Do you feel compeled to respond to your friend's discussions

@arkaf61 (10881)

Canada

July 28, 2008 8:46pm CST

Even when the discussion is about something you know nothing about and cannot give a proper opinion just because they're you're friends? I usually try to respond to all my friend's discussions, but sometimes I really can't say anything because I know nothing about the subject, or I really have no special opinion about it, so I couldn't contribute with any positive input. In some cases I try to respond but sometimes I have to skip that specific discussion. I trust that my friends understand this the same way I understand it in my own discussions. What about you? What do you do ? Do you respond even if you have nothing special to say about a subject you know nothing about, or would you skip that discussion and respond to the ones that you can actually contribute?

6 people like this

29 responses

@snowy22315 (180555)

• United States

29 Jul 08

I have so many people that have signed up to be my friends I jsut dont see how that could be possible. I dont know how many are actively posting discussions but I try to at least respond to the people who are posting to my discussions. It only seems polite and kind.

3 people like this

@arkaf61 (10881)

• Canada

29 Jul 08

Yes, I do my best as well. I just have found some discussions sometimes that I don't know enough about the subject to be able to respond with a meaningful point.

1 person likes this

@ravinskye (8237)

• United States

29 Jul 08

if i don't know anything about the subject of their discussion I won't respond to it. I wouldn't feel bad for doing that. I think it is a waste of their time and mine for me to put in a response that doesn't make sense or have anything to do with their discussion.

3 people like this

@arkaf61 (10881)

• Canada

29 Jul 08

That's what I feel. I Like to show my support and to help out my friends so they can make more money out of their discussions but when I can't contribute properly, what will my response help?

1 person likes this

@Angelwhispers (8978)

• United States

29 Jul 08

Arkaf, when I get busy and can not be here in mylot, of course there are discussion that I miss and cannot get to . When I am here I do try my best to get to all of my friends even if that means all I can do is go in and say I have no idea about the subject but I just came in to say hello and that I read the discussion. I show some kind of support when I can.

2 people like this

@arkaf61 (10881)

• Canada

29 Jul 08

Yes, there are times that I am here more and can respond to a lot of discussions, other times I don't even have a chance to pass by. Some topics however I can't even think about anything to respond because I don't know anything about them.

1 person likes this

@snakey3080 (30)

•

29 Jul 08

i dont think i am commpled to talk to my frinds discoions

2 people like this

@dpk262006 (58676)

• Delhi, India

29 Jul 08

I try my best to respond to my friends' discussion, even if I can contribute little on the subject. If the subject is completely out of my reach e.g. 'cooking' etc., I do not maddle into the discussions. I do find there are some posts, started by dear friends, which are beyond my comprehension and cannot be responded by me. I prefer not to post 'silly' or irrelevant replies to a discussion. If any of my friends here send me a link, then I do share my thoughts, whatever way I can. Have a great day!

2 people like this

@arkaf61 (10881)

• Canada

29 Jul 08

Hello my friend:) I agree with you, of course. Sometimes there are some subjects that deal with things I know nothing about, how can I respond ?

1 person likes this

@dpk262006 (58676)

• Delhi, India

29 Jul 08

I also share the same views. So hopefully, if our friends do not find us in their discussions, they should presume that we have nothing special to say.

2 people like this

@arkaf61 (10881)

• Canada

3 Aug 08

Yes, that's what I hope they'll assume. Sometimes we just have nothing to say.

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@ahgong (10064)

• Singapore

29 Jul 08

Well, I try my best to respond to all of their topics. But sometimes, the topic raised is something I really have nothing to talk about. What I do is to shelf those topics first. For those days where you really got nothing to talk about, and nothing to post about, these are the best for those days. And answer to as many as I can when ever possible. This is so that I can generate as many conversation as possible. Once I have something to say about those topics that were shelved, they will be reviewed and answered to.

2 people like this

@arkaf61 (10881)

• Canada

29 Jul 08

Makes sense and seems like a good practice.

1 person likes this

@ahgong (10064)

• Singapore

29 Jul 08

You should try it. It is really helpful. Especially in generating conversation. As long as you have a thought when you are reading a topic, put it down. The good thing about forums like this is, you can read thru your post before you hit the send button. And that is plenty helpful. Cos you can do a quick censor on your post before you send it out. That way, you are sure to make meaningful conversation without offending anyone. Well, at least not intentionally. What you can avoid, avoid. Less trouble that way.

