How Do You Communicate on Forums vs Face-to-Face
#27
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Posts: 6,489
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
2 Posts
Software won't let you enter that many characters in the "poll" function. I tried.
__________________
A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking. - S. Wright
Favorite rides in the stable: Indy Fab CJ Ti - Colnago MXL - S-Works Roubaix - Habanero Team Issue - Jamis Eclipse carbon/831
A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking. - S. Wright
Favorite rides in the stable: Indy Fab CJ Ti - Colnago MXL - S-Works Roubaix - Habanero Team Issue - Jamis Eclipse carbon/831
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Bay Area, California
Posts: 799
Bikes: Pacific Reach, Strida
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Not sure any of the options really fits. I think my intentions are about the same in both contexts but the results are not at all the same.
I've always been much better at communicating in writing than I am at speaking. Talking to people is very stressful and they tend to completely misinterpret what I'm trying to say. Given a choice, I would nearly always opt for text over speech. Besides, I have observed that you get a truer picture of the real person when you don't have all the nonverbal clutter you get in face to face interactions.
I've always been much better at communicating in writing than I am at speaking. Talking to people is very stressful and they tend to completely misinterpret what I'm trying to say. Given a choice, I would nearly always opt for text over speech. Besides, I have observed that you get a truer picture of the real person when you don't have all the nonverbal clutter you get in face to face interactions.
#29
gone ride'n
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 4,050
Bikes: Simoncini, Gary Fisher, Specialized Tarmac
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
My experience is that it is less what you say that causes issues as it is what you read into what others say. Someone's humor is another person's personal insult.
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Snow Hill NC
Posts: 872
Bikes: Trek Madone 2.1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It's very easy to be a keyboard commando...I have already seen some on here and i have only been here a month or less...LOL...It's the same on all the forums i belong to...Funny stuff....It's hard to take back some stuff you types on a computer sometimes... The flip side to that is some are nasty on purpose to get you going...
#32
Senior Member
This is one of two hobby forums I frequent, and in both cases it seems that there are many who use the anonymity to get more heated than they would face to face. I think this is similar to the motivation behind road rage. I am prone to going from 0-90 in one second flat when someone right hooks me, or says something that I think is stupid, or just plain wrong. It's not as bad in the forums since the act of typing gives me time to think a little more. Also the horn on your car doesn't have an edit button.
I'm working on it.
The problem with internet forums is that unlike face to face there is no means of transferring, for lack of better term, the vibes and flow of a conversation and personal interaction. Thus internet conversations get so ugly, so fast unlike with a flesh and blood human soul in front of you.
LC
LC
I don't always, or often miss something (D'oh!)
Last edited by CommuteCommando; 07-13-13 at 08:39 AM.
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 7,384
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 218 Times
in
171 Posts
The problem with internet forums is that unlike face to face there is no means of transferring, for lack of better term, the vibes and flow of a conversation and personal interaction. Thus internet conversations get so ugly, so fast unlike with a flesh and blood human soul in front of you.
Personally, I do try to express any emotive content in writing as precisely as I can. The Merriam-Webster online dictionary is on my bookmark list to find the right synonym for any key words I use. One thing that compelled me to reconsider smilies though was this. I once saw an ad in a sports magazine for something being endorsed by Lance Armstrong. He was quoted as something like, "No man over thirty should ever use smilies...period."
Not sure any of the options really fits. I think my intentions are about the same in both contexts but the results are not at all the same.
I've always been much better at communicating in writing than I am at speaking. Talking to people is very stressful and they tend to completely misinterpret what I'm trying to say. Given a choice, I would nearly always opt for text over speech. Besides, I have observed that you get a truer picture of the real person when you don't have all the nonverbal clutter you get in face to face interactions.
I've always been much better at communicating in writing than I am at speaking. Talking to people is very stressful and they tend to completely misinterpret what I'm trying to say. Given a choice, I would nearly always opt for text over speech. Besides, I have observed that you get a truer picture of the real person when you don't have all the nonverbal clutter you get in face to face interactions.
