If you don't want advice, why post questions?

[martyfellow]

With the influx of very young people, a lot of questions on Gag no longer involve asking for advice.

In fact, a classic case just occurred today. A poster said in the question that any answers that disagreed with her position in the question would be ignored or reported.

A couple of us still told her that, in the situation in question, we agreed with her parents' position, and were promptly told we were abusers like her parents, and blocked.

This was an extreme example, but as we know, US teenagers (and other English-culture influenced teens who come to Gag) rarely think anyone older has any worthwhile advice to give, especially from their parents, and their activity on Gag is mainly Facebook-style tagging friends, and asking to be rated..

And good luck if you criticize them when rating!

While this is an extreme example of teen attitude, (explicitly saying that differing opinions will be ignored), it's generally the case that any criticism of a teen asker, or disagreement with their position, will be greeted with name calling and blocking. This is especially the case with politically oriented questions, where their lack of experience and knowledge means their opinion is usually, ahem, lacking in logic or objectivity.

As a veteran here on Gag, I've mostly stopped bothering to answer their questions when they ask if it's ok to date someone 21 when they are 16, etc.

The asker is asking for support from peers, not for objective advice.

[Redstang88]

Sad thing is it doesn't seem to be limited to teens. Plenty of "adults" post questions/takes and lose their shit when you don't say what they want. Grow up already.

[martyfellow]

Well yes, of course. It's not ONLY teens, but it's more typical of them.

[Elarra]

Kids are entitled and spoiled these days.

[martyfellow]

Yes, especially in the USA

[Elarra]

Anywhere. I've seen some pretty shitty kids that are in the UK, too.

[martyfellow]

UK is not far behind the US in this respect.

[Darkfairie17]

I totally agree. "A poster said in the question that any answers that disagreed with her position in the question would be ignored or reported" - with these types of questions they have already made up their mind. You are right, why do they even bother asking? If they want someone to back them up, then they should just make a take or something about their issue and why they are right.

GAG has definitely changed, but it's the users that create this change. We've had a big influx of new users which is a good thing, but it does come with drawbacks.

I think it's important to have users from all ages and backgrounds as it makes the advice more credible. If we only listen to advice from people in our age groups, then it can be hard to get good solid advice. Not that people in our own age groups can't give good advice. But sometimes a person with more life experience is more helpful or understanding of the situation. OR if you are an older person (I find myself to be older here on GAG at 27). Then the people answering may not have been in your position or not really understand the situation.

Life experience helps. But I think what makes GAG great is hearing from all sides and ages. Sometimes someone at 15 can say something incredibly insightful that ends up being immensely helpful. Other times someone who is 56 could make a really valid point and help you out.

[HOAAH]

I think most of the time people kind of just wants someone to listen and understand them. There is such a lack of empathy in our society right now, what we really need are more people who ask questions and seek to understand instead of just opinionated people who have no desire to understand but just to voice their arrogant comments.

[martyfellow]

Yes, and a lot of people who use private profiles even with unidentifiable usernames!!!
It's one thing to ask for understanding, and another to dismiss whoever doesn't agree with their spoiled-brat take on life.

[Chinchillin]

I try to be open to all ideas and opinions on here; not only when I ask questions but also when I comment. I think it's important to be aware of other people's thoughts, and that my opinion is not any more important or right. I'm sensitive to criticism, but that doesn't mean I attack all opinions that oppose mine. There are, for sure, many gagers on here like that. I can't do much about it other than be open on my end. After all of my questions, I say that all opinions and comments are appreciated, and I mean it. Even if someone is a complete asshat, I'm not going to freak and block them. Most of my questions are probably nothing too meaningful or relating to a prevalent issue, but I accept all comments and opinions on my questions, even if they're harsh.

[martyfellow]

Good to hear from you! Don't let yourself be changed by peer pressure!

[vishna]

I agree to an extent. When I see people post on here then say "If you are rude in any way I'll report you, no exceptions." First, that person seems a tad soft. Yes, being rude is wrong, and given the severity, it's 100% ok to report that type of behavior. However, is it really necessary to put up this wall right off the bat?
On the other hand, I know first hand how you can ask for help and some people give great advice others... well, it's the internet, home of trolls, normal people, and bitter people. And the bitter people and trolls say terrible things to try and make you feel bad. So, I can see how maybe some, not all, of the people who seem sensitive on here and maybe hurt from the last time they asked for help and got backlash instead. Ok, but I also say... move on. It's the internet.

[martyfellow]

By 'rude', they mean disagreeing with them, or with what they want to hear. They don't want advice, they want support from their peers.

[dipta]

Hmm, I just came across this question
www.girlsaskguys.com/.../q2196027-how-can-i-get-my-mom-to-divorce-my-dad

Besides accusing their families, teachers and the dog for being the cause of their anxiety and unhappiness (which I'm not saying sometimes there are not good reasons to think so), now you can also get called a hypocrite for not wanting to start a relationship with someone who's bi or pan or whatever.

[bbch25]

Here here.
I saw that question. I went through and liked every post like yours that was agreeing about her parents etc. I think I reported her for "spamming" etc or whatever in the hopes it'd teach her a lesson.

