I was wondering if anyone shared my feelings about the new(ish) feature on each name, where you can leave a comment.
I think it was a very great idea, and thoughtful of nameberry to add it so that people can share interesting or helpful comments on a particular name, without making a whole new thread, or mucking around with the pop culture reference section at the bottom of the name.
However, it seems the comments are mostly from the same 5-10 people, who comment on every single name they can, and generally speaking, leave either rude, or just unnecessary/irrelevant comments. (Or, after leaving a slew of rude comments themselves, an objection to the blurb on the name if nameberry has written anything even slightly non-complementary about it).
I mostly just wanted to see if anyone else was slightly annoyed by this. Or to ask very nicely (because I know you’re not technically doing anything wrong) if you could just maybe cut back a little, or make a thread of your own with a big list of all the names you dislike, or something like that.
Anyway, sorry if this comes off as rude, I really don’t mean it to be, it’s just this has been bothering me lately, that’s all.
I have almost started this thread about five times now.
I don’t really care if I come across as rude - they’re being obnoxious. It’s unnecessary. I second mflannery’s plea that they at least cut back so some constructive comments can be seen as well.
I don’t read most of the comments, but I am always puzzled by people who come to a name forum just to talk about the names they hate. I suppose everyone is free do what they like with their free time, I just never saw the point in spending free time on negative things. :shrug: We all need to vent from time to time, I guess.
Yeah, certain users do seem to be–let’s face it–absolute jerks on the comments. I have posted some snarky things, but I try to keep it to a minimum, at least. I’ve actually found myself fervently hoping one user was a troll because of this issue!
I’ve noticed the same thing. It’s one thing to post something weird in a thread like “I don’t like it because of this girl from grade school”, but to do it under the name’s entry seems unnecessary. The comments are useful if they mention associations that someone might not know about, but to look up a name just to comment that you don’t like it seems… weird.
I agree completely, I’ve noticed a lot of irrelevant, nasty comments on some perfectly acceptable names. Personally like, I think it should be more of a poll section than comments, on a couple other sites, you can vote on your impression of the name. Perhaps that would be more useful?
I also find it annoying when users have Giant Naming Battles in the comments over things like whether a name is usable for a boy (see [name_u]Evelyn[/name_u]'s boy page for a prime example!)
I agree. It’s often just a constant stream of unnecessary rudeness, which in turn causes arguments. The [name_u]Evelyn[/name_u] thing was just ridiculous but I don’t think it wouldn’t have started if people had just presented their reasons for not liking the name in a way that wasn’t so inflammatory and, honestly, downright mean. It isn’t everyone, just a few users, but it’s definitely enough to be noticed.
I think the comments page is a great idea in theory, but unless there’s a better way for it to be monitored, I personally think the site would be better without it. I liked the polling idea someone above me mentioned.
I do prefer having a comments section compared with what we had before. However, I agree that there are a select few who seem excessively negative and they need to cut back. I’ve no issue with negative opinions on names; the world isn’t a sugar-coated ball of rainbows and unicorns where everyone loves everything, so I for one like to see why a name may be perceived negatively and I like to have the ability to disagree with names too. The issue seems to be with rude and antagonistic comments, on both sides of the spats that have broken out. I think more monitoring is needed.
As for Nameberry’s non-complementary comments, I think people have every right to respond, in a civil manner. Many entries I’ve seen can come across as very US-biased, mean or provocative, and people will take it to heart, especially as it’s sometimes presented like it’s the absolute truth and a view held by everyone. If NB can throw their opinion out there I don’t see why someone can’t respond with theirs.
Did you see the new comment on [name_f]Nevaeh[/name_f]??? It’s a horrible name, but the user–user name starts with s and ends with ess–was horrifically rude! This comments section idea is pretty unstable…
I don’t mind the Comment section. The way my computer is set up, I can’t see which name is being commented on, but I can see the comments. [name_f]Every[/name_f] now and then I’ll see one that seems somewhat rude, or (mostly) just pointless.
I don’t mind some negative comments. I’d rather see more constructive comments. Saying “[name_f]My[/name_f] sister went to school with a [name_f]Sarah[/name_f],” isn’t helpful.
I actually think the comments section is really useful, and a good way for people to put out their opinions about names without having to start a thread.
Wow. Goodness gracious gravy stains. [name_m]Just[/name_m]… Wow. That was a snarkfest and a half (not you, the comments). I agree about the comments- I think it a good place to point out cultural references, word associations, nickname’s, real life examples, etc. It isn’t really the place to have debates upon sexism and gender issues.
[name_m]Hi[/name_m], sorry I never really checked up or replied on this thread!
I definitely agree that there have been some entries on the names that are not appropriate, and that people have every right to voice their opinion on those. I can think of few that were brought to attention a while ago.
I was more speaking about when there’s actually nothing wrong or offensive with the description, but it says something like “dated”, “plain”, or “clunky”, and the same people who have been writing “ugly”, or “yuck” all day on almost every name they can find, are the ones that object. It’s not the disagreeing with the blurb that irks me, it’s the hypocrisy in tearing down everyone else’s favourite names, and then getting upset when it’s done to yours. Sorry about that, I realized I didn’t really explain what I meant in my original post.
And yes, I agree with what a couple of you are saying. It’s not the existence of the comment section itself (which can be helpful), but the slew of rude or unnecessary comments coming from mostly the same people.
***(Also please refrain from using people’s usernames. I just don’t want it to turn into a gossipy thread of everyone targeting specific people. It probably wouldn’t turn out well. Thanks!)
Can I kindly point out that I have actually stopped posting rude things? If you look, you’ll see I haven’t written any such comments in awhile. I have the feeling that many of these posts are referring to me. So I just want to say I’m sorry, I really am, and I’m working on making my comments nicer. There’s no one to blame but me, I made the choice to write those things and got very carried away, going from skeptical to harsh. I really am better than that, but I chose to make myself look bad. I hope you can all accept my apologies. I was very wrong.
