shinmai
Chumono
That’s putting it mildly. I have the privilege of knowing him personally and he has been a tremendous help as I’ve fumbled my way into bonsai. I wonder if he knows of a pesticide for trolls.
Bonsai Snob...
- Thread starter Bolero
- Start date
substratum
Shohin
Don't you think an expert can speak the truth with a tone and tenor that makes it instructive and encouraging, and not dismissive or condescending? Granted, some people are easily offended, but hammering a newbie who is excitedly displaying a recently acquired twig they paid too much for, seems unnecessary (not that I've seen much of that, recently).
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
Now THAT is funny...Leo has given pretty damn good advice on a huge variety of things, without being an asshole...I doubt he thinks he knows everything. From what I've seen, he knows quite a bit however. Beware the green eyed monster Bolero. Not a good look on you
BunjaeKorea
Omono
I can respect that. I do think that it should be done as tastefully as possible. Some individuals however are overly sensitive and do not accept genuine help. I guess a lot comes down to the interpretation of what is said and the attitude of the giver. Let me tell you it hurts when the master tokd me 'what the heck is that' or 'that's just terrible' but at the end of the day I make good trees because I could handle critique and sometimes still do. To be a true artist in the field of bonsai requires buckets of humility and a mind open to learning.
Anyway thats my two cents
Mayank
Chumono
I think a lot of times things may be written in haste to get the info out in case the one who has advise to give may forget later and things seem terse in print because there is no human component and then the receiving party perceives an insult where there may not have been an intention to insult?
Forsoothe!
Imperial Masterpiece
I think that being too frank is often not appropriate when dealing with strangers. Fathers often feel they have the right to say anything they want to their children because their intent is righteous. Sometimes, maybe most times, it would be better to be less frank and couch instruction in a way that is intentionally softer so the child concentrates on the instruction rather than the need for it. I think the same line of thinking applies here. Just because somebody is doing something stupid doesn't mean that they need to told it is so. It's better to skip over the insulting part and concentrate on what a better way would be. I try to convey what I do and not critique what other people do. Unless of course, I'm poking a dragon, but that's different. The dragon won't change his scales, anyway.
shinmai
Chumono
Years ago, my former boss counseled on the topic of emails, that before you hit send, you should read it aloud, as if you were sending it to your mom. If you would feel comfortable sending it to your mother, it would be okay to send in a business context. Seems to me that the same principle could be applied to posting on forums.
Mike Corazzi
Masterpiece
Someone whose roots you are not fit to prune. 
shinmai
Chumono
Mellow Mullet
Masterpiece
Leo actually does know a lot. Just read his posts.
misfit11
Omono
Well said, Forsoothe!
Potawatomi13
Imperial Masterpiece
M. Frary
Bonsai Godzilla
You were the first person named, Potty.Sounds exactly like Frary and a couple other know it alls!
Number one.
Numero uno.
I would take the recognition if I were you.
shinmai
Chumono
I don’t know why you chose to wait until now to rip the bandaid off this bullshit thread, but it may be why when I google ‘bonsai tool’ your name pops up.Sounds exactly like Frary and a couple other know it alls
Give us all a rest for Christ’s sake.
Arlithrien
Shohin
I can't help but roll my eyes every time I see a twig in a pot. Yet I am guilty of making every rookie mistake in the book.
Pots, you ‘be been asked multiple times to post pictures of your trees. And you never do.Sounds exactly like Frary and a couple other know it alls
Can you at least tell us why you won’t post pictures?
When I first started posting here, I too, didn’t post pictures of my trees. And, I’ll tell you, I got no respect! No respect at all! Until I started posting pictures. I now get at least a LITTLE respect! Lol!!!
seriously, pictures speak a thousand words.
leatherback
The Treedeemer
Na, those twigs you have been showing make no difference
Danteswake
Yamadori
Just a new guy perspective here. I started here last summer because imho there is no equal to help me on my journey. I look at it like starting a new job. There are those with seniority and experience, mid level and newbs mixed together. I tend to keep my mouth shut and eyes open, plucking wisdom where I can find it. I take screen shots, notes etc. I see who is helpful and although they dont know it, they are appreciated. I dont always have to "like" someone to gain knowledge from them either. For the most part I take the meat and leave the bones. Many of you have helped me and I thank you for it. And this thread was a landmine lol.
M. Frary
Bonsai Godzilla
You get all of my respect Adair.
Not just a little.
I didn’t know you had any! Lol!!!
stay warm, Mike! It looks like another snowstorm is heading your way.