For Our Newbies - HOT TOPICS that you need to be aware of

[Slartibartfast]

One I didn't see mentioned in the last several pages - but the topics of keeping outdoor-only dogs and of not spaying/neutering family pets.  I know there have been at least a few threads that have been locked, but a lot more have devolved into a very ugly shade of "I think people who do XYZ are cruel, evil people and should have their pets taken away" - when there are posters who have very clearly stated that they do XYZ further upthread.  I think this is one of those topics where some people feel "getting the word out" about why XYZ is wrong is more important than sparing the feelings of other posters sometimes 

[Scuba_Dog]

"I think people who do XYZ are cruel, evil people and should have their pets taken away" - when there are posters who have very clearly stated that they do XYZ further upthread. 

Actually, I notice this (the above quoted) happening in many threads with varied topics.  I just try to tell myself that the person must not have read the thread, because if they did, surely they wouldn't say those things about their fellow posters. 

[L.A. Lady]

Is it possible to add any topics seeking advice on rudeness or other issues that take place in medical clinics or hospitals?
The ones that have been discussed in the past always seem to be locked after a few pages because the posts go into either medical issue territory or legal advice territory.
I'm not saying that there aren't some legitimate questions that are asked in these threads, but most of them end up talking about HIPPA or medical issues.

[DottyG]

any topics seeking advice on rudeness

Give me an example of this one, so I know how to phrase it.

[Scuba_Dog]

I wonder if that fits more into the basic rules of the forum though?

It's not a Hot Topic but an outright rule-breaker to offer that kind of advice/commentary here.

[Aeris]

I wonder if that fits more into the basic rules of the forum though?

It's not a Hot Topic but an outright rule-breaker to offer that kind of advice/commentary here.

I think what happens a lot is that people ask for advice about an actual etiquette situation, but it's taking place IN a hospital/clinic/etc, so it ends up pulling in those details, and then as discussion continues, bam, we have a medical/legal discussion.

[DottyG]

I wonder if that fits more into the basic rules of the forum though?

It's not a Hot Topic but an outright rule-breaker to offer that kind of advice/commentary here.

I think what happens a lot is that people ask for advice about an actual etiquette situation, but it's taking place IN a hospital/clinic/etc, so it ends up pulling in those details, and then as discussion continues, bam, we have a medical/legal discussion.

Could this be avoided (or helped in any way) if we older-timers put in a gentle warning early in the thread to make sure we stay on topic and don't drift?  Maybe if we guided the thread (and, I mean VERY GENTLY) a bit, we might be able to keep the locking from happening?

[Aeris]

I wonder if that fits more into the basic rules of the forum though?

It's not a Hot Topic but an outright rule-breaker to offer that kind of advice/commentary here.

I think what happens a lot is that people ask for advice about an actual etiquette situation, but it's taking place IN a hospital/clinic/etc, so it ends up pulling in those details, and then as discussion continues, bam, we have a medical/legal discussion.

Could this be avoided (or helped in any way) if we older-timers put in a gentle warning early in the thread to make sure we stay on topic and don't drift?  Maybe if we guided the thread (and, I mean VERY GENTLY) a bit, we might be able to keep the locking from happening?

It's a good idea, but I've seen a few threads where the gentle, and sometimes not so gentle, warning just don't land. Not sure if there's really a surefire way to avoid it.

[Scuba_Dog]

I wonder if that fits more into the basic rules of the forum though?

It's not a Hot Topic but an outright rule-breaker to offer that kind of advice/commentary here.

I think what happens a lot is that people ask for advice about an actual etiquette situation, but it's taking place IN a hospital/clinic/etc, so it ends up pulling in those details, and then as discussion continues, bam, we have a medical/legal discussion.

Yeah, I suppose it's one of those topics that might be difficult to address w/out including those things.  Although, I think if we focus *solely* on etiquette, it can be done.  

Sometimes I think the etiquette issue is a very simple one but for the sake of discussion, and sometimes debate, the thread moves into a medical or legal discussion once the question has been answered.  

I do think that members here are *really* good at keeping it in check though, with posts reminding others to refrain.