Why are you so angry?

Question

I wonder why you guys are so angry. I am only a beginner. I can understand the sentence through dictionary. I will not ask questions any more.

• Moved from "Vocabulary and Grammar" to "Website questions and feedback" - Goyo Nov 4, 2009
• Hey- keep asking questions! That how you learn, It definately helps me:) - EJClaire Nov 4, 2009
• Siu is being scolded each time he asks for help. - Malenor Nov 4, 2009

Answer 1

Hi Siuchung,

I hope you decide to post questions on here again. People here really are friendly and helpful. Very often we do have to edit questions because of grammar, spelling or capitalization. We also need to make sure that your question is listed in the proper category and well explained in the question box. All of these things are done to benefit both you and the rest of the members of this site. I hope you don't take it personally, because I'm sure it was not meant that way.

Yes, in all honesty, there are occasional answers that can be sarcastic and even a little obnoxious. I have received a few of those myself. But I am very happy that I have returned, even after receiving a less than flattering comment. If I had just walked away, I would have missed out on meeting so many of the nice people here and I certainly would not have learned as much as I have learned through the excellent questions and answers on this forum.

So please give us a second chance and perhaps you will be here to encourage someone else down the road.

Nicole

Answer 2

I think the way this site works, as do so many others, is that if you come here expecting basic homework help or answers to questions that can be easily found in the dictionary or translator, you will be directed there. Also, some users do write on this forum as if they are texting, meaning it's informal. If you're here, read the rules and abide by them. However, there is a nice way and a rude way to say or do anything so everyone should be mindful of that.

Furthermore, I have seen post where someone simply request assistance, such as different ways to say something to express themselves better and they've been immediately attacked(or so it may seem to them). I feel like in cases like this, instead of someone immediately denouncing them and trying to direct them to the right place, they should take a moment to see where the conversation or question will go.

Just my two cents.

• a great two cents worth. Good for you - Jim Nov 4, 2009
• Thanks! - adai2003 Nov 4, 2009
• Very well said! I hope siuchung reads this and the other comments. :-) - chaparrito Nov 4, 2009

Answer 3

We're all human beings interacting here, and there will always be friction in such circumstances.

We all have lives beyond this forum with cares, concerns, and difficulties. And within the forum we have people who refuse to obey the rules no matter how many times you tell them.

Sometimes that translates into a reply that is more snippy than it should be. I'm very sorry for that, and I'm sure I speak for most, if not all of the regulars on this forum who love and enjoy it.

Let's keep in mind what you're getting here- a free education in Spanish, and interaction with teachers and fellow learners. It is, in fact, that human interaction which leads to your question. It's a great benefit of this site, but in order to have the benefit, you must also have the danger associated with it.

A wise man named Solomon had a proverb that went like this-

Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.

So, I'm very sorry for the droppiings on the floor of your stable, but hope you can appreciate the great crop you're going to have if you stick with it.

P.S.- Do be mindful of the forum rules. I promise you a cleaner stable if you do.

• You always have such a great way of putting things :) - sunshinzmomm Nov 4, 2009
• Bestest comment yet! (I had to make up a word it was so good) - Seitheach Nov 4, 2009
• What a sweet thing to say! (Not you, Seitheach, her) - Goyo Nov 4, 2009

Answer 4

I have been with this forum for a few years now. Lately I must say it seems a little more unfriendly then what it used to be. Yes we should all try as much as we can on our own. Using the site itself is a learning process. I find some of the answers these days cold and indifferent. I have also noticed the threads have lost a lot of their interesting input because of this "don't ask for help attitude"

Just my opinion.

• I have seen answers on here that would have turned me away had I received them. - Seitheach Nov 4, 2009

Answer 5

To some extent, I think the problem has arisen because of the changes to the site (over the past year). This particular area used to be called "Forum" but has been re-titled "Answers". "Forum" suggests a place to discuss questions/problems (about Spanish/English), and, at least for me, suggests that one should do a bit of research/preparation before entering into a discussion. "Answers" seems to suggest that this is the 1st place to go for any kind of question (ignoring the dictionary, conjugation, reference, etc. sections) instead of the "last resort".

Most of the "snippy" responses to questions are based on the assumption (perception) that the questioner has made no/very little effort to find an answer (before resorting to the forum).

