A Philosophy of Etiquette

I've been around many forums in my day--car forums, camcorder forums, TiVo forums, Directv forums, NFL forums...and now cigar forums.

They all generally share the same philosophical views, SEARCH is your friend, long-term members are thought of as databases of valuable information and post count (for whatever reason) means something.

When I decided to join a cigar forum, I wanted to "test the waters" first. I traveled to 4 different forums. Some were too juvenile, others didn't have enough activity.

This site, however, piqued my interest. It has good forum activity, a wide cross-section of cigar-smokin' personalities and many FOGs that post regularly.

CP is my kind of forum. I joined in early November and have spent a considerable amount of time greeting others, asking questions, trying to get to know some of you and using the search function to research other cigar-related issues/concerns.

Lately, it seems that a number of threads have resulted in members debating over unemployment compensation law, whether it is or isn't appropriate to charge $20 for Anejos and who should or should not be policing the site--just to name a few.

In my forum experience, it seems that members get bored. How many times can we post a picture of a rare vitola that we've obtained? How many times can we discuss the creamy, cedary, leathery, and spicy flavors we get out of each of our sticks? How many times can we discuss whether a certain price per stick makes sense?

Don't take this the wrong way...but some of us appear bored. This forum, IMHO (just to be clear ), should represent the best things about one of our favorite pastimes...smoking cigars. I realize that the site has to be policed from time to time due to spam, ridiculous posts, etc. But normally that's the job of moderators. Does this forum have moderators? Normally they are easy identified, but I can't recall seeing one here.

On occasion, I get the impression that it's a race to say "Fill out your profile" or "Any price other than MSRP is unacceptable here at CP."

This isn’t in the spirit of why we are here. Our involvement here isn’t a contest to see who the brightest member is or who writes the best. It’s the cigars!!!! Or scotch in AVB’s case. :laugh:

I leave you with the immortal words of Horace Greeley, “A cigar has ‘…a fire at one end and fool at the other.’”

So, let’s work to resolve the disharmony that seems somewhat prevalent in some of the recent threads.

Rob

can i just say, what you are seeing, and what you stated, happens in cycles. you are correct, this is probably the greatest cigar forum on the net, bar none. Stick around, like anything else, a few bumps in the road occur every couple of miles, but for the most part, this is a great place to learn, and more importantly, contribute to the community.
btw..CP is self moderating, which is good and bad as you have seen.

We have no moderators and are self policed. While you may not believe it, I am here for the cigars it's just not my #1 vice.

Rob as a member of several e-forums, as Rob_k stated, the fluctuations you see are pretty common and normal. Everyone here has a different personality and they don't always mesh, but that's OK. A motorcycle site I belong to is 10 times worse in the BS that goes on, not sure why, but I think the membership is just more diverse in so many ways, that may play a role.

The self moderation on CP again, as mentioned above is both a blessing and a curse. I'm assuming the theory is we all act like adults, conduct ourselves as such and there really shouldn't be to much to worry about. Everything works out in the end.

Wade

There are plenty of forums out there which OVER moderate. CP is a place you can go and be treated like an adult. Act like an adult at CP, and you'll be treated like an adult.

The FOGS will often say "fill out your profile", simply to help engage you more in this community. Who knows, one day you might get "bombed".

As far as grammar/spelling, this is a big thing at CP. We're all adults, and as such, let's act like adults. When you click that "Add Reply/Post" button, your message will remain in place for a long time. It's about putting a good image of CP out to everyone. If you were a guest at CP and noticed that everyone is typing in lower case letters (much like they do on the script kiddie forums), would you have joined? I wouldn't.

Let's talk MSRP. You may not think it's important for other's to say "$30 is too much for an Opus X", when in reality, these are the guys who are helping to maintain integrity within the cigar community! We once had a retailer who was posting "specials" in our hot cigar deals forum. Her prices were extremely high. She was called out several times, yet she continued to post and didn't heed anyones advice. That retailer has since been banned. Why? To protect YOU!

I do agree, this is no place to discuss politics. Typically I end threads when people start talking politics. If it remains civil, then I'll let the thread go for a bit. However, it is our policy that politics are not welcome at CP.

Sometimes you'll come across a thread which isn't your cup of tea. My advice is to move on and not read that thread. Sometimes the FOGS here will "take out the trash". Thankfully this hasn't had to happen for awhile, but when it does, it's best to read more and post less, and not get involved.

While we are a cigar community, other topics and discussions will come up. Again, if it's not something you wish to read, it's best to simply skip it and move along.

Overall, I believe we do a very good job in maintaining a CIGAR COMMUNITY.

