Friday, September 20, 2013

Am I too Sensitive? Or just ignorant about the workings of "online forum societies"? Maybe both . . .

I'm still searching online constantly, trying to figure out how best to go to France.  I went to this expats-in-France forum and asked a question about working in France, got a decent response.  Then I wrote today and described who I was, why I wanted to live in France, that I had lived there in the past, what "department" (region) of France interested me (Brittany/Bretagne), even a small town and a large city that I am considering.  I asked if someone who had any knowledge of that area -- and knowing my circumstances as I had described them -- could recommend either the city or the small town -- or could recommend any alternate places in the area.  Well, I got blasted big time, as in "Oh Lordy Lordy ... how many times do we get this nonsensical question ????"   . . . and so on.  


Anyway, it stung.  Someone, the moderator, came on later and kindly gave me some pointers that I have found very useful.  But I had no idea people could be so nasty.  I had heard stories, of course, and I'm not a naive person, but really, I just don't understand why someone would behave in such a way.  

Is this sort of behavior on forums typical?  Do I have to be an expert before I ask questions on a forum?  I don't understand it.  I'll continue to try, of course, and see what I can learn.  If I get another similar response, I'll look for another place to get information.

Oh, if I haven't already mentioned it, I am going to be taking language lessons through Alliance Francaise very soon.  I'm close to having a good working knowledge of French but haven't had anyone to speak with in a long time, so I think this will help a lot.  I'm also taking a really great free online course through the "Open Learning Initiative," from Carnegie Mellon University.  They offer full university courses completely free online.  If you don't mind not interacting with a professor or getting grades, it's a great way to learn something new.  Here's the link of you're interested:  https://oli.cmu.edu/.

Now to my work:  Another good thing is my ceramic pieces have suddenly taken off!  I'm getting several orders a day, nearly all I can handle, so that's great.  I want to have as much money saved up as possible before I leave.

2 comments:

Clare said...

Hi,

I just came across your blog while looking for a lab picture for my parents. I just wanted to comment here as we moved to the USA from the UK 18 months ago. I also went onto that type of forum and encountered exactly the same attitude, if not worse. You were expected to delve through the archive of posts to find your answer. It made me wonder why they were there?

Any way, best of luck with your move. I love Brittany and have been on vacation there many times.

Clare

Dottie said...

Clare, thank you so very much for your comment. Yes, I certainly did wonder why they were there.

I hope your move to the USA has gone smoothly. And thanks for the comment on Brittany; I can hardly wait to experience it myself.

Dottie