since the last major episode that resulted in the Maple Leaf being created, since then there are still moans about thread content. i.e. sending Karma, being mean to newcomers.

I have heard people say that they think the UK is a nanny state, it looks like this forum is heading in the same direction. So new rules need to be added to the posting guidelines then:

1. Always be positive and nurturing to all posters, especially newcomers.
2. Do not mention whether you have or have not sent Karma

Any other suggestions for new posting rules?[/QUOTE]

I think Iaink's rule is the best: treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself. It's not a forum rule, per se, but it's not a bad rule to live by! Ignore the posts that irritate you or don't interest you. There's never any need nor excuse for rudeness.

We can't all like everybody, and some people will get on our nerves, but that's life!

Re: Just a comment
 

I shall stick that just above my Screen if thats ok with you Mo???
It will serve as a reminder to bite my tongue and\or typing fingers when those people post. :D

Re: Just a comment
 

You do that, Butch, you do that! :D :beer:

Actually I often type some biting response, then preview it and think "I better not send that!" :p and I cancel it and go do something else. BUT it sure feels good to write it! ;)

Re: Just a comment
 

Did you see the piece on the news last night with Tony "smarmy shit wont stick to a shovel" Blair saying that he wanted the social services to get involved with helping mother learn how to parent if it was possible to identify that they child would grow up to be a drain on resources. If the parents would not avail them selves of the resources and advice then Tony wanted the children taken into care so that they wouldn't grow up to be thugs and vandals. Apparently each unproductive person in the UK costs the taxpayer £25000 per year to support.

Dozzzzy :zzz:

Applied Skilled Worker (London)
Application submitted - 05th July 2004
AOR Dated - 21st July 2004 (18 Months)
Delay Letter - Arrived Jan 2006 (Delayed till June 2006)
Medical Request - 26 May 2006 (NO Interview or Updated Docs Required)
Medical Taken - 28th May 2006
Medical Received - 4 July 2006
Info Request - 17 July - Update Available Funds
PPR - 14 Aug 2006 !!!!!