AA few people on CC have told me that I tend to post replies that have nothing to do with the original thread. In the interest of improving the forum as a whole (and improving my own posting style as well), it would be very helpful if people could post specific examples of my off-topic posts here so I can avoid making the same mistakes in the future. If you'd prefer to PM the examples to me that would work too.

Thanks in advance for your help!

I've not been around long enough to witness these "off-topic" escapades you speak of.  Though I did read the comments you're referring to.   Perhaps its that you're intellect is simply misunderstood?

AI think it might have to do with looking at questions from a different perspective rather than intellect. If you don't have a background in business it's easy to overlook your hourly wage as a cake decorator, your compensation as a business owner, and overhead costs when putting together prices.

If someone asks how much a cake should cost and one of the replies asks how much the OP spends on insurance and license fees, that's not off-topic because overhead costs should factor in to prices. But if someone asks (as an example) what kind of supports to use when stacking a tiered cake, then it would not make sense to ask about overhead expenses.

A

I think sometimes your posts hit sore spots for the people who aren't legal, or don't want/know how to do the work themselves. Or simply the fact that a lot of home based business don't realize how important a business plan, and understanding your business costs are.

I see you saying the same things a lot, but can't think of any that weren't relevant.

A

Agree!

Jason,

Nobody is bookmarking your shenanigans.  And if they were, indeed, "shenanigans", Mods have deleted or edited them since they were found to be... shenanigans.

I love the word shenanigans.

Last bit - it's a little mental to ask the community at large to read over your 5,823 posts and the threads they are in to tell you if you were on topic or not.

A

Personally you have posted off topic on a few of my replies and have been sort of rude, but like I said before it was good information I had to do a lot of research (still am) which has helped a ton!.. With that said honestly you help a lot and piss me off at the same time lol!! :) I do not sugar code anything.

A

Lol

A

Mods have deleted or edited them

Your posts don't seem off topic to me. I'm sure there are people who think your posts are [fill in the less than flattering blank] because they don't want to hear what you're saying.

A

It would be very helpful if you could point out which of my replies were off-topic, PMs are fine if you don't want to clutter up the thread.

I am relatively new to baking, when I read the post you are referring to it was very disheartening overall but I thought the comments towards you were uncalled for.  I see your posts a lot (and look for them) and find them very helpful.  Your style is very much like my fathers when he would help my sisters and me with our homework.  All we wanted was the answer but he made sure we understood the necessary steps to get there.  It has served me well in life!  So I like when you respond with what needs to be taken into consideration before an answer can be reached and in particular I enjoy the free legal advice since I have absolutely no background in that.  Just wanted to say thank you.

AWell since you brought it up, I get the feeling most times that you're grinning like a Cheshire cat behind your computer when people take issue with your replies. Dare I say, you actually bait people. Not trying to start anything, but you opened it up. No I will not go look for specific examples and I will not debate you. You are very helpful, but you must know that you rub people the wrong way at times, surely you do.

Still, not one post in 8 hours to answer the original thread so you would have  to presume that some people are trying to make a mountain out of a molehill because they don't like Jason's answers.

FromScratch, I don't think we will bother reading those 5000 or so posts.  Surely the people who are complaining know which threads, especially as they probably posted them and then complained.

APeople seriously go around flagging posts cuz they don't like someone or their answer? I can see flagging something that is universally accepted as offensive (racist rants, direct unprovoked personal attacks, vulgarity). Other than that...really?

I haven't received a reply from you that seems off-topic when I've asked a question. Jason, you are a very helpful person and you seem to focus on the business side of the cake world. Sometimes people don't like your answers for the reasons others have mentioned, and because you come across as someone that is trying to rain on the parade. I don't necessarily agree with that, just my observation.

But I will say that you have always been professional even when you don't agree with someone else. I have seen some below the belt comments directed at you and you handle it well.

I am surprised that you posted this thread though. 

A

There are really only two examples that come close to the "Chesire cat" response (let's call it amusement)...when people post personal attacks directed at me (I can only guess that they think this will cause me to stop posting, when in fact it has the opposite effect), and when people demand that different rules be applied to them (e.g. that I am no longer allowed to reply to their responses). I do not bait people into either of these responses, in fact I usually just ignore posts when they reach that point, which is the exact opposite of what a troll would do.

Other than those two examples, when people take issue with my replies without addressing the specific content of those replies I am more puzzled and disappointed than amused, especially if it takes the thread off track.

I am aware that I can rub people the wrong way at times. If that's due to my direct posting style there's not much I can do about it, but part of the reason I started this thread was to figure out what other reasons there are, so any feedback is helpful. If there's something I can do on my side to help reduce negative responses I think that would help the community (and reduce moderators' workload).

A

As I mentioned in another thread, some forums will revoke or scale back privileges if flagging is abused.

I've not found your posts off topic. Jason, if you just gave people a price when they ask, you won't make them angry. 

A

*Edited to remove mild profanity.  Sorry.

Why do people flag posts?  It is the internet, after all and it's filled with opinions from people we don't even know... If you don't agree with someone's opinion or it is hurtful, either don't read it, ignore it or respond about how you feel.  Unless it's spam or a direct threat and you know the person's address, be strong!  Once in awhile I post on news forums, and the responses to what I say are attacked.  I opened the door to the attacks by posting my opinion and I know it takes all types in this world...

Jason, did you post this to get us off-topic?  It's working...

Jason,  I really enjoy your posts.  I don't think they are offensive at all.

Jason I almost always respect your opinion and straight shoot your education helps so many of us in so many ways.Some of your comments have actually made me want to look into some things deeper on a business level. However saying that I honestly do not think a post about it was necessary .In my eyes you are a strong self esteemed person that has a strong personality so why do you need this post.I thought you were strong enough to know that this is a huge forum with many different personalities. As much as I respect you and everyone else on here this post seems a little over the top and egotistical to me.