Go to I WRITE, THEREFORE I AM
- Add a comment
- Go to Who made up the unwritten rule that all "good" bloggers answer comments?
MsQ, I like to respond to comments, but I do not have the time to always do it. I am more consistent now than I used to be when I started. I think it is the polite thing to do, but I won't answer 'ugly'! LOL! BTW, I am not offended when my comments are not responded to by the poster of a particular blog, and I am deeply flattered by people like Joe_Love who do read my posts and comment, even if they don't respond to comments I make about their blogs on their blogs.
~Mama.Dragonfly487
posted by
Mama.Dragonfly
on August 13, 2005 at 10:20 AM
| link to this | reply
If that is true - then as of late I am the worst blogger ever,
posted by
Transcendental_Child
on August 12, 2005 at 4:20 PM
| link to this | reply
rachel--
well I think some do consider it rude, but we all have to do what works best for us, right??
posted by
Julia.
on August 12, 2005 at 1:26 PM
| link to this | reply
hemlocker--
but one thing no one has answered much is, do you go back to check? Doesn't it seem silly to respond to comments that more than likely will never be read by the person who left it??
posted by
Julia.
on August 12, 2005 at 1:25 PM
| link to this | reply
Lensman--
oooooh, an ultimatum!! Hey, didn't you know dreaming of bloggers is the first sign of insanity?
posted by
Julia.
on August 12, 2005 at 1:24 PM
| link to this | reply
Sandi--
Ah...the old "double edged sword"--lol. Thank you for coming by!
posted by
Julia.
on August 12, 2005 at 1:23 PM
| link to this | reply
krisles--
yes...odd...among many other things, odd does stand out!!
posted by
Julia.
on August 12, 2005 at 1:22 PM
| link to this | reply
word.smith--
I am glad to hear you say that I'm not the only sensitive soul a bit bothered by the "picking and choosing" routine...like you, I don't make a big deal of it, but it does kind of make you wonder why your comment didn't "measure up" enough to get a response when others did...
posted by
Julia.
on August 12, 2005 at 1:21 PM
| link to this | reply
Offbeat--
I know, time is a big factor...
posted by
Julia.
on August 12, 2005 at 1:19 PM
| link to this | reply
MayB--
As do I...interesting that you used the word "ridiculous" as I had originally had it in my title.
posted by
Julia.
on August 12, 2005 at 1:18 PM
| link to this | reply
Re comments: I do what I can. Life is hectic enough without imposing ridiculous expectations. When I have time I comments extensivley and reply to all. I do go and read all my commenters at some stage.
posted by
Azur
on August 12, 2005 at 1:12 PM
| link to this | reply
Quirky
Sometimes I just read, and don't leave a comment. Heck sometimes I don't respond to my comments..not lack of interest, lack of time mostly~
posted by
Offy
on August 12, 2005 at 1:11 PM
| link to this | reply
Quirky, I have mixed feelings on this matter.
I think I have only been offended by one blogger in that respect. When I used to read that blogger, I noticed that she would never respond to my comments. I took care of that situation quickly. I stopped reading her.
Moondawg doesn't return comments. I'm used to that. He made that clear, but he always comes by to visit when you read something of his. Others pick and choose whom they respond to. I understand this to a point, but like you said it kinda makes me feel my comment wasn't 'worthy' enough to deserve a response.
I don't make a big deal of this though. Once I get used to other people's styles, I just go with the flow.
posted by
word.smith
on August 12, 2005 at 12:19 PM
| link to this | reply
Quirky
Good post...I think I've been fairly constant in replying to comments and I usually go back and check for responses, but sometimes forget I left one....I don't get my feelings hurt if no response left as I know folks get busy. We are here to read and write, priorities shift, things happen. The relationship aspect is nice...it's really an odd place, when I stand back and look at it sometimes..
posted by
Krisles
on August 12, 2005 at 12:14 PM
| link to this | reply
I think it's human nature to want to be acknowledged. I also agree that it can be time consuming for all you "well read" types ;o). I'm a newbie so responding to comments is pretty easy. I'll letcha know when I become so popular that I can't keep up with the comments! LOL Sandi
posted by
Sandra_Harris
on August 12, 2005 at 11:59 AM
| link to this | reply
Quirky
PS: You'd better respond to this, too
posted by
Lensman
on August 12, 2005 at 11:58 AM
| link to this | reply
Quirky
I answer all my comments, probably because I can only post every two or three days, so I'm not overwhelmed. I'm in a comfortable zone which allows me to get back to everyone. But I'd do it anyway, I think, even if I was busier and it took two or three days to get back, because I enjoy the communicating side of Blogit, too. It's amazing how a blogger's persona can coalesce in front of your eyes via the screen and then enter your mind, much as it happens the face-to-face way. I dreamed about one, so that proves it.
posted by
Lensman
on August 12, 2005 at 11:58 AM
| link to this | reply
Haha Quirky!
