How We Address One Another

by compound complex 21 Replies latest watchtower scandals

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  compound complex

  Greetings, fellow posters:

  Mrs. Jones thread on our being outgoing or otherwise spurred my thinking of this.

  While being on a forum is hardly the same as talking face-to-face, we show who we are by our "conversation" as expressed through writing. Some are 1) conversational and personable, others 2) more matter of fact and focused on the material in the presentation of their post.

  It's a small thing, perhaps, but those in the first category seem always to address their fellow posters by name and those in the second not. This doesn't hold true every time, of course. My point is that some are one-on-one with fellow posters and others not.

  It doesn't really matter, I suppose. Just my observation. This isn't exactly like we're pen pals from in the old days.

  Or is it?

  Your thoughts are appreciated.

  CoCo
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  compound complex

  bttt
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  mrsjones5

  I read it shortly after you posted. I'm still chewing on it but I think you're right.
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  Lady Lee

  interesting but i hadn't noticed that -- but then there are a lot of threads i don't follow
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  Quandry

  Thank you for your thoughts, CC.

  I hope that we all realize there are real people behind the words that are typed on the page. Sometimes we quickly jump in without much forethought, myself included, I'm afraid.

  In the old days, letter writing was an art. Each letter was always addressed to Dear so and so. This was a polite way of starting the "conversation" to come. It was also respectful to the person.

  I think in effect we are "pen pals" of a sort. We (mostly all) have been through being a JW and emerged out the other side. This brings with it, of course, a host of "baggage" that only a fellow poster with like circumstances could understand. Shouldn't that mean that we are personable with our fellow posters? I hope so, and may I add that you are always a gentleman on this forum, and I'm sure I speak for many in saying that we appreciate your insightful posts.

  Your friend,

  Quandry
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  letsslatejws

  I dont care how I am addressed as long as its no longer Sister so n so
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  Justitia Themis

  Hello CC. Generally, a key difference to me is that one is usually seeking a relationship with a pen-pal. That is not necessarily true when responding on a DB.
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  compound complex

  Thank you, everyone, for your replies. I do appreciate them.

  CC
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  snowbird

  This is a fine topic, CoCo.

  I was raised to show good manners at all times.

  Whenever I post a reply, I envision the person to whom I'm replying.

  As a result, I've developed quite a rapport with various posters.

  For example, Quandry, who replied above, and I have similar rural backgrounds.

  It's not something that I set out to do; it just happened over the 3 years I've been here.

  Lurking for 7 years before joining in helped, too.

  Syl
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  Mad Sweeney

  I think it also depends on the nature of the thread and specific post(s). Oftentimes a comment is made to everyone, and in such cases it wouldn't make sense to address it to an individual. Other times the comment is obviously addressed to the original poster or a specific quoted poster who posed a question and therefore stating the OP's name may not be necessary.

  To me, the only time I address my posts to a specific individual is when it seems necessary for clarity's sake. Otherwise, I feel like all posts are public posts and although they may address a single individual's comment are still meant for public use.