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

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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

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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

[summerstorm]

I checked "I would prefer not to get a response" under the fic question, and I'd like to explain that. I love hearing from authors; I love it when people ramble at me about their stories in response to my feedback. If I left feedback, it generally means I liked the story enough to be interested in those insights. But a lot of the time, even when I leave long comments, all the author has (time) to say is "thanks!", and I don't need that acknowledgment. I'm very picky wrt what I read and I comment because I feel somewhat strongly about the fic and have something to say; the author choosing to engage or not engage in a conversation with me is irrelevant to whether I'll read and/or comment on any more of their stories.

In addition to that, I'm one of those people who goes "ooh, new messages!" when they open their inboxes, and when one of those messages is just a "thank you" from an author I didn't even remember I've commented to, I feel a tiny bit disappointed. And that's what shifts the balance towards 'I would prefer not to receive a response'. The real answer would be 'I would prefer to receive a response with some semblance of substance, or no response at all'.

Other than that, I agree with the above commenters about expecting a response only when you're trying to engage the OP in a conversation. If someone posts a picture of a random cat and I go, "Ooh, cute!", I really don't expect that person to say something back.

[schmevil]

I think a lot of people have bought into the idea that they're obligated to respond to all their comments (on fic). Hence, "Thanks!" I try to respond to everything, just so people know I've read and appreciated their response, but I see where you're coming from.

[summerstorm]

I don't hold it against the author if they respond with just one or two words precisely because of that. I say "Thanks!" a lot myself; I've seen a lot of people say they're put off from commenting if the author doesn't respond, and I don't want to risk losing potential repeat commenters. Plus, I am obviously grateful for what little feedback I get, so it's not much of an effort, and at this point it feels almost natural. I just happen to see it as a superfluous pleasantry even now. But my relationship with pleasantries is pretty poor to begin with, even IRL, so this could be my warped, semi-antisocial logic talking.