Hello redbeard,
There's a very old saying that generally goes pretty much like this...
"The only person you can change is yourself."
It really is true! While most of the things on the list of what you get peeved about are quite true, just posting the peeves is not going to stop them from happening in any way. Trust me, I know from experience. I've been deeply involved with Expat-blog, now expat.com for five years. Almost all of that time as a member of the Experts Team answering questions, giving out information about bureaucratic processes, giving advice and assistance to all who need it. My posting count is fast approaching the 11,000 mark and I've probably responded to twice that many private messages throughout the years.
One would think that after all that I would have gotten sick and tired of all the questions that get repeated hundreds of times, or the inquiries that could be resolved with a quick Google search, and the half responsed from other members who give a kernel of information and leave out more than they've provided. I don't get flapped because I understand the reason that I'm here, and that is to be the source of information here in Brazil (and several other countries) that didn't exist when I first came here 14 years ago. Someone to reach out to for help in sorting one's way through the highly complex process of moving to, and adapting to life and living in a strange country. I'm also a firm believer in the old saw, "There's no such thing as a dumb question." I understand that every question is based on a genuine need to know something, even if that question has been answered a million times before, or could be quickly answered by a Google search.
Sure it would be easy to say something like... "Heck, why don't you just look through some of the past postings?" or "Have you ever heard of Google or Ask.com?", but I don't do that. I don't expect everyone here to know everything, or to do the things that I would do, or in the way I'd do them myself. What's the big deal about answering a question for the umpteenth time, if the answer is right on the tip of your tongue anyway??? Wouldn't that, in fact, be much easier and the "charitable" thing to do?
Know what? Many of the thousands of PMs that I receive each year come from other members who've probably asked a question that had been answered before, or could be answered on Google. PMs thanking me profusely for the help I've given them, telling me about how with that help they managed to get their visa, or had a successful visit or even got married and are now living out their dreams.
You've been a member here for just under 3 years and in all that time have 21 postings (average of 7 per year), and you've got a list of GRIPES???
Have you ever stopped to think that maybe that's because you've just set your expectations for everybody else here too high? Like I said at the very beginning, "The only person you can change is yourself." As well intentioned as your posting may be, would you feel good about another member pointing an accusing finger at you, if you were responsible for some of the conduct you mentioned? Likely not.
The whole concept of epat.com is sharing our experiences, information or just moral support. That means PARTICIPATING on the forums, not just sitting back "lurking", reading postings, yet not contributing much. Then on top of it, posting a list of things that has gotten them ticked off, despite the fact that they themselves haven't made much of a contribution. Just saying!
Cheers,
James
expat.com Experts Team
