"newbies" on Udonmap - Welcome or not?

[Adhoc]

Just a question, thoughts please, especially from "newbies"

[Texpat]

I've seen responses to newbie questions recently that would make me think twice about returning to this forum -- if I was a newbie.

Once you realize the forum is comprised of mostly crotchety old geezers who ran out of prune juice and are probably constipated, their acerbic dispositions aren't so repulsive.

Still wacky and wrongheaded at times, but not so repulsive.

[T Bone]

Before I comment on this topic and possibly offend the long standing members, would someone please be so kind as to clarify for me exactly what a "newbie" is in the context of this forum.
Is it someone who is new to the Udonmap forum or someone who is new to Thailand?
I have lived in Phuket for 16 years and have been a forum member since 2006 ( albeit one who is understandably looked down upon for only reading but not posting ) to become more familiar with the Udon expat community.
Udon will be my ( near ) future home, I have been there many times and am very familiar with many of the places mentioned in the posts.
Am I one of these 'newbies" that are being mentioned, because I feel much more like an "oldie" than anything else.

[Stantheman]

Once you realize the forum is comprised of mostly crotchety old geezers who ran out of prune juice and are probably constipated, their acerbic dispositions aren't so repulsive.

Speak for yourself "crotchety old geezer" Tex, and FYI I do not use or like prune juice.

[nkstan]

I think ''newbies are always welcome.The problem is that for some reason,many lose their manners when presenting themselves,asking for advice from experienced expats about situations pertaining to life experience here,then,almost immediately turn around and argue and demean that advice or shared experience!Blowing their own horn about how smart they are etc. etc.Most people would not be so arrogant or show such a lack of humility if they were addressing the respondents in person,I see no reason to coddle or condone impolite behavior whether on the forum or in person.

I react the same in person as I would on the forum with the exception,that I might ignore them in person as I hear them talking or acting out!

Anonymity isn't my favorite scenario anyway,as I think alot of people use it to be assholes!There are always misunderstandings that present themselves while attempting to communicate.people I like and what I attempt to do,own their mistakes ,sincerely apologize and move on!Unfortunately ,many times it doesn't happen soon enough and things escalate.I personally won't take any crap from a falang and am quick to remark back,maybe not the most congenial responder or person,but I am always willing to meet anyone half way or even start over if agreed!

Yes,I recognize the ''crotchety old geezer'' in me also!!!

[arjay]

"Newbies" are indeed very welcome on this forum, as indeed they should be to any forum as they bring new "blood", ideas and thoughts etc., particularly those who join with a genuine purpose.

To clarify, "Newbies" as in new to this forum, who agreed may be long in the tooth and not necessarily young.

We do get some members who join with ulterior motives, usually to simply post spam, (a link to a website selling something), occasionally some seemingly to stir the pot. They are obviously not welcome.

What tends to stir up some of the "cynics" amongst us, is when a "brand new" member, presumably with an interest in Udon Thani, appears and in his very first (and probably only) post provides a link to a new restaurant or business in which he seemingly has some interest. No other posts about Udon, just that!

New posters who want to seek or discuss information about the Udon area are very welcome.

I wonder what prompted Adhoc's question.

[nkstan]

I wonder what prompted Adhoc's question.

I was wondering the same!

[Marlowe]

The Pig & Whistle on soi 7, have decent fish'n'chips. I'd give the chips a six, the fish an eight, the batter a 7, ish, and the mushy peas, 9. (all out of 10 for those of you who will have a problem with this)

I see what you mean about some newbies, Stan & Arjay. Was that last zinger really necessary? Is he trying to answer his own "Adhoc" question with a provocative comment? Stir the pot?

Do people actually talk like this "in person"? It's like many Thais in cars: relatively anonymous, so $&#& the manners & civility. True colors come out.

One is thrown in amongst people in a forum one would never dream of interacting with in person. People who use it as an outlet for their frustrations and insecurities.

Which is why I and quite a few folks I know have trouble participating in these forums. One needs thick skin to endure and persevere. And this is one of the best forums around. Sad, IMO, as to what it says about (some) people.

I think we get the occassional "newbie" who has been "outed" in another forum, and so moves on to new flaming grounds, until he is ultimately - and inevitably - outed again. One cannot conceal one's real nature for very long.

Too bad, really. Take the chips. Leave the attitude.

[jackspratt]

I wonder what prompted Adhoc's question.

I was wondering the same!

Probably the (in my view, completely unwarranted) battering he got when he posted his (now closed) thread regarding the new "teaching" forum.

I generally have a pretty good nose for advertising, and am happy to report it to the mods. That was not the case in relation to Adhoc's thread.

In a more general sense, newbies are certainly welcomed, although they will often receive a "baptism of fire". From my experiences on several forums, each has its own "personality" (and for that matter, personalities), which require different posting styles. Until a "newbie" adjusts to this, they may find themselves the centre of unwanted attention.

Tex, you really are a funny guy.

Marlowe, I believe Adhoc's "zinger" that you refer to is related (ie a reaction to) to the closed thread I mentioned above.

[rayc1965]

I have reading this forum for about a year now, and just became a member about a week ago. One of the problems I see is that if a "newbie" were to post anything remotely close to searching or asking a question concerning nightlife in Udon Thani, because it is not Pattaya or Bangkok, some "expert" or "high moral ex-pat" tells them to stay away, "we" don't want you here. It is somewhat discouraging....

