LilBastage
Meat is murder! Tasty, tasty murder.
During the last 3 weeks I have been approached quite aggressively to participate in some type of group activity here at CP. I'm not going to "out" anyone here. None of this is worth someone getting piled upon. It's just stuff that I think needs to be said.
One of the requests was accompanied with the following comment: "I notice you haven't bombed anyone in awhile" followed by a proposition suggesting the kinds of cigars I should send!!! This was sent to me by someone I have never dealt with in any way. I found this distasteful and personally offensive. I've been given an apology, which I appreciate.
The other requests weren't quite as bothersome, though two of them did have a "suggested" contribution to the cause that was fairly lofty.
First: Don't approach someone by calling out their apparent lack of bombing activity. There is a lot of stuff that goes on behind the scenes here. Don't assume that because you haven't seen it it's not happening.
It's none of your GD business anyway.
Second: If someone is putting together a group effort to hit/help out a BOTL I appreciate the invite. I like to spread goodwill as much as the next guy.
In doing that, I will send what I deem appropriate. "Suggesting" someone send anything specific is not really how this sort of thing should work. It puts pressure on people and may make someone feel pretty poorly if they can't send what's suggested. Throwing on the "but I'm sure they'll appreciate anything you send" line after making such a suggestion doesn't really help. It's almost backhanded in and of itself.
If you don't know and trust the person you're approaching enough to have confidence in what they send, you shouldn't be approaching them. If you're approaching complete strangers you shouldn't be making any assumptions about what they can send.
Group bombs are fun. It's great to see someone get their behind handed to them. They should be handled differently than the last few with which I've been approached, though. Maybe a "Hey, a bunch of us are going to hit so and so next week. Wanna play?" would work. There's no need for anything else.
Nobody should ever be pressured into giving a gift. It's not really a gift if it's not actually "given" is it?
Then again, maybe I"m just becoming a surly bastage.
One of the requests was accompanied with the following comment: "I notice you haven't bombed anyone in awhile" followed by a proposition suggesting the kinds of cigars I should send!!! This was sent to me by someone I have never dealt with in any way. I found this distasteful and personally offensive. I've been given an apology, which I appreciate.
The other requests weren't quite as bothersome, though two of them did have a "suggested" contribution to the cause that was fairly lofty.
First: Don't approach someone by calling out their apparent lack of bombing activity. There is a lot of stuff that goes on behind the scenes here. Don't assume that because you haven't seen it it's not happening.
It's none of your GD business anyway.
Second: If someone is putting together a group effort to hit/help out a BOTL I appreciate the invite. I like to spread goodwill as much as the next guy.
In doing that, I will send what I deem appropriate. "Suggesting" someone send anything specific is not really how this sort of thing should work. It puts pressure on people and may make someone feel pretty poorly if they can't send what's suggested. Throwing on the "but I'm sure they'll appreciate anything you send" line after making such a suggestion doesn't really help. It's almost backhanded in and of itself.
If you don't know and trust the person you're approaching enough to have confidence in what they send, you shouldn't be approaching them. If you're approaching complete strangers you shouldn't be making any assumptions about what they can send.
Group bombs are fun. It's great to see someone get their behind handed to them. They should be handled differently than the last few with which I've been approached, though. Maybe a "Hey, a bunch of us are going to hit so and so next week. Wanna play?" would work. There's no need for anything else.
Nobody should ever be pressured into giving a gift. It's not really a gift if it's not actually "given" is it?
Then again, maybe I"m just becoming a surly bastage.
. Follow the advocate's plan and send what they want, then they can let everyone know they planned it and a giant circle jerk can ensue. 
Then again I'm an opinionated Wonk at times. :0 
:whistling:
