this has to be the greatest gathering of generous botls i've ever seen. i've always thought that you trade or buy your way up, be generous with what you have, and it will come to you in spades. not only in cigars, but in friendships. i've never asked for anything that i was not willing to trade for or buy. most guys here are more than generous and have been so with me. i do believe, however, that you should always mind your manners.......for example; do not ask for free cigars as if someone should roll out the red carpet for you, do not expect more than you should (self-explanatory), and above all else DO NOT BE RUDE OR OTHERWISE TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN HERE MUCH LONGER THAN YOU. while there is no king of the board and noone rules the site (except for c-bid), there are certain rules of etiquette one should follow. if you should receive a rebuke from someone, do not jump to battle stations immediately. sometimes you must eat a little ****. i have argued many times w/botls on here and most of the time, it is all in good humor. hell, i even like rickmaven. we have argued over and over and have gotten very nasty with one another. but i actually like going back and forth with him and i don't think he is half as bad as he likes everybody to think.........
i just think that it is very rude if you are new to try and blast a relative vet if he/she has said something that you may perceive as snide/rude/insulting/etc. i am always the first to jump in a good fight. however, i try not to do it until i know that someone is completely out of line and deserves a good lashing. maybe we should all take a moment and make sure before making an ass of ourselves, that a remark directed in our way was really meant to be insulting etc., or if it was in jest. there are alot of royal smartasses on this forum and that is one reason i like it. i think it is as funny as it gets. i do not agree with all these guys in every aspect of life by any means, but i think some of the one's i disagree with the most are the most hilarious. i say alot of things that some may consider snide, etc., but i usually do not mean to start ****. if you are relatively new though, and you do not like the kind of no-holds-barred chats we have here.....where anyone can jump in whether invited or not.........you should find another place to dwell. i like this place and the people here even with all the other.......it is very entertaining.
i will be the first to come to the defense of a botl who is a friend or even an acquaintance who is ambushed. but i will also come to the defense of anyone who i feel is being done wrong intentionally. there are very few here who actually have malice in their words........but many more who don't. i am also a smartass of the first order. i give people hell all the time. i have fun giving lovely and others hell. but it is all in fun. there are some i have run into before who i would love to strangle but i usually stay away from them......
lot's of folks do not take kindly to slim's remarks about this and that.......heel, he's been here alot longer than me, so i would probably "eat a little ****" rather than jump down his throat. unless, of course, i thought he was just trying to provoke me. he actually helped me out onetime when noone else did. i probably owe him one or two for that. i do not believe he has any malice in him either. he is a very knowledgeable and opinionated guy whose experience i find helpful.
the point is, have a little more respect for the more "seasoned" on the board and do not be so quick to draw conclusions as to one's motives or meanings.
sorry, for all this rambling, but i've had enough of this crap for awhile. hope i did not offend anyone, as that was not my intent. i also hope i am not guilty of the same direspect i described here. i just want this siteto be a little more enjoyable place for all..........a place where you can post without worry over stupid ****.
thank you very much,
delta