[cookie]

One needs thick skin to endure and persevere. .

indeed,
have been a member of this forum for quite some years,
in the beginning I simply gave my opinion,
I was insulted, named......,
I got hammered and battered by members and moderators,
after some years, (thick skin),
you don't care any more and just say what you have to say.
to idiotic and childish reactions, just ignore them....

[Adhoc]

I wonder what prompted Adhoc's question.

I was wondering the same!

Probably the (in my view, completely unwarranted) battering he got when he posted his (now closed) thread regarding the new "teaching" forum.

I generally have a pretty good nose for advertising, and am happy to report it to the mods. That was not the case in relation to Adhoc's thread.

In a more general sense, newbies are certainly welcomed, although they will often receive a "baptism of fire". From my experiences on several forums, each has its own "personality" (and for that matter, personalities), which require different posting styles. Until a "newbie" adjusts to this, they may find themselves the centre of unwanted attention.

Tex, you really are a funny guy.

Marlowe, I believe Adhoc's "zinger" that you refer to is related (ie a reaction to) to the closed thread I mentioned above.

Thanks for this response, I posted this question because it does sometimes seem that this forum is very "clicky" and posts by "newbies" or people who are not regular posters meets with very offhand responses.
I know that sometimes new posters don't do themselves any favours, but maybe a bit of give and take would help.
The thread I tried to start about the teachers website was meant to start a discussion about the relative merits or otherwise, of the various sites now available. But looking at it again, I could have phrased it better.
The reaction from one particular member in jumping to conclusions, (totally wrong ones I might add) was a bit OTT.
I also looked into the company he mentions, and they are just that, a company, and like all companies, they sell things.
You can choose to do business with then or not, up to you.
So I just thought I would try to start a tread on this topic - so far so good.

Adhoc

[Aardvark]

adhoc, just join in and very soon people will come to know you and your writing style and accept it. I remember a couple of years ago one guy from Phuket joined, and in his first thread asked Members if they could refer Boys between the ages of 12 and 16 to him for a Football camp in Phuket. You can imagine the response of the Members who questioned and grilled him. In the end though he was quite genuine and there was indeed a School that ran Football Scholarships for under privileged Boys. A thick Skin does help also

[old-timer]

The word "newbie" is irritating. I remember being called it for the first time by an American guy when I first visited somewhere. To OT it sounds a bit condescending. Is it some kind of American slang? Is it like calling an adult a baby?
"Newcomer" - a far superior word and description of a welcomed new visitor / member. Anyway, welcome to Udom Map Forum Adhoc and say whatever you want keeping the forum rules in mind.

OT.........

[petemcc]

I am a newbie and I have been treated very well, I now have a brand new arsehole thanks to a few crotchety old coffin cheaters.

[trubrit]

I am a newbie and I have been treated very well, I now have a brand new arsehole thanks to a few crotchety old coffin cheaters.

Now that is the sort of remark that is almost guaranteed to get a hostile reaction . Its possibly meant as a poor joke which might be acceptable if it came from a more established member but coming from a new poster who we have not had the opportunity to establish from his postings whether he is intending to be rude or has a misplaced sense of humour, is likely to cause offence .
I have been a member since 2005. In that time many have come and gone for various reasons but in that time I think I could count on one hand the ones that were totally obnoxious and invariably their postings were subjected to moderation, which of course upset them and eventually they disappeared of their own accord .I think to be successful a forum needs a nucleus of regular members to give it a heart, but it also needs new contributors to feed the blood to that heart .I would suggest that every one new or old takes time to assess the other . A bit like you would if someone moved into the house next to you .You wouldn't go out and call him an old fart until you had got to know him quite well, unless you were deliberately being rude. That's how it is on here. Take your time , get to know us and importantly , let us get to know you .
In the main you will find it a friendly place to be .

[petemcc]

I am a realist, I deal with facts.


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[Brian Davis]

.... I remember a couple of years ago one guy from Phuket joined, and in his first thread asked Members if they could refer Boys between the ages of 12 and 16 to him for a Football camp in Phuket. You can imagine the response of the Members who questioned and grilled him. In the end though he was quite genuine and there was indeed a School that ran Football Scholarships for under privileged Boys. A thick Skin does help also

Blimey, you’ve a good memory, or did you check back like I had to? I was the originator of the Phuket Football Home topic and, indeed, it was my first thread. I was actually back living in Udon after 2 years in Phuket and 5 years prior to that in Nongbualamphu/Udon – so not exactly ‘new’. Incidentally, the Home thriving with boys recruited from around the country – but not Udon! :-" Take a look at the place if you’re down that way.

Thick skin? No, rather the opposite. However, in this case I was very sure of my ground and rather peeved that I was ‘labelled’ immediately before people had bothered to check me out. That said, my recollection is that nearly all subsequent posts were fair, constructive, whether critical or supportive. Only one chump ‘lost it’. ?

I think Trubrit sums things up very well. But in addition to that, there’s one thing which bores me stiff and IMO, likely to put off newcomers. The infighting, backstabbing, hidden agendas – regulars will know what I mean. Goodness.

[DermotC]

Hi there,

Im a newbie and will me moving to Udon hopefully in December. Ive posted a few times and had no problems. For the most part people seem very nice. As with everything though there are a few bitter people out there but they seem to be the exception rather than the rule.

Im looking forward to using it more closer to the time Im going to live there as there are expats here that are a fountain of knowledge and Im sure, from reading other posts, they will be able to give me good advice when i arrive.

Thanks everyone

[Aardvark]

You'll be Cool Dermot don't worry