Expectations and preferences

[schmevil]

We all have preferences for how writers treat feedback and comments. Many of us also have hidden expectations. In lieu of writing about this side of things, I thought I'd do a poll, and throw it out to you guys.

Do you want a response? Do you expect one? Does it make a difference whether we're talking about fic, meta, lulz, or just general posts? What seems polite to you? What is the prevailing way that Things Are Done?

Poll #2437 Expectations and preferences

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 144

View Respondents

When I comment on fic

View Answers

I expect a response from the author.
29 (20.1%)

I don't expect a response from the author.
18 (12.5%)

I have no expectation.
63 (43.8%)

I would prefer a response.
84 (58.3%)

I would prefer not to get a response.
6 (4.2%)

I have no preference.
29 (20.1%)

When I comment on a meta post

View Answers

I expect a response from the author.
42 (29.8%)

I don't expect a response from the author.
8 (5.7%)

I have no expectation.
55 (39.0%)

I would prefer a response.
94 (66.7%)

I would prefer not to get a response.
2 (1.4%)

I have no preference.
16 (11.3%)

When I comment on a personal entry

View Answers

I expect a response from the author.
54 (38.3%)

I don't expect a response from the author.
7 (5.0%)

I have no expectation.
52 (36.9%)

I would prefer a response.
75 (53.2%)

I would prefer not to get a response.
0 (0.0%)

I have no preference.
24 (17.0%)

When I comment on a lulzy post

View Answers

I expect a response from the author.
13 (9.4%)

I don't expect a response from the author.
28 (20.3%)

I have no expectation.
72 (52.2%)

I would prefer a response.
37 (26.8%)

I would prefer not to get a response.
1 (0.7%)

I have no preference.
54 (39.1%)

Comments

[cathexys]

Yes, that one!

If a meta is a fully conceived essay and all i say is Wow, i agree. thank you, I don't expect a response. But most journal entries are opening up discussion and when i engage there i expect a response, because I'm entering a conversation.

[cathexys]

And I just committed one of central commenting sins, didn't I? I commented to someone OTHER than the OP, because I know him and not the OP, because I agreed and that was an easy way to assert what I wanted to say.

And I think also, because when you comment on a post, one person is getting your comment whereas when you comment on a comment at least two probably read you. finally, I think kanata's comment offers the very engagement he talks about (while I wasn't fully sure with schmevil, because a poll may want to engage or not)

all that being said, schmevil, cool poll :)

[schmevil]

Ha ha ha! It's quit all right. :) If people aren't responding to each other, there isn't much of a conversation going on, is there?

That's a good point though, polls can be tricky to gauge. It's hard to tell what kind of response the poll author is looking for. Do they just want it filled out? Do they expect substantial meta in the comments? The poll itself gives you the option of engaging or not - it's not the opening gambit in a meta conversation. Although it could be, depending on how people respond.

[kaigou]

I commented to someone OTHER than the OP, because I know him and not the OP, because I agreed and that was an easy way to assert what I wanted to say.

That's a cardinal sin? I had no idea -- I always kinda like it when I see people replying to other folks instead of directly to me, when I'm the OP. I mean, if they reply to me, that's fine, but I always feel like I must be doing something right if people feel like it's okay to reply to each other, instead of all having one-on-one conversations with only me.

[sophinisba]

Yeah, I've definitely never thought of that as rude or a bad thing to do on a meta post, though like people have been saying in the past week's discussion it can be rude on a fic post if you don't also address the OP.

[torachan]

Yeah, sometimes I will purposely comment in response to a commenter rather than the OP because that way I can essentially address them both at once. The OP is presumably receiving comments, so by responding to another commenter, my comment is going to both of them.

[lady_ganesh]

And sometimes I'll comment further down the thread and put a comment to the OP in parentheses, because I think it's an interesting discussion but much of I'd wanted to say about the main post had been said.

(And I wouldn't expect a response to something like this, OP!)

[zvi]

I actually like, particularly for a meta post, if people comment to each other, because then I don't feel like I have to comment to everything someone has said, just to make it clear that discussion is welcome. Discussion is happening! It doesn't need my prodding.