So I feel that when I write a post, I can clearly express my message without any interference. For example, how often in face-to-face communication does the receiver when hearing a message immediately start thinking and preparing a reply based on his own experience, before considering the totality of the message you've sent? When writing a post, the reader can consider the message in its totality (or totally ignore it). Then the reader can formulate feedback as an entirely uninterrupted message as well.
Personally, I tend to write long posts because for me writing is an avocation, and even a craft (wordsmithing). So other than a quip, if I'm motivated to reply to a thread, it means enough to me to express myself as completely and clearly as possible, with style. I would hope that the reader would find my message interesting and/or informative. Even if not, the process of putting my thoughts in print in a well-composed post is its own reward. You be the judge.
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 7,384
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 218 Times
in
171 Posts
FYA, there is a sticky on the Fifty-Plus Forum, A Chronicle of the 50+ Annual Rides, and in one post, I listed the threads that chronicled the Rides II to IV beginning with the personal narratives and photos:
Here are some further details for the proposed Fifth Annual Fifty Plus Ride from the Mass Bike Summer Century and Family Fun Fest web site:
https://massbike.org/summercentury/
...The new locale of the Ride from previous years is a very nice exurban to rural area for cycling, estimated about 25 miles northwest from downtown Boston, just beyond the historic town of Concord, MA of Revolutionary War and Walden Pond fame...
https://massbike.org/summercentury/
...The new locale of the Ride from previous years is a very nice exurban to rural area for cycling, estimated about 25 miles northwest from downtown Boston, just beyond the historic town of Concord, MA of Revolutionary War and Walden Pond fame...
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 07-13-13 at 09:43 AM.
#35
Senior Member
[QUOTE=Jim from Boston;15846504Personally, I tend to write long posts...[/QUOTE]
I try to keep my posts as short as possible.
I don't have the time or patience to read long posts and tend to skim them. I know that doesn't do justice to the writer, but I'd be here all day if I were to read every long post properly.
I assume others have the same time constraints - so to (try to) make my posts easy to read:
- I keep 'em short, and
- I use many paragraph breaks.
And - I think Smilies are valid in a forum environment. They communicate expression very well, while keeping the posts brief.
I try to keep my posts as short as possible.
I don't have the time or patience to read long posts and tend to skim them. I know that doesn't do justice to the writer, but I'd be here all day if I were to read every long post properly.
I assume others have the same time constraints - so to (try to) make my posts easy to read:
- I keep 'em short, and
- I use many paragraph breaks.
And - I think Smilies are valid in a forum environment. They communicate expression very well, while keeping the posts brief.
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: New York and San Juan
Posts: 481
Bikes: Kestrel Talon SL, Surly Steamroller, Equipe SS/FG Beater
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I try to keep my posts as short as possible.
I don't have the time or patience to read long posts and tend to skim them. I know that doesn't do justice to the writer, but I'd be here all day if I were to read every long post properly.
I assume others have the same time constraints - so to (try to) make my posts easy to read:
- I keep 'em short, and
- I use many paragraph breaks.
And - I think Smilies are valid in a forum environment. They communicate expression very well, while keeping the posts brief.
I don't have the time or patience to read long posts and tend to skim them. I know that doesn't do justice to the writer, but I'd be here all day if I were to read every long post properly.
I assume others have the same time constraints - so to (try to) make my posts easy to read:
- I keep 'em short, and
- I use many paragraph breaks.
And - I think Smilies are valid in a forum environment. They communicate expression very well, while keeping the posts brief.
+1 Forums for me are just like fast food. If I want something healthy, I'll read some good fiction.
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: northern michigan
Posts: 13,317
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 659 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times
in
313 Posts
Oh, the topic....same. Pretty much.
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Snow Hill NC
Posts: 872
Bikes: Trek Madone 2.1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I din't cay a dayam thing about speling...Jus kontex...The spell check police is out on this forum also...Who gives a airborne rodent's posterior if there is a few grammar flaws here and there...It's a forum...Write on Mergatroid...Have a little fun.
Last edited by Notgrownup; 07-13-13 at 03:24 PM.
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: northern michigan
Posts: 13,317
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 659 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times
in
313 Posts
Now yer talkin'. Did you edit for a typo?
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex
Posts: 5,058
Bikes: 2013 Haro FL Comp 29er MTB.
