No, Steve, people don't read or don't respond correct to some posts.

I have seen it in several posts and replies.

Moni

I don't think I'm guilty of that with yours specifically, but I am guilty.
I enjoy the forums and its a nice break from the real world, but often my time is limited. I'll sit down at my computer for a few minutes, see something I'd like to respond to and read it too quickly, sometimes misunderstanding the question. Thankful for the edit feature that's been added, I've used it :)

I understand your frustration completely. I experience it often in regarding emails/letters I send.

When I write an email; I give it a valid, informative Subject Topic. I will ask a question, or answer a question, and I rarely get an answer.

I'll say something like "There were 20 redpolls at the bird feeders today." And the receiver will respond with "So, have you seen any birds today?"

AAARGH! We don't learn, or communicate, by "skimming." If someone cares enough to write me an email / letter I think they deserve my attention to what they shared.

I feel the same about forum posts. Of course I can't respond to all of them, but if I do respond I try to read, and re-read, the OP to make sure I understand what they are asking or sharing.

I think too much Internet, "social networks," and trying to be "connected" at all times, 24/7. are making us far less social and are ruining communication skills.

JMHO

Secsteve, I recognize you from the gardening forums. I'd like for you to be more understanding, if you can.

Though I try very hard to be accurate and truly helpful in my answers, sometimes I will react to the original question and may not pay attention to the whole body of the post.

There are some individuals (I can name one, in particular) who can be very irritating in this manner. Just ignore them, refocus your concerns, and scold or tease the person. Don't become 'snarky ' in revenge. :-)

Remember, the forum questions are answered by volunteers. You can't pick and choose who you would like to address your concerns. You'll see wacky, ignorant, thoughtful, informed, and plenty of professional responses.

Isn't it worth it to grin and bear it when someone doesn't pay close attention your posts....in order to benefit from the wealth of knowledge and experience in those forums?

It is annoying when people reply to a post and their answer was already mentioned in the original post. Makes me wonder why they didn't see/read it, or forgot what they read already. I had that happen recently on FB when I posted a pic with where I was and someone asked "where were you?". I didn't answer.

When I reply to CL ads when interested in a piece of furniture, or even email friends, etc., with questions, I learned that it's best to list all questions, ie: 1, 2, 3. They tend to get answered and not overlooked. And when I ask questions, I do my best to write them so I get the reply that I want instead of one so vague the question was not answered. That leaves me scratching my head.

I agree, it's annoying.

It annoys me when someone posts a topic and two new posts later, the SAME topic is posted.

Also, I get annoyed when someone posts a 'cute' response that makes absolutely no sense and doesn't remotely relate to the original post.

I'm not a teacher, but some years ago found myself teaching some health classes.
25 students or so, all the same grade.

Some really wanted to 'get' what I was trying to say, some wanted recess, some were talkative, some were shy. Some couldn't seem to figure it all out, some chose to deliberately disrupt. A few did not have English as their native language.

My admiration for teachers is immense.

My point is not only to offer compassion to Secsteve in his posts where replies were not what was expected, but to point out that none of us have perfect understanding and we all fall down on the job sometimes but that most of us are good people and pretty lovable just like my students.

Communication problems are tough. Wonderful teachers seem to have a gift so that whatever they teach or ask must go into a magical communication wave where there is more understanding and less static.

That this happens must mean that the somehow the sender, as well as the receiver, is empowered to create and discern a clear message,( and that teachers are amazing in that respect because it was very hard for me to get one message received in even remotely the same way by 25 kids).

Having retired last summer I am now trying to get past my first winter cooped up inside with a sick husband. Sometimes these forums are the bright spot in my day. There are people here from all walks of life and all educational levels and life is full of distractions. I am glad to sometimes get a little glimpse of your lives so that I can forget what troubles me for a while. I have learned so much here that I find it easier to just hold onto the good and blow away the chaff.

I find many comments (or posts) to be quite humerous. Enjoy the giggles provided by human nature.

I try to read the posts. I often misread the posts........ :) I was just complaining about something like this to a group of FB friends because of the news story about the man who wants his wife removed from life support but the hospital refuses to do so because she's pregnant. (btw, a judge ordered she come off of life support..that's another thread if you want to discuss it)... But people who have commented on the news article haven't even read WHY he wants his wife removed and aren't just giving their 2 cents worth, they're giving their $10 worth. LOL Oh well, we're human. We all make mistakes.

Add my name to kayjones' post.

Yes, I notice quite often that a comment shows that the poster has obviously not read, or has misread the entire post.

I would like to see a poster use the name of the person the remarks are meant for. Often there will be a comment made in reply to XX, but there are maybe 2-3-4 posts in between, and it is confusing.

Sue

I' have mis-read posts, I guess I don't have much of an attention span. But I enjoy the community here, most people are friendly and helpful. Ignore the snarky/dumb comments. Life is too short to get upset...

When people show that they haven't read the message, etc., I guess that often my reaction is to not bother with it ... to let it roll like water off of a duck's back.

There's too much wheat in this place for me to let myself get all bent out of shape over some chaff blowing around.

I try to address the topic at issue, and to read all of it, as that is the only information available dealing with that situation. Sometimes I get off on a tangent, when information was provided otherwise: not too often, I hope.

I do try to stay on topic, and when I have a comment that relates to something that another person said in the string, but somewhat off topic, I try to address that person by name.

I hope that I haven't impressed some of you as being snarky, as that is far from what I want to be doing.

There is this to consider - that, once we've asked to preview our message, we can't go back to review what others have said.

If some have been put off by some of my somewhat frequent, smart-assed comments or remarks, if you let me know, I'll apologize directly, as I like to add a bit of humour to this place, but don't want to get people's back up.

ole joyful