The Newbie’s Guide to Flagging
Also Known as: How To Avoid a Flagging War
This morning at around 3am (Insomnia is a bitch), I saw a comment I objected to:
PS you have to vote up all my comments as well , its minnow back scratch
To me, this is showing the exact thing that could cause a problem later down the line.
He didn’t even ASK for an upvote, he INSISTED on one as though it was the LAW! or some sort of rule, or something.
I replied... and pointed out it wasn't the done thing...
So then, enter Mr Billy-Big-Balls into the arena…
He reacted with the swagger of someone that is used to pushing his head forward, showing off his mono-brow, hefting his meaty knuckles from the ground where they drag, increasing the callouses (at least those on the back of his hand… the callouses on the palms are entirely different) and getting his own way with intimidation alone.
I replied again, with a bit of advice and a few facts.
I AM mindful that a battle of wits requires both opponents to be fully armed, but I did believe, in all honesty, that my tiredness would counter at least some of what he’s obviously lacking…
Apparently not…
So I flagged all of his posts to show him threats are not my thing.
Then he did what no red-blooded male does – he called for back-up from his mate.
By this time, his rep had plummeted to 9 but I left it there and didn't flag any more of the posts. (I have since removed all the flags I put on every post - I'm not inhuman, I wanted to make a point).
Then Billy-Big-Balls’ friend, Bobby-Big-Balls came to the rescue and started flagging every comment and post I’ve made over the past… evening. I assume their voting power ran out because they didn’t get far.
Here’s the lesson:
As a newbie, you’re likely to step on a few toes as you make your way tentatively around this new Steemit ocean.
A few hints and tips will get you going in the right direction (ie: across the ocean, not plunging to the depths of negative rep).
If you cock-up, apologise. If you can’t manage an apology because your pride won’t let you, then fuck you, you deserve to get a negative rep.
An apology as simple as:
Oh, I’m sorry! I didn’t realise, I’ll edit my post right now.
Will probably get the flag removed, possibly get your apology upvoted (no promises) and maybe even get a follower or two because you admitted being a dick and apologized for it.
A few things you need to know:
Steemit is going to be here for a LONG time.
There are people on here that are clever – way cleverer than the majority of humans on the planet (so that includes you).
People have been here for more than a year – I believe Steemit started in April 2016 – and they (we) have been working on building our accounts since we got here.
Good manners and polite posts will go a long way to getting you and your account where you want to be. Being a dick will not – especially a dick with no experience, no respect and no manners.
Saying there are only two dozen talented people on this platform is INSANELY derogatory and you deserve every single post you ever make to get flagged repeatedly, at least twice, by EVERYONE that makes great content each and every day on here.
Think on this, Billy and Bobby: Only two dozen people on here are NOT writing shit and yet, you’re still down in that slurry getting no votes, no rewards and ultimately nowhere.
On the other hand, if you do decide this platform is worth a go (it is), then perhaps you’d like to figure out how you can get noticed in a good way and build your account up rather than getting it buried – not by me, I’ve removed all my flags and I’m giving you 12 hours to see this then I’m muting you so I’ll never see whether you progress or sink.
Here’s how I know you’ve flagged my comments - https://www.steemnow.com/
Because the effects of the multi-flagging didn’t show up.
This site shows you every keystroke you ever made from the time you joined up.
https://steemd.com
And this site shows where you are in the great scheme of things:
https://steemwhales.com
Proper interaction is what gets you followers, not comments demanding upvotes.
I'm nice and helpful, especially to newbies, but jumping on posts to demand an upvote is not the way to get good attention.
If you want advice, that's great, ask, you'll go far, with a lot of support. If you want a fast-buck and shortcuts to followers and money, not so much.
Edit He went back and tried to delete the offending post. Unfortunately, because I'd replied to it, he can't delete, so edit was the best he could hope for.
I edited my reply to him and added the bit back ;)
PS you have to vote up all my comments as well , its minnow back scratch
Naughty naughty... Blockchain's got your back...
All imaged sourced from Google's Free for use library
I love this post! You were kind enough to remove your flags and those two should be grateful. I've always believed that being polite and considerate gets you much further than being a butt and hopefully these two guys will catch on quickly, modify their behavior and end up writing some wonderful posts in the future. :D
Have an awesome day! :D
Yeah, we can hope... but I think what will really happen is they'll put the blame on someone else and it'll all be everyone's fault but theirs and therefore, they don't need to modify their behaviour, everyone else does.