Welcome to CP!

Rod

:thumbs:

Rod said:

There are plenty of forums out there which OVER moderate. CP is a place you can go and be treated like an adult. Act like an adult at CP, and you'll be treated like an adult.

The FOGS will often say "fill out your profile", simply to help engage you more in this community. Who knows, one day you might get "bombed".

As far as grammar/spelling, this is a big thing at CP. We're all adults, and as such, let's act like adults. When you click that "Add Reply/Post" button, your message will remain in place for a long time. It's about putting a good image of CP out to everyone. If you were a guest at CP and noticed that everyone is typing in lower case letters (much like they do on the script kiddie forums), would you have joined? I wouldn't.

Let's talk MSRP. You may not think it's important for other's to say "$30 is too much for an Opus X", when in reality, these are the guys who are helping to maintain integrity within the cigar community! We once had a retailer who was posting "specials" in our hot cigar deals forum. Her prices were extremely high. She was called out several times, yet she continued to post and didn't heed anyones advice. That retailer has since been banned. Why? To protect YOU!

I do agree, this is no place to discuss politics. Typically I end threads when people start talking politics. If it remains civil, then I'll let the thread go for a bit. However, it is our policy that politics are not welcome at CP.

Sometimes you'll come across a thread which isn't your cup of tea. My advice is to move on and not read that thread. Sometimes the FOGS here will "take out the trash". Thankfully this hasn't had to happen for awhile, but when it does, it's best to read more and post less, and not get involved.

While we are a cigar community, other topics and discussions will come up. Again, if it's not something you wish to read, it's best to simply skip it and move along.

Overall, I believe we do a very good job in maintaining a CIGAR COMMUNITY.

Welcome to CP!

Rod

Click to expand...

I like the Cigar Girl Santa suit!! Are they available in 3X ??



<Now that's an image you really don't want, at all!!>

Right on the money, Rod.

Stick around, Bobby. It sounds like I ended up choosing CP in a way similar to what brought you here. I've been through some ups and downs as well and today I feel even more positive about the place simply because I've been able to gain perspective over time.

Wilkey

Well said Rod!

I've been around to a few other boards, posted for a while on some, but mostly never felt at home there or welcomed the way I have here. Now you guys are stuck with me.

smokelaw1 said:

Well said Rod!

I've been around to a few other boards, posted for a while on some, but mostly never felt at home there or welcomed the way I have here. Now you guys are stuck with me.

Click to expand...

Well that's just great. Really. No, honestly. Yeah...great.


















:laugh:

Wilkey

Rod said:

There are plenty of forums out there which OVER moderate. CP is a place you can go and be treated like an adult. Act like an adult at CP, and you'll be treated like an adult.

The FOGS will often say "fill out your profile", simply to help engage you more in this community. Who knows, one day you might get "bombed".

As far as grammar/spelling, this is a big thing at CP. We're all adults, and as such, let's act like adults. When you click that "Add Reply/Post" button, your message will remain in place for a long time. It's about putting a good image of CP out to everyone. If you were a guest at CP and noticed that everyone is typing in lower case letters (much like they do on the script kiddie forums), would you have joined? I wouldn't.

Let's talk MSRP. You may not think it's important for other's to say "$30 is too much for an Opus X", when in reality, these are the guys who are helping to maintain integrity within the cigar community! We once had a retailer who was posting "specials" in our hot cigar deals forum. Her prices were extremely high. She was called out several times, yet she continued to post and didn't heed anyones advice. That retailer has since been banned. Why? To protect YOU!

I do agree, this is no place to discuss politics. Typically I end threads when people start talking politics. If it remains civil, then I'll let the thread go for a bit. However, it is our policy that politics are not welcome at CP.

Sometimes you'll come across a thread which isn't your cup of tea. My advice is to move on and not read that thread. Sometimes the FOGS here will "take out the trash". Thankfully this hasn't had to happen for awhile, but when it does, it's best to read more and post less, and not get involved.

While we are a cigar community, other topics and discussions will come up. Again, if it's not something you wish to read, it's best to simply skip it and move along.

Overall, I believe we do a very good job in maintaining a CIGAR COMMUNITY.

Welcome to CP!

Rod

Click to expand...

Rod-

Thanks for your response. Very well said. It just so happens that correct grammar and spelling are pet peeves of mine, so that's OK by me. I'm not always 100% on punctuation, though.

Rob

BobbyRitz said:

I'm not always 100% on punctuation, though.

Rob

Click to expand...

I'm an overuser of the exclamation point!

smokelaw1 said:

Well said Rod!

