I have found over the years that we all expect different things from the forum. Some people just want to get support, others want to get advice, some just to vent, some just to chat, some love controversies…
There are also people from all ages and cultural backgrounds. Plenty of digital natives and also quite a few, like myself, who started using IT as adults, some have a very limited use of social media.
So I expect to find quite a bit of diversity in likes and dislikes.
My top two likes:
The generosity of people devoting time to give useful information and share experiences.
The round the clock activity from all over the world with all the diversity it brings.
Two things I don’t like so much:
Occasionally, there are people whose “contributions” seem to be focused on rebuttal and criticism.
Occasionally, some people respond to an old thread when the topic is clearly out of date. For example, how to write a review for a sit that took place two years ago.
the camaraderie of chatting about our shared interest(s), travel, discoveries
sharing humor, be it memes, photos, or funny petsitting experiences
reading tips, strategies & checklists others have used successfully
our moderators (not sucking up; I’ve been part of other forums. It’s a tough & often frustrating job to perform)
Things I don’t particularly love:
mega-threads: any useful info gets buried in a thread too tiring for me to sift through the noise. (Maybe someday forum software will provide the ability to summarize the most up-voted responses in a long thread )
“host vs sitter” posts: we are, in fact, all in this together in making this shared experiment work
sometimes people are too quick to assume the worst intentions based on incomplete or one-side examples. As a rule: ask for more information; things aren’t always as they appear.
Glad the forum is here, though, both good & not-so-fun. Keeps me company in many situations.
I completely agree and, actually, this is probably the most recurrent annoyance.
I must admit I have sometimes jumped to conclusions based on OP information. I just tend to think that, when someone opens a thread, they give all relevant information but that’s not always the case. Occasionally, most participants give some advice and then, when more information is added, we have to go back and redirect our thoughts and recommendations.
Great subject. I like the fact that the majority of contributors are kind, thoughtful and truly love the community. What I don’t like is the very few GOMs who sometimes think the forum is Facebook or reddit. As a dyed in the wool GOM I make sure I don’t bring those traits to this forum.
Great thread. I like the idea of cameraderie and people in the same boat supporting each other. Sometimes this is reality here and then I really enjoy it. I also like when people joke around and make each other (and me) laugh!
I dislike posts that are harsh and critical, of which there are many. Or posts where people just say how great they are and how they get everything right, especially when this is in response to someone else’s problem and distress.
I dislike threads where OPs seem to expect just agreement and saying how wrong the other party was and how right they themselves were.
I so agree with you on a couple of these. When someone comes on here being vulnerable about a bad situation and someone answers how that has never happened to them because they are so perfect, or they’re brilliant at screening or how everyone can’t wait to have them back. Where is the compliment that everyone wants your FREE service. If you do a decent job who doesn’t like free help. And you just make someone feel worse because you are putting the blame on them. And people who brag how great they are, are usually the opposite. They only say it because no one else is saying it about them. I also dislike when people can help by giving tough love and they just want to make them feel better. That is not helping. What I like is how much I learn here. I am older and I find the forum so interesting. I dislike that you can block people. I have a feeling a few have me blocked and now I can’t see the nasty comments they make about me behind my back, ha.
I agree this is a bit frustrating. Especially when people tell others what they should have done in the past, not what they can do now, in the situation they are sharing.
I’m not sure I understand. I have never blocked anyone but I think if you block someone, you don’t see what they write but they can see what you or others write. If someone wanted to talk “behind someone’s back” it would have to be via DM. That’s what I think, but maybe I am wrong
There’s not one side which gets the better deal or gets more out of the agreement. It’s a win:win for both even though the benefits are different.
I treat all sitters with the utmost respect and I try to make their stay a great one, starting with a pristinely clean house. I want our sitters to feel comfortable and at home.
In return I expect to travel with my mind at ease, knowing that my cats get the best care the sitters can offer and to return to a clean home which was treated equally respectful.
I completely agree. It’s up to every member (HO or sitter) to partner with people who offer an equal exchange deal. Occasionally, a sit is not perfect. In these cases, I think the best approach is to analyze what we can improve, what the other party can improve and give an accurate review. If a HO or sitter was unfair and took advantage of the other, that doesn’t mean that all HOs or sitters are unfair.
No worries there. When someone blocks you, that someone does not see what you post. There’s no direct effect on what you see. So all public comments behind your back are right out in front of everyone. Feel better?
Plus blocking someone doesn’t mean you can’t read what they wrote. You just have to click an extra link to display the missing bits.
It’s no longer called blocking and has been changed to “ignore user”. Any posts from that user are then shown as hidden. Clicking on the view hidden reply link then shows the post form the ignored user.
I like the camraderie and support, and the eagerness to help others.
Like you, I dislike the comments where the poster over-emphasises their THS success rate. Many times, the person making the comment can get the point across without the self-promotion. Many of us are experienced, with excellent reviews, repeat sits, successful careers, etc etc, but we don’t brag about it.
I also dislike when members are contrarian and appear to enjoy arguing for the sake of arguing. Thankfully, the worst offender has been silent lately!
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