What happened here?

[Subtilo]

Ok. I was away from snuson.com for about six months, and when I got back on a couple of weeks ago I was really happy with it, and I suddenly realized how much I had missed the good people in here + the warm and friendly tone.

But as days went by and I got 'back in biz' I realized something else: while many of the good people are still here the warm and friendly tone is almost gone. Well, maybe not gone, but this place certainly has become a bit more spicy. Now, there's NOTHING wrong with some spicyness! Not at all. But it depends A LOT on how it's carried out, and frankly I had enough this morning, while I was checking out the new posts and witnessed how a poor kid from Iceland got completly flamed because of 1) his very youthful way of expressing his joy, and 2) the fact that he clearly don't know much about snus. What the ****, guys? Is that a way to treat people, ignorant or not?

Another thing that has changed to the worse in my book is how certain individuals seems to have forgotten how it was to be new to all of this -- an instead put on a mr. know-it-all face supported by a TRUCKLOAD of posts! What does it matter how long you've been active in here - or how much? If that mattered - if that made you an authority in here - well, I would be freaking KING beacuse I've been here since 2006 and I remember when all you self-proclaimed experts dropped in without an inch of knowledge. What I'm trying to say is: why the hell do some of you get so 'owny' about this place? Sure, we all like it -- and yes, it can be a sanctuary compared to many other websites. But seriously ... acting like you own the place just sickens me.

Why all the flaming when someone shares ideas about a new snus website? What are you affraid of? Snuson ain't going nowhere. Well, unless it keeps going this sad way.

Yeah, and I know I'll probably get flamed for this. I don't care. I'm so close to ditch this account anyway.

[KarlvB]

Subtilo

Don't leave dude. That's all I will say....

I agree with a lot of what you've said and that's probably the reason I've posted more infrequently as time has gone by. If its not about snus or friendly banter I don't really care to participate.

Unfortunately I've noticed that a few of the people who were very helpful to me when I first started out seem to have disappeared completely...and I think it might have been due to this shift......but perhaps they simply moved on....

However, if it was due to a shift in tone on this forum then that is a real pity

[RobsanX]

Hey! I'm still friendly, and try to be helpful where I can.

This forum seems to be more active than it was 6 months ago. Although I don't think that we are really going in a negative direction, with more activity there is going to be some negative stuff.

I think that the confusion about the new member is that some people didn't realize there was a language barrier at first, but yes things might have been taken too far.

[sagedil]

Perhaps I am most guilty of some of the things you speak of. I have my reasons and am just protective when folks step out of line. And I can get nasty when people post false or misleading information here. Someone has to stand up, and I will.

but interesting you mentioned the new forum situation. Yeah, I made my point in a kick you in the shins sort of way. But you do know that me and that person are now the best of buds. He took what I was saying, realized the why of it, and we have posted frequent PM's now to each other and I am even gonna help him make his site better.

So it worked.

But Subtilo, I am glad you posted what you did, and please, please don't go nowhere. I promise I will tyy and put a muzzle on some of it.

[Roo]

Amen Subtilo, I agree with every last word you said. And great Kerouac avatar (right?). Cheers.

EDIT: That is to say, I too have noticed a big change in the short year I have been here. Lots of negativity being tossed around, people calling each other idiots, etc. This place used to be three things, and I can only speak to the past year here: Friendly, funny, and informative. It still is those things, except now people also use it as a place to put each other down and call each other idiots. ****ing stupid, IMO. (ah, the irony). But in the end, Camel has brought a huge influx of new users here and that's great. Really, it's just great, but it does bring with it the increased likelyhood of more dickhead potential. I just wish everyone was as friendly as when I first joined. Or maybe I'm just too sensitive to all that? As I've said I don't use other internet forums so maybe I'm just not familiar with the way that people use them to flame each other. Seems like a sad and lonely thing to do, to sit at your computer and call people stupid.

[Subtilo]

Guys, I really appreciate the civilized answers. Thank you!

