Basically all of this. Chaz was the first forum I ever joined and I was waaaay intimidated by the main people then. So I lurked for quite awhile to figure out what was going on and who was who before I started actually posting. I go through phases where I post all the time and then a couple days or weeks when I hardly post at all.
Why do you lurk?
- Thread starter Linds
- Start date
Pretty much this. I mostly lurk on a lot of obedience Yahoo groups, and some forums. I like to follow the discussions because I usually learn something that I can use in the future, or just soak up information about dog training and behavior. I read a lot of books, too. Reading forums is kind of an extension of that.
I usually only post if I have a question that hasn't been addressed yet or a solution or idea that hasn't already been posted - neither of which happens very often.
^ Also this.
I usually only post if I have a question that hasn't been addressed yet or a solution or idea that hasn't already been posted - neither of which happens very often.
^ Also this.
Who are the "main" people? That concept never occurred to me. 
I can't get to every thread or every sub forum, but am mostly interested in the dog chat, fire hydrant, I do less in the training forum than I use to because I don't think I add anything that someone else can't cover better. And occasionally I'll post in the other sub forums but not so much...I'm usually pretty busy, not every day, but most days. I do get drawn into the drama threads. They're kind of fun in a sick sort of way. So, I read quite a bit, but don't always have anything constructive to write.
I can't remember how much I lurked before joining, it's been so long. Probably not very much....I don't see myself as keeping quiet too long...being kind of a blabber mouth. And I'm not one to be overly concerned about what others think or if I'll fit in or not...not in real life either.
I can't get to every thread or every sub forum, but am mostly interested in the dog chat, fire hydrant, I do less in the training forum than I use to because I don't think I add anything that someone else can't cover better. And occasionally I'll post in the other sub forums but not so much...I'm usually pretty busy, not every day, but most days. I do get drawn into the drama threads. They're kind of fun in a sick sort of way. So, I read quite a bit, but don't always have anything constructive to write.
I can't remember how much I lurked before joining, it's been so long. Probably not very much....I don't see myself as keeping quiet too long...being kind of a blabber mouth.
And I'm not one to be overly concerned about what others think or if I'll fit in or not...not in real life either.
I think this important to note....chaz definitely has a tighter group of people, I think. But I also think joining in and adding to the threads helps people get to know you--and develop relationships with you. I hope people will join in more and not feel put off by those members who seem "tight" with each other. Chaz has a community feel to it that other forums don't, IMO.
As to lurking--I run hot and cold--it is based purely on how busy I am, how much personal energy I have, and if my contributing is important to me or not. Lots of discussions are great to read--but I don't necessarily feel a need to add to the topic.
As to lurking--I run hot and cold--it is based purely on how busy I am, how much personal energy I have, and if my contributing is important to me or not. Lots of discussions are great to read--but I don't necessarily feel a need to add to the topic.
I lurk because I am a creeper, well honestly I am pretty active on this forum, but I have days where I just feel like lurking around and other days where I want to comment on everything lol.
I read a lot of the drama filled threads, but tend not to post, honestly when a thread gets heated like that its a waste of my time to join in the mess lol, but it sure does make for a good read.
I read a lot of the drama filled threads, but tend not to post, honestly when a thread gets heated like that its a waste of my time to join in the mess lol, but it sure does make for a good read.
This and it depends on what is going on in my life as well. Right now there is tons going on that I mainly come here and read as a distraction from it all. I also am not a fan of the rare people who like to follow people and no matter what they post, even if it is simply pictures, that they have to find something to attack that person on because they don't like them. When I am going through a lot of stuff I try to avoid posting because of that type of drama that I just can't handle or deal with.
I just wanted to address this (and the other posts like it) because it's exactly how I felt when I joined - the only way I found to get past it was to just post more. The close group is close because they post allllll the time. It's easy to say "just post more" but I know it's hard to do and can be really intimidating. But do it anyway cause most of us are friendly and want to know you.
I just wanted to address this (and the other posts like it) because it's exactly how I felt when I joined - the only way I found to get past it was to just post more. The close group is close because they post allllll the time. It's easy to say "just post more" but I know it's hard to do and can be really intimidating. But do it anyway cause most of us are friendly and want to know you.
I lurked for about two years before I really started posting. I would post here or there but I did find that bond to be hard to break through. That was until I figured out all you had to do was post more and not be a jerk.
I love the closeness of this forum. It's what keeps me here rather than other forums that while maybe a lot busier don't have that family feel. But it was rather intimidating from the outside looking in.
