Rant-reading Responses

It's a public message board where people ask for responses! Many of these questions actually ask how many people feel or don't feel a certain way, so if they get 20 responses all in one camp and two in another, it gives them a pretty good idea of the "average" feeling on their topic. When I post a question, I want as many responses as I can get. If I get 50 that basically tell me the same thing - it's still helpful because I know that many people feel that way, so maybe they're onto something. In cases like the post several days ago where the woman was living with a hothead who is abusing her son and making them all miserable - she needed a wakeup call! I think many of us would have liked to shake her awake! She evidently didn't like all the responses and would rather have her children abused than be a single mom, but posts like hers NEED a lot of answers all saying the same thing. Who knows? Maybe it actually gets through sometime!

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I post first and read second, more often than not.

Personally, when I'm asking a question, I'd rather have 30 yes, 4 maybe, 9 no... than 1:1:1.

Same token I have yet to read a response that is turely repeating anyone else's, unless someone is ditto'ing someone else. Which I also find quite useful. Even then, when someone dittos, they usually add something of their own perspective, or continue on from the other person, saving themselves the time/space.

Also, keep in mind, the first 5-10 responders are all posting pretty much simultaneously. Great minds thinking alike is pretty common.

i never read first......i want the response to be all me and i tend to pick up on keywords and re-use them......i read afterwards and send flowers.

why are you so picky?.who cares what order we respond?

I usually post before I type, because I want my replies to be my original thoughts, not influenced by other opinions. But, I do go back and read the replies, after I post mine. I love to read the answers, even if they become repetitive.

Sorry, I didn't read ahead. In fact I never do. If I feel the need to respond I do. I didn't realize that might annoy someone. I usually read through the responses after I've responded. It doesn't bother me to read responses that are the "same". Maybe this is why I don't respond very often.

It doesn't bother me one bit. I prefer to say what I have to say, rather than just give a "here, here!" and if I happen to repeat, then so be it. I agree with Julie B. that the more responses for one camp, the stronger that camp comes off, etc. I do also give flowers to people who I think make valid points or offer helpful advice, and I send a flower to each and every response I get unless the person is extremely unhelpful. Also...if I took the time to read ALL the other responses to ALL the questions, I wouldn't have time to do this at all.

I am probably REPEATING. Because I dont have time to read what everyone else said.
I personally appreciate people taking the time out to answer my question, even if they didnt have time to read all the responses beforehand. :)

Yes, I really try to read them before I take the time to write out a response. as you do. If they have said What I was going to write, I also send a flower.. Sometimes, I might agree and just add a point.

There have been a few times, I answered and by the time I "post" it.. 3 others have written the same thing but faster than me.

I wish I could then delete my post makes me look like I did not read the other answers.. Oh well.

I'm guilty of that if it's something I feel strongly about, but I always say "I may be repeating another poster" mostly I just do what you do.. send a flower or figure someone already said what I would say.. sometimes it helps me if I ask a question and people may answer the same just in a different way..

I don't always read the other responses, and I don't feel the need to. For one, i think the best advice comes from the heart, before you have had your ideas watered down by reading what others think. Plus, if I ask a question and 3 or 4 people (or more) suggest similar things, that is an idea I will pay attention to.

Victoria, I am like many of the others and will respond to a question without reading other's post until after I have responded. Now if I see a question that has 60 answers then I will most likely will just read the other ladies posts. I know I love it when I get multiple answers, even if they are similar. It lets me know that there is a common thread in the reasoning that they are offering. We are sharing wisdom. That's why I love this site. But sharing means including everyone who wants to offer a voice. That is exactly most of us are on here. And I bet that even includes you.

Guilty. I almost never read other's responses, UNLESS it's my own post.

I thought this was about info sharing - your ideas, experiences and opinions. If the topic really hits home, I may read through all/some of the posts and send flowers to them too.

When I ask a question, I read ALL the replies and send flowers as a thanks for replying, even if I don't agree.

What bothers me is seeing the same questions come up over and over again! I mean there is a "history" here that's searchable. How many times do we need to read a question about your toddler's sleep issues or a baby who's not eating well?

I don't get upset, just mildly annoyed. So I don't read/reply to most of those posts, just the ones I'm interested in or think I have something to contribute to.

Sorry if my style bothers you. Don't mean to clog up the board.

I don't usually read ahead. Like pp said, I don't want my answers slanted.

It doesn't always mean what YOU think it means. I don't usually read responses that have been posted prior to my own unless it's a question that really calls for it so that the other responses don't influence my own response. If that means that it's too similar to other responses, I don't really care if that irks someone. That should just underline the fact that so many people are of the same line of thinking.

I will usually go back and read responses after I've responded. Sometimes I'll adjust my answer, sometimes not. Usually not.

Victoria:

I typically do NOT read what others have said. If I repeat, sorry...

for the most part, I've not seen people saying the EXACT SAME thing - many of us on here might not agree with a poster so our expressions are the same...others we totally agree with so again the responses are the same.

Sorry you are finding it irksome...I guess I should read your other responses before my post irks you too...

I only answer questions that I feel that I have a valid response to. Sometimes I repeat what someone else has said to complete the "poll". If I see that someone already has 20 responses, I keep away.

Lots of times, if it's something I am passionate about or have particular experience with, I don't read them, because I don't want other people's responses to the post to influence my own. Then I will read the other responses and add to my edited if I agree or disagree with a particular point.

Sometims, I will read other posts and if I don't have anything to add I won't post.

ETA - I only read the ones I feel I can answer effectively.

Just answering this now, so forgive me if I repeat ;)
I don't read the responses because I don't want other responses to influence me O. way or another.....it's not that it would "change" my response, but just sort of an honesty thing for me.
So if I repeat, sorry if it's "irksome" for you!

It bugs me that people scan the responses, only read the 1st line and then give a flower to everyone they agree with. It's not a poll.

And bother reading the whole response please. You might be missing the part where I say - However. As in, I understand why people think_____ however, I disagree. All people see is the I understand why people think ____ and think I am agreeing with them.