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1470 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 45 Times
in
35 Posts
When I communicate on the 50+ forums:
When I communicate on the 50+ forums:
I tend to give MORE careful consideration of what I communicate than I would if speaking face-to-face with someone and attempt to be as civil as possible.
I tend to give MORE careful consideration of what I communicate than I would if speaking face-to-face with someone and don’t especially care how my communication is received by others.
I tend to give LESS careful consideration of what I communicate than I would if speaking face-to-face, but still attempt to be as civil as possible.
I tend to give LESS careful consideration of what I communicate than I would if speaking face-to-face, and don’t really care with others think of how I communicate.
My consideration of what I communicate on a forum is about the same as if I were speaking with someone face-to-face.
I’ve never thought about it.
When I communicate on the 50+ forums:
I tend to give MORE careful consideration of what I communicate than I would if speaking face-to-face with someone and attempt to be as civil as possible.
I tend to give MORE careful consideration of what I communicate than I would if speaking face-to-face with someone and don’t especially care how my communication is received by others.
I tend to give LESS careful consideration of what I communicate than I would if speaking face-to-face, but still attempt to be as civil as possible.
I tend to give LESS careful consideration of what I communicate than I would if speaking face-to-face, and don’t really care with others think of how I communicate.
My consideration of what I communicate on a forum is about the same as if I were speaking with someone face-to-face.
I’ve never thought about it.
When Posting on 50+ Forums check one?
1: I am more considerate in the 50+ forum than face to face.
2: I am more considerate face to face than I am in the 50+ forum.
3: I don't care what people think about my communication either in the forum or face to face.
4: I am as careful about my communication in the forum and I am face to face.
All in all I find most 50+ forum members are rather considerate in the forums and the ones I have met face to face. I just have never met the ones that drop the weekend pelotons in their areas while riding their mountain bikes or loaded touring bikes. I think we need a some emoticons for fertilizer.
#41
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,260
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I think I'm the same on the forum as I am in person, which I now think has been a big mistake. I always look for humor and irony in every conversation. My strength is 'One liners" , Playing with word meanings, and referencing past conversations in a humorous way. Face to face I can gently work a person and learn where their sense of humor is and then play to that audience. On-line my humor just ends up offending the majority.
For example, my first and immediate reaction to Dnvr's now locked thread about 50+ mature reactions to three individual riding occurrences was "Calmly stop and get off my bike. Walk over to the offender. Remove my skidlid from my head and commence to thrash them with it."
In light of recent trends among the 50+ forum, I found that to be quite funny. In reality I imagine even posted in this context it will get me kicked out. But I still laugh when ever I envision the skidlid thrashing in my mind. Heck, I'm even chuckling about how I managed to avoid using that six letter word.
My humor will have to be delivered in person from now on....
For example, my first and immediate reaction to Dnvr's now locked thread about 50+ mature reactions to three individual riding occurrences was "Calmly stop and get off my bike. Walk over to the offender. Remove my skidlid from my head and commence to thrash them with it."
In light of recent trends among the 50+ forum, I found that to be quite funny. In reality I imagine even posted in this context it will get me kicked out. But I still laugh when ever I envision the skidlid thrashing in my mind. Heck, I'm even chuckling about how I managed to avoid using that six letter word.
My humor will have to be delivered in person from now on....
#42
Banned.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 20,917
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
10 Posts
I think I'm the same on the forum as I am in person, which I now think has been a big mistake. I always look for humor and irony in every conversation. My strength is 'One liners" , Playing with word meanings, and referencing past conversations in a humorous way. Face to face I can gently work a person and learn where their sense of humor is and then play to that audience. On-line my humor just ends up offending the majority.
For example, my first and immediate reaction to Dnvr's now locked thread about 50+ mature reactions to three individual riding occurrences was "Calmly stop and get off my bike. Walk over to the offender. Remove my skidlid from my head and commence to thrash them with it."
In light of recent trends among the 50+ forum, I found that to be quite funny. In reality I imagine even posted in this context it will get me kicked out. But I still laugh when ever I envision the skidlid thrashing in my mind. Heck, I'm even chuckling about how I managed to avoid using that six letter word.
My humor will have to be delivered in person from now on....
For example, my first and immediate reaction to Dnvr's now locked thread about 50+ mature reactions to three individual riding occurrences was "Calmly stop and get off my bike. Walk over to the offender. Remove my skidlid from my head and commence to thrash them with it."
In light of recent trends among the 50+ forum, I found that to be quite funny. In reality I imagine even posted in this context it will get me kicked out. But I still laugh when ever I envision the skidlid thrashing in my mind. Heck, I'm even chuckling about how I managed to avoid using that six letter word.
My humor will have to be delivered in person from now on....
So, this is life. I enjoy your humor and greatly appreciate it.
Thanks for expressing it.
#43
Seat Sniffer
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SoCal
Posts: 5,626
Bikes: Serotta Legend Ti; 2006 Schwinn Fastback Pro and 1996 Colnago Decor Super C96; 2003 Univega Alpina 700; 2000 Schwinn Super Sport
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 944 Post(s)
Liked 1,980 Times
in
566 Posts
I, too, find irony and humor in many situations, and, I too find my expression of it misunderstood by some. Much of what I post is tongue-in-cheek. But, it generally gets me in trouble. I find a great variance in the "sense of humor" of others, as they likely find in mine. I now try and use emoticons, but sometimes forget. I have reduced my attempts at humor considerably due to the reactions of those who don't understand it, or perhaps I am simply not humorous, period.
So, this is life. I enjoy your humor and greatly appreciate it.
Thanks for expressing it.
So, this is life. I enjoy your humor and greatly appreciate it.
Thanks for expressing it.
My sense of humor can shade toward the inappropriate at times. My first reaction to that thread was to respond:
(1) Nothing.
(2) Nothing.
(3) Nothing.
Because (4) I let my pistol do my talking for me.
So obviously outrageous, no one would confuse it for a genuine response, right? Ahhhh no.
So anyway, let me apologize to everyone in advance for my occasional forays into the absurd. If I say write that offends you or sounds nasty, I can pretty much assure you that it was not intended that way. I'm paid to argue with people, and frankly, I tire of it. I don't come here to argue. I'd rather bring joy. If I screw that up, sorry about that!
__________________
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 7,384
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 218 Times
in
171 Posts
Personally, I tend to write long posts…
I only read the threads and posts that interest me. If I'm particularly interested in the content then I'm motivated to read no matter how long. It takes some time to write a properly composed long post, and I take my chances that my expenditure of time might connect with another interested reader.
When writing a post, the reader can consider the message in its totality (or totally ignore it). Then the reader can formulate feedback as an entirely uninterrupted message as well… I would hope that the reader would find my message interesting and/or informative. Even if not, the process of putting my thoughts in print in a well-composed post is its own reward.
... has anyone else noticed that almost every thread in 50+ develops into an argument. Have we all turned into a bunch of old fuddy-duddies with a "My way or the hiway" attitude?
I think I'm getting to be too young for all this surly, bitter, know-it-all bickering. There has to be a more light hearted place to have fun. I know it ain't much fun around here lately.
See ya when/if this place ever becomes more hospitable.
I think I'm getting to be too young for all this surly, bitter, know-it-all bickering. There has to be a more light hearted place to have fun. I know it ain't much fun around here lately.
See ya when/if this place ever becomes more hospitable.
I assume others have the same time constraints - so to (try to) make my posts easy to read:
- I keep 'em short, and
- I use many paragraph breaks.
- I keep 'em short, and
- I use many paragraph breaks.
On occasions, I have encountered other cyclists en route during ride and I talk up Bike Forums. I occasionally get a haughty response, “Well, I'd rather spend my time cycling than posting.” to which I answer, “Well, I post while working, when I can't be cycling.”
And - I think Smilies are valid in a forum environment. They communicate expression very well, while keeping the posts brief.
#46
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Snow Hill NC
Posts: 872
Bikes: Trek Madone 2.1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Drive thru, pay at the second window please...Don't piss off the clerk...they might put a booger in your fries...
#47
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 643 Times
in
364 Posts
Another thread disappeared.
I'm going to have to spend less time riding and more time on BF so I can read the posts that are so upsetting before the thread disappears.
I'm going to have to spend less time riding and more time on BF so I can read the posts that are so upsetting before the thread disappears.