How should I respond when an experienced Wikitree contributor writes a snarky comment about something I have done?

Question

As a neophyte, I was dutifully filling in the birth/death information for a pre-1776 profile and selected the Wikitree autofill for the correct time period, namely "Weymouth, Suffolk, Massachusetts Bay (1643-1776)." The snarky commentator said something like, "What, is it in the middle of the water?" Thank you!

Comments

This is actually a problem that us Data Doctors have had a pretty thorough discussion about. Maybe tagging DATA_DOCTORS might give more ideas from other people.

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Sandie, I'm aware of other information sources. I was pointing out something that the dropdown menu doesn't provide guidance on.

Andrew, I contend that my edit summary that said edited place name; "Massachusetts Bay" Is a water body, not a proper place name. is far, far different from your claim that I said: What, is it in the middle of the water?

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Written words ≠ Subtext

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I guess this helps to explain why some members never enter an edit summary.

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"Written words ≠ Subtext."  Exactly!  That's why, when you post to complain about another member, you should quote him or her verbatim.

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Herbert, I'm sorry if the meaning of my equation was not clear,

It means: The exact words are not the important things, it is the spirit in which they are written. After various other increasingly critical comments the purveyor of the Massachusetts Bay comment wrote to me, the subtextual (hidden) meaning of the words "Massachusetts Bay" Is a water body, not a proper place name. = What, is it in the middle of the water?

Sorry, my 9 years doing a French Literature PhD at Harvard must have made me assume that everyone was familiar with the term "subtext."

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It is so easy to read into words things that were never said, nor ever intended.

I'm sorry, but I in no way read "Massachusetts Bay" Is a water body, not a proper place name." to mean a snarky "What, is it in the middle of the water?" .. I think you have totally misread what was said.

Also: Sorry, my 9 years doing a French Literature PhD at Harvard must have made me assume that everyone was familiar with the term "subtext." reads to me as snarky.

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Andrew, I have a PhD, too, if that kind of thing impresses you.  You posted a 'something like' quote from the member who offended you.  You can quote a person's actual words.  You can't quote his or her 'hidden meaning,' unless Harvard gave you psychic powers with your PhD.  Although you could easily have quoted the actual words, you chose instead to present a self-serving interpretation of them.  Unfortunately, several well-meaning members came to your defense in advance of the facts.  This link about WikiTree courtesy offers a lot of good advice about giving other members the benefit of the doubt and assuming good intentions, including (quoting the actual words) "Do not be quick to take offense."

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 Wow!.

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Thanks Logan :)

Answer 1

Well many members have already gave some great suggestions.

Another suggestions I would suggest.

1. See: Problems with Members

Courtesy is not optional on WikiTree. It's in our Honor Code. Sometimes we see an inverse pattern. Some members are repeatedly made angry by others. It takes a special kind of person to participate on WikiTree at a high level without getting angry. We have an emotional attachment to the subject matter, and collaboration isn't easy, especially since it's not face-to-face. Many good genealogists don't have the patience for wiki genealogy and need to scale back their participation.

Remember filing a Mentor Intervention Request is not "ratting" it's showing we care and we want the best collaborative site on the web.

Comments

There is nothing brave in putting up with nonsense, nor is there anything to be proud about.

Answer 2

Some people want you to put Colony after Massachusetts Bay which isn't what is on the drop down box.  I usually do that.  Also, there's a cautionary statement somewhere that says "don't Wiki while angry", but I know it hurts when you're trying hard to do everything well and someone criticizes you. "It's not easy being green." Source: Kermit the Frog,

Comments

"Don't Wiki while drunk" is another good rule of thumb.

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DWWD! 

Answer 3

Thanks for asking here and not replying to the other member. You did the right thing.

Answer 4

My congratulatons on posting this, Andrew !

I see your account was confirmed only 2 weeks ago. A comment like that one, here in the WikiTree community, is the exception, not the rule.

The following help page is very helpful:

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:Courtesy

The other member didn't take into account that:

"It's easy to misinterpret a person's tone or intentions when you're not talking face-to-face."

We all are required to:

"Be the bigger person. Treat them as you would like to be treated, not as they are treating you. Even if a person is rude to you, don’t be rude back."

Sure you are on the way to be a Successful WikiTreer !

Answer 5

It happens to all off us. It's unwarranted. It still happens.

Somebody had a bad day. Don't let it become yours.

Answer 6

No need to respond to impolite comments.

Answer 7

Maybe not so much an answer - but being curious about the body of water thing.
I found a profile that the birth place was simply Massachusetts Bay, clicked on the pin to the right and was transported into the body of water, SpASH!
Another profile had Eastham, Barnstable, Massachusetts Bay and the pin showed the actual town (current) outline.
I'm glad I can swim.  I struggle with using place names that match the period for the record.  - Towns that appear to move because a county split etc.
Darryl

Comments

I have at least one ancestor who drowned in Massachusetts Bay. Presumably he couldn't swim, but I think his boat ran aground on a shallow ledge and capsized.