For those offended...

Alright, let me start off by saying, this is in no way a flame post. I sincerely want to apologise if I offended anyone this morning with the use of my language in guild chat. I was unaware the chat term 'wtf' was offensive or against our guild policy. After being called out in public, I now know. In the future I might recommend that instead of chastising in general guild chat, you might send a private tell. Just a suggestion from a 31 year old adult who is a father and is used to making corrective action. I've been a member of many communities throughout the years and have never had this happen before. I was apparently unaware of the chat rules and as a member of the law enforcement profession I understand that ignorance is no excuse. Thanks for allowing me to be a member of such a great family, and I hope to be a contributing member of the community here for a long time.

I see chat acronyms a lot, and many times they don't get called out like 'whole' words. Maybe, because we don't notice them or because we a unsure of how to categorize them. However, I think when we use them we should remember what words they represent. And if those words would be considered offensive, it is safe to say that the acronym is likely to be offensive also. When we read them, don't we hear the words that they represent in our heads?

Understood, I just wish the Elder in question would have been a little more discreet. It was done unintentionally and it was not malicious, just chat habit.

Lol happens to me all the time, and I've been here over 2 years, father of 2, and am 36! Sometimes our emotions get the best of us and we let a little profanity fly. Oh well, make a conscious effort to control it is all anyone can ask. Don't take it the wrong way when someone corrects you and don't correct someone the wrong way. That's all we can do! :) Btw, I'm curious how many threads I've gotten locked, or been moderated from now. There are few people as thankful for the patience Gaiscioch has as I am.

I do believe that if anyone feels offended by something they should politely let the person know privately. Now I know us elders are moderators of the community and we are all to stay PG in our community, but unless others are freaking out over what was said, it is better to do it one-on-one, not publicly. It also winds up all too easy for us to react before we think when offended or come off the wrong way when we should be polite. Some things will hit us more than others based on our experiences. Like I am hard to offend, but there are some topics I will not like based on my own experiences.

I may be mistaken, but my memory is that the folks calling it out, are supposed to call it out in the same channel.

A lot of us are adults and parents. Trying to "set an example" in public, will not be well received. For example: A gentle and private reminder about avoiding the "F" bomb, whether direct or implied, is sufficient and avoids generating hostile reactions due to public embarrassment. When we make a language slip, we feel bad enough, so there is absolutely no reason to make it worse by "calling it out" in public.

Don't worry about it Volkoth. Nothing I have not have done myself on numerous occasions, and only initials anyway. No harm done. Don't feel you are not a valued member of this family...it was just a minor thing, no need to feel bad :) Thanks for the apology though, it shows you care.

I wasn't there for the incident, so I don't know the details or the context but let us all remember that all that is required is friendly "language please". Whether you are an adult or a parent, you should not be taking offence if it is those two simple words. It isn't meant to be condescending to another adult, but more of a reminder not just for the person in question but also a reminder for new or younger members that the chat is PG. We all know kids can be pretty good parrots and they can be pretty argumentative when you remind them of the chat requirements. I don't think it should even be an Elders job to moderate chat, it is every adult family members job to promptly reply with "language please" and leave it at that. If those two simple words are met with negative reactions, that is when it should be taken to whispers. Most of us slip up from time to time, I'm renowned for it in both raidcall and chat after hours. We're not the profanity police.