I agree. I see people that ask a question and if that person doesn't agree with what they're asking they insult them, have a go at their age, or any other facts they know about them through this site etc.

And then there's the opposite, people join an advice giving website, and just troll. I hate people like that. I ask a question a while ago about something and some blue anon is all "I don't care". Like why even reply. Which I said to him and he said some crap about how I addressed the question... Which was addressed to nobody, it was a simple question.

Anyone that's got "under 18" or is outright 13-15 on this website tend to just horrible. NOT ALL. But yeah. If you disagree, and aren't insulting their parents who probably do know best, then you're the devil.

[Relentless_Hippie]

I agree in the sense of someone asking a question or writing a take etc. In this situation opinions and advice is welcome. One thing I don't like is not when you're the question asker but someone responding to a question or take and people come to argue with you for no reason. Especially if they've written their post well before yours and come back, clearly they're just looking for a fight. They then follow up with "this is an opinion site blah blah blah." Like yeah I get that, and what did I do? I wrote my opinion. If I'm not directly approaching you or inviting others to discuss something then I'm not looking for a debate. I came to offer my opinion and will happily respond to the question asker or take writer, but I'm not here to argue. People on here like to act like their opinions are better or somehow right. There's no such thing as a right or wrong opinion, it just is.

[Luci92]

The quality of this site is definitely on the decline, but I can't really comment because I fill it with questions that are a complete waste of time also.

I 100% get where you're coming from though, in all seriousness, and it's no wonder people don't like the young users on here.

[martyfellow]

Manly due to the abandonment of any age limit, about 3 years ago. Used to be 16. Sure, a lot of girls, especially, lied their way past this, but it wasn't so Instagrammy back then.

[Luci92]

That makes sense. They're trying to appeal to the younger audience, but I think while it may bring more users, it's to the quality of the site's detriment.

[bbch25]

I think it'd be good if we could put an age filter in. So young people should join, I think 13 year olds that do have sex questions should be able to be answered if they're scared (if you're scared shouldn't be having sex though!). But, a lot of guys I've read have said they felt gross after answering a "rate me" question only then to notice the girls age. I'd like to be able to block out questions from 15 year olds.

[Luci92]

@bbch25 that's an awesome idea, pass that onto the mods ^^

[redeyemindtricks]

Luci -- this is the same OP who recently posted a troll question asking women whether we beat/spank our boyfriends/husbands with a hairbrush (in seriousness, according to the question -- like, not even as a sex thing).

So, you don't have much to feel bad about, question-quality-wise.

Besides, even if most of the site is noise... that's the Internet for ya. And the good connections will still get made (e. g. you), anyway.

[Luci92]

@redeyemindtricks lmao I didn't even realise...
Thanks Red :)

[martyfellow]

I got 30+ answers to this question, so many people gave it serious consideration..

I guess Red is one of the fembot thought police on here...

She's over 40 and can't blame her nasty attitude on her age!

[Luci92]

lmfao she's hardly what I'd call the fembot police
and 'nasty attitude'?

[martyfellow]

Pretty nasty and immature behavior for a 40+ year old to be trolling my questions and answers on totally different subjects in this way.

Actually, it's immature for a 16 year old!

Speaking of people needing a spanking.

[kellyg83]

yeah it's a waste of time. i wish kids were more like they were in my generation, but they are so disrespectful, rude, entitled, self-centered, and just plain spoiled. if it's validation they are seeking, they need to take it to facebook because they are ruining this site.

[martyfellow]

Yes, the numbers of kids have degraded the advice giving purpose

[kellyg83]

no kidding. but that's the millennial mind set for you.

[martyfellow]

In the US, only, although the UK seems to be heading a little in that direction.. I don't see this behavior in other places.

[Paris13]

Many on Here, dear, don't Give MHO and GAG ends up Doing it Instead. Don't they realize that they can get a few Points for Pushing a Button?
Yes, I Have had Problems in being Here, dear, Nearly 3 years, with Some who get Hostile when you Give them the Best from the Rest advice in Trying to Reach out to them.
Maybe they cannot Take the Truth. xx

[springocelot]

it's strange
a lot of these questions look like they want a discussion
when all they're after is confirmation bias

[ThisDudeHere]

That kind of thing is the most annoying thing ever.

[YourFutureEx]

img.allnurses.com/custom/age-discrimination.jpg

[MasqueradeMassacreTM]

I've noticed this. Many many people will ask for advice, and when you give them the answer they aren't looking for, they will name call and be little pissbabies about it.

[Shawn58]

I don't know tho some people just like to be assholes when they answer questions I mean I've even been guilty of this

[AlwaysBelieving]

For real. Time to put the binky in.

littleduckies.files.wordpress.com/.../pacifier.jpg

[Dipsy]

This is so sad indeed. Those kind of people just want to have their opinions reinforced by others, to be approved by others. Close minded I think

[Browneye57]

Yup. Pretty much ignore anyone under 18-21. They don't belong here. It's adult material and they're too young to get it.

I did a mytake on mho% - I think that is bogus too, just for this reason.

[wankiam]

great question but to put it simply i would have just said 'why askhole?'

[es20490446e]

https://youtu.be/x5RR06tAk6Y

[Other_Tommy_Wiseau]

Confirmation bias to make people feel better about themselves