I'm working on the answer being "always". When I first joined I usually participated because I couldn't keep from responding to some of the horrifyingly rude or shockingly negative comments. Then I realized that often the people making those comments just keep spewing the venom whether or not people respond to it. I don't know if they enjoy behaving that way and enjoy the upset it causes, or if they're just really miserable people that no amount of positive input will change. Or both!

So, I've decided that they don't deserve my time and energy. What still gets to me though is when someone new comes here with a question and right off the bat is accused of trying to do something deceitful. How hard is it to give someone new the benefit of the doubt and make them feel welcome?

Just my .