Once I got Traveler I started posting on a regular basis and have been ever since. I'll go through stints where I post more or post less because of either being on my phone, just not wanting to put thought into something or nothing I say will come off nice.
But all you lurkers that have never posted before reading this! Get on that!
We're a close bunch but I love new people on here! I've made a ton of friends from this forum. One comes every Christmas to stay with my family and has become part of our family, another I ended up importing a dog with, some I talk to on a regular basis and I wouldn't have gotten that if I never posted.
I love the closeness of this forum. It's what keeps me here rather than other forums that while maybe a lot busier don't have that family feel. But it was rather intimidating from the outside looking in.
Once I got Traveler I started posting on a regular basis and have been ever since. I'll go through stints where I post more or post less because of either being on my phone, just not wanting to put thought into something or nothing I say will come off nice.
But all you lurkers that have never posted before reading this! Get on that!
We're a close bunch but I love new people on here! I've made a ton of friends from this forum. One comes every Christmas to stay with my family and has become part of our family, another I ended up importing a dog with, some I talk to on a regular basis and I wouldn't have gotten that if I never posted.
I had to check, but I joined May 2010 and have around 900 posts. I don't consider that a lot for 2 1/2 years of membership, but I definitely wouldn't call it lurking, either.
Thinking about it, I can come up with a few reasons why I don't post frequently
1) I hate logging in. True story It makes no sense, considering that neither my username nor my password counts as unconventional or lengthy, but I am so incredibly lazy that I flat out don't do it.
Often times when I do log in and post, you'll notice that I post 5 or up to even 10 replies (usually on picture threads) in a span of a few moments, to catch up on what I had missed while signed out of Chaz. And then I sit and wait for more necessary replies to accumulate before popping back in again.
...holy crow, I am weird
2) I tend to ask most dog-related questions on Facebook, because I'm ALWAYS on Facebook and tend to receive immediate replies. As far as discussion questions go, I rarely think of any good topics for discussion, or if I do, I get too lazy to sign in and start a thread and wind up forgetting LOL
3) My dog is boring. Trent is not weird, he's not quirky, he's not particularly difficult, and doesn't have an ounce of mischief in his body. He's my steady dog, well behaved, predictable. He sleeps all day and the highlights of our outings are always accompanied by pictures, which show his personality better than I could put into words.
Frankly, if I posted about Trent, I think it would just involve a lot of gushing on my part about how much I love my dog, with the occasional "oh, guess what? He got up from the hallway to stretch and moved to the living room couch.". Don't get me wrong, I love and want boring and predictable. It just means that there isn't much to announce :lol-sign:
I was already a member of another forum (or two) and recognized a few familiar faces, so I didn't feel too intimidated. I jumped right in, but then again, I did the same when I first joined forums for the first time (a general dog forum and a German Shepherd specific one).
It helped that I knew a few frequent posters already and received a really warm welcome with plenty of compliments for Trent. That's how I knew I liked Chaz, of course. Plus, I cozy up to people in real life quickly, even if a little awkwardly. I think I tend to be familiar fairly naturally and possibly too early on.
Well, too bad, you're all stuck with me now
Thinking about it, I can come up with a few reasons why I don't post frequently
1) I hate logging in. True story
It makes no sense, considering that neither my username nor my password counts as unconventional or lengthy, but I am so incredibly lazy that I flat out don't do it. Often times when I do log in and post, you'll notice that I post 5 or up to even 10 replies (usually on picture threads) in a span of a few moments, to catch up on what I had missed while signed out of Chaz. And then I sit and wait for more necessary replies to accumulate before popping back in again.
...holy crow, I am weird
2) I tend to ask most dog-related questions on Facebook, because I'm ALWAYS on Facebook and tend to receive immediate replies. As far as discussion questions go, I rarely think of any good topics for discussion, or if I do, I get too lazy to sign in and start a thread and wind up forgetting LOL
3) My dog is boring. Trent is not weird, he's not quirky, he's not particularly difficult, and doesn't have an ounce of mischief in his body. He's my steady dog, well behaved, predictable. He sleeps all day and the highlights of our outings are always accompanied by pictures, which show his personality better than I could put into words.
