So we now have this fantastic little reply button and it's wonderful - especially if I've asked a question of a photo, now the response is much easier ...
However, I notice some people will reply to every comment on their photos - even if it's just to say thank you ... I think this is a lovely gesture, but I don't necessarily do it myself - does this make me rude? I think perhaps it could stem from not having a reply button when I signed up, so replying to each and every comment would typically be lost ... I got into a habit of ensuring I go to the album of someone who comments on my photo and comment on their most recent or another photo ... or in other cases, I end up following their work completely ... I've seen this as my way of saying thank you for taking the time to come to my album and comment on a photo or two ... I sincerely hope that those who have commented on my photos do not see me as ignoring their comments if I haven't directly responded ...
So what are you thoughts?
Do you respond to every comment (and this can be in the form of responding with "Thank you" to a range of people in the one comment box)? Do you respond to direct questions only? Do you do something like I do? Am I being rude?
No I don't always respond to every comment, I read them all and kind of think in my mind "Aw thanks" because so far they have all been nice comments! But I think if I reply then they might reply back and so on. When I comment on a photo I don't expect the person to read it and reply either. So no, I don't think you're being rude!
I was just talking with Koshi about this (the benefit of her sitting right beside me), and my take on it is this:
When people comment on my photos, I feel as though they are gifting me something - they are spending their time doing something really nice for me. As a result, I feel the need to say thank you. It actually bothers me if I forget, or when I think I won't have time, or even when I can't think of something original to say (which is most of the time). But the reality is, I don't have time. I can't respond to every comment, every time.
That said, it doesn't bother me when people don't reply to my comments. I love reading responses when I get them, but it never gets to me when I don't. I know people don't have the time, or don't wish to spend the time responding to everything, and that's fine with me.
Also, I would love to go and comment on photos of everyone who comments on mine, but I think that takes even longer than responding directly. I try to do that every now and then, but can't see any possible way to do it every time.
I sometimes reply to thank everyone for their comments, but more often I try to show my appreciation by commenting on their photos as well. I appreciate it when someone thanks me for a comment I left, but I don't expect it. I know we all have different amounts of time to dedicate to both the project and the community.
I thank everyone who has commented/complimented in a comment, but not using the reply button. Then in the same reply, I use the reply button to answer those who asked questions, etc.
I think that perhaps most of us have some hybred method of responding to the works of others or acknowledging that others have commented on ours. I know I certainly can't comment on every single thing and figure that most of the 365's are cognizant of that. As
I see to it that I respond to those who commented on my photos by "batch" reply. I simply feel I have to show my appreciation with a "thank you". There are times that I cannot though because I'm busy. I don't think they find me rude, I simply can't. I'm sure they pretty understand because they too are busy with their priorities other than 365. When I have the time, I see to it that I go visit and comment on the photos of those who commented on mine. I prefer to maintain reciprocity and interaction. But then again that's just me. My rule may not be the same as theirs.
I don't think you're being rude. You have your preferences in interacting, that's it. :-)
I don't think it's rude at all--I don't expect to be thanked for my comments. I think everyone on 365 is appreciative for any comment, am I right? I guess I figure that's a given. I use the @'s to respond to the people that ask me a direct question or if I feel chatty--haha.
I will sometimes do a general thank you and usually don't thank an individual unless they have said something that really touches me. We all lead busy lives and look and comment on each other's pictures.
If its a question or some comment that just needs a response I will reply. I don't reply with thank you's. I generally just go to the persons project and comment on one of their photo's.
I don't generally thank people but I would think it'd go without saying that I appreciate it? If someone asks a question, then I answer and thank everyone in the same comment, otherwise, I say it on their most recent photo, if at all. I really am thankful for all feedback :)
I have a tendency to over think things and don't respond to comments just to say thank you for two reasons:
1. they are busy and I don't want to bother them just to say thank you. I'm sure they would rather get notifications about comments that really say something.
2. I don't know how it works, but it might increase my # of comments and maybe my popularity, so it might look like I am artificially increasing my popularity rating?
That being said, even though I don't say it, I really appreciate each and every comment, even if they all say the same thing. It really makes my day and makes me feel more validated and part of the community.
@gill said "Conversely, I'm beginning to find it quite irritating to visit my notifcations page to see a thank you for comments on various photos. These are the generic thank yous..." @shelina said "1. they are busy and I don't want to bother them just to say thank you. I'm sure they would rather get notifications about comments that really say something."
Excellent points. I actually feel a bit ridiculous for saying so many @ thank yous now. I must resist the urge! My netiquette shall improve! :)
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When people comment on my photos, I feel as though they are gifting me something - they are spending their time doing something really nice for me. As a result, I feel the need to say thank you. It actually bothers me if I forget, or when I think I won't have time, or even when I can't think of something original to say (which is most of the time). But the reality is, I don't have time. I can't respond to every comment, every time.
That said, it doesn't bother me when people don't reply to my comments. I love reading responses when I get them, but it never gets to me when I don't. I know people don't have the time, or don't wish to spend the time responding to everything, and that's fine with me.
Also, I would love to go and comment on photos of everyone who comments on mine, but I think that takes even longer than responding directly. I try to do that every now and then, but can't see any possible way to do it every time.
Just my thoughts. :)
I see to it that I respond to those who commented on my photos by "batch" reply. I simply feel I have to show my appreciation with a "thank you". There are times that I cannot though because I'm busy. I don't think they find me rude, I simply can't. I'm sure they pretty understand because they too are busy with their priorities other than 365. When I have the time, I see to it that I go visit and comment on the photos of those who commented on mine. I prefer to maintain reciprocity and interaction. But then again that's just me. My rule may not be the same as theirs.
I don't think you're being rude. You have your preferences in interacting, that's it. :-)
I don't think you are being rude at all.
1. they are busy and I don't want to bother them just to say thank you. I'm sure they would rather get notifications about comments that really say something.
2. I don't know how it works, but it might increase my # of comments and maybe my popularity, so it might look like I am artificially increasing my popularity rating?
That being said, even though I don't say it, I really appreciate each and every comment, even if they all say the same thing. It really makes my day and makes me feel more validated and part of the community.
@shelina said "1. they are busy and I don't want to bother them just to say thank you. I'm sure they would rather get notifications about comments that really say something."
Excellent points. I actually feel a bit ridiculous for saying so many @ thank yous now. I must resist the urge! My netiquette shall improve! :)