If that is how it turns out at least you'll know you did the right thing and they made the choice not to. They will not do well here if that is what they think and that is kind of sad.
Don't know how this guy spoke to you exactly and it's too late in the night to check, but isn't flagging him an overreaction? I mean, the way the text tells the story, it goes immediately from him demanding upvotes to you flagging his content. The guy as you presented him is I agree very unlikeable, but I don't know, I would just ignore him, maybe flag the comments themselves but not the account.
I don't know maybe it's my rather "permissive" nature making me feel ambivalent about this.
Yes, if I had immediately flagged him, it would have been an overreaction. You're not wrong :)
If you flag comments, you're flagging the account, so there's no way around that.
The 'conversation' went downhill fast when he asked if I was a man dressed as a woman. None of his business if I was, but as I said... completely off-topic.
I removed every flag I posted and then saw that he and his friend had flagged (or tried to flag) as many of my posts as possible. Yes, I did laugh because I hadn't noticed.
Then I saw the abuse he levelled at a well-liked and respected member of Steemit, a guy that does so much good in his community and who reacted with grace and kindness to the abuse he received.
That's when I flagged the idiot and those flags will stay because he's been on Steemit as long as I have and yet he's whining that no one is giving him anything...
I had the impression he was a newb, but if he's been here as long as you have, the excuses I can make up for him are fast diminishing!
Didn't even know that! I've never flagged anyone, nor been flagged. Even spammy comments on my posts. I guess I'll get around to doing my duty eventually.
Yeah, it's looking more and more like it's what we're going to need to do - kind of like curating the whole Steemit Platform.
We have to take care if it, it's the only one we have :D
I'll reply to this because it's easier...
He's had a go at @quinneaker - one of the speakers at SteemFest2.
Abuse
yes it is very true that you say in this post,
each person commented according to the discussion contained in the post,
if the post is good, of course people give a good comment.
but vice versa, if the post contains the content is not good, it can damage the image of others, then like to give a bad comment on the post tersebiut, even will get a flag.
but, how do you respond, if people commented well, but got the flag.
things i hate , rude people , arrogant people - seems that those guys are like that ! i hope they get the message and start being more civilized! i don't know why many people act like that on social media but you did well @michelle.gent ! i resteemed the post , upvoted and feel blessed to have you being around ! Greetings from Greece and a lot of respect for your attitude and writing ! :)
Thank you. I appreciate your comment and the resteem :)
Now that is a guide, apt use of the 'Bully' loading screen images - if i wasn't savvy with the web world, i'd have likely thought I had to upvote all comments regardless of how meaningless they were, thank you @michelle.gent
Yes, that's what I'm worried about. That kind of rumour quickly becomes 'law' and it doesn't help.
The thing is, your vote doesn't just help the one you upvote. If you place it on a good post, you reap the rewards too. Curation is what earns voters money.
This is great, I've resteemed because I think more newbie people need to read this
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Thank you, I appreciate that.
This is more than helpful to everyone especially one working as hard as i am to get a place here, i mean i have a culture of being polite and humble and i can just imagine how you must have felt when you saw the comments..... anyways its one thing i have learnt here too... not everyone would have manners its left to those that do to show others... thank you for the post, it will guide me and many i know... upvoted and resteemed.... followed too
Thank you. Your comments and resteem are appreciated.
I'm always amazed at people's journey here on steemit. They always start one way and hopefully most learn to read blogs like your and be better. Hopefully no more flag wars for a while.
I can only hope. Thank you :)
@michelle.gent. I found this very interesting. But are there still people like this in the world that demand to get things from people even when they know they don't deserve it?.
Just trying to imagine how he would have said it if is not writing buy talking. lol.
I really like the way you handled the situation. It shows how kind you you are and i celebrate you for that.
I hope a lot of people learn from this and try to put some hard-work to what they are writing or doing on this platform instead of pissing people off.
Thanks for showing kindness despite his behavior.
Happy to be associated with you on this platform.
Re-steeming this for so many other members here to see.