Username etiquette

girlyswot · Nov 22, 2007

Am I the only person who finds it irritating to be addressed by an abbreviated form of my (not that long!) username? Recently I've been called both 'Girl' and 'Girly' - both of which I find fairly offensive in themselves. But more than that - they're not the name I've chosen. How hard is it for people to take the trouble to address someone they don't even know by their name?!?!?

*goes off to sulk in curmudgeonly fashion*

Maybe this is normal forum etiquette?

Haggis · Nov 22, 2007

Aw, come on, Swot. It ain't all that bad, is it?

Ziljon · Nov 22, 2007

I'm afraid I'm guilty of doing that all the time. So many names are really two words put together, or they're made up words, or confusing hybrids of initials and words.

I often just want to make a quick post and not have to obsess over the proper spelling of the poster so I just write out the first part, Girly (I'd choose girly 'cause it's so cute).

I suggest you change the "Happy hobbyist" tag under your username to "don't call me girly!"

-Zil

RLSMiller · Nov 22, 2007

I always feel it's quite nice when people shorten forum names. Feels less formal and more friendly. Kind of like people addressing you by your first name instead of Mr. or Ms.

girlyswot · Nov 22, 2007

RLSMiller said:
I always feel it's quite nice when people shorten forum names. Feels less formal and more friendly. Kind of like people addressing you by your first name instead of Mr. or Ms.

Yes, you're right. It's just that I'm one of those people who object to being addressed by my first name by people who don't know me. I like my doctor, or my hairdresser, or random shop assistants to address me by my title and surname. When we're friends, then first names will be appropriate!

Which may be why I mind 'Swot' slightly less, though I really prefer 'Miss Swot'.

Thump · Nov 22, 2007

In forums, the etiquette is "we're all good friends". The idea is that if you visit a certain forum, you have the same interest as everyone else, hence, you're a good way into a friendship. Also, the internet is very informal place. If we had to start following every day formalities, it wouldn't be as relaxing :S
If you didn't want to be addressed as Girl or Girly you should maybe have gone with Missswot as username ;D

Personally, I think it's nice to be able to be all chummy with people I don't know. If "Thump" were shorten-able, I wouldn't mind

scarletpeaches · Nov 22, 2007

People call me SP, Scarlet, Peaches, anything they like all the time. I think it shows friendliness and cameraderie.

I don't like tradesmen using my first name either, but don't mind people abbreviating my username here. To object to people making a nickname of your nickname seems rather silly to me. It's not as if it's your real name anyway.

Bufty · Nov 22, 2007

Good post, Humpy! :snoopy:

Thump said:
In forums, the etiquette is "we're all good friends". The idea is that if you visit a certain forum, you have the same interest as everyone else, hence, you're a good way into a friendship. Also, the internet is very informal place. If we had to start following every day formalities, it wouldn't be as relaxing :S
If you didn't want to be addressed as Girl or Girly you should maybe have gone with Missswot as username ;D

Personally, I think it's nice to be able to be all chummy with people I don't know. If "Thump" were shorten-able, I wouldn't mind

oneblindmouse · Nov 22, 2007

I suggest you change the "Happy hobbyist" tag under your username to "don't call me girly!"

I'm still new here and am wondering how on earth to add or change one's tag???

Personally, I like being called Mouse by some people on the forums. It feels friendly.

dolores haze · Nov 22, 2007

girlyswot said:
Yes, you're right. It's just that I'm one of those people who object to being addressed by my first name by people who don't know me. I like my doctor, or my hairdresser, or random shop assistants to address me by my title and surname. When we're friends, then first names will be appropriate!

Which may be why I mind 'Swot' slightly less, though I really prefer 'Miss Swot'.

I like Miss Swot as a username. It's cute, funny, and kind of captures you better than girlyswot Can you change it? Or put "they call me Miss Swot" beneath your avatar?

Bufty · Nov 22, 2007

Left click on UserCP at the top left here - in the blue line across the screen. Then follow your nose. 'Edit Profile' is what you're looking for - it's in the list on the left.

oneblindmouse said:
I suggest you change the "Happy hobbyist" tag under your username to "don't call me girly!"

I'm still new here and am wondering how on earth to add or change one's tag???

