We all come to Susan's for our own reasons, be it support, venting, information, bonding, whatever. When you post, what responses make the biggest impact for you. Said another way, what quality do you like in the approach taken by someone interacting with you?

For me, I think I like seeing posts where someone is very specifically addressing the concern in the first post. When possible, I also like humor in posts. For example, if I post this and someone says, "Oh my gosh, there goes Moni with another ridiculous question again." I would laugh (after crying for a few minutes, of course.)
Moni

It is important to remember the original topic but I don't mind a bit of digression for humour or because a related topic has been raised.   

   I think I came here for the interpersonal social interaction and support I have received and with the hope that what I share and say is of help to someone else. I'm afraid I have been of much used in the last part recently.

Oh jeeze, another silly question. But what do you expect from someone who can't pronounce her own name correctly?

Addressing the original question should be the first priority, of course. Else why pose a question in the first place? It's interesting, though, to see how threads evolve and morph into all kinds of different shapes. Sometimes you can learn more by just freewheeling than you would by sticking strictly to the subject.

Steph the Non-Serious

As a moderator I make this call when determining if a member is post padding in order to gain site privileges. For me it's addressing a concern or issue and the post should show that they have put some thought into the question before they asked it. I may not agree with it and it may not be important to me but it should show that it is important to the poster. Normally I would like to see the post run 4-5 lines at least however some of the younger members first joining the site might be in the 2-3 line range.

I would also like the post to clearly define the issue but that's not always possible. Many member make their first post in a state of confusion and are still attempting to define the question without worrying about the answers.

I personally make different types of posts:

*informational, sharing my own experiences for the possible benefit of others.

*social, a more general topic to spark open discussion and debate,  May be trans* related or not all.

*support,  either when I need some,  or to give some to others.

I use alot of humor (you'll have to judge if it's funny). I'm like this in real life, I try not to take anything too seriously,  though I don't always succeed.

Sent from my MI 5s using Tapatalk

I don't think that the length of a post is relevant.  It is possible to use a lot of words without saying much.  The perfect answer to a question may be very short, and a humorous remark relating to a post may also be brief but pertinent.

Some posts may even be no more than friendly or polite repsonses but even they help to facilitate the social interaction which I think is one of the purposes of Susan's Place.

Quote from: Steph2.0 on October 22, 2017, 03:51:47 PM
Oh jeeze, another silly question. But what do you expect from someone who can't pronounce her own name correctly?

Addressing the original question should be the first priority, of course. Else why pose a question in the first place? It's interesting, though, to see how threads evolve and morph into all kinds of different shapes. Sometimes you can learn more by just freewheeling than you would by sticking strictly to the subject.

Steph the Non-Serious

Sorry but I can't resist. Exhibit A) Notice how she says the original question should be top priority, like, uh, first. So, what does she do? The first thing she does is give this poor old woman a hard time. I mean, when ya read these posts ya gotta have a sense of humor. I rest my case.
Moni the Picky

Quote from: HappyMoni on October 22, 2017, 05:09:07 PM
Sorry but I can't resist. Exhibit A) Notice how she says the original question should be top priority, like, uh, first. So, what does she do? The first thing she does is give this poor old woman a hard time. I mean, when ya read these posts ya gotta have a sense of humor. I rest my case.
Moni the Picky

Busted. [emoji54]

Oh wait! I'm busted! [emoji3][emoji160]

So far Moni I have not seen any comments from you, not worth making. Originally I came here to vent. I did that for months on end. I've tried humor a few times but was afraid I only know dirty jokes. Funny but not appropriate. Lastly, now I want to give back and hope I can help some people to avoid the pitfalls I endured. I remember when I first came here and you were displaying an avatar rather than a picture of yourself. To repeat a saying from the 20th century. You've come a long way baby. But, your postings are always spot on. I appreciate that unlike me you actually think what you are going to say.    I wish we were neighbors and could talk over the fence with a cup of coffee. But I will settle for second best.

This may be the best post I've seen.   https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,104243.msg780226.html#msg780226

One part wisdom, one part compassion, one part humour and about forty seven spoonful's of double entendre.

I like posts that make me feel better about life.  They can be useful informational posts, or supportive posts, or posts about how someone overcame problems in their life.  I also totally get posts about how someone is fed up and absolutely miserable.  I don't exactly "like" those, but I understand how necessary they are.

Quote from: DawnOday on October 22, 2017, 06:06:06 PM
So far Moni I have not seen any comments from you, not worth making. Originally I came here to vent. I did that for months on end. I've tried humor a few times but was afraid I only know dirty jokes. Funny but not appropriate. Lastly, now I want to give back and hope I can help some people to avoid the pitfalls I endured. I remember when I first came here and you were displaying an avatar rather than a picture of yourself. To repeat a saying from the 20th century. You've come a long way baby. But, your postings are always spot on. I appreciate that unlike me you actually think what you are going to say.    I wish we were neighbors and could talk over the fence with a cup of coffee. But I will settle for second best.

This may be the best post I've seen.   https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,104243.msg780226.html#msg780226

Thanks Dawn, I have  witnessed your transformation here on Susan's. I am so happy for you. I would be willing to meet you at the back fence if you tell me some of those dirty jokes.   I agree with you on the post you linked to.
Moni

A great quality post for me is one that answers the question at hand and that connects their own experience with the topic. There's a fine line between talking about your personal experience as a way to teach others, or doing it just to make it about you and sadly, the second option tends to happen a lot here. I don't think they even notice, but I've seen many posts that turn into an essay about the things the poster when through and they never really answer the OP's question.

Moni (et al) i certainly favor posts that inform, help, build community. I'm of course glad to feel I've made friends here, there are decidedly people I care for.

I've been to Susan's before - a prior incarnation of the site - and left when it no longer had utility for me -- I wasn't going to transition anytime soon if ever and had no desire to continue thinking on it.

When I started my current account I'd already been on HRT 3 months and it was time to decide on GCS and get my bearings for the rest of transition.

To me a good post and maybe more  important a good thread entails a realistic question or idea. I'm not so much for the humor and community is nice but when you come to it my community is people I know IRL, can see and touch. I won't be a long term member of Susan's, transition is mostly done for me at least for now.

addressing the topic/OP is of top tier importance to me.  nothing wrong with tangents getting started in a thread, but i expect everyone participating in a thread to have replied to the actual topic, too.  that's just good forum etiquette for anywhere, really.

beyond that, as long as posts are genuine and add to overall interaction, i don't mind what people say or how they say it.  i'll get more out of posts that offer insight and make a connection to the post they're responding to, but that can be done in a lot of ways.