"Being a dick"

Lovely Bloke

Hi all,

I've not gotten into trouble, or received an infraction or warning, or anything like that, but it's just a small thing I'm wondering.

Is it ok for users to use the phrase "Don't be a dick" or "you are being a dick", or "you are being dickish", or other similar phrases, but containing these magic words "Be/Being a Dick"?

Would they cause an infraction or warning for "Being a dick".

Is it ok for a Moderator to use a templated insult to tell you to stop insulting people?

We are all aware, "Don't be a dick" has a special place in Boards.ie Lore, but it is that a one-sided special place?

Timberrrrrrrr

Baldy Conscience wrote: »

Hi all,

I've not gotten into trouble, or received an infraction or warning, or anything like that, but it's just a small thing I'm wondering.

Is it ok for users to use the phrase "Don't be a dick" or "you are being a dick", or "you are being dickish", or other similar phrases, but containing these magic words "Be/Being a Dick"?

Would they cause an infraction or warning for "Being a dick".

Is it ok for a Moderator to use a templated insult to tell you to stop insulting people?

We are all aware, "Don't be a dick" has a special place in Boards.ie Lore, but it is that a one-sided special place?

I liken it to calling someone a troll

Mod says

Stop acting the dick is = to stop trolling.

Just my couple of pennies worth.

Lovely Bloke

yeah fine, but it doesn't really address my overall point.

The Hill Billy

If you think that someone is being a dick, you should report the post rather than calling them out yourself.

Edit: So, in that respect, it probably is a bit one-sided, but for a good reason. If posters do it - it is back seat modding & that can disrupt threads/lead to rows.

Timberrrrrrrr

Baldy Conscience wrote: »

yeah fine, but it doesn't really address my overall point.

If you call me a dick in a thread and i take ofence and report it then i would assume the "attack the post not the poster" rule would apply and it would result in an infraction. If a mod calls me a dick in a thread it's probably because i'm being a dick in the thread and mod is pointing it out.

Lovely Bloke

The Hill Billy wrote: »

If you think that someone is being a dick, you should report the post rather than calling them out yourself.

so in a roundabout way you've told me it's a one-sided affair.

Mods can do it, and that's ok.

The Hill Billy

See my edit.

D

Usually the Phrase is used as a rule of thumb about general behaviour that is desirable on the site.

I do remember, vaguely, that some people have wanted the phrase to be changed to a more professional/civil one.

"Act in a way that others will perceive to be as beneficial to the site and welcoming and helpful to others." doesn't roll off the tongue.

I think most people reference it to Will Wheton, however, I know it was used on this site long before he is publicly acknowledged to have used it. http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/wheatons-law

Mrs OBumble

IMHo "being a dick" is right up there with "s/he's sound" in terms of meaning free phrases.

One person's idea of a dick is another's idea of detail orientation. (A bit like the way that Ireland is the only place I know where being bold, aka brave/courageous, is regarded as a bad thing).

If I have a problem with someone's behaviour, then I'd rather name the specific behaviour than use a catch-all phrase which, as you say, is actually rude in itself.

I would always say "being uncivilised" rather than "being a dick".

Penn

Baldy Conscience wrote: »

so in a roundabout way you've told me it's a one-sided affair.

Mods can do it, and that's ok.

Mods do it in the vein of not actually referring to someone as a dick, but utilising one of the site rules "Dont be a dick" in the context of Wheaton's Law.

A mod can't flat out call someone a dick during a discussion. A mod enforcing the "Dont be a dick" rule, that's a different case altogether and is based more on the actions of the poster rather than the poster themselves.

If you think someone is breaking the "Dont be a dick" rule, report them and let the mod deal with it. Calling the poster a dick yourself is both backseat modding and too difficult to distinguish if you're referring to the rule (as you're not a mod) or if you're actually calling the poster a dick.

Will I Amnt

I've fallen foul of this before, I genuinely thought it was a word that was accepted on here at the time. I told somebody to "try and be less of a dick" if they wanted to continue the conversation. I'm only sorry I didn't say something a bit stronger and got my yellow card's worth :pac:

Mrs OBumble

Will I Amnt wrote: »

I'm only sorry I didn't say something a bit stronger and got my yellow card's worth :pac:

:-)

I said to someone (who well deserved it, and got banned shortly afterwards) "you're some tulip". Which simply means you're a very different sort of flower. But still it got a yellow.

MugMugs

Actually, this was done to death and eventually ended up with the closure of an account IIRC
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056986772