Very interesting thing to observe online and to ask about! I'll try to answer to the best of my ability before I have to zip off here.
So I guess if I wanted to include spoons would be your thoughts on this or along these lines:
.... Edit: So after re-reading my own response, I felt I could address this top line. It seems that my perspective of etiquette has branched to ''social courtesy'' and is more revolved around empathy and analyzing how to make the most of it in general. I'm hoping this is an acceptable response and not too off to the side. surprised
But anyway, I enjoyed making this post. Hope to check back in a bit later!
-What unspoken rules do you hear about, or try to follow in the GCD or other forums? (why would you follow them?)
I guess I'd have to say that the most I hear about is people's choice of wording. Sometimes because of a lack of seeing a person's expression or hearing their tone, it can be easier to misconstrue one's intention behind their words. More often than not, I see people that don't really seem to mind which way it goes, but sometimes people will work it out if say one misunderstands and the next one elaborates their point with some sort of formality. It's usually hidden behind light-hearted joking words at that point, so there is something that I see of a social concern of keeping it ''Chill'' in the forums for the most part, when you're not seeing that occasional figure that is just trolling just to get a reaction out of people anyway
Every few years or so, I notice a different word to ease as much tension as possible with the playful words but that underlying concern is still there. If this makes sense. But for the most part, there is this feeling I see of ''We're all here just chilling in our freetime from one thing or another, let's try not to have a hard time on our site.'' (This usually witnessed in GD and the such forums, really though.)
-What do you think about community formed etiquette?
Whether on text on a screen or say waiting in line for a ride at the fair, people have the opportunity to make an impression through their own interpretation of etiquette.
I've come to understand different people's take on etiquette, and it's formed usually by trial and error as you grow and socialize and kind of find a comfortable ''nitch'' as it were on how to treat others and how you want to be treated. So, depending on if a person is looking for particular conversation to engage in or if they say want to look for a more meaningful relationship with the outside world, they are given a security online of not worrying about being seen face to face or their identity revealed at first and have the chance to make an impression purely by their choice of words. It can be a bit less stressful in that sense so I think that it IS there in consideration, even if unspoken or with a majority of talk on a very free form, social base in language and words.
I try to keep in mind to treat people as I would face to face, keeping in mind that there are people with different situations and perspectives like me. If there is something that I think is uncouth or not my area of conversation, I can always leave the page and move on.
-What else do you have to say about it?
It's for sure as important online as it is in person to me, personally. I mean, my mother is a very social person and at a young age taught me importance of manners, being careful of your wording, and how to say treat people like celebrities. So, it's given me a perspective of the skills of acquiring relationships through social interaction. My perspective is that different people have different ways of relating. This can include interests, moods, age, common goals/trials, hobbies/religion. And everyone will have their own way of going about presenting themselves.
It's through trial and error how we grow in etiquette but communication is in our system, regardless of how Asocial a person can be. I feel it's something that we are always growing in because when we socialize with people, we learn from them and when we learn, we grow.
Acceptance is important to us as human beings, and it's only a matter of time before we one by one find those people, that ''nitch'' or ''social groove'' where we feel accepted and belonging. Etiquette is the strife to make that best first impression to work towards it. So I think we all have the potential to have some level of it, it just depends on our motives, what we want, and what we are willing to say and do to obtain it.
100
100
100
