Common courtesy

[milo]

This is where we might run into trouble. You see, what might seem a lack of courtesy to some might simply be a matter of writing down thoughts swiftly and expecting that the poster -- especially in Serious Critique -- can see past the lack of pleasantries and straight to the business of commentary/critique. Additionally, I have witnessed many incidents in which British/European/Australian humour, especially irony, has been misconstrued by others who are unfamiliar.

Rudeness is sometimes a matter of cultural boundaries that aren't shared by everyone on the site. I think it's wise if everyone simply accepts that any critique is given in the spirit of a workshop -- that is, freely and with the intent to help improve poetry. Whether it's given with sugar coating or delivered in an especially dickish manner, it's the quality of the feedback that is important, not its package.

I am not suggesting people abandon courtesy -- just pointing out that it's not often we see anyone being deliberately nasty here, and those people WILL be warned. Others are generally just being... well, themselves.

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Further to that, there are guidelines posted on what is/isn't acceptable in a critique in About Feedback, the forum rules and in each individual forum.

These poets write but why so rude?
(I know, they will say brevity)
but words aren't half as scarce as food!
These poets write, but why? So rude
condensing every line, they brood,
disguise what's terse as levity.
These poets! Write. But Why? So rude
"I know," They will say. Brevity.

milo