[acecycleins]

Ok, guys and gals we have an issue. Not a big one mind you and not anything that can't be addressed. I've received personal emails in the past (and 3 this week) from Newbies that think our threads are mean spirited. I don't want to go back and forth on the ways and whats because I've been a member of this site for 5 yrs and know how the sarcasm works here. Personally, it's why I'm here. But new members are a good thing and in the end we don't want to drive them off of MO. Maybe, scattering the tough love with actual humor and real advise from you guys will help. I like when new riders hit the site. I know that slamming the squids is fun, too. In the end, I believe that memberships are what's important and trying to not sound soooooo harsh in our deliver will help. Just something I've observed. Thanks y'all- Kirk

 

[acecycleins]

So why did the emotionally traumatized decide to complain to you, Kirk?

I mean, Longride, Buz or Seruzawa are much more touchy-feely if you ask me...

I think that mostly it's because I respond to these guys in a two fold way: 1- I approach my threads with newbies in a way that includes a Tough Love approach but with finesse in trying to get newbies to broaden their appoach. 2- From a insurance man's perspective. Giving them the tools they need to make an informed decision on what overall cost will be to affording the ride.

I try to make myself accessable to them, in short. I get three to five people a month that make direct contact with me about insurance questions. In those conversations, it has been mentioned that in some cases the members have been harsh in response. It's nothing big, but in the end I believe that membership is important to MO and if our grizzled-selves don't approach some of these newbies in a helpful way (sachi comes to mind more than not) then we don't serve MO or our passion in a positive way.

If you're looking for love and understanding Buz is not the first person I think of. Informed as he is, I've seen him shoot down a newbie and was probably smiling while typing the thread. Same hold true for many of us. I've done it before if I believe that my point isn't clear enough from the newbies post. I'm not saying stop being mean or sarcastic, but less frequency may be good for us all- that's all.

 

[acecycleins]

In a recent, related discussion with another member, it was pointed out that it can be very difficult in this media to tell when somebody is having fun, or when they're actually "going after" the other guy. None of the usual visual cues are there; the best you can do for that is the stupid emoticons.

In the words of the imfamous Ted E Long (WWE ref and mgr)- TRUE THAT!

Kirk

 

[acecycleins]

What about my School of Completely Useless Knowledge? Classes are scheduled bi-monthly on Thursdays just after Buz's class but before Ken's class unless Airhawk can ever get his class to- well, show up on time. Which should push my class back 3 hrs from the scheduled start time. Remember, no notes. All information must be memorized for complete saturation.