2 people like this

@drannhh (15219)

• United States

29 Jul 08

There are very few subjects that I cannot think of something to say about, rflmao, but there are many I skip because they have content of which I disapprove (like it is too risque or involves politics or religion or is deprecating toward some person or class of people. If it is a subject about which I know little, I can always learn something. Sometimes those are the best discussions because if people ask for clarification they often get nice replies back to their comments. Really, I think we can contribute without having a particular expertise.

2 people like this

@arkaf61 (10881)

• Canada

3 Aug 08

Yes there are some topics that I sometimes might have an opinion but prefer not to get into the discussion. And those are often the ones that I skip. Other times discussions are about that are happening on a specific place and I'm not really familiar with it - I might skip my answer, but still read the discussions and the responses.

@GardenGerty (160642)

• United States

29 Jul 08

I do not feel compelled to answer my friends' discussions, because I do really want to contribute when I post. Sometimes I just do not have the mental capapcity to do much, either. I do usually try to respond to at least one discussion of each friend that starts one each day. I cannot always do that. I understand that not all of my several hundred friends will respond to each of my discussions, and I understand that it would be impossible for me if they all posted every single day. I prefer people to respond who have something to contribute.

2 people like this

relevant discussions

@arkaf61 (10881)

• Canada

29 Jul 08

Yes, that's how I think too. And it's my understanding as well. I know that not all my friends will respond to all my discussions, often they couldn't even if they wanted. The same happens with me. SO I try to respond to the discussions that I really can give some input.

1 person likes this

@danishcanadian (28953)

• Canada

29 Jul 08

I only respond o the discussions on which I have something o contriue. Even if it's only a few words, I will try and respond, but i I have nohing to ay, I will not respond. I have over 1600 friends on MyLot. If they all managed to respond to every discussion I started, I'd be rich, but I undersand that not all of them will hae something to ay aout the discussions that I start.

2 people like this

@arkaf61 (10881)

• Canada

29 Jul 08

LOL you're so right. We would all be rich hehehehe I think that doing our best and specially doing when we actually know what we're talking about is a good idea. Our friends understand if we don't answer the same way we do if they don't answer us.

1 person likes this

@Trace86 (5030)

• United States

29 Jul 08

If I can't add anything meaningful to my friends discussion, I don't respond. I will read the other responses and see if there is a question or comment that I can make that may help further the discussion. If not, I look for another discussion from them that I can make a meaningful and valid contribution to. I hate responses that say I don't know anything about this so I can't respond and I am sure my friends do to.

2 people like this

@arkaf61 (10881)

• Canada

29 Jul 08

I often do that as well - sometimes a response brings me to comment and I will do it, since as you say it might help contribute to the discussion while still commenting on what I am able to.

1 person likes this

@vanities (11395)

• Davao, Philippines

29 Jul 08

I better not respond if i dont have any knowledge of it or having doubts of it..and i guess they can understand too..since i really do my best to respond to anyone here..prioritizing the friends in my list and the new and no responses discussions..

2 people like this

@arkaf61 (10881)

• Canada

29 Jul 08

That's exactly what I feel:)

1 person likes this

@AmbiePam (92574)

• United States

29 Jul 08

If I really don't know anything about the subject, or can't relate to the topic, I don't answer. One liners tick a lot of posters off, and they of course don't make us or the poster any money. What bothers is me is that there are some people on my friend list who rarely post discussions. And once they do, if I can't answer them, I feel bad because the one time they decide to post, I'd like to be able to contribute.

2 people like this

@arkaf61 (10881)

• Canada

29 Jul 08

Very good point. One liners won't do at all. And when we don't know what to say it's hard to come out with more than that.

2 people like this

@maddysmommy (16230)

• United States

29 Jul 08

Nope not at all and I understand also if my friends don't reply because of the same thing. If I have something to add I will but most of the time I skip the discussion and move onto the next. I don't mind if they do that to mine too.

2 people like this

@arkaf61 (10881)

• Canada

3 Aug 08

I also understand that not all my friends will have something to say about what I discuss.

@icon_001 (584)

• India

29 Jul 08

Well; I do try to respond to my Friends' discussions .Yet; I never feel compelled to do anything as an essential stuff .

2 people like this

@arkaf61 (10881)

• Canada

29 Jul 08

I understand what you mean. Responses are given freely because we feel that we have some to contribute, not just because the poster is our friend.

1 person likes this

@Opal26 (17679)

• United States

29 Jul 08

I try really hard to reply to my friends discussions first before I go on to look at the discussions of the digest. If there is truly something that I don't feel I know anything about and I will not contribute to I will skip that particular discussion. I do hope that they will understand that there are some topics that I don't have the right to comment about, for instance children, I don't have any so I don't like to comment on those discussions. It wouldn't be right. I only feel comfortable being in a discussion that I can be a useful part of, otherwise there is no point.

2 people like this

@arkaf61 (10881)

• Canada

29 Jul 08

That's right, there are some topics where I really can't add anything, I don't know much about them.

1 person likes this

@maryannemax (12156)

• Sweden

4 Aug 08

i always try to respond to my friends' discussions. i believe that it's my responsibility to atleast keep track of their activities since i accepted them as my friends and vice versa. but there are just topics i can't say anything about. so, i skip those. i only respond to discussions which i know i can contribute really something to and not just words for me to earn some cents.

1 person likes this

@arkaf61 (10881)

• Canada

4 Aug 08

Exactly that's the way I feel. THe way that makes sense to me.

@Lindalinda (4111)

• Canada

3 Aug 08

I like to be able to contribute some useful information to my friends discussions. So if I have nothing to say or don't know anything about the subject I skip the discussion.

1 person likes this

friends discussions

@arkaf61 (10881)

• Canada

3 Aug 08

Yes, that's exactly the same way I feel.

@gabs8513 (48686)

• United Kingdom

31 Jul 08

No Twin I don't same as I do not expect my Friends to respond to everything I write If I have something to say I will say it but if not I will not respond and I think most of us do that what is the Point in responding when you do not know what to say I see no point in it Hugs Sweetie

1 person likes this

@arkaf61 (10881)

• Canada

3 Aug 08

Hugs back, hon:):) I know that my friends are basically common sense people and understand this. But I have come across some posts where people seem to be taking personally the fact that their friends don't respond to all their discussions. True some are new members and not experienced in myLot, but some are older members. Oh well, I enjoy the friends I have and the fact that they understand this.

@munhozmib (3836)

• Sao Paulo, Brazil

4 Aug 08

Hello! I usually respond to my friend's discussion when I know what to answer. If I know nothing about the subject, then I'd rather just jump that discussion and head for another. I have many friends, which means I have a large variety of discussions to choose from them. Respectfully, Munhozmib.

1 person likes this

@arkaf61 (10881)

• Canada

4 Aug 08

That's right. WE all do our best to respond to our friend's discussions as long as we can participate in the discussion and contribute. But if we really have nothing to say, then skipping makes sense.

@shelly43 (1197)

• Australia

30 Jul 08

if i dont have any idea as to what the discussion is about and i know i cant contribute to that discussion then i will just leave it.. i know my friends will do the same.. i have my friend on here and my cousin and we very rarly get on and reply to each other discussions and that because we have so many different things in our lives that make us different.. sh eknows i love her and my friend know i will come on in and yap away at a discussion that he has done if i have something good to add .. so no hun i dont

and its all good great discussion you bought up here thanks

hugsss

1 person likes this

@arkaf61 (10881)

• Canada

3 Aug 08

Yes, people sometimes confuse what being a friend is. We don't always have to respond to everything to be friends. We sure will do our best to, but only when we can actually contribute.

@shintongs23 (537)

• Philippines

30 Jul 08

First and foremost, I do respond to my friends' discussions first than any other discussions around here. It is just my way of appreciating them and being grateful to be their friend. But I don't always respond one by one. Of course a certain friend will post not only one discussion so I will find a topic that I can respond to or topic that I know that I have something to say meaningfully. I don;t force myself to respond each of their discussion, I pick one or two among his/her discussions to respond. In that way, I can also respond to my interests.

1 person likes this

@arkaf61 (10881)

• Canada

3 Aug 08

Yes, I respond to my friend's discussions first too. And I try to answer to all of them that I can or have something to say. SOmetimes I don't answer. EIther I am not here long enough to answer all or I don't really have anything special to say about the subject.