Oh, dear!

Shannon: You are one of the biggest givers on the forum, and your daily posts always have thoughtful comments that aren't just for you, but for everyone who wants to have fun with fashion.

Diane: I'm so grateful to have your sewist's perspective on the forum! I would so hate to lose that!

So many wonderful people on the forum, and so many ways to make use of it!

I have to set the record straight right away. There is no need to complicate matters here and over think things.

First, this has been a week of heightened forum sensitivities, which does happen every so often. It's par for the course. We have to address the concerns, work through them, and get on with it. And we always do!

Second, there is NOTHING wrong with bumping your thread and thanking people. I am personally big on thanking people, was brought up that way, and find it civilized. I absolutely encourage the bumping of threads. This means the author of the thread is engaged, answering questions along the way, and respectful of the people who took the time to post a comment on their thread. You have my blessing - regardless of time zone. Don't worry about it!

Third, you do not need to thank people on your thread by addressing them personally. It impresses me when people do because it's really polite, shows extra engagement, and takes energy, time and stamina. But a general thank you is absolutely fine too because time is at a forever shortage. And awarding people a badge is another way of acknowledging that you read their comment. So whichever way works best for you is perfectly good forum etiquette in my book.

We are here to support each other, find wardrobe solutions, share great ideas, epiphanies and thoughts, and most of all - have fun! Let's get back to these priorities

Oh my goodness! I must be in my own little world here, because it would never cross my mind to worry that it's impolite to bump my own thread by coming back later to thank additional responders, answer questions, or provide any sort of conclusion/decision/finale just because my post fell onto the back burners of page 3/4/5/etc.

I don't want to feel like I'm walking on eggshells around here, because I probably won't even know that I'm being 'virtually impolite' in someone's eyes.

If there ARE online etiquette 'rules', then they should be published in a permanent thread (as I've seen in other forums).

If not, then I'd like to think using normal considerations will be fine -- with all the variations in 'normal' just like we encounter IRL interactions. And we will all get over it when someone's approach isn't like ours.

haha, bumping THIS thread to add that I am not naturally considerate (I AM naturally efficient and practical and we need both types, right? ;-)).

Anyway, I have learned SO much by reading and trying to emulate those that are so considerate and gracious (ahem, Angie springs to mind first, see above, but there are many, many of you out there and I'm NOT going to name names other than Angie - lol)

I'm not entirely sure what that has to do with bumping threads, but I guess it sprang to mind because I want to see people's replies to each other so I can continue to brainwash myself on how to be nice! I don't want anyone to feel they can't bump their own thread if they have something they want to say.

and now off to read and absorb

Sara, thanks for the kind words.......and what are you smoking??? You are SO naturally nice and considerate!!! Banish the thought from your brain that you are not this instant.

I recently did my first WIW last week and I had a couple questions about responding protocol. It actually did cross my mind that it would look suspicious thanking everyone publicly so I did it with badges. There were a couple of questions asked that I responded to (thus "bumping" the thread) but I felt that was part of a conversation so not real "bumping". I don't want to annoy everyone by doing it "wrong"....but why not have real conversations and responses on the thread?

Thanks, Angie, for your responses!

My purpose in starting the thread was to gather input on how I can be a considerate forum member (like MNsara I always feel I have more to learn from the gracious ladies here). I wasn't looking for rules and still less to give offense. I think a lot of the "rules" on this thread are rules people make for *their own behavior* again with the intent of being considerate forum members.

Shannon and Diane, please don't take a break because of anything on this thread--you are both wonderful forum members.

What I'm seeing here is a lot of the Golden Rule. People are crafting their responses to posts in accordance with what would feel thoughtful to them. Members are doing their best to be kind and considerate! And that's a good thing. I think a good starting point is to assume positive intent because that's what's happening 99.99999% of the time on this forum.

Just for the record - I LOVE getting the badges - and none of you have to thank me by responding back to me when I respond on your threads - just give me a BADGE! (please!)

Also, because the forum is soooo busy these days - I very seldom get back to any more than page 2 when I'm checking out the threads - so, when I come across a thread on the first page that has re-appeared because the poster is thanking people, it does seem to kind of "clutter" up that first page and I wonder why they didn't just give them a badge?

But - you know what? It doesn't really matter to me - I think its all good - and I'm here to have fun and learn - so, lets get on with the fun, OK?

And thank you Adelfa for bringing this up. I'm a firm believer in speaking up and asking, rather than wondering and/or doubting/2nd-guessing myself and coming to my own conclusions - which many times are wrong.