Jerseygirl

Jump to it then...chop chop.

md95065

Thank you for sharing

Bob

Some one has to show that they can be arsed to at least do some of their own research if they expect help.

Why would they expect anyone else to hold their hands other wise?

tonrob

What's with the attitude? It's this kind of scathing sarcasm that stops me from frequenting this site more. Stop making BE a hostile place.

N1cky

Spend the next two weeks answering politely every post asking a stupid question and see how soon you get fed up

WVDreamer

Can't help but agree totally with this posters point. I joined the forum a few years ago when I needed some advice regarding my overstay on a VW.

I remember posting three years ago (I think), and whilst the replies were not aggressive as such I got the distinct impression that a few of the people who replied were almost smugly typing that I had overstayed my visa and I had no chance of staying in the country (Conditional permanent resident now btw). Almost like revelling in other people's misfortune.

I did get a private message from a very nice member basically explaining that people who immigrate via the VW program were somewhat seemed to have jumped the queue and that fact alone annoys people who went through a different longer process.

Either way, I was taken back a little but the forum still offers helpful advice, you just need to be willing to accept some-peoples somewhat vitriolic attitude to your situation.

materialcontroller

It's EXACTLY that sort of sarcastic attitude which is so off putting for newbies and irregular users.

materialcontroller

Maybe it's just me, but I actually enjoy helping other people out and giving them the benefit of my experience. If you find it such a chore, perhaps you ought to just say nothing instead.

Sally Redux

You'll love this then -

materialcontroller

Many people have actually found this forum through using Google, so it seems a little unfair to criticise them for doing no research once they get here. And as another poster mentioned earlier, it can be quite intimidating and overwhelming to try and navigate a new forum for answers. I notice the concierges rarely seem to appear in the forum - shouldn't they be the ones to "hold their hands" when newbies arrive, so why are they so invisible?

Lorna at Vicenza

The concierges work very hard in The Welcome Inn which is where many newbies find themselves at first. The concierges (and mods) welcome them and do indeed "hold their hands". They give them info about how to navigate the website, they point them in the direction of the forum they need and if necessary they move the newbie's original post into a more relevant place.

materialcontroller

That as maybe. But what about a noob who posts, as many do, straight to the forum proper? All too often they seem to be treated with disdain rather than respect.

I think this thread has shown up some very interesting responses. It seems clear to me that there is an underlying element of sarcasm and smugness among a lot of the people who particpate. While it was clearly said in jest, tongue in cheek style, I can't help having a wry smile at the section of Ray's "How to..." which mentions "cliquey tossers that jump on newbies". It sums this place up perfectly.

Lorna at Vicenza

You asked why the concierges are so invisible. I replied that they are not.

The amount of newbies, sarcasm and smugness that you say you find could also depend on which forums you frequent. Smaller forums are quieter with less newbies and therefore less of the same questions being asked time and time again.

GeoffM

Maybe you can help by putting your experience in the Wiki then. Or is it too much of a chore?

If you think that reply is harsh, have a think about your last few posts.

materialcontroller

For the record I ALWAYS link to my experience whenever I respond to somebody voicing a related query. And with respect, I wasn't aware that the wiki was open to everybody. But given that many newbies seem to overlook it anyway, I would question the relevance of posting there.