The Coffeerooms are about fun and friendship,
warmth and sharing. Come to the Coffeerooms for a break
and conversation with friends.
A little controversy and debate are part
of good conversation. It's only natural that disagreement
may arise. But it should be in a framework of respect,
with consideration for others and for yourself. Here are
some guidelines for posting on the Coffeerooms boards.
1. FEEL FREE TO
"LURK" We hope that you'll join in
and become an active participant in the discussions, but
you're welcome to simply hang out silently until you feel
comfortable posting a message. It's fine to read the boards
as much as you want without posting.
2. DON'T BE AFRAID
TO POST Jump into a discussion. We have a very
supportive community and you’ll find lots of encouragement
and enthusiasm. We love meeting new people and making
new friends.
3. SAY "HI"
TO NEWCOMERS When newcomers arrive, please
say "hello" and welcome them. Help new folks
get involved and find all the good stuff that’s here.
4. READ & POST
WITH A SMILE Messages on bulletin boards don't
show you the poster's smile, so you need to bring one
with you. It helps if you wear a smile when you write
your own posts too! Look for the positive way to say what
is on your mind. Try to be sensitive to the feelings of
posters who may disagree with you, and remember that for
every opinion you express, there is likely to be someone
out there with a differing opinion.
5. BE CONSIDERATE
AND RESPECTFUL If you treat all posters with
respect - even those whom you feel have been insensitive
- there's a good chance that they will begin to post with
respect for your feelings too. When criticizing a character
or an actor on TV or in a movie, please try to keep your
points as objective as possible. It's okay not to like
a character or to not care for an actor's style, but others
on the boards may not share your view – and, likewise,
they may disagree with your favorites.
Please also respect a poster's nickname
and don't call out nicknames or "screen names" that you
think a poster may be using or have used here or at
other sites. Not even if you know it's true.
6. "BLAST
THE POST, NOT THE POSTER" Disagreement
is common in good conversation, but it's important to
keep comments focused on what is said, and not on who
said it. Don't attack other posters. Because this is so
important, we'll say it again: Don't attack others. Personal
attacks aimed at others will not be tolerated. Challenge
others' points of view and opinions, but do so respectfully
and thoughtfully, without insult or personal affront.
7.
IGNORE AND "ALERT" If you
come across a post that you find insensitive, or offensive,
the best reply is none at all. Heated replies and "flames"
just provoke more of the same, but "no response"
is an unassailable comment. Also, remember that it's possible
that the poster did not intend offense, and that others
may not find it offensive. If you want to be sure that
the post comes to our attention, please use the "Alert"
link that is inside every message. That helps us to quickly
find it and check it out.
8. DON'T USE VULGAR
LANGUAGE Posts that contain, link to or solicit
obscene, vulgar or inappropriately explicit language or
graphics are not permitted. When found, they will be removed.
9. DON'T USE HARASSING
OR HATEFUL LANGUAGE Harassing, offensive, vulgar,
abusive, hateful or bashing posts -- especially those
aimed at gender, race, color, sexual orientation, religious
views, national origin, or disability – will not be permitted.
HARASSING POSTS ARE CONSIDERED
TO BE those that may cause distress, embarrassment, unwanted
attention or other discomfort.
10.COFFEEROOMS
RESERVES THE RIGHT, but are not obligated to,
delete posts. This includes any posts that do not comply
with these guidelines, or that otherwise might be considered
to be offensive or inconsiderate to other posters or which
detract from the generally friendly and upbeat environment.
If one of your posts is deleted, keep in mind it may have
been part of an entire deleted segment, and it is not
necessarily a comment about your post. Feel free to email
us to ask "why?" if you don't understand why
a post was deleted..
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