As new rv'ers, my wife and I have eagerly perused many topics on this forum, seeking information and advice about a myriad of things. We find so many posts helpful, and written in a friendly tone.However, there also seems to be another type of poster out there: people who seem to believe they know it all. The tone of their posts tends to be condescending, especially at times to the innocent posters who ask questions, telling them in effect how dumb they are for asking such a question!These people seem to inhabit the tech-related or tow-vehicle related forums. I am almost afraid, as a newbie, to ask questions there, in case these people decide to make fun of my lack of knowledge.Just a general question: when out there camping, can we expect to encounter a large number of these know-it-all, smart aleck people, just waiting to make fun of my lack of backing-up experience or my inability to fix the engine of my truck? I am definitely not a handy guy, but I'm not ashamed of it. Just asking whether people with this mentality are in the majority???

We have been RV owners for just over 2 years now. The forums are the first place I come to look for an answer or ask a question. The responses are usually very helpful and timely. Like most communication on the internet there will always be the fringe groups. Never be afraid to ask a question regardless of how dumb it may sound.

There are always the know it all in every group but the longer you check in here you will find that most of us aren't that kind. I love to visit with newbe's & share what I have learned over the years.

They are not the majority. they are grumpy folks that cannot see the good in much of what life brings. I have been a traveler for 30 years and the folks met are by far the good ones. I have been an rv'er for 6 years and have met really no one that is aggressively grumpy, most all are helpfull. Perhaps the greatest rule of thumb for pleasant interaction is to respect personnel space. You may meet occasionally a person in authority that is a bit repressive. Just yes mam, no sir them and they will go away.popspops

I'm grumpy in general, but I try to make posts worth reading. One can find reviews and specs on items easily... but good opinions, first-hand, are hard to find on the Internet, so that makes these forums worth reading. For example, one can compare two things that do the same thing, and find that people who used item "A" hate it, while item "B" is passable.Better an asked dumb question, than an un-asked intelligent question.

What a stupid post! Just kidding. When I see a question from a new member, I try to give as much detail as I can. Another one that is a little low on the etiquette scale is the person who constantly tells others that "this topic has been covered here before, you should have done a search". This can really intimidate a new poster from interacting with the forum and drive them away.

Are there many like this? | Good Sam Community

Mike_NW
Explorer
Mar 06, 2014
We have been RV owners for just over 2 years now. The forums are the first place I come to look for an answer or ask a question. The responses are usually very helpful and timely. Like most communication on the internet there will always be the fringe groups.

Never be afraid to ask a question regardless of how dumb it may sound.
Emptypockets
Explorer
Mar 06, 2014
There are always the know it all in every group but the longer you check in here you will find that most of us aren't that kind. I love to visit with newbe's & share what I have learned over the years.
traveylin
Explorer
Mar 06, 2014
They are not the majority. they are grumpy folks that cannot see the good in much of what life brings.

I have been a traveler for 30 years and the folks met are by far the good ones. I have been an rv'er for 6 years and have met really no one that is aggressively grumpy, most all are helpfull. Perhaps the greatest rule of thumb for pleasant interaction is to respect personnel space. You may meet occasionally a person in authority that is a bit repressive. Just yes mam, no sir them and they will go away.

pops

pops
mlts22
Explorer
Mar 06, 2014
I'm grumpy in general, but I try to make posts worth reading. One can find reviews and specs on items easily... but good opinions, first-hand, are hard to find on the Internet, so that makes these forums worth reading. For example, one can compare two things that do the same thing, and find that people who used item "A" hate it, while item "B" is passable.

Better an asked dumb question, than an un-asked intelligent question.
TucsonJim
Explorer II
Mar 06, 2014
What a stupid post! Just kidding. When I see a question from a new member, I try to give as much detail as I can.

Another one that is a little low on the etiquette scale is the person who constantly tells others that "this topic has been covered here before, you should have done a search". This can really intimidate a new poster from interacting with the forum and drive them away.
fuzzbutt
Explorer
Mar 06, 2014
7 years ago I was a newbie and this forum and the people on it have been extremely helpful to me. I have seen some of the snarky replies you speak of but have only tangled with 1 of them in 7 years. I think he was just a troll messing with me. His user name went away shortly after our battle. Many people have gone WAY above expectations to help me over the years.
TomHaycraft
Explorer
Mar 06, 2014
My opinion? Like so many things on the Internet, the anonymity seems to allow some folks to write things they would not say in public. I'm less inhibited to ask questions when in a park, as compared to here on the electronic forums. My interactions with other campers has for the most part (99% of the time?) been very positive.
mockturtle
Explorer II
Mar 06, 2014
There are a few geezers out there who have little to do but go around giving unsolicited advice. However, people are far more apt to be critical on the forum than they would be in person. Never be afraid to ask questions on this forum! And just ignore any snide comments. Happy trails!
hotbyte
Explorer
Mar 06, 2014
I've participated in RVing, boating/fishing, college/high school football, woodworking and many other types of forums like these. And, YES, there are always the know it all types on them. Believe me, I know. In fact, I know it all!!! :) :) :) <--those are smilees meaning I'm kidding about knowing it all
TucsonJim
Explorer II
Mar 06, 2014
mockturtle wrote:
There are a few geezers out there who have little to do but go around giving unsolicited advice. However, people are far more apt to be critical on the forum than they would be in person. Never be afraid to ask questions on this forum! And just ignore any snide comments. Happy trails!

One thing I've learned on this forum (and others) it that there are a few folks who constantly antagonize. As soon as I see a trend, I click on their name, then click on "block member". Viola! I never see them again.

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