Audrey_Bee wrote:I would disagree also with the idea that if we received a nice message politely then we wouldn't understand that were breaking a rule, I think some credit needs to be given to our community that we wouldn't read a message saying:
"hey, please make sure you're not Bumping your post too much, only bump when it's off the first page. Thank you in advance, have a lovely day!"
And go 'awww, how cute. Anyway. *bump bump bump*' lol.
Audrey_Bee wrote:I would also say that considering just how many people have posted here and who I have spoken to in the past that all agree staff messages are far too firm, it's not a small issue that a couple of people are reading messages in an incorrect term, but is an actual problem that a lot of people feel needs a change. We're not then going to break rules for the fun of it just because we finally have a message treating us like people.
Audrey_Bee wrote:As I said, I don't think these cutesy messages should be put in place everywhere. If someone is being outwardly homophobic for example, then sure, be stern! But if someone has broken a rule *once* and doesn't require a board warning and its clear they don't have a clue they're breaking rules, we feel that all that is required is a gentle reminds of the rules. Then have at it if they keep breaking them haha
We're all people, we all want to be treated as such and with respect! A lot of us respect the staff and how much they do behind the scenes and how much they keep the site safe! It should just be done with a gentler touch to keep CS feeling welcome and warm, and to not scare away the new folk π
dia_dartenheit wrote:that sample message could be used as a template for communicating with users: "hey; please; thank you; have a nice day". friendly professionalism is part of a more humane approach in services these days and it hurts me that people still find it being weak.
beestie wrote:
just a general reply so i'm not quoting a ton of people;
i don't think most people necessarily have a problem with the authority/firmness aspect of staff messages per say, i think many people feel spoken down to - that some staff seem to have a 'holier than thou' tone/mentality. you can be firm and get your message across while speaking to the other party as an equal, because despite the color of your username on this site we're all still people.
i, and i think many others, have no issue with mods acting as an authority, that is their job here, but when staff act too big for their britches, that's when everyday user opinions on staff are soured. if mod mentality is truly "we're better than you", that's an issue. that results in people feeling belittled and less-than. and unfortunately, modding positions breed mentalities like that because there are people who will feel better than everyone else, and it's something that needs to be addressed. members should NOT be receiving warnings calling them pretentious and rude, that makes your userbase not like you in any way, shape, or form.
if a mod messages me, regardless of whether it's a warning or not, my previous interactions with staff have caused me to want the interaction to be over as quickly as possible because every mod message feels condescending now, no matter what's in the message or how it's written - and i'm sure i'm not the only one who feels this way given the opinions in this thread already.
obviously, not all mods have the aforementioned mentality - i've gotten to know a couple who are genuinely lovely people that i do enjoy speaking to. but it's prevalent enough that you have a multi-page thread of people saying they have trouble speaking with staff because they, essentially, feel spoken down to/less-than. i don't really believe authority is the root issue here, it's the disconnect between everyday users and staff.
Celozon wrote:Could you give an example of what acting 'better than users' would be? If I'm being quite honest, it often feels to me that this ends up being more of a personal interpretation of moderator actions than anything specific. I can't say that I think I'm better than anyone else, and I can't say I've ever heard any other moderator express that kind of sentiment either.
Celozon wrote:If anything I sometimes feel like the users aren't considering that we are people too and not some monolith or robots doling out warnings (as many posts in this thread suggest).
Celozon wrote:That said, if you get to know a couple moderators and decide they aren't so bad after all, then what make you think that wouldn't apply to all the moderators? It seems like some being judged through personal non-moderation interactions and others being interpreted only through moderation interactions.
-snip-
I do think that it stands to reason that some users may already come into these situations assuming moderators will be mean before ever interacting with them, and confirmation bias can do the rest. I'm not saying this is the case every single time, but I don't think it should be ignored either.
Celozon wrote:I just think its odd to lay all the blame on the moderator side in this.
Celozon wrote:I could certainly see people interpreting me as thinking I'm better than them just cause I don't post much or talk to people outside of doing moderating stuff, and my moderation messages might seem blunt. I am not super sociable (I've got social anxiety disorder, I feel extremely awkward and stilted trying to make small talk), I try and be very open to people approaching me and talking to me, but I don't post on the forums much outside of moderating and answering questions because uh, I'm just not very good at it. I actually did used to post more before becoming a GH and then GM, and keep thinking I should post more in discussion threads, but mostly don't cause I'm worried users will feel intimidated by my presence and I'll kill the conversation ^^'
-snip-beestie wrote:wrote:
if a mod messages me, regardless of whether it's a warning or not, my previous interactions with staff have caused me to want the interaction to be over as quickly as possible because every mod message feels condescending now, no matter what's in the message or how it's written - and i'm sure i'm not the only one who feels this way given the opinions in this thread already.
minecraft wrote:my only input right now is that i feel like the poll at the top of this post could do with a major rework.
the poll options are currently (in answer to "what would you like to see"):
- "kinder messages from staff"
- "less strict punishments for multiple minor warnings"
- "all of the above"
- "none, the staff are perfect"
there's a lot of possible (and likely very real) feelings users may hold about the mod team that sit between feeling like everything is perfect and feeling that they're strict or unkind, and while it'd obviously be impossible to cover every possible emotion with ten poll options, having three out of the four provided options be your own opinion verses one polar opposite of 'staff are perfect' doesn't feel constructive.
i don't think the poll is providing useful information to anyone as it stands; especially if those with nuanced feelings other than the options the poll makes room for for don't feel like this is a space for them and leave before they can share their thoughts.
having said that, i want to make it clear i do think this post is overall helping hold a discussion this website needs to have- i fully agree that mods should treat people kindly with concise and useful responses, and that users interpretations of staffs intent is often not what's being put forward.
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest