i'm trying so hard not to jump in here! LOL!!
just a couple of things though...
admins/moderators & such of online places .. be that usa or anywhere... tend to be very friendly, welcome!, encouraging, use a lot of smiley faces etc... not make people feel stupid for asking questions in a way that answers the stupid questions but commends them in some way shape or form for asking or taking the time to interact... etc. hi's, good mornings, lol's, and
's.... you don't mean to come off that way, its just the text.. not the person!
valerie with out getting too personal here... your avatar pic is decieving in that way.. its all most people have other than your name.. and they see this happy jolly big warm smile associated with the person typing to them as someone in an authority position.... so when you are matter of fact, and serious... it really throws people off! it took me a long time to sortof understand from a psychological standpoint... you could be as matter of fact and short or even dare i say belittling... but if you attach a smiley face... say have a great day! throw in a lol or two... it takes the edge off and people are more receptive to criticism, information, opinion... etc... but when there is none of that it throws people off... induces the 'cringe face'.... and someone meek who just wants to understand and learn who maybe has a low self esteem to begin with... be that in their entire lives, or be that in a new setting on a new website...will go away feeling crushed and depressed.... and that's not really your fault im just saying 'in general' all of these things... but yeah it can be quite overwhelming as a new person wanting to be one of the 'cool kids' but finding out they are just sitting at the reject table across the room from the 'mean girls' .... again im saying in general! i adminned several rooms for a certain hobby of mine with others.. and there's this one girl who is just matter of fact. nothing she's really saying is ever heinous... but the vibe you get off her text is just awkward.... a bunch of us ended up discussing it one day and we all agreed we sometimes felt like we were on the edge of our seats just wishing she'd throw in a LOL! or a
or a 'have a great day!' every now and then.... but nah.... just not her thing.... and it came off really bizznatchy and made even her good friends (which i was one of) feel tense .... like uh oh im about to hit enter on this question is she gonna do her normal thing of 'no' and be disagreeable... even when its an opinion question lol... i hope this has made some sense... i don't want this to come off as if i am psychoanalyzing you in particular... because im not... im speaking from experience.. and i see similarities... in the text....
lol
have a great night!!