Personally, I like being called Mouse by some people on the forums. It feels friendly.

Salem · Nov 22, 2007

People are just being friendly and trying to sound less formal. They're not being lazy and I'm sure no one meant to offend you.

KTC · Nov 22, 2007

Pphhhhhhhhht. Sorry. But I do it all the time and I'm not changing. I think people should think about this when choosing their username. It is a non-issue being made into one. hmph.

KTC · Nov 22, 2007

Salem Ollivander said:
People are just being friendly and trying to sound less formal. They're not being lazy and I'm sure no one meant to offend you.

well said.

Bufty · Nov 22, 2007

Weeeeeeeeel... looks as though you may be able to work that one out on your own, ~~Girly Swotty Miss~~ ~~Girlyswot~~ girlyswot.

Hey, it's no big deal. :Hug2:

(And don't worry about the hug - I'm harmless :snoopy:

)

Am I the only person who finds it irritating to be addressed by an abbreviated form of my (not that long!) username?

Ol' Fashioned Girl · Nov 22, 2007

KTC said:
Pphhhhhhhhht. Sorry. But I do it all the time and I'm not changing. I think people should think about this when choosing their username. It is a non-issue being made into one. hmph.

I'm with you, K.

In the first few days I was here, someone started a reply to me with 'OFG' - not knowing he'd shortened my user name, I thought he was saying 'Oh, f*v&ing God!' about what I'd said in a post. Took my three days to get over the swivet I got myself in over the perceived insult. Now, just about everyone calls me 'OFG'. I like it. Makes me feel like I'm one of the gang.

Take it as a sign folks kinda like you and feel comfortable, girlyswot. Save your righteous indignation for the real insults.

Williebee · Nov 22, 2007

How about GS? Would that work? That way, as in some shorthand note taking, it is an intentional abbreviation meant to be elongated during formal correspondence. (Which a forum certainly is not.)

Or, you could change your username to something we can all be creative with, while making muuuuuuuch longer.

I don't mind the shortening of my usernames. Willie's fine. Willy, Will, WB. Just don't call me dubya.

nerds · Nov 22, 2007

agree with all the aboves. I like it, to me it's friendliness/efficiency rolled into one. nerds, La Nerda, both are cheerful and make me smile when they're used. Otherwise, just call me For Dinner.

aka eraser · Nov 22, 2007

If we get too formal here I'll have to start wearing pants.

dpaterso · Nov 22, 2007

OMG FNWAP!

-Derek

Jersey Chick · Nov 22, 2007

I answer to just about anything - Jerz, JC, Chick - I've even been called jersey girl. It's all good. Makes me feel like one of the gang...

woo hoo! Acceptance!

Shady Lane · Nov 22, 2007

When people call me Shady Lane it feels like a slap in the face a little bit...probably because people only call me First Name Last Name in real life when I'm in trouble....

Ya, Shady is definitely fine. Roskoe calls me Shades, which is cute.

Sean D. Schaffer · Nov 22, 2007

Hmmmm,

The only time I'm ever offended by someone's use of my username, is when they call me by the entire thing. It sounds like mocking when people say, "So, Mr. Sean D. Schaffer..." instead of saying, "So, Sean..."

You need to remember, girlyswot, that each person here is different, and has their own different way of seeing things and handling things than your way. It might not be right by your estimation, but to be to-the-point about this whole thing, most people on these forums don't offend on purpose, at least not by misusing someone's username.

It's all relative where usernames are concerned, so don't be so offended when people shorten your username. Most of these people mean absolutely no offense to you, and as I've read in this thread, many are surprised that you've even taken offense.

I hope this helps. Best wishes to you, and have a Happy Thanksgiving Day.

BardSkye · Nov 22, 2007

I rather like being called Bard. Your's isn't bad, girlyswot, but there are some long ones or mixtures of words/numbers that I might, just to keep from having to scroll back up constantly to see how to spell it right.

Provrb1810meggy · Nov 22, 2007

Shady Lane said:
When people call me Shady Lane it feels like a slap in the face a little bit...probably because people only call me First Name Last Name in real life when I'm in trouble....

Ya, Shady is definitely fine. Roskoe calls me Shades, which is cute.

Ha, I agree. As a teenager everybody calls you by your first name!

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