I've been around to a few other boards, posted for a while on some, but mostly never felt at home there or welcomed the way I have here. Now you guys are stuck with me.

Click to expand...

x2

I post sans pants.

NA

This is the first place i have ever posted at and I have been corrected about my writing , but I don't mind at all because I understand that if everyone just writes down any ole' thing that it may be hard for others to get the point of the conversation if it is not written in a manner that is clear and thought out a Little bit. I am not the best writer in the world but I have taken the suggestions of others and hopefully I am improving. I only care because this IS a nice place to come to and talk and learn about cigars with others, which is the main point of the site. But you can also have fun and let loose a little(fried Bologna in the lobby forum is an example) I am fine with criticism that helps keep this site grown up and full of good info. By the way thanks to everyone who has helped point these things out to me.

The Volusianator said:

BobbyRitz said:

I'm not always 100% on punctuation, though.

Rob

Click to expand...

I'm an overuser of the exclamation point!

Click to expand...

And a post whore !!!!!

SamClemmons said:

I post sans pants.

NA

Click to expand...

no more sweetness and light?

SamClemmons said:

I post sans pants.

NA

Click to expand...

Rod said:

There are plenty of forums out there which OVER moderate. CP is a place you can go and be treated like an adult. Act like an adult at CP, and you'll be treated like an adult.

The FOGS will often say "fill out your profile", simply to help engage you more in this community. Who knows, one day you might get "bombed".

As far as grammar/spelling, this is a big thing at CP. We're all adults, and as such, let's act like adults. When you click that "Add Reply/Post" button, your message will remain in place for a long time. It's about putting a good image of CP out to everyone. If you were a guest at CP and noticed that everyone is typing in lower case letters (much like they do on the script kiddie forums), would you have joined? I wouldn't.

Let's talk MSRP. You may not think it's important for other's to say "$30 is too much for an Opus X", when in reality, these are the guys who are helping to maintain integrity within the cigar community! We once had a retailer who was posting "specials" in our hot cigar deals forum. Her prices were extremely high. She was called out several times, yet she continued to post and didn't heed anyones advice. That retailer has since been banned. Why? To protect YOU!

I do agree, this is no place to discuss politics. Typically I end threads when people start talking politics. If it remains civil, then I'll let the thread go for a bit. However, it is our policy that politics are not welcome at CP.

Sometimes you'll come across a thread which isn't your cup of tea. My advice is to move on and not read that thread. Sometimes the FOGS here will "take out the trash". Thankfully this hasn't had to happen for awhile, but when it does, it's best to read more and post less, and not get involved.

While we are a cigar community, other topics and discussions will come up. Again, if it's not something you wish to read, it's best to simply skip it and move along.

Overall, I believe we do a very good job in maintaining a CIGAR COMMUNITY.

Welcome to CP!

Rod

Click to expand...

TOP for the i's of the world!


<yea tigger, i said it!>

Rod said:

There are plenty of forums out there which OVER moderate. CP is a place you can go and be treated like an adult. Act like an adult at CP, and you'll be treated like an adult.

The FOGS will often say "fill out your profile", simply to help engage you more in this community. Who knows, one day you might get "bombed".

As far as grammar/spelling, this is a big thing at CP. We're all adults, and as such, let's act like adults. When you click that "Add Reply/Post" button, your message will remain in place for a long time. It's about putting a good image of CP out to everyone. If you were a guest at CP and noticed that everyone is typing in lower case letters (much like they do on the script kiddie forums), would you have joined? I wouldn't.

Let's talk MSRP. You may not think it's important for other's to say "$30 is too much for an Opus X", when in reality, these are the guys who are helping to maintain integrity within the cigar community! We once had a retailer who was posting "specials" in our hot cigar deals forum. Her prices were extremely high. She was called out several times, yet she continued to post and didn't heed anyones advice. That retailer has since been banned. Why? To protect YOU!

I do agree, this is no place to discuss politics. Typically I end threads when people start talking politics. If it remains civil, then I'll let the thread go for a bit. However, it is our policy that politics are not welcome at CP.

Sometimes you'll come across a thread which isn't your cup of tea. My advice is to move on and not read that thread. Sometimes the FOGS here will "take out the trash". Thankfully this hasn't had to happen for awhile, but when it does, it's best to read more and post less, and not get involved.

While we are a cigar community, other topics and discussions will come up. Again, if it's not something you wish to read, it's best to simply skip it and move along.

Overall, I believe we do a very good job in maintaining a CIGAR COMMUNITY.

Welcome to CP!

Rod

Click to expand...

I just had to add - beautifully put Rod. :thumbs: