Playing Nice

[paulrace]

When we started this forum I promised the founding members that everybody would play nice. It's the only way I could encourage certain of the country's best experts on collecting, displaying, repairing, restoring, and building putz houses to participate. I am constantly impressed by the knowledge and expertise shared here, and pleased that, since September, 2011, we've all been able to play together very nicely.

So here's an idea, even if someone thinks their way of doing something is better than someone else's way of doing something, the way to approach it is to show an example and say "This way works for me." (This is a statement of fact, not of relative value, and shouldn't offend anyone.)

Or if there's a debate about what method or finish or process is more authentic, say, "Most of this style house that I've had my hands on seem to do it this way." Again, it's what you've observed, so nobody should have an issue with that. This especially true when we're discussing variations in houses and the like - every day I see something that I never knew existed before, so claiming universal knowledge ("All Hacienda houses have x number of windows") is dangerous.

If you find yourself getting "Testy" about something someone else has posted, e-mail me first - chances are I've already talked to the other person offline.

http://cardboardchristmas.com/contact.htm

Thanks, all, and please keep sharing,

Paul

[paulrace]

Here's a follow-up. Even though you may only see a few messages about a specific topic, some of the folks on this forum have known each other for decades, so when you sign up, you're essentially coming in to the middle of a conversation, no matter what the topic. I hand-picked the original members of the group BECAUSE of their various areas of expertise and their demonstrated ability to "play well with others."

You may not be able to tell from a few posts in a few forums, because most folks here don't "toot their own horns," but several of our members are among the best in the world, literally, at what they do. Not me - I simply provide a place for them to come together. You can criticize ME all you want - I'm a middle child, I can take it.

We're all glad to see new methods, ideas, and projects. The beginners here would tell you that they have received universal encouragement. NEVER be afraid to post something you're proud of - or even something you're not that proud of, folks here want the hobby to grow, and it only grows when newbies take risks. NEVER be afraid to ask "dumb" questions. That's how we all got started.

But please hesitate before you tell another member that your way of doing something is better than theirs, or the only "right" or "professional" way. (For one thing you may be talking to someone who has forgotten more about putz houses than you'll ever know.)

And if you slip up and say something discourteous anyway, and someone (like me) calls you on it, just say "I'm sorry, that came out the wrong way," or something, and move on.

Shelia used to tell our girls, "I can't make you be best friends, or even like each other, but while you're under my roof, you're going to be COURTEOUS to each other." I think that's a great philosophy. And since I'm paying the bills here, I think I have every right to extend it to these forums.

If you have an issue with THAT, my (online) door is always open: http://cardboardchristmas.com/html/contact.html

Best of luck, all,

Paul