misleading subject line or title
@Hatley (163776)
Garden Grove, California
March 27, 2008 3:30pm CST
Have any of the rest of you had people misunderstand your subject line and answer accordingly or not at all?
I used this title goblins and ghosties and things that go bump in the night for a discussion on the odd and strange noises one sometimes hears when you are alone in your home at night. No way was I talking about ghosts or the supernatural just the ordinary noises that at times spook you only because you are alone in your house and make you search your rooms for an intruder then find of course nobody there as your front door is still locked. Iwas not inferring anything about the supernatural I just used an old quotation I had often heard that simply referred to odd noises in your home. wellit sure boomeranged as I got just one reply.
3 people like this
10 responses
@kbourgerie (8780)
• United States
27 Mar 08
I don't know whether my titles stop people from answering or not. I've never had anyone comment on it one way or another. I just try to give titles that might capture one's attention and even if they don't want to respond will at least illicit them reading the post.
2 people like this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
27 Mar 08
I did not have a comment on this discussion just one answer that seemed to me to show that the responder had misunderstood my title altho my example should have shown her or him just what I meant. I was talking about those odd little noises you onlyseemedto notice when you are all alone in your house at night and make you check the rooms just to be sure no intruder is there even though you have the front door locked. this person who responded thought I was talking about something supernatural and then she asked me what a possum was.in my example I told about hearing an outside noise that turned out to be a big possum who had dug into my plastic garbage bag and pulled out a half eaten chicken drumstick. I think my responder thought that a possum was some sort of supernatural being. now that I think about it it is sort of funny. well at least one person responded
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
27 Mar 08
I have heard that saying and I would have known what you were talking about..I do come across it sometimes when someone responds and I have no idea what they are talking about...
1 person likes this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
28 Mar 08
That is exactly it...I read and reread my posts just to make sure that it will be understood..and when it isn't I go back and reread it...just to make sure...
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
28 Mar 08
sometimes I guess it is just a matter of luck after you have gone over your discussion several times.
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
27 Mar 08
I've had that happen several times. People look at just the subject or a few keywords in the discussion and respond to it. It can be very irritating and then when you correct them on it you would think you slammed them or something because then they get belligerent and say things "Well I don't have time to read that long of a post". Sorry most discussions aren't that long and if you don't have time to read it then don't post to it is my thought.
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
28 Mar 08
I also try to read the responses which we are supposed to do by the guidelines. Now I will admit if there are several pages worth of responses I might skim some but I try to get the first page because if anything needed to be added or explained it's usually done then.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
28 Mar 08
;thatis an excellent idea and I usually do do that but not always
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
27 Mar 08
you are so right and I like some of the discussions that do take time to make it clear . If they do not have the time why did they even bother. I always read all the discussion as you might otherwise make an answer that sounds idiotic.
1 person likes this
What were they smoking?
@keeperofthetruth1 (77)
• United States
28 Mar 08
Just a thought and not to insult anyone. But maybe the person posted it there because they were thinking of betting on the ponies. And love the thought of all the money they might of won if the long shot came in.
But you would think after the 5th bowl, they would of put the pipe away. Just a thought. Thanks
@keeperofthetruth1 (77)
• United States
28 Mar 08
In my short time here. I have come across several discussions where the response didn't fit the question. It tells me that the person didn't read the discussion statement completely and only went by the opening sentence.
The first sentence someone reads is what they make their judgement on if they want to respond or not. Your right that a lot of people probably thought that it had to do with the paranormal. It's a shame that they don't read through things completely. That would be a easy discussion to respond to, since everyone has experienced it at one time in their life. Good point you made here. Thanks.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
28 Mar 08
That is exactly what I was trying to say thanks
@MichaelJay (1100)
•
28 Mar 08
with TOTAL respect to all users here, I believe parts of the problem are:-
1. Laziness or haste. People do not take the time and trouble to read the whole post and get the gist of it.
2. Where English is not the first language it is sometimes difficult to catch the nuance or implied meaning in a well-known phrase or saying and people may be translating literally.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
28 Mar 08
that is a point I had not really thought of and its so true what we understand might not make a whole lot of sense to someone whose first languager is not English
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
27 Mar 08
The Problem is that many People just read the Subject Line and not the Discussion and either you get no response or someone talking about something totally Different
I am not sure if I have seen that one or not I need to check it out
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
27 Mar 08
Now that I think about it the whole thing is rather funny I was talking about a marauding possum getting into my garbage and the only responder asked what a possum was as if she thought if was a supernatural being
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
27 Mar 08
You have to be careful that the title and the discussion match, but it also happens when the title and discussion match and no one seems to be interested in the subject. I have about six or more ones with zero or few responses and I figured that they were very interesting, but it seems the bland subjects relating to whether to keep the light on when you fall asleep, the type of ice cream you enjoy, etc. are more replied to. I will check and reply to that goblin discussion.
1 person likes this
@joyceshookery (2057)
• United States
27 Mar 08
I'll try and remember that heads up when I try creating a catchy attention-grabbing title. Like -- don't bother.
It's so disillusioning to find out the so-called "tricks of the trade" don't work.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
27 Mar 08
tell me I thought I had a catchy title that would draw people in and instead it did nothing
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
27 Mar 08
I just answered that one and although I knew what you meant I thought I would just tell you about the strange noises that I had been hearing, so I hope you do not think that I did not read it or misunderstood, I just thought I would tell you about our strange noises 
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
28 Mar 08
hi gemini rose thanks love to hear about your strange noises
