Internet forums are strikingly similar...
I've posted occasionally and not so occasionally on all sorts of boards. Boards for rock 'n roll bands, other sex boards, and boards for other illicit activities I won't specify. As different as their themes may be, the initiation of the newbie seems to be a common phenomenon. I do my best not to take part in it, but it's often fun to watch. This is the only board I've been on that discourages flaming; most times the newbie is flamed to the point of submission. Generally they crawl back in their holes never to be heard from again. Skin just wasn't thick enough to hang with the big boys. Of course, there are plenty of exceptions.
The people who tend to make it and become welcomed members almost always start out by strictly lurking for a while. This gives them an idea of what is acceptable and what pushes people's buttons. And it's never a bad idea to get to know the personalities involved; every board has their hall-monitors, and every board has their father-figures. Who do you think is more likely to answer newbies' questions?
After lurking for a while, they post something that adds something. A few well thought out comments later, and they're a member of the club. The person who posts a question that's been asked and answered a hundred times already for their first post is going to be flamed mercilessly at just about any board on the internet!
I myself am planning to take a mongering trip to Europe this year. I've been reading the German FKK boards for years and living vicariously through others' reports. There was still a lot I didn't know. They've been quite kind and generous with their information, even though on the International boards I've only got a few posts. I made sure my questions were specific and I had obviously RTFF before I asked them.
Really, this place is pretty mellow. One alternative rock band's board I used to frequent was nuts. They prided themselves on "No Rules, No Free Speech." Newbies got flamed, long time members got flamed, hell, even the administrator got flamed! And occasionally they would talk about the music.
DoItRight on the Right Board
[QUOTE=DoItRight]I had a chance to stop by American in B.P. over the weekend. They had a nice line up of girls. The door guy seems like he can be a __.
Be safe[/QUOTE]
Thanks for trying to report on American, but you may be better off posting on the Bridgeport board.