I'd promised myself I wouldn't come back to post in this thread, since I'd said everything I thought I could say. I'm breaking my promise to myself, but making it again starting as soon as I finish this post.
(I will, as always, keep reading.)
Here's the thing. Something gets reported because somebody thinks it's offensive. Lots of discussion takes place around it, and as a result the eventual understanding is "but I didn't mean it to sound the way it sounded" (cf. Ciarente). Not everyone hears the same words in the same way, of course, so for some people it doesn't sound offensive, and for others it does.
Without making general statements about society at large, I will simply say that here on Backstage we bend over backwards to promote civil, respectful discourse. If a post seems uncivil or discourteous, we will moderate it, because that determination of discourtesy lies with the audience rather than the speaker. As the FAQ notes,
this is subjective and may occasionally appear unfair, our best efforts to the contrary. That is the nature of the beast. Apparently, in this case, at least some of the moderation team and other members as well interpreted your post in that way.
However, I want to respond in particular to Laerise:
It is not dismissive and I would rather not be called someone who is lacking in respect for anyone. Rather it is you who is dismissive of me and my style of writing.
I hope that clears things up for you and will assist you ensuring future posts are within the guidelines and standards of the boards.
No, actually it does not clear up anything - and I would much preferr if you would not aim veiled threats at me, thank you very much.
If you would rather not be told you appear to lack respect, then you should likely adjust your "style of writing" so that it does not appear to lack respect. I understand that this may result in part from a language issue, but that does not change the fact that stylistic variations matter. Presentation
and content, in other words.
And Cia made no veiled threats. I will be more explicit: if you (or anyone else, of course) post in a way that appears disrespectful, rude, or dismissive, Ciarente or any other member of the Backstage staff, including me, will "assist you" in making sure that those posts conform to the rules, either by moderating them or taking whatever action the staff deems necessary. I hope you don't think that's a veiled threat, but it certainly is an affirmation of our moderation stance and that it includes everyone.
If you don't want the moderators to remind you of that stance, then don't post in a way that will bring that level of attention.
