My own, private bit of complaining.

[Chip]

TRUE THAT...

[Salsero]

Yes, that's an opposite trend that I have noticed: the people who are already quite knowledgeable but are just now showing up, most of them ready to take a step further.

[ABx]

Thanks ABx, you've opened me up to some new ideas. Here's what I'm thinking now.

Perhaps this is a bit segregationist of me, but I envision us as a teaching "class" (without all the negative connotations, if that is possible), in a way. Just as teachers have their lounge (ITD, in our case) and don't talk about teacher business in the classroom (IM, main forum), I feel we should do the same.

Perhaps this is just another plug for the IRC chat, but I *really* think the sorts of conversations we have amongst ourselves belongs there. Plus, it would reduce the visibility of ITD's existence, which, from what Padre has told me, is quite obvious.

This is not to say we shouldn't use the regular forum or IM– it is, after all, the job of the teachers to teach their students– but I feel we should use it in an entirely different way than what has become popular (a trend in which I do not deny taking part, by the way).

I think if we do these things, we will positively affect TeaChat. By keeping some distance between intra-ITD discussions and those of the rest of the community, we may be able to make the newbies feel more welcome; but at the same time, by remaining in contact with the rest of the forum as teachers, we will not lose our ability to find new members that fit in with the ITD crowd.

I realize most of this is just an echo of what ABx just said, but whatever.

Hehe, well it always seems like we're on the same wavelength, so no surprise that I agree.

We talk about tea enough that I doubt it would make the IM any less active, and I don't think anyone has setting down hard rules in mind, just maybe trying to keep some of the "in-group" chat in IRC. I could see how it would be intimidating for a newbie to want to ask for guidance in a chat full of experienced people that have an active discussion going about something (non-tea related) that you have to be a part of the social circle to really understand.

I guess the bottom line is just that we have to make sure not to become or appear "cliquish", at least publicly (not that it would happen intentionally).

[fencerdenoctum]

Sometimes I feel like I'm very protective of our forum. You should have seen the look on some of my coworkers when I started getting the SS stuff or Sal's Dan Cong. I keep TC open all day at work, mostly because my office is in the back of my building and you guys keep me (in)sane.

I've looked at other tea forums and they just don't have the community that TC has. Heck, if it weren't for the IM I probably wouldn't have stuck around.

Mods here are quite active in chat and the forum when I'm used to only seeing mods that come down from their ivory tower to lock threads. We have a great thing going here, and the most recent batch of newbies I really think are starting to add to our little home. It's nice not to hear "THIS TEA....HOW I BRU IT?" every five seconds, though some have to start somewhere.

Teachat is a great place that has a great bunch of folks. I'm glad I'm here. I'm glad you are too.

Fencer

[skywarrior]

I think that this is a wonderful forum. I think occasionally the new people who are intimidated are because they don't know what to ask. Today I dealt with it, and it was kind of frustrating. Along the lines of: I need a teapot.

Well, then it eventually grew to: I need a big glass teapot without an infuser, but with a mesh screen.

Obviously not thought through.

[CynTEAa]

It's funny for me because before I joined Adagio, TeaChat was just something a competitor had that just seemed like a marketing edge. The last time I had really paid it any mind was a few years ago when it was new.

But now I've some to appreciate the sense of community. It is amazing. I had no idea! Tea enthusiasts still tend to be isolated in their passion, it is really great to have an outlet (besides work). My hope is that all of you, and everyone on TeaChat, is really a sign of a cultural change...embracing tea. If not, then at least we all have each other - hehe!

Anyway, if people are intimidated, I think that mostly comes from within. I have seen you all warmly welcome many and answer newbie questions time and again.

[Chip]

Stop frickin' intimidating me, hyaCYNth!!!!

[CynTEAa]

muahhahahaaaha!

[Chip]

See, now you are just picking on me... ;P

[CynTEAa]

Heh heh - nah. It is just good to exercise one's evil laugh every now and then.

I believe Mary keeps hers close at hand...

[Mary R]

Heh heh...queen of the cackle, that's me!

[Chip]

FYI, I have spoken to Henley, the author of the post in question.

I do believe she is trying to make a conscious effort. Keep in mind though, there are TeaChatters who simply do not really want to learn, and that is OK.

Just keep this in mind as you come across fellow Chatters who are commited to staying right where they are today.