I'm sure I won't be going anywhere - I've just been so frustrated today because of this matter (and of course it doesn't help that I'm knee deep in work these days!). Yes, Sage ... I get protective too, I guess :wink:

I'm glad that I'm not the only one who've noticed the changes. As some of you already pointed out Camel has been VERY helpful in getting new people here - and new people are always welcome. It's just ... well, there's a price to pay, and this is it. But when something like this happens, its so ******* important that the regulars hold a steady course. It's the regulars who really define this place, or that's how I see it. You talk crap, and the new ones will talk crap, and before we know it we're all back in kindergarten. Ah, I'm not gonna lecture you -- I know you're bright people.

Nothing lasts forever, not even good old snuson.com -- I would just hate to see it go already. There's enough horrible forums out there! I think that's my bottom line.

Oh, and I realize that some may be offended by my first post, but believe me: I didn't wan't to point anyone out. It was merely me trying to sum up some general frustrations I've had with this otherwise nice place.

No personal grudges!

[Subtilo]

Amen Subtilo, I agree with every last word you said. And great Kerouac avatar (right?). Cheers.

Thanks, Roo. And yes, that's Jack!

[sagedil]

Oh, and I realize that some may be offended by my first post, but believe me: I didn't wan't to point anyone out. It was merely me trying to sum up some general frustrations I've had with this otherwise nice place.

No, it was good you posted. I needed you to post what you did. I need to remember what the line is sometimes.

Partly, we have just been a bit inundated lately with new folks, 95% of which are a true pleasure and I am so grateful they made their way to us. We need the newbies to just remind us sometimes of what this is about. The other 5%, we will survive. :wink:

But thanbk you again for speaking your mind, why we NEED you here!!

[Subtilo]

Thanks, Sage. Means a lot

Now, let's get back to whatever we were doing.

[sagedil]

Yes, but nicer, and with more kindness. :wink:

[yummi4tunekookie]

Nuuuuuuu! Don't go like I did! I just got back and was afraid all the old, familiar users would be gone or would have forgotten me. I have noticed, though, that there are TONS more unfamiliar folks on board now; whenever a community grows, so does the tendency for conflict, I guess. Just keep heart--I will! I'm just waiting to be flamed for having CAMEL snus be my re-catalyst into the snus world though!

[justintempler]

Subtilo,

I respect your opinion. I made a judgement call I had to say something to our friend from Iceland, I didn't want to go too far in either direction.

The last thing we need here in the US is the anti-tobacco crowd being able to point to snuson as promoting tobacco use by kids in High School.

It might be a difference in culture between the US and Scandinavia. I was on a (I think it was Norwegian) forum and almost every person on that forum was of High School age, some as young as 12, and suprisingly about 1/2 girls. I estimate about a 100 kids, all talking about snus. If that happened over here the anti-tobacco crowd would have a field day with it.

[sagedil]

I'm just waiting to be flamed for having
CAMEL snus be my re-catalyst into the snus world though!

Won't happen. First, many of us kinda like it, at least as an occasional desert snus. 2nd, SO many people here now came to snus via Camel, not really much Camel hating going on these days. It's a good thing if it introduces folks to snus. And if it can help tide you over, all the better

[Roo]

I still haven't tried it, and to be honest I'm kind of scared to! I certainly don't want to spend money on it. Actually I'm just waiting to see someone in public with it, then I'll approach them and see if they want to trade 1 for 1. It could be a new experience for both of us Either that or my supply will run out before buysnus comes thru and I'll buy a can of Camel and a can of General... it's been ages since I've had straigt-up General!

[yummi4tunekookie]

I still haven't tried it, and to be honest I'm kind of scared to! I certainly don't want to spend money on it. Actually I'm just waiting to see someone in public with it, then I'll approach them and see if they want to trade 1 for 1. It could be a new experience for both of us Either that or my supply will run out before buysnus comes thru and I'll buy a can of Camel and a can of General... it's been ages since I've had straigt-up General!

It really isn't too bad. I just happened to get lucky and scored a couple of free tins off a co-workers. A chain of gas stations (Kangaroo, funnily enough) is currently giving away free tins with every pack of Camels you buy. So if you're worried about wasting $$ on it, I wouldn't; there are probably very good deals for it right under your nose!

Also, I'd keep in mind that with Camel, there's NO tobacco flavor. It's just very, very, very sweet--like candy. Granted, it's a sickly, artificial sweetener sweetness, and though I hate artificial sweeteners, I don't mind it too much; probably because it's not directly on my tongue!