Offended by feedback / suggestions?

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

Have you ever been on a forum where the administration actually seems to get offended and overly defensive by any feedback (good or bad).

Perhaps they shoot down any and every suggestion because they don't want people telling them how to run their forum?

Why do you think some admins act like that? Shouldn't feedback and suggestions be appreciated and welcomed? I'm not saying they have to implement every idea but why be a dick to those offering up an opinion? I see it all the time elsewhere and I don't get it...

 

[Kirito]

I think it's more that people on forums and online in general are often not the most sociable, easy going people around. They see criticism as a personal attack rather than helpful feedback.

 

[Bryd0]

No, I've never been on a forum where the admins act like immature babies. If that's how they're going to respond to feedback and/or criticism then fine, but they shouldn't be running the forum in the first place.

 

[Hulk's iconHulk]

I think it's more that people on forums and online in general are often not the most sociable, easy going people around. They see criticism as a personal attack rather than helpful feedback.

I've got social phobia but when someone offers constructive criticism I actually welcome it.
So I don't really agree with what you have said.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

I would think that a person is dealing with some insecurity issues (possibly some other issues too) if they feel threatened by someone just trying to help.

 

[fantanoice]

I remember an Admin having a hissy over something I suggested and rambled about how, "Members should not expect technical changes," and locked the suggestions thread.

 

[Kirito]

I think it's more that people on forums and online in general are often not the most sociable, easy going people around. They see criticism as a personal attack rather than helpful feedback.

I've got social phobia but when someone offers constructive criticism I actually welcome it.
So I don't really agree with what you have said.

I don't mean everyone online or even everyone that's not that sociable. I'm talking specifically about the type that acts hostile to feedback.

 

[Combo]

Indeed, there are a number of forums like that. They need to understand that it's a forum that the public visit. They need to adapt to what the majority of the public want.

 

[MrDawn]

No, I've never been on a forum where the admins act like immature babies. If that's how they're going to respond to feedback and/or criticism then fine, but they shouldn't be running the forum in the first place.

Agreed 100%

Some people aren't meant to run a forum or be over anyone.

 

[Smiley]

Have you ever been on a forum where the administration actually seems to get offended and overly defensive by any feedback (good or bad).

Yes. I haven't noticed any issues when someone gives only positive feedback, like praising them for something they did, though.

Perhaps they shoot down any and every suggestion because they don't want people telling them how to run their forum?

That would be my guess. Might makes right. In my experience, any attempt of offering a suggestion on how to improve something is met with arrogance, condescension and the general "I outrank you, therefore you are irrelevant, you pesky little maggot" attitude.

What puzzles me is why they even have a place for feedback & suggestions. I mean, if you don't want your members to provide any constructive feedback, to offer (potentially) useful advices and suggestions, why even having an entire section devoted to feedback & suggestions? :huh2: Perhaps they get some kind of weird satisfaction from denying people?

Why do you think some admins act like that?

I don't know. Superiority complex? Because they can?

Shouldn't feedback and suggestions be appreciated and welcomed?

It should, but it usually isn't.

I'm not saying they have to implement every idea but why be a dick to those offering up an opinion?

Good question. Let me know when you find an answer.

 

[BioWarfare]

Yes. I've been banned from a forum for criticizing their premium membership. I never went back there after that.

I have also seen inexperienced and young admins flip out over negative feedback. But you can't generalize admins, as even experienced webmasters sometimes do not welcome feedback or suggestions because they want to run their forum their own way.

I actually welcome negative feedback more than positive feedback. As a general rule, people aren't too honest, and they want to be generous. So I always take good feedback with a grain of salt. When I received negative feedback, I try to appeal to them by implementing their suggestions, or meeting them halfway. Because the chances are that a lot of other people feel the same way as that "negative Nancy" does, but they just don't talk aloud.

 

[MrDawn]

If you're running a forum. You need to be able to listen to a members feedback and work on always improving your forum. If that offends you, than maybe running a forum isn't for you.