For sure!!
posted by
ginnieb
on August 12, 2005 at 11:25 AM
| link to this | reply
quirky
I have a rather fine sense of necessity, if not responsibility about comments. I still don't get tons of them, so maybe it is easy for me to say, but unless I forget, I always repond to them--at least for now. My comments are usually kind and understanding, not just chatty, and I enjoy showing my appreciation. But honestly, I have no prejudices one way or the other, and if others do not respond to my comments, I am not offended. Hemlocker
posted by
Hemlocker
on August 12, 2005 at 8:50 AM
| link to this | reply
I have a hard time with this...
I just don't have the time to answer everyone individually--so I usually just try to click back and read their stuff. A lot of people don't return to read responses to comments, anyway. Maybe I'm rude since I don't always follow this unwritten rule, but hey, I actually have other things I have to do besides blog! :)
posted by
RachelAnna
on August 12, 2005 at 8:45 AM
| link to this | reply
cat--
what are you trying to teach this kitty??
posted by
Julia.
on August 12, 2005 at 8:31 AM
| link to this | reply
Isa--
No that wasn't really the point--that was one small part of it, sure...I'm asking as much for what other people do in response (or not) to their own comments...more for me, wondering if how I feel about those who don't respond is normal...of course...when have I ever been normal??
posted by
Julia.
on August 12, 2005 at 8:30 AM
| link to this | reply
lol
Aren't you learning more by replying right now? More about the subject you posted about.....
posted by
-blackcat
on August 12, 2005 at 8:15 AM
| link to this | reply
yea i get your point...
when you have too many replies it is difficult to respond to all of us...
posted by
Marshallengraved
on August 12, 2005 at 8:12 AM
| link to this | reply
ginnie--
I can never remember what I said in a comment either...so if they responded, have th time I have to go read my original comment to figure out what their response means!! lol---getting old sucks. ;-)
posted by
Julia.
on August 12, 2005 at 8:05 AM
| link to this | reply
cat--
no I guess you didn't mention friendship--what are you implying?? ;-)
posted by
Julia.
on August 12, 2005 at 8:03 AM
| link to this | reply
did I say anything about friendships? hmmmm....
posted by
-blackcat
on August 12, 2005 at 8:02 AM
| link to this | reply
I do look at the search comments Quirky...
...but often I don't remember whom I've commented on! Unless they are still fresh in my mind or I really want to know what the person said...I often type and just move on to the next!
posted by
ginnieb
on August 12, 2005 at 8:01 AM
| link to this | reply
cat--
yes, acknowleding those who took the time to comment is a good way to develop friendships, if one is so inclined to that sort of thing.
posted by
Julia.
on August 12, 2005 at 7:59 AM
| link to this | reply
dave cryer--
thanks!! I'm just really trying to get a feel for the general consensus. It's true that I also like a response, but won't NOT go back if I don't get one...because I understand the many reasons why someone might not respond, and they have nothing to do with me!
posted by
Julia.
on August 12, 2005 at 7:57 AM
| link to this | reply
mmm-w,
I'm not sure, but I don't think so...I think it's just been what has developed by the bloggers here...
posted by
Julia.
on August 12, 2005 at 7:44 AM
| link to this | reply
Medusa--
some are offended if you don't respond, others couldn't care less. I have to admit that it sometimes bugs me that Joe never responds to me, it makes me feel like a non-entity. But he takes that same time and spends it reading many, many blogs...so maybe that IS better???
posted by
Julia.
on August 12, 2005 at 7:43 AM
| link to this | reply
I don't know Quirks....
