User talk:Wonderfl/Why is everyone so irritable

Wikipedia Guides

This is a part of a series of articles on Wikipedia, where I offer an insider's view of the way Wikipedia functions.

This does not represent the views of Wikipedia as a whole, or other Wikipedians, but aims to give you an understanding of how the system generally functions.

Why is everyone so irritable?
Ah. Welcome to Wikipedia of the real world. Ever watched Skyfall? We're the last rats standing. Everyone here on Wikipedia has been through a lot of bitter arguments and heartbreaking insults, and we who have stayed, have chosen to contribute to this beautiful project despite the past, not because of it. Sometimes its editors who take the guidelines too seriously and behave like Dolores Umbridge from Harry Potter. Others have genuine misunderstandings and misperceptions and heated arguments are quickly started. To this effect, there's even a policy that says "Don't bite the newcomers".

In most cases, these "irritable editors" don't really hate you or your work, but at some point they were "victims" of the same system that you are currently. And in time they learnt the rules, and learnt how to survive. And so anyone who does something that doesn't fit, well, its quite natural to lash out at them and give them the same treatment they recieved when they were newcomers. This vicious circle is really hard to prevent.

I started as a loner, and had to figure my way out. But possibly not everyone has had such a bitter experience with Wikipedia and there are gems who really do everything they can to help. I hope you're lucky enough to encounter such editors, and in case you have trouble, try to understand the situation and talk your way out. Insults, credentials, threats, such things don't work on Wikipedia and shouldn't be tried.


 * 1) If you encounter a harsh, abusive individual - try to steer clear instead of getting embroiled in a lengthy and often endless debate.
 * 2) If you encounter honest criticism of your additions - learn, try again and discuss the matter on the talk page.
 * 3) If you have someone repeatedly revert (undo) your additions - you can file a complaint regarding edit warring at the noticeboard, especially if the person undid your actions without sufficient justification 4 times or more.
 * 4) If you don't understand the system - read my guides and maybe you'll figure out what goes and what doesn't on Wikipedia.