For the most part (for straightforward questions), the dictionary/conjugation/reference sections provide provide as good (and, sometimes, better) answers than the Forum. These should always be the primary resources and, only when doubts remain, should a question be posted to the forum.

• gracias, samdie:):):) - Heidita Nov 4, 2009
• Samdie, this is the absolute best answer!! I think you have hit on something here that I hadn't even considered... but yes, indeed, since the name changed the atmosphere has shifted from collegial to.... something like a tech-support site... - Valerie Nov 4, 2009
• ... where people come for quick answers. I wonder if that might be the root of all the other tensions? - Valerie Nov 4, 2009

Answer 6

Hello Mr. Siu:

No, I don't think anyone is angry with you. Here, everyone is very helpful. I saw your post and someone suggested that you use the translator. Just paste in the sentence and you might get what you want. By doing this yourself, you will learn much faster.

The answer to your questions about Windows, was Take a tour of Windows 7, and see our expert people.

This is a good site and everyone is very welcome here!

Answer 7

I can't say enough about the people in this site. They are very helpful but part of the process of learning is to do some things by yourself. After making the attempt and posting an answer the people that are the experts can guide and direct you to the right answer. Even the less experience can give possible solutions to a question (that's how we all learn new things). I am a less experienced person on this site but I will try to answer anything if the person posting gives a possible answer. Learning can be fun! Good luck and ask a lot of questions--that's how we learn.

Answer 8

We all need to remember that mere typing has no emotion and emoticons can only do so much. I know at times I feel really dumb when I get certain comments or answers that to me are just plain rude. But we also have cultural differences on this site.

Because of all of this, I try to keep my mind open and just ignore those that aren't helpful to my learning of Spanish. If they help my Spanish, I don't care how the comment is given.

I do agree that the site has become somewhat more indifferent since I have joined. But everything progresses and changes.

In spite of all of this, I love this site. It is very helpful and informative and the majority of the people are great and helpful.

Answer 9

I also feel that sometimes users reply in an angry way- as if annoyed at me asking a question. It shouldn't be like that, we should try to help others as much as possible.

---

After all, life is a learning journey.

• I think a few people here have a superiority complex but like someone said, as long as you're learning and growing, you can disregard the few sarcastic comments. - adai2003 Nov 4, 2009

Answer 10

HI siu, this is a surprising post for me. I closed one of your threads and asked you to "feel free to repost" as you were asked to read the rules for posting and obviously did not . You did not repost either, not so much to ask, I think.

I think we have a group of very friendly people on this site, and on this forum you will see things allowed like on no other language site. We can talk freely here and you are allowed to open any thread you wish, we only ask for correct spelling and no swearing.

I think many people feel they have all the rights but no obligations and we must all abide by some kind of rules in life. This forum only has like 10 rules.

Answer 11

I find most of these complaints, incomprehensible. From what I've seen, the majority of the (rude/terse/curt) replies were to posts that asked "what is an animal that starts with "c" or provided a series of sentences (with blanks) and requested the appropriate form of ser/estar or some imperfect/preterite verb. To my mind, these are not questions posed by someone who wishes to learn but by someone who wants to complete a homework assignment without learning.

I find myself among those who think that learning a second/third language is a good thing. However, I do not think that people should be forced to learn another language. If they don't want to, that is their business but I do object when they want to have credit for a second language that they have not, in fact, learned.

If you are monolingual (and proud of it) that is one thing but if you are trying to obtain credit for speaking/knowing another language that you, in fact, don't know/ wish to learn, then you are, simply, lying.

Answer 12

Keep trying! Some form of "try the translator/dictionary/click on the word" is the answer over and over (I've gotten it myself). But I'm not angry at you and I like questions. As with any such forum, don't let one or even eleven people ever become "you guys", look for what's helpful and disregard the rest. Remember it just can't be about you personally (if no one actually knows you personally) and just hang in there.

Answer 13

Hello Suiching

I don't think anyone is angry with you.

I know it is difficult when English is not your first language, but all they are trying to do is to help you find the answers you need.

If you do not explain your question properly in the title, we don't know whether we can help or not.

Also, sometimes it is more helpful to be told how to find out the answer, than to just be told the answer.

I hope you will always ask for help when you need it, and I wish you all the best in your studies