When I first joined, I didn't realize anyone would care if I replied or not. Joe Love is fairly new too, maybe he hasn't realized it yet. Or maybe he just doesn't have the time. But either way, I like responding to most comments. If someone has helped me to learn or caused me to laugh, I like to acknowledge that. But no, it doesn't stop me from reading if someone doesn't reply. It just keeps me from learning more about them.
posted by
-blackcat
on August 12, 2005 at 7:42 AM
| link to this | reply
Tapsel--
for all the positive things responding provides, it DOES take away from writing...and more importantly...from the time I have to read others...
posted by
Julia.
on August 12, 2005 at 7:41 AM
| link to this | reply
ariel--
I do try to respond to them all...And I'm not saying this to complain...but it can be overwhelming. just wondering where people stand, you know?? Thanks for taking time to comment!!!
posted by
Julia.
on August 12, 2005 at 7:40 AM
| link to this | reply
kathu--
many people do check back, myself included---and so it can be a nice way to develop the friendship.
posted by
Julia.
on August 12, 2005 at 7:38 AM
| link to this | reply
I say respond if you feel like it. I always do respond to a blogger, even if it's just a quick thanks. I quite often stick a bunch of replies into one reply comment so that it's quicker for me and easier to read for any returning bloggers. I quickly bold up their names so they can see where I replied.
As a respondent, I do very often go back to see what's been said - this can be immediate if I'm tracking the New Comments section, or the next day if I go to a regular's new post. Sometimes it's weeks later. And sometimes I reply to their reply; sometimes I don't.
In terms of etiquette, I do like to see a blogger reply to me when I've commented, because your comment then feels valued and it feels like you're actually conversing with that person. It feels warm.
But if a blogger doesn't reply, I don't think it's bad manners and it doesn't affect me revisiting - it's the post itself that does that job.
In conclusion, don't worry about it: each to his/her own.
posted by
_dave_says_ack_
on August 12, 2005 at 7:31 AM
| link to this | reply
you know... i never thought about it.... doesn't it say in the blogit suggestions or something, that you should do that???
posted by
mmm-w
on August 12, 2005 at 7:31 AM
| link to this | reply
I respond when I can and always want my readers to know they're appreciated
posted by
Ariala
on August 12, 2005 at 7:30 AM
| link to this | reply
Quirky...Glad you wrote this. This is a mind-boggler.....
You're right. Joe Love rarely answers his comments. But he does go read a post by those who have read his. Maybe that's better. I try to do both but it's getting impossible. I try to comment to 50% of them and try to read a post made to me by every commenter. It might take 2 days to do it, but I try. I notice some top bloggers read me every other day. Which is fine. I agree with you, this is tough to deal with...comments by well-meaning folks. Some want a response, like you say.
posted by
MedusaNextDoor
on August 12, 2005 at 7:29 AM
| link to this | reply
Quirky, I don't really pay attention to the unwritten rule, but I do try to respond out of courtesy. It has become a chore though because of time involved and lately I have really been falling down on that. I surely do hope no one is offended because it is nothing personal. The desire is there but the time it takes can take away from writing which is my purpose for being here.
posted by
TAPS.
on August 12, 2005 at 7:27 AM
| link to this | reply
quirky
If one has been to a party, or friends visit, it's only common courtesy to acknowledge the pleasure they've given you, isn't it?
It's the same with comments. People have visited you, so you ought to thank them. If you can't find the time, simply leave a one-for - all thanks comment on your blog, for everyone who's commented on your work. Or put something in the side bar to the effect that you're sometimes too busy to reply, but thanks anyway.
another way would surely be to write a standard thank you eleswhere, then cut and paste it in you comments, simply changing the name. I do this when I'm replying to enquiries about our holiday home ; it saves a lot of time!
posted by
ariel70
on August 12, 2005 at 7:27 AM
| link to this | reply
My thoughts
I'm a new blogger here, so, as you say, I don't get very many comments- and when I do, I get excited because I think they're a reflection of my writing. So I respond to them. I know in the future that I'll probably not respond in long paragraphs to every comment I get, but for now I am. And I like getting reponses to my responses- which I do get. It means that I'm starting to build up a base of readers who check back every now and then on my not-so-interesting life (or maybe they're in it for the stories I tell, I don't know).
posted by
Kasthu
on August 12, 2005 at 7:26 AM
| link to this | reply