MTFCA Forum

I recently posted a sincere response to a sincere question asked by a sincere guy. I got this ridiculousness in response.

"......maybe you'll turn me into a tree hugger
Do you dispose of oil and coolant into the dirt near your well, too?"

SNARKY and GLIB.

These are at best, strange and misplaced comments that do not encourage the Model T hobby and have no place or relevance.

Don't put up with it. I'm not.

KEEP IT FRIENDLY, AND KEEP IT MODEL T

I totally agree!

Dan,
Thank you for your post. Well stated!!!
I believe there are individuals here who have lost respect for others and the Model T hobby.
I have been invested in the Model T hobby emotionally (through my many close friends across North America)
physically (through the many hours a week I spend on my cars) and my wife would say financially ( by looking at our bank spending on cars and parts).
Model T's are fun and 99% of the people associated with Model T's are fun.
I did reach a frustration point a few years ago where I refused to post or view the Forum for over two years.
Some of my friends here on the Forum and the cars brought me back.
The moderator here has done great work to focus us, however it is up to us to make this a friendly site to all who visit and participate.
Harry Lillo

Civility is an increasingly under appreciated virtue. The airways and internet are full of hosts, commentators, and politicians who profit immensely from being "Snarky and Glib". Many, unfortunately believe it is a useful form of discourse. It will last as long as we tolerate and give voice to it.

You stated, "I baited the hook for snarky and glib". Well..........

Thank you Mr. Lillo.
Well stated!!!

There are a few people that post that I would love to say some snarky things to for their curt non helpful narrow mindedness replies to people asking questions, but I keep my mouth shut. Maybe because of those people, I find myself spending more time on Facebook or AACA.

The snarky and glib comment appeared after a particular post that was intended to solicit such a response. The poster said:

"I baited the hook for the snarky and glib to float to the surface."

Who posted the bait and response?

Thin skin seems to be the new norm. You cant hurt my feelings, I held the light for my dad when I was young. Grew up fast.

Driving without fenders! Such sacrilege...

"I baited the hook for the snarky and glib to float to the surface."


I'm wondering why that was done? How did that make things better? Should we all strive to bring out the worst in people? It's fine to call out unhelpful behavior, but is it so great to trigger it, in order to then make an issue of it?

C'mon folks. Let's be friends here. This is our hobby afterall.

Well I’ll be the first to apologize if you thought my response snarky or glib. My poor attempt at humor was to point out that we can find everything wrong with anything. If you look hard enough you can prove everything is either true, false or all of the above. I’m fairly thick skinned so most things roll off like water on a ducks back and in attempt to lighted the conversations direction I may or may not have stepped on some tender toes. So there you go.

Does water roll off of a 'thick skinned duck's back' better than a thin skinned one? I would think it had more to do with water repelling properties than thickness.

In "real life" I sometimes make snide remarks in a joking manner. On the internet, without the "real life" cues? It doesn't work so well. So on forums I usually avoid it, and if I feel compelled to say such a thing? I usually follow it with an "I am joking!" Or something similar.
Often, people don't realize how wrongly some comments can be taken by people without all the in-person cues.

Another problem I am seeing more of lately. A lot of us are getting older (actually I hope all of us are getting older?). Several people I have known for years on this forum frankly have become grumpier than they ever used to be. I am not naming any names. I fully accept the aging changes from old friends. It happens! What I do not like is younger people telling the elders to "chill out" or something to that effect. It saddens me to see posts by people I knew years ago to be bright and knowledgeable, and see comments now full of errors I know they would not have made ten or even five years ago.
I try to be pleased to see my old friends commenting, and ignore the errors they make.

I often have to temper my responses to you blokes. Our Aussie sense of humour is pretty laid back and understated, and you often don't get it The forum online format doesn't show such nuances. For example, I asked s private vendor if there was any warranty on a part I bought 12 years ago and hadn't yet fitted. To his credit, he said that was a bit rich, but still offered to help if he could.
I got into deep strife with a lady host in Oregon once. She had prepared a delicious evening meal. When we had eaten, I leaned back in my chair and said "Well, that wasn't too foul!" Her jaw dropped, and I was backpedaling fast. I salvaged the situation by explaining that in reality, that was a great compliment. In the end, it was quite instructional for another couple at the table who were due to take up a teaching exchange in Australia.
The posting of various emojies in a post does help to better clarify one's intent in this otherwise impersonal format.

Allan from down under