Frankly, if I posted about Trent, I think it would just involve a lot of gushing on my part about how much I love my dog, with the occasional "oh, guess what? He got up from the hallway to stretch and moved to the living room couch.". Don't get me wrong, I love and want boring and predictable. It just means that there isn't much to announce :lol-sign:
I was already a member of another forum (or two) and recognized a few familiar faces, so I didn't feel too intimidated. I jumped right in, but then again, I did the same when I first joined forums for the first time (a general dog forum and a German Shepherd specific one).
It helped that I knew a few frequent posters already and received a really warm welcome with plenty of compliments for Trent. That's how I knew I liked Chaz, of course. Plus, I cozy up to people in real life quickly, even if a little awkwardly. I think I tend to be familiar fairly naturally and possibly too early on.
Well, too bad, you're all stuck with me now
I had to check, but I joined May 2010 and have around 900 posts. I don't consider that a lot for 2 1/2 years of membership, but I definitely wouldn't call it lurking, either.
Thinking about it, I can come up with a few reasons why I don't post frequently
1) I hate logging in. True story It makes no sense, considering that neither my username nor my password counts as unconventional or lengthy, but I am so incredibly lazy that I flat out don't do it.
Often times when I do log in and post, you'll notice that I post 5 or up to even 10 replies (usually on picture threads) in a span of a few moments, to catch up on what I had missed while signed out of Chaz. And then I sit and wait for more necessary replies to accumulate before popping back in again.
...holy crow, I am weird
2) I tend to ask most dog-related questions on Facebook, because I'm ALWAYS on Facebook and tend to receive immediate replies. As far as discussion questions go, I rarely think of any good topics for discussion, or if I do, I get too lazy to sign in and start a thread and wind up forgetting LOL
3) My dog is boring. Trent is not weird, he's not quirky, he's not particularly difficult, and doesn't have an ounce of mischief in his body. He's my steady dog, well behaved, predictable. He sleeps all day and the highlights of our outings are always accompanied by pictures, which show his personality better than I could put into words.
Frankly, if I posted about Trent, I think it would just involve a lot of gushing on my part about how much I love my dog, with the occasional "oh, guess what? He got up from the hallway to stretch and moved to the living room couch.". Don't get me wrong, I love and want boring and predictable. It just means that there isn't much to announce :lol-sign:
I was already a member of another forum (or two) and recognized a few familiar faces, so I didn't feel too intimidated. I jumped right in, but then again, I did the same when I first joined forums for the first time (a general dog forum and a German Shepherd specific one).
It helped that I knew a few frequent posters already and received a really warm welcome with plenty of compliments for Trent. That's how I knew I liked Chaz, of course. Plus, I cozy up to people in real life quickly, even if a little awkwardly. I think I tend to be familiar fairly naturally and possibly too early on.
Well, too bad, you're all stuck with me now
Thinking about it, I can come up with a few reasons why I don't post frequently
1) I hate logging in. True story
It makes no sense, considering that neither my username nor my password counts as unconventional or lengthy, but I am so incredibly lazy that I flat out don't do it. Often times when I do log in and post, you'll notice that I post 5 or up to even 10 replies (usually on picture threads) in a span of a few moments, to catch up on what I had missed while signed out of Chaz. And then I sit and wait for more necessary replies to accumulate before popping back in again.
...holy crow, I am weird
2) I tend to ask most dog-related questions on Facebook, because I'm ALWAYS on Facebook and tend to receive immediate replies. As far as discussion questions go, I rarely think of any good topics for discussion, or if I do, I get too lazy to sign in and start a thread and wind up forgetting LOL
3) My dog is boring. Trent is not weird, he's not quirky, he's not particularly difficult, and doesn't have an ounce of mischief in his body. He's my steady dog, well behaved, predictable. He sleeps all day and the highlights of our outings are always accompanied by pictures, which show his personality better than I could put into words.
Frankly, if I posted about Trent, I think it would just involve a lot of gushing on my part about how much I love my dog, with the occasional "oh, guess what? He got up from the hallway to stretch and moved to the living room couch.". Don't get me wrong, I love and want boring and predictable. It just means that there isn't much to announce :lol-sign:
I was already a member of another forum (or two) and recognized a few familiar faces, so I didn't feel too intimidated. I jumped right in, but then again, I did the same when I first joined forums for the first time (a general dog forum and a German Shepherd specific one).
It helped that I knew a few frequent posters already and received a really warm welcome with plenty of compliments for Trent. That's how I knew I liked Chaz, of course. Plus, I cozy up to people in real life quickly, even if a little awkwardly. I think I tend to be familiar fairly naturally and possibly too early on.
Well, too